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Medieval Castles Ride in Tuscany
Tuscany
Italy
The Castle Trail follows the boundary between southern Tuscany and northern Lazio, where the tuff hills provide both the foundations and the building materials for spectacular towns like Sorano and Pitigliano - an area which displays a rich cultural and historical background – the first Etruscan settlements and the former border area of the State of the Vatican City.
Follow the tracks of the oldest Italian inhabitants through the "Vie Cave" These are ancient Etruscan pathways carved out of the rock. You can ride on them just like the Etruscans did thousands of years ago. They are carved deep into the rock, so it is almost like being in a cave, but they are open at the top. Ride across Tuff plateaus, through evergreen forests - mostly following old border trails and ancient Etruscan and Roman roads of South Tuscany and Northern Lazio. Discover one of the most unique, rural and original landscapes of Italy, where the horse tradition was born and for centuries took part in the lives and culture of its inhabitants.
You will be accommodated in two different medieval castles and a fortress. The Castle of Proceno, the Castle Santa Cristina close to Onano and the Fortress of Sorano.
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Meeting:
Proceno
Airport:
Rome or Florence
Transfer:
Orvieto train station at 4 PM
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Rates and Dates for 2009
Rates include:
Accommodations in medieval castles, fortress and country hotels with high traditional, partwise antique furnishing. Private bathrooms. Both castles with pool.
Continental or Italian Breakfast. Lunch in little restaurants or inns. Dinner partwise in restaurants or directly in the accomodation. Table water, wine and coffee included. 6 riding days
| A | 2009 | 8 day trip, AP | 8d / 7n | €2125 | $3085 |
| Single supplement | €225 | $330 |
Transfer Option:
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2009
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Transfer from Orvieto train station at 4 PM included
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Good train connections from Rome to Orvieto approx 1.5 hours. Transfer departs at 4 p.m. from Orvieto train station to Proceno. You will journey by car from Orvieto to Proceno- shared transfer (40 minutes).
Tour Dates
Check here for details and availability
| A |
2009
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05/03
- 05/10
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/10
- 05/17
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/17
- 05/24
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/24
- 05/31
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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05/31
- 06/07
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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06/07
- 06/14
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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06/14
- 06/21
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Expired
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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08/30
- 09/06
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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09/06
- 09/13
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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09/13
- 09/20
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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09/20
- 09/27
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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09/27
- 10/04
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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10/04
- 10/11
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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10/11
- 10/18
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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| A |
2009
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10/18
- 10/25
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8d / 7n
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5
/10
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Available
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Reserve
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Day 1 Arrival in Orvieto and transfer from the station of Orvieto to Proceno, where you will be accommodated in the local castle. Dinner in the local restaurant - the only restaurant in town. A local lady will cook traditional meals and sometimes she also creates new, very tasty filled pasta - called tortelli. The desserts are very special and always freshly prepared.
Day 2 Full-day ride in the area of the medieval town of Proceno, through clay hills down into the valley of the river Palia - with marvellous view on the mountains of Amiata and Cetona. Lunch at the former Italy-Vatican State border - called Dogana - on hot days a fire is also lit in the dining room for preparing barbecue specialties. The way back goes uphill in the afternoon sun, with a stunning view over soft cornfields and sheep pastures. Dinner in a local farmhouse in the countryside – it is the oldest real agriturismo - with all kinds of animals around and home-made and home-cooked dishes on the menu.
Day 3 Ride on horseback from Proceno to Onano. The landscape will change completely - after riding past the private forest property of Montorio with its brooks you will ride through huge plateau fields with various agricultural businesses built on tuff (a volcanic type of rock) ground. Farmers already settled here with their sheep in the past and started a good traditional cheese production. Lunch in the restaurant of San Quirico with its walls painted with frescoes. Because of the tuff ground the soil is always well drained and good for trots and canters. In the afternoon you will arrive at the stables of Castello di Cristina where a local cook will prepare a tasty dinner in the former stable below the rooms - its ceiling decorated with cross-shaped vaults.
Day 4 Full-day ride in the area of Onano until we reach the unique national park of Selva di Lamone. This undescribable forest area was created by the now extinct volcano in the Lago di Bolsena. Stones were scattered all over the ground like crumbs on a cake. The sunlight smoothed by the leaves and the trees creates fantastic, surreal shades on the ground. Lunch in a lake-side farmhouse. This lake was also once a volcano and its alleged deepest point is 200 m. You will get tasty home-made starters and barbecued meat outside in the green in front of the house with view on the lake or in the cosy restaurant. After returning from our ride this afternoon you will have dinner in a part of the main building.
Day 5 Ride on horseback from Onano to Sorano. Romantic forests, steep ditches, narrow canyons and old Etruscan roads are on your way today. You can almost grasp culture and history the closer you get to Sorano. You will have lunch in San Quirico with different dishes. You will be accommodated in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the centre.
