YOU CAN CHOOSE...
RIDES VARY FROM 18 KM - 30 KM PER DAY
PROGRAM A - 1 full day ride
and 4 half day rides
PROGRAM B - 3 full day rides and 2 half day rides
-- also available are Cooking Classes, see at the bottom
ARRIVAL DAY 1 - Afternoon check in, welcome drink & briefing with
guide\instructor about riding and accommodation details and choice of the horses
for the days ahead, enjoy your first dinner.
DAY 2 to DAY 7 - Depending on your chosen Program (A or B) you will be participating in the following rides, shown below in no particular order here.
DEPARTURE DAY 8 - Departure after breakfast, say your good byes! Transfer to Orvieto train station (extra cost) or depart by rental car!
ALL DAY RIDES THAT ARE AVAILABLE...
BOLSENA LAKE
From the castle we ride through the neighboring farmland, through chestnut
woods on an ancient track which will carry us right above the crater of
Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. While riding, we will
witness some breath–taking views of the lake and surrounding area and of the two
islands, Isola Bisentina and Martana. As we head down to the lake, you will note
many Etruscan tombs scattered throughout the countryside some re-used by farmers
as cellars for their wine but still serving as a reminder of the ancient history
which abounds in this area. Once at the lake, lunch is served in a typical
trattoria, right on the beach. In the right season if you wish to cool off in
the water, a swim in the lake can be done before starting the ride back up.
We pass the archeological area of Pianezze, literally full of Etruscan tombs
dating back 2600 years. Once at the top of the crater, we turn through
some vineyards until we reach the shepherds' trail in the woods to the Santa
Cristina Castle estate.
CASTLE TO CASTLE
This is an incredible ride through Lazio and Tuscany that is not to be missed. Travel on horseback from the Santa Cristina Castle estate to the fortress of
Proceno, very much the same way as the dukes traveled hundreds of years ago. From
Santa Cristina, we ride towards the medieval town of Onano. The 16th century
church of ‘Madonna delle Grazie’ is half way along the trail and from there we have a charming
view of the village walls. We then carry on north towards the magical landscape
between Lazio and Tuscany. As we cross the Montorio Game Reserve, we may be
lucky enough to see the wild pheasants, fallow deer and wild pigs. Before crossing
into Tuscan territory, we wade through a ford in the Stridolone River, before carrying up
onto a hilltop which looks over the fortress of Proceno itself. Proceno is a
village dominated by the fortress, dating back to medieval times - approximately year
1000.
After lunching on delicious Italian cuisine, we cross the river again and climb
up onto a plateau, through thick vegetation, using an old farmers’ trail. As we
head home, we ride past vineyards, fields and finally a former nuns’ convent from
the 18th century, with a sad past to learn about. Finally, we return to the castle from the Northeast after 40 km of beautiful riding.
TO LAKE MEZZANO
This is one of our most renowned excursions. Lake Mezzano is an area worthy
of note, owing to its great historical value and natural beauty. The lake itself
was once a volcanic crater, formed 400,000 years ago, and the site of human
settlements dating right back to the pre–Etruscan era (around 2,700 years ago).
Because of later earthquakes, these settlements are now submerged under water, but
the importance of these archeological treasures was confirmed in the mid-eighties by an archaeological campaign when swords, pots, and other tools were
found on the bottom of the lake.
Our excursion takes our riders through the farmland, up into the wooded hills
which surround Onano. Here, the horses have the opportunity to canter along a
wonderful natural passage surrounded by trees. At the top of this plateau, we
have a chance to take in the dazzling scenery, before we carry on down past
the local farms into a very old woods made of huge chestnut trees that leads us into
a flat and open plain which offers a great deal of scenery.
Here, if desired, horses can canter up the old tracks, before we reach the
marshlands and vineyards which surround the Lake Mezzano itself. The Lake area
is part of the Selva del Lamone natural reserve and here is a small
restaurant where we stop for lunch with a fantastic view overlooking the water.
During the warmer months, anyone who wishes can also swim in the lake's crystal
clear waters. In the afternoon, we ride back following the old Brigands Trail,
taking in a few historical sights on the way.
HALF DAY RIDES THAT ARE AVAILABLE...
