Transfer Option:

Sample Itinerary -- sequence of days may change.

Day 1 (Saturday)  Arrival after lunch. We will greet you and invite you for a welcome drink. Before dinner you will meet with your riding guide for the week to go over the itinerary.  If there is still time, we will ride for an hour at the riding center to get acquainted with the horses.

Day 2  (Sunday) The Crest of the Gods
We leave Casal Velino and ride along Velia’s coastal route for about 8 km to the archaeological site of Elea-Velia where the Eleatic School was founded by Parmenides and Zeno.
The Angevin Tower overlooks the ruins. We will leave the horses outside and make a quick visit to the archaeological site accompanied by an expert guide. We will then continue our ride through an ancient olive-grove of the “Pisciotta” variety, to join the path of the Ridge of the Gods, close to the terraces sacred to Jupiter. The path runs alongside the walls of the ancient village and is immersed in a beautifully preserved landscape where you can breathe in the typical scents of the Mediterranean scrub land. Another 10 km ride up to an altitude of 250 metres above sea-level where we can admire the exquisite landscape of the sea, the tower and the two gulfs of Ascea and Casal Velino.
Further inland we will enter into the National Park of Cilento, keeping ahead of us the Sacred Mount (1705 m above sea-level), destination of many pilgrimages. From the top of the ridge we can admire Lake Petrosa, surrounded by its luxuriant vegetation. On our way down the ridge we will ride along the shores of the lake (94 m above sea-level) and enter a thick pine forest where we will stop to rest and let the horses drink. We return to the agritourism in the evening.  (18 miles)
**less experienced riders can opt for instructions and shorter trails.

Day 3  (Monday) Cooking Course
The course of Cilento-Mediterranean cooking will prepare and present some of the typical dishes of the region.
- Cilento-Mediterranean cooking: typical pasta recipes, pasta-sauces, meat and side-dishes
- Vegetarian cooking:  vegetables-legumes soups, season-vegetables, stuffed vegetables
- Cakes and sweets:  cilento cake, cannoli with cream, traditional cookies

It is also possible to learn how to make bread and to participate in a guided tour to the mill to sea how different kinds of wheat are transformed into flour. You  also get a little book with some of the private recipes so you can try it on your own once at you are back at home.

A normal day of cooking classes:
We start lessons after breakfast. Claudia (your interpreter) will spend some time explaining what we are going to do and talk a little bit about eating habits and traditions of Cilento. Then each person gets an "Moresani" apron which they can take home and we go into the kitchen where "Aunt Melina" our main chef is waiting to start. Don't worry, she has a lot of patience! Each person will prepare every step of the recipe while it is interpreted step by step in English. Each week is dedicated to different dishes but often we change it if guests have special requests. If we make pasta everybody has to start from the dough, then make the stuffing and the sauce! Together you can decide to eat your dishes for lunch or dinner where Gino will offer you a bottle of wine. 

In the afternoon we meet and visit local different locations:
-we take you to a wine producer to taste different kinds of wines and show how it is produced.
-in our cheese factory to see the making of our goat cheese and tasting it fresh.
-to an olive mill ( if in season) for the making of olives, you could also help with the picking.
-in the restaurant for an analysis of extra virgin olive oil under the guidance of slow food member, who shows us how to distinguish good oil from inferior ones and how to use it in different foods.
-to a mill for the transformation of corn into flour. 

If you are really interested in food and cooking, you will enjoy this place, because here you see the products grow and being transformed into delicious dishes.

Day 4  (Tuesday) Between the Middle-Ages and the Renaissance
We start out along the road that skirts the hills to the right of the agriturismo and ride 3 km to the small Church of San Giovanni (Saint John). The Church, which dates back to the XIV century, is thought to have been built by Basilian monks.
Then on towards Celso (10 km from the departure point) which is completely immersed in the countryside, along tracks which allow you to fully admire the beauties of the Mediterranean scrubland (broom, bramble, heather, holm-oak, oak and sorb). We will enter Celso through the arch of Mazziotti’s Palace (now a national monument) which belonged to a Baron and a very illustrious scholar. Celso, an ancient medieval village dating back to 1050, was the scene of the events of the Risorgimento in Cilento which took place in 1828 and 1848.
We then leave the village (418 m above sea-level) and ride on towards Pollica past a woods of young chestnut trees and then again through the Mediterranean scrubland that becomes the natural frame to the blue sea and spectacular coastline. We enter Pollica through a Franciscan Monastery founded in 1611 by Prince Capano. Along the streets of the town we can admire the typical stone portals and the 17th Century Palace Tower which dominates the village. We stop here for a picnic lunch.
After lunch, we leave Pollica and continue our journey along narrow paths, past gorges and streams until we reach Pioppi and the sea. We return to the agritourism in the evening.   (20 miles)
**less experienced riders can opt for instructions and shorter trails.