Day 6 Full-day ride in the unique area of Sorano with its age-old, narrow roads cut into the tuff rock and brought to perfection by the Etruscans and with the innumerable gravesites all over the hills. You will have lunch in Sovana - one of the most famous Etruscan settlements - with its monumental tombs nearby. Back in Sorano dinner in another restaurant in the village.
Day 7 Ride from Sorano to Proceno. At first we will ride again through canyons and along Etruscan roads until we reach the plateau. We will have lunch in another farmhouse, which is a real family business, eating home-cooked dishes. Dinner in the restaurant of the castle.
Day 8 Shared transfer in the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.
Subject to change
Meeting:
Proceno
Airport:
Rome or Florence
Transfer:
Orvieto train station at 4 PM
Good train connections from Rome to Orvieto approx 1.5 hours. Transfer departs at 4 p.m. from Orvieto train station to Proceno. You will journey by car from Orvieto to Proceno- shared transfer (40 minutes).
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Tack:
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English and trekking saddles
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Horses:
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Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Italian warmblood horses, Maremmano mix and thoroughbred mix
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Pace:
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moderate with trots, canters -
30 to 50 km per day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
5
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Max
10
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Passport and Visa Requirements:
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. Pass. more
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Jan |
March |
May |
July |
Sep |
Nov |
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Highest Temp |
10 |
18 |
17 |
27 |
24 |
15 |
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Lowest Temp |
5 |
8 |
14 |
20 |
18 |
10 |
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Hours of sun shine |
4.5 |
6 |
7.5 |
10 |
7 |
4 |
Luggage transfer included and water bottles are provided.
| ... this list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Normal riding gear or comfortable, yet sturdy pants. No leggings please. |
| Riding boots or shoes with flat soles that cover the ankles. We recommend mini chaps. |
| Long sleeved cotton shirts (for sun protection) |
| Riding helmet (not mandatory, but recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection |
| A wind breaker, rain gear that can be pulled over the saddle |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Light summer jacket |
| Comfortable shoes/sneakers |
| Swimsuit |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Hairdryers are not provided-please bring your own |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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| Name |  |  |  |  |  |  | Date |
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Irene Lipetsker
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5/21/2009
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Marianne Gard
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10/18/2007
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Elizabeth Spina
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10/15/2007
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Barbara Fisher
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10/15/2007
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Barbara Wallace
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10/13/2007
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debby pirrung
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10/13/2007
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Emily Garratt
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10/13/2007
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Kirk Lewis
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3/25/2007
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Lee Ann Ressler
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11/1/2006
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Lori Larson
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11/6/2004
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Lucia Reynolds
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5/2/2004
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..view other reports for different trips
We overnight in two different medieval castles, and a fortress: Castle Proceno, Castle Santa Cristina (close to Onano), and the Fortress of Sorano.
The first castle is located in the little town of Proceno, parts of it form the town´s defensive walls; the castle has its rooms on different levels along the only passage through the village. The swimming pool is situated just outside the castle ramparts on spacious grounds of wide panoramic terraces.
The second castle is a country castle out of the village surrounded by agricultural terrain. The main house is still inhabited by the owner, who is also the tenant of some horses. You will be accommodated in the romantic dependance, its walls fully covered with green ivy and the swimming pool is directly in front surrounded by green grass and vegetation.
The fortress of Sorano is located above this unique Etruscan town. The fortress walls, which surround your rooms, are more than one metre thick. Your rooms have a panoramic view on the town and on the canyon, which provided a barrier against attacks. Just take a few steps downhill to have a walk through the town centre with all its narrow streets to get up and down, its passage gates, arches and small steps.
Come and take a breath of medieval lives style – with modern comforts of course.
You will eat the freshest traditional home made cuisine and drink fine local wines. The Tuscan cuisine and hospitality bear witness to the long history of agriculture in the region.
They are used to our riding attire, so there is no need to bring formal clothes for dinner. Casual dress is fine. However, if you prefer to be a little more presentable for the evening, when eating in the castle, please feel free to take some nicer clothes with you.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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English and trekking saddles
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Horses:
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Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Italian warmblood horses, Maremmano mix and thoroughbred mix
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Pace:
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moderate with trots, canters -
30 to 50 km per day
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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|
Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
5
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Max
10
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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.
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Medieval Castles Ride in Tuscany
Tour Code: IT-ITETR
8 days /
7 nights
~$3,085.00
Difficulty :
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates |
Dates
Accomodation
Tack:
English and trekking saddles
Horses:
Arabian, Anglo-Arabian, Italian warmbl...
Pace:
moderate with trots, canters -
30 to...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport:
Rome or Florence
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Image Gallery
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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