THE PANORMANIC VIEWS RIDE
Once we leave the castle following the old track, we will reach the hills framing
our plateau to the west. Through the chestnut woods we arrive at the top where
we have a breathtaking view of the area, from the beautiful crater of Lake
Bolsena on the Southern side over to the hills surrounding little Lake Mezzano on the Northern side. On a clear, breezy day the sea can be seen 40 km away to the West like a glowing mirror reflecting in the sun. We shall ride up through the valleys and
hills and onto another plateau to take in the spectacular scenery, including the
towering Mount Amiata, the Radicofani Fortress and the distant castle of Torre
Alfina. From the hill again we will follow a large track winding through the
fields taking us back to the castle.
THREE WATERS ALONG BRIGANDS PATH
On this mini trek we will easily reach the hills framing the plateau in the west on whcih the castle is situated. A fantastic spot for a breathtaking bird's eye view from the beautiful crater of Bolsena Lake on one side to the surrounding hills of Lake Mezzano on the other side. On a clear day the sea can be seen 40 km's away like a glowing mirror.
MEDIEVAL CHURCH ‘ST.MARIA DELLE COLONNE’
We tackle an ancient track carved into the rocks,
until we reach the famous “Brigands’ Path”. Passing the old farmhouse of St.
Prospero, at a brisk trot we turn left on the path, crossing cultivated fields and later
the chestnut woods. We can now push horses into a canter through a fantastic natural
passageway in the woods, leading riders through an exhilarating run in a
fairytale environment. Soon we will find another old road carved into the rock,
leading us down to the ancient church of St Maria delle Colonne and its nearby
fountain. From here, we return to the castle exploring the beautiful Italian
countryside and endless chestnut woods.
'NOCCHIETO’ and ‘ST.MARTINO’
We use the old outlaws’ track called the Brigands’ Path because it leads us on to a ride down a panoramic old trail among
pastures of grazing sheep and after a couple of km it turns down into a narrow
valley of volcanic rock. At the bottom of the hills we will find an old
abandoned settlement, Nocchieto, still fascinating in its architecture, it is
an ancient house made of local tufo rock, leaning against the side of the hill.
As the road changes from volcanic rock into soft ground, we can push gently our
horses forward into a canter and up into the hills. After following a narrow
valley we are once again meet the Brigands’ Path, where we can carry on
across varied landscapes and scattered Etruscan tombs and caves. Finally, we
make our way back to the castle, to another stunning plateau, where we encounter
a lovely vista, before returning home through the woods.
SAN LUIGI TOUR
After leaving Santa Cristina, we pass an old farm named St. Prospero and we ride up
through the valleys and hills, through romantic chestnut woods and up onto the plateau
to take in the spectacular scenery, including Mount Amiata, the Radicofani Fortress and the distant castle of Torre Alfina. We then arrive at the S. Luigi
farm, where local shepherds still produce delicious ‘ricotta’ cheese. Around us
sheep graze happily in the fields as we follow the way home back along the hills
to the castle.
ONANO
This time we head north through the hills, a spectacular scenery of the castle
estate and surrounding farmland will keep us company. After crossing the
provincial road, the trail will lead us towards a magical scenery made by the
Tuscan mountains towering in front of us. The trail carries on around the
vicinity of Onano – a fortified town of the Middle Ages. Your guide will show
you the medieval castle dominating the ancient town – an important stronghold of
the Monaldeschi family which ruled the area in the Middle Ages. We keep on going along the old farmers’ tracks, up into the open fields, past the delightful medieval
church of St Maria delle Grazie and then back home to the castle.
AROUND GRADOLI
Following an old Etruscan trail, we ride up through thick woods to the top of
the crater surrounding Lake Bolsena. Here, we enjoy a remarkable scenery
including vineyards, Etruscan tombs, the prominent volcanic lake and the
panorama dominated by the famous Farnese Palace in Gradoli. A gift of the
Pope in 1500 to his nephew for his wedding - what a present! We return to the
castle riding through the vineyards, vegetable gardens and enchanting woods. In
particular, we enjoy a canter through a unique tunnel made by the oak trees above an old
shepherds path.
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COOKING COURSE AVAILABLE...
Cooking classes are taught by chef Giovanni Verzini, a
chef of great international experience. Giovanni will give you a real hands-on
lesson where you will learn the basics of Italian cooking and the techniques to
make an impressive four courses meal, from home-made pasta to traditional
desserts and everything in between.
All of the ingredients you will use are bought each morning from local farms and
markets. If you wish you will be able to participate in the purchase of the
necessary local produce for the lesson of the day.
The classes can be from half a day to a week. It is up to you to decide A half
a day class including dinner prepared under the supervision of the chef will
cost you € 100 per person .
Every class can be a maximum of 5 people. There is no minimum required.
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