Transfer Option:

Day 1: Arrival at the riding center in the afternoon. Around 7 PM we will get together and offer you a welcome drink before we join you for dinner around 8:30. Dinners are of a high standard, typical Tuscan cuisine served with table wine.

Day 2: A good breakfast awaits you in the morning. Then we meet at the stables, assign the horses and start our first ride out around 10 AM. The trail leads us to the Romanic Abbey of Badia d'Ombrone. We will be back at the center for lunch. In the afternoon we drive to Siena to explore the medieval town center.

Day 3: Today is a full day ride (5-6 hours) with a picnic lunch along the way. We ride through the Chianti vineyards of Arceno, were we will have a wine tasting in a superb location with the view of vigns olives and the amazing cypres
allée of Villa Arceno. Tenuta di Arceno's history stretches back to the time of the Etruscans who dominated central Italy prior to the formation of the Roman Empire. The estate lies in the hills of the Chianti region  - home to Italy's most renowned wines. Among them are the Super Tuscans, referred to as such due to their superior quality and position outside of official premium wine designations. The Tenuta di Arceno estate produces a variety of Super Tuscans including Arcanum I and Arcanum II.  We stop for a visit and may be an aperitif in the mediaval village of San Gusme (11 th century) and then we continue to Campi (Etruscan settlement ,but unfortunatly at the moment is not possible visit the historical part), the view from the picnic place is 360 °.

Day 4: In the morning we ride to the medieval village of Montebenichi and will be back for lunch at the riding center. In the afternoon we will visit the Castle of Brolio, built in the 11th century and still the residence of the Ricasoli family. Wine tasting. The first stones of Brolio Castle date back to the middle ages. The castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family thanks to an exchange of lands in 1141 and the name Ricasoli has been linked to wine since then. The cellars of Barone Ricasoli are at the foot of Brolio Castle, separated from the main body of the winery, and used exclusively for vinification purposes. Countless grape varieties have been studied and grown in Brolio for centuries, such as those that we refer to today as “non native” varieties, like merlot, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and many others, as well as an incredible array of sangiovese grapes, which through time have characterised, if we can say so, the DNA of Ricasoli wines. It is precisely this wealth of varieties, as a result of old studies gathered in the field, that Ricasoli has promoted a project of clonal selection in order to preserve the most interesting biotypes of sangiovese in Brolio. The clones selected have been used to make the most recent vineyards. Optional -- (23 euro extra for a 2 and half hours leaded tour to castle and cellars and wine tasting )

Day 5: We start our full day ride at 10 am on forest trails and along olive orchards to the wine farm of Pacina, an old convent now convert in organic farm by the Tiezzi family, that produce a superb Chianti but in small quantity. There has been a convent at Pacina since before the end of the first millennium, with a strong identity related to a reputation for excellence. It has a long history of exceptional produce from vineyards, olive groves and natural woodlands, stretching across the Chianti region as far as Crete Senesi. Pacina is a small settlement, home to a number of families. The estate continues to specialize in fully organic production to utilize the best of our natural resources as well as providing the highest quality. DOGC approved wines, renowned extra virgin olive oil and the cultivation of cereals, fruit and vegetables from our orchards and market gardens, are included in the list of products.

Day 6: Today we ride all day trough the "Crete Senese" . This is a completely different area - famous for their sheep and sheep cheese. We ride up an ancient Etruscan road leading us to an amazing view over the valley, the Chianti hills and Siena on sunny days. Later on we  pass trough the village of Rapale, which is probably the last example of an untouched and 'not renovated' ancient village.

Day 7: A morning ride from the center takes us to the Monastery of Borgo. We ride trough forests, along olive orchards and passing by vines growing along the paths. Lunch is back at the riding centre. In the afternoon we take you to the SPA of Rapolano terme with 2 nice swimming pools. Here you have the option to have a massage or a visit to the village of Castelnuovo Berardenga and possibly another wine tasting at the Felsina wine farm.

Day 8: Departure after breakfast.

       **Subject to changes

Note:  This program is only possible in spring and autumn and is exclusively for experienced riders.


Riding Holiday Weeks - Ride and Relax in Chianti :

If you cannot make it for the scheduled itinerary weeks, you can still choose any week of the year and opt for a relaxing riding week from the center with daily half day rides or tuition. We recommend you rent a car, because the sightseeing options are many: A wine tasting of the famous Brunello in Montalcino is only 40 minutes away. If culture and history call you, the medieval town of Siena is only a 20 minute drive from the riding center - go explore and take in the ancient atmosphere of the Duomo and the Plaza! If you time your visit right, you can even be part of the Palio horse race in Siena - what a spectacle! Excellent tuition is available to you every morning for 2 hours (more if you like) by Donatella Zambon, who is an accomplished equestrian and has taught hundreds of riders both beginners and advanced. She chooses and prepares her horses personally: once trained they are never sold!

