Transfer Option:

Depending on the dates that you travel, your ride will follow one of three trails.
The trails are structured so that Saturday through Tuesday include 3 days of riding in the surrounding hills and a return to the center for a lovely Tuscan dinner with Chianti wines. Then you take off for a 3 day trek across country with 2 overningts at local country inns or villas.

The Treks
Trekking groups consist of between 6 and 9 people and are accompanied by a guide over the whole journey, and another one that rejoins them in the evening with the luggage and necessary equipment. Each day we cover between 25 and 30 kilometres, averaging 5-7 hours per day, including a stop for a lunch which is prepared fresh each morning and carried in saddlebags. The riders sleep in typical, clean and well kept farmhouses, and in the evening enjoy a meal of traditional local dishes. In some of these houses double rooms are available - in others, the rooms are multiple. The horses stay in paddocks or stables close by. 
the first 3 days we take you out for rides in the surrounding hills; in the evening you will return to Vallebona where Nara 's famous cooking will be waiting for you. On the Wednesday we leave for the trek, riding all day long and carrying lunch in saddle bags. 

Here are the three trail options:

MONTE GIOVI TRAIL
The Monte Giovi is a mountain range in the vicinity of Florence, which reaches an altitude of 982 metres. Thanks to both