Gourmet Ride in Tuscany Tuscany Italy Typical "Tuscan Hospitality" with superb cuisine at your fingertips, based on purely traditional and organically farmed products while enjoying stunning views of a unique and spectacular countryside- combined with excellent trail riding on beautiful horses! This is an opportunity to for a refined equestrian vacation in the middle of Tuscany that incorporates first class accommodations, superb meals and relaxed horseback riding into the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The riding routes cover four distinct areas in the available landscape and are aboard our well-trained and top quality horses. While each area has it own special aspects, they all blend gently into a complete picture, with an interweaving of hills, ancient eroded landscapes molded by time, woods, vineyards, rows of slender cypresses and shimmering olive groves. The "Casale", the main welcome area and elegant lodging for guests, is the completely and traditionally restored beautiful and original stone farmhouse. It has retained its initial appeal and stands in a splendid position overlooking the magnificent and unspoiled landscapes of the clay hills of the Val d’Orcia, the imposing Radicofani fortress, Mt. Amiata, the austere medieval tower of Celle sul Rigo and renowned San Casciano Bagni. An outdoor swimming pool to swim in and relax beside with ample room for sun tanning. The restaurant on the ground floor of the "Casale" is where the specialties of the Tuscan cuisine can be savored. Every dish is prepared, not only with a creative flair for the eye's delight, but with healthy local food and genuine organic products straight off the farm, taking great care to enhance the most intensive flavors of each of the fresh garden crops as well as the farm-produced pork and cheese delicatessen...pure the gratification of the palate! The atmosphere is naturally rustic and the quality service is provided in a manner that is both attentive and pleasurably relaxing.   Riding and Cooking Classes Center-based ride Meeting: Celle sul Rigo Airport: Rome/Florence Transfer: Chiusi train station Riders: Min 4 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Chiusi-Chianciano Terme train station. Pick-up is available between 8:00am and 10:00pm on Sundays. Check-out: 11:00am.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive and settle into your accommodations. You will have time to relax before meeting Enrica Bartolini, owner and instructor-guide with Carlo Baccelloni.
This evening you will sample the first of your delicious meals.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 2 (Sunday): Morning Ride & Free Afternoon
You will go for your first hack around the farmhouse this morning. The afternoon is free for you to explore the area. 
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 3 (Monday): Morning Hack & Afternoon Lesson
This morning, you continue exploring the area around the farmhouse. In the afternoon, you will get your first riding lesson.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 4 (Tuesday): Spa Day (no riding)
Your package includes a free entrance to the Fonteverde Spa swimming pools.
Thermal therapeutic pool with waterfall and hydro massages
• Etruscan circuit: relaxation itinerary combining sauna, Turkish bath, Grotto and vascular circuit
• Thermal Bioaquam® circuit Pool and water circuit with 22 different types of hydro massages.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 5 (Wednesday): Morning Ride & Free Afternoon
You will go for a hack around the farmhouse this morning. The afternoon is free for you to explore the area. 
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 6 (Thursday): Morning Hack & Afternoon Lesson
This morning, you continue exploring the area around the farmhouse. In the afternoon, you will get your second riding lesson.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 7 (Friday): Walking Tour
Today, you will go on a walking tour to explore the area between San Quirico and Bagno Vignoli.
WE start by a visit to the village of San Quirico, our starting point. Here we are on a small hill, above the remains of the former village of Osanna, from where we can catch sight of remarkable views of the surrounding countryside, where olive trees, some of which are centuries old, are the most common crop, interspersed with fields of grain and rows of cypress trees.
The main focus of our visit will be the Collegiata, dedicated to Saints Quirico and Giulitta. An example of Romanesque architecture with more recent additions, the church is adorned with a magnificent XII century Romanesque doorway decorated with numerous symbolic animals.
We will then stop briefly at the Church of San Francesco (Saint Francis), where we can see the terracotta statue by Andrea della Robbia, moved here from the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta. We will then move on towards Bagno Vignoni, passing through the charming Vignoni Alto, with its lovely XI century castle, a former stronghold which once belonged to the Abbey of Sant’Antimo.
We will go on downhill to the famous, entrancing thermal spa near the River Orcia. Beloved of the Etruscans and the Romans, the baths are truly unique!
This is the only place where you can find a thermal bath in the main square. This fascinating feature and the beneficial properties of the waters resulted in visits to the spa by notable figures including St. Catherine of Siena, Pope Pius II who founded the town of Pienza and Lorenzo Il Magnifico.
Duration: approx. 4 – 4.5 hours overall (approx. 2.5 hours excursion, 1.5 hours guided tours)
Walking distance 6 km – level of difficulty easy
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Departure after breakfast. Ciao.
Meals included: Breakfast



Non-Riders Program
Our non-rider program includes 7 nights with half board, 1 day at the Spa and 1 walking tour. 

                                        Celle Sul Rigo area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	46	47	54	61	67	75	82	81	71	63	54	48
Average Low Temperature (°F)	38	38	43	47	54	61	67	67	60	54	46	41
Average High Temperature (°C)	8	8	12	16	19	24	28	27	22	17	12	9
Average Low Temperature (°C)	4	3	6	9	12	16	19	19	15	12	8	5

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Central Italy benefits from a kind of ocean climate with mild winters and temperatures are hot but bearable (thanks to the ocean) for the summer. The climate in Tuscany is very mild and the seasons each have their merits.

Spring and autumn are particularly good times to visit.
Spring is a delightful time to visit when the trees and flowers are blooming, the air is warm and the nightingales are singing day and night.
Autumn brings glorious colors and you can see the farmers prepare for the olive and grape harvests.

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!)