Day 5  (Wednesday) Cooking Course
Morning cooking course - afternoon visit to local producers or free time to relax or organize a sightseeing tour.

Day 6  (Thursday) Along the Crest of Mount Stella
After breakfast we will saddle the horses and start riding towards Mount Stella. We will follow the trails next to the river and pass through woods of intense Mediterranean scrub. After some km. the trail will start rising up the hill to the Crest where cows pasture in complete freedom. The view from there is so beautiful that it does not seem real, rather like a painting. The hills are covered by olive-trees that almost reach the sea. Once we reach Guarrazzano, a very small town along the mountain, we'll stop for lunch. You’ll enjoy a barbecue and some good local wine in the shadow of ancient trees. After watering the horses it will be time to saddle the horses again and start riding until we reach the town of Stella Cilento. According to the history, inhabitants of this town were famous for breeding pigs! In fact, originally the town had the name of “Porcili”. Afterwards it’s time to take the way home following a trail that allows us to view other small villages.  (20 miles)
**less experienced riders can opt for instructions and shorter trails.

Day 7  (Friday) Cooking Course
Morning cooking course - afternoon visit to local producers or free time to relax or organize a sightseeing tour.

Day 8  Departure after breakfast.

**Subject to change

Other Activities:
Available are guided tours to the archaeological site of Velia, interesting walking tours along the crest of the gods and the suggestive trails of Cilento passing through the ancient towns. Participating in bowshot (archery), swimming in the pool and also joining in the main rural works on the farm (picking olives, milking the goats, making cheese in our cheese-factory...) will make your stay interesting and pleasant.
The farm is the ideal place for those who love open air sports. Nature is the real protagonist here, you’ll want to go hiking through the uncontaminated woods and the typical Mediterranean landscape or walk along beautiful trails and visit the medieval towns of the National Park of Cilento.

Hiking: Alta Via del Monte Stella
Length: 3h30’, Difficulty: medium
This route follows the crest of Mount Stella and is one of the principal mountain paths of the area.
The excursion can be started in the town of Montecorice, in the village of Cosentini, Ortodonico or in the town of Perdifumo. Starting from Cosentini you will pass through an area called “ Montanari” reaching the country road. Starting from Perdifumo instead, you will follow the crest of Punta Carpinia until reaching the equipped area of Monte Corbara. The path will bring you through a wooded area along the crest and offers many panoramic views. You will be able to observe “Mount Cervati”, the “Alburni”, Cape Palinuro, the gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi coast.
This itinerary, which offers a landscape painting of rare beauty, also has a rich historical background. Along the way you will see the ruins of the “Castelluccio” and the Chapel of the “Madonna della Stella” whose cult dates back to the pre-Christian age.
Walking down from Mount Stella, through a beautiful wood you’ll reach the so called “Vivaio”, an ideal place for some relaxing.

Hiking: Casal Velino - Acciaroli
Length:2-5h, Difficulty: medium
This route is one of the best known in the area and follows the southern slope of Mount Stella. It starts in the panoramic town of Casal Velino following an easy path which offers you a splendid view on the country and takes you to the town of Celso. If you like you can take the ancient road through the green valley and along the stream Mortelle until you find a stony staircase that reaches Celso.
From Celso, another panoramic path takes you to the convent of San Francesco and then to Pollica which has a well-preserved historical center and a small castle. This route is all down hill, passing through the village of Cannicchio, unchanged in all these years, and through a wonderful Mediterranean scrub until reaching the coast. The walk ends on the sea and along the streets of Acciaroli, a characteristic seafaring town. This route can be also started in the town of Celso, going towards the village of Galdo, or following the river as far as Pioppi where you can take a bath in its crystal clear water.
 

The Cilento is part of Italy´s most southern climate zone. However, even during the hot summer months (July and August) dry winds from the mountains are often blowing, creating a pleasant climate. Temperatures are mild in winter, too. 

The lowest temperature degree in the peak of wintertime is usually over 8°C/46°F
The highest temperature degree in the peak of summertime is usually under 32°C/90°F

The farm is located in one of the most beautiful spots of the Cilento National Park. The panorama along the road is lovely and spectacular changing from the green olive trees to the blue sea ; the scents of nature are everywhere. The farm is laid out on 40 acres of private land. In a valley of oak trees, olives and wine yards you’ll find the riding track and riding school, the sheep-fold and pigsty. The main part of the farm consists in old stables, now restored; there is a spacious and comfortable restaurant where you can try the best local food and regional wines, a little store room and shop for our products and also a small cheese factory where we produce our own special goat cheese.