The week includes 7 nights with breakfast and dinner and 1 wine tasting.

Here are the riding options you can choose from:

1) Beginner Program: 10 lessons & 2 hacks of 1 hr
2) Intermediate Program: 6 lessons & 3 half day trail rides
3) Eventing Program : 6 lessons (2 dressage, 2 jumping, 2 cross country) + 2 half day trail rides
4) Trail Ride Program: 6 half day rides or  1 full day with picnic + 2 riding lessons

Non Rider Options:  The location of the farm makes it an ideal base for cycling and hiking, and for those who wish to mix cultural tourism with outdoor pursuits.

TUSCAN REGION CLIMATE

Tuscany is one of the twenty regions of Italy, itself comprised of 10 different regions. Located on the north western coast of the on the ‘upper shin’ of Italy, Tuscany lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The region has a mottled geography that ranges from coastal plains, to hills right up to high mountain peaks- as a result the weather conditions vary across the region. Depending on your proximity to the water, from the mountain ranges to various rivers, the weather can vary considerably. If you were to summarize the climate of Tuscany it would best fit the category of a Mediterranean climate, one of long hot summers and mild short winters with enjoyable shoulder seasons of Autumn and Spring.

The regions capital is the famously beautiful and historic city of Florence. The city is decadently scattered with magnificent art and architecture and is notable as being the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The weather in Florence is slightly more humid than other parts of the region and the climate is sometimes classified as being humid subtropical.

Summers in Florence are hot and humid with an average high of 31 degrees throughout July and August and 28 and 27 degrees in June and September respectively.

Winters in Florence are cool and remain damp. The city receives the majority of its rainfall in the winter months and experiences occasional snowfall. November and December are generally the wettest months; December to January are the coldest months seeing average daily temperatures of 6 degrees.

Set slightly back from the coast of Tuscany you will find the historic city of Pisa, home to the famous ‘leaning tower of Pisa.’ Pisa, much like the rest of the coast is cooled by the local prevailing winds, this provides much needed relief from the heights of the summer heat- relief that inland Tuscany doesn’t receive. In the summer months of June to August Pisa sees an average daily temperature of 20 and 23 degrees (respectively) and rain is at a minimum, particularly in July.

Livorno is popular port city on the scenic Ligurian Sea and is located on the coast of Tuscany as you head south from Pisa. Livorno is the third largest port on Italy’s western coast and is a favorable destination for those from inland Tuscany who wish to escape the inland heat during the summer months. Livorno's temperatures are much the same as Pisa's, though Livorno lies on the coast whereas Pisa is slightly back from the coast- as a result Livorno is affected more by the prevailing coastal winds. With a 23 degree daily average in summer and the peak summer days reaching average highs of 29 degrees, its no wonder it is a favourite spot with the locals.

The Autumn months is when Livorno and neighbouring cities record the greatest rainfall, with October and November being the wettest averaging 120mm precipitation per month. The rain begins to die off come December, but with the decreasing rainfall also comes decreasing temperatures- Livorno sees average lows of a chilly 2 to 3 degrees in the winter months of December to February.

Livorno and its surrounding coastal areas play host to a variety of local winds. The winter months see four prevailing winds which keep the region slightly cooler than if the winds were absent. The Libeccio is a south westerly wind that brings gusty conditions to the coast throughout the winter months of November to February. The Grecale and the Maestrale are north-easterly and north-westerly (respectively) winds which bring cold dry conditions to the region, and finally the Tramontana is a cold northerly wind which blows through the region toward the end of winter.

The area is not just affected by winter winds, the Scirocco is a hot winter that blows through the region from the south west and is most common in the Spring and Autumn months. The wind comes off the Sahara desert and can bring dust and gusty storms into the region, though by the time it reaches Tuscany it generally just brings a warm pleasant breeze but can create storms in the Mediterranean.

As you head further south you will reach the Province of Grosseto and the towns of Follonica and Grosseto. Follonica is a very popular tourist spot during the summer months, particularly with the Tuscan locals as they flock to the coast to escape inland heat. Nevertheless, Follonica and the surrounding region does see its fair share of hot days but the days are cooled by the refreshing sea breezes. July and August see an average maximum high of 29 degrees, while June and September see an average high of 26 degrees. Summer sees average lows of 14 to 17 degrees.

A perfect escape from the summer heat is to take a visit to the award winning beaches of Follonica. The city has been awarded the "Blue Flag" (Bandiera Blù in Italian) every year since 2000, the Blue Flag is an award recognizing a city for its cleanliness of its beaches and seawater.

The Grosseto region typically sees the majority of its rainfall in November, closely followed by October. So while Autumn is a great time to visit, keep in mind that you may be hit by sporadic showers and over cast days. If you wish to visit in one of the off-peak months its best to plan your trip in the Spring months which is when Tuscany is blooming and the sights and sounds of an Italian spring are plentiful.

September still witnesses summer temperatures, and the mercury begins to drop slightly come October, which sees an average maximum of 22 and a minimum of 11. By November the average maximum has fallen to 16 and the minimum to a sharp 7 degrees. The winter months of December to February see the minimums falling to a chilly 2 to 3 degrees, but the weather warms up slightly come March. By April the average maximum sits at 18 degrees and you find your self in the midst of springtime on the Tuscan coast.


Tuscan Archipelago

If you head about 20 km west off shore you will reach the Tuscan Archipelago which is a chain of islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, home to Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, Giglio, Gorgona, Giannutri and the largest island of the group, Elba.

Elba is the largest and most populous of the islands, and is the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia. Elba is amazing, with its cobbled beaches, mountainous background and crystal clear water. Elba enjoys a mild climate with few days of rainfall, though enough to keep the islands geography luscious. Rain falls predominately in the winter months, with December generally seeing the most days of rainfall- averaging 8 days.

The island is in the path of two prevailing winds, one being the previously mentioned south easterly gale known as the ‘Scirocco’ and the local north westerly wind known as the ‘Mistral.’ The mistral is a much fresher wind than the Scirocco and makes the summer evenings very pleasurable.

The region is occasionally hit by the less frequent but potentially problematic "libeccio" and "ponente" gales (respectively south westerly and westerly.) They generally occur once or twice a year in the winter months and have the affect of making the sea extremely choppy, disturbed and very difficult if not impossible to navigate though.

The previously mentioned "tramontana" and "grecale" ice cold winds that prevail from the north and north-east (respectively) do occasionally hit Elba and neighbouring islands, however the geographical formation of the islands means that there is always plenty of shelter available to shield from the winds and luckily the winds are quite rare.

Elba and the majority of the Tuscan archipelago see summer temperatures of 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, with July and August being the hottest months. There is also very minimal if not nonexistent rainfall during this period.

In the archipelago temperature doesn’t vary greatly throughout the year, hence why it is known to play host to a maritime climate. While it does witness four distinct seasons of Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter, it rarely witnesses any major temperature extremes. Sure, winter nights can get chilly and summer days can get scorching but on the whole the area is fairly mild and extremely pleasant. Winter highs sit at 18 degrees and fall to an average low 10 degrees, with January being the coldest month experience an average minimum of 8 degrees.

The farmstead of S. Margherita, built at the end of the nineteenth century and home of a riding centre and farm. It is situated in the Senese Chianti at the centre of the Siena, Florence, Arezzo triangle.
The buildings have recently been renovated but without altering their original form. Guests have at their disposition a large living room with an open fireplace, a kitchen, 4 bedrooms with private bathrooms, and a self-contained apartment for two in a separate converted barn, restructured on two floors. A club house, a changing room and a laundry room complete the facilities.
Our desire was to create a harmonious setting in 6000 square feet, for a limited number of guests who are looking to stay in a friendly, but at the same time discreet environment. We are also a certified organic farm and we try to respect the environment in the way we run our farm holiday accommodation. Castelnuovo Berardenga town council organizes cultural and social activities in the area and there are two well-known spa swimming pools ten minutes away.

We love animals and have a lot, so we are unable to accept dogs or other pets, but if you are looking for such accommodation there are two neighboring farms which offer two apartments where it is possible to take animals.

Meals:
All meals are prepared with as many organic ingredients as possible - from the own gardens. The meals are typical Tuscan gourmet dishes that will satisfy the most demanding pallets. Dinners are all family style - so no "gourmet dining" settings.

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

Tack:		English
Horses:		Italian and French Anglo Arab and warm blood
Pace:		Moderate with trots, canters and short gallops. Riders must know English riding techniques - posting to the trot, two-point canter .... | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3.5 to 3 out of 5)    Good Intermediate
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 190 lbs
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 7 riders

We like our horses to be happy! They work both in the school and in the countryside, and spend some hours every day in the fields to relax and play. The riding center has a regulation open air paddock and an indoor school.

Once horses join the center they are never sold and periodically they are re-trained and worked with the lunge by our instructors. There are 16 horses. We choose our horses not according to their breed but by looking at their attitude to work in the flat and in the countryside. They must have good mental balance so they can change riders easily. Horses are friendly and easy to handle. For this reason in our stables you will find many different breeds: Anglo-Arab, Thoroughbred, Warmblood, Murgesi, Arab , Holsteiner etc.

Saddles are Kieffer or Appaloosa Prestige and there are many shorts chaps and helmets available.