Riding boots + Minichaps

Riding helmet (recommended for all trips)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Rain coat/Wax jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjama

Bag for dirty clothes

Light summer jacket

Comfortable shoes/sneakers

Swimsuit

Bandana

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and enough extra film

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

The riding center has a few riding helmets, but if you have a particular size it is better you bring you own because there is the possibility you won't find one that suits you.

Average ratings from 16 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date sue burchinal 10/22/2014 dianne holt 10/21/2014 antonio jose rosales bermudez 10/23/2013 frederica a. foxwell 5/7/2013 anda divine 10/18/2010 elizabeth cook 9/30/2010 susan orr 5/9/2009 brenda cotton 7/6/2007 valinda croxton 7/2/2007 michelle mazzarella 4/28/2006 donna smith 4/28/2006 ann damiano 6/20/2003 jennifer chung 7/18/2002 monica lammers 7/18/2002 jessica katz 5/14/2001 janis janis haugh

Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
The "Casale", the main welcome area and elegant lodging for guests, is the completely and traditionally restored beautiful original stone farmhouse. It has obviously retained its initial appeal and stands in a splendid position overlooking the magnificent unspoilt landscape of the characteristic clay hills of the Val d’Orcia, the imposing Radicofani fortress, Mt. Amiata, the austere medieval tower of Celle sul Rigo and renowned San Casciano Bagni. Five suites, charmingly furnished and fully equipped with many modern conveniences and comforts, have been suitably built on the first floor of the house.
There are also two swimming pools on the back lawn of the "Casale", one of which has a special wading and safe playing area for the joy of children.

Room Options

Farmhouse Suites (Al’Isà, Tara, Camilla, Farida and Ben Tar)
The 5 suites are all located on the first floor of the farmhouse. They offer a splendid view of the hills and an unforgettable relaxing atmosphere. The furnishings are elegant and comfortable. Stylishly furnished according to the local traditions, the suites are cozy and intimate. With warm pastel colored walls, these suites include a large master bedroom with king size bed, a cozy reading corner and large bathroom with shower and relaxing whirlpool bath.



Apartments at the Borgo
The "Borgo" is made up of charming converted stables, fashioned in genuine imitation of a small, typical and enchanting rural village, with its main square, inner courtyard and homely, secluded Mediterranean gardens for each unit where guests can unwind and enjoy quiet private rests. It has been built up it the central area of the old farm buildings, with delightful, completely separate, top quality self-catering apartments, all in the likeness of a traditional hamlet.
The apartments are all equipped with all modern facilities and recreate a cozy rural settlement in a proper Senese style. The two-bedroom apartments, on the first or ground floor are composed of a master bedroom, a living room with kitchen nook and fireplace and a bathroom with shower. The ones on the ground floor own a private terrace, an ideal solution for families with children or for those people who want to grant more freedom to their pets. The three-bedroom apartments, consisting of two floors, have two bedrooms, a living room with kitchen nook and fireplace, two bathrooms and private garden or balcony. Each apartment has its own fireplace!
The various furnishings have all been made by local craftsmen in keeping with Tuscan and Sienese styles.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, a single supplement fee applied.
Single room accommodations are subject to availability.



Meals
Breakfasts and dinners are always included but only 4 lunches are included.

The restaurant on the ground floor of the "Casale" is where typical specialties of the Tuscan cuisine can be savored. Every dish is prepared, not only with a creative flair for the eye's delight, but with healthy local food and genuine organic products straight off the farm, taking great care to enhance the most intensive flavors of each of the fresh garden crops as well as the farm-produced pork and cheese delicatessen...for the gratification of the palate too!  The atmosphere is naturally rustic and the service is provided in a manner that is both attentive and pleasurably relaxing.
Traditional local dishes from the area, such as “pici” and other home-made pasta specialties are accompanied by the farm wines, or by wines, prevalently Tuscan, especially selected for the guests from the most prestigious Italian wineries (alcoholic drinks not included in the price).

There is a most striking Belvedere leading out from the restaurant – set up with an open-air buffet in the summer months – from which the gorgeous and most awesome view of the countryside, made famous by the renowned Sienese School painters, can be thoroughly enjoyed whilst in the evenings the beautiful sunsets that impart a glowing red silhouette to Mt. Amiata and the tower of Ghino di Tacco’s Castle can be witnessed and stored amongst "those special memories".

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English
Horses:		Sella Italiano, Arabian, Maremmano
Pace:		Moderate with trots and canters. 4 riding days with a total of 14 hours in the saddle (3-4 hours a day). | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Good Novice, Low Intermediate
Age:		Min 16	Max 68
Weight:		Max 150 lbs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 8 riders

All participation in riding activities requires registration, which provides for the issuing of a F.I.S.E. Class A riding license. Those who already possess the license will be automatically registered.

Horses
The horses (Arabian and Italian breeds) are raised and trained directly at the farm, according to the classic fundamentals of natural horseback riding. They are well fed and trained, and they have a number of paddocks where they are free to run peacefully, and then become the trustworthy companions of our guests. There are currently 14 horses.



Riding Center
The equestrian center is affiliated to F.I.S.E (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports).
The facilities include a sand arena (30 x 60 meters) and an Endurance Course (country itinerary with genuine obstacles).

Staff
Enrica grew up with horses, which have always been a tradition and a passion for her family. She is a 2nd Level Country Riding Instructor and is an excellent Endurance rider.



Non-Riding Activities
Cooking classes with our chef, entrance at the pools in Fonteverde Spa and wine tasting at our farm shop.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

(a) Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. (b) The regulations stated below also apply to San Marino and the Vatican City.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:

(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;

(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.