To complete the farm there is a swimming pool (opens at the end of April) and two cottages with nicely furnished rooms or apartments and wide open spaces to offer you relaxing hours and freedom of movement.
Different kinds of accomodations will satisfy every need of the guests: rooms and apartments all well furnished, spacious and comfortable surrounded by a wonderful nature and beautiful view. 
The accomodations offer all comforts, terraces, gardens and are all nearby the wonderful swimming-pool and solarium in order to enjoy sunny days and a magical atmosphere.
Flavours of Cilento
Looking for the traditional ancient flavours is our unicity. Those flavours, often only a memory, are re-proposed by the family with an innovating taste. The wine cellar offers not only our excellent wine but also some of the best labels of the region Campania. A little shop inside the farm allows you to buy the self-made products such as the highly appreciated goat-cheese made in their own little cheese factory.
Typical farmproducts
The aim is to prepare only products with genuine and high quality ingredients; to transform traditional recipes in order to remain in the heart of those who will want to taste them. Everything is prepared by the family’s hands which have been working for years now with passion and knowledge. You can see it in the taste of the conserves, sweet and salty, sausages, salami, goat cheeses, extra virgine olive oil, wine, liquors and honey.



The Lodgings:

Casa Mortella
In the middle of the splendid nature right next to the pool stands Casa Mortella, made of local stone. On the inside there are three very comfortable double-rooms with mini-bar and private bathroom. Each room has a separate entrance and two have a big terrace with panoramic view while the third room has an open space in front of the entrance. There are tables and chairs on the outside of every room.



Il Corbezzolo
On the upper floor there is an apartment called “Il Corbezzolo” ideal for a family of maximum four people. It has a large bedroom with a splendid view on the hills, a bathroom with shower and a living-room with a sofa bed and kitchenette. The large terrace overlooking our olive-trees will make your stay pleasant and comfortable and invites you to relaxing evenings, drinking some good local wine while enjoying the overwhelming quiet and the scents of nature.
La Quercia
On the upper floor of Casa Cristallo there is a nice , comfortable country-style mansard.Right next to the pool it has three bedrooms ,a bathroom with shower ,a large living-room with sofa-bed and kitchenette. The apartment can host a family or a group of friends up to six-seven people. On the outside of the house there is a large open space equipped with table and chairs to enjoy some relax and the splendid view that surrounds our farm. The atmosphere is calm and familiar and assures you an unforgettable holiday.
Casa Cristallo
Right next to the swimming-pool among ancient olive-trees and Mediterranean scents an old farmer’s home has become Casa Cristallo. Although it has been rebuilt it still conserves a typical Cilento style. There are four comfortable double-rooms on the ground floor each with mini-bar and private bathroom. On the outside of the house there is a large open space equipped with table and chairs to enjoy some relax and the splendid view that surrounds our farm. The atmosphere is calm and familiar and assures you an unforgettable holiday. 
Casa Pendio 
This old stone house is located in the historical part of the town on a hill that offers a spectacular view on the surrounding nature and sea all the way to the ancient city of Velia.  Ideal accomodation for a couple or family with small children it has a large living room with a sofa bed and a comfortable kitchen.A stone arch separats the living area from the sleeping area whose double bed is on an attic.
During summer time you can use the small terrace in front of the house to enjoy the peacefulness and relax among the fragrances of wild flowers. 

I Lavatoi
Independant apartment in the historical center of Casal Velino right in front of the ancient wash-basins which used to be a meeting-point for all women of the town.
Accurately finished off in a very rural style it can accomodate up to 5 people.On two levels it has every comfort. There is a living area with kitchen,a bedroom and a bathroom on the first level and on the second level there is another room with a sofa bed , a private bathroom and a wonderful terrace with view on the bay of Casal Velino.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

You will find a stable of sure footed and steady horses, the ideal mounts to explore the rugged countryside. The pace varies depending on the terrain but you should be confident at walk, trot and canter and on sometimes steep ascents and descents.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Italian breeds. Sure footed and steady horses, the ideal mounts to explore the rugged countryside.
Pace:		The pace varies depending on the terrain and riders ability. 3-5 hrs of riding per riding day. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(1.5 to 3 out of 5)    Beginner to Intermediate
Age:		Min 15
Weight:		Max 200 lbs
Riders:		Min 6 riders	Max 12 riders

You will find a stable of sure footed and steady horses, the ideal mounts to explore the rugged countryside. The pace varies depending on the terrain but you should be confident at walk, trot and canter and on sometimes steep ascents and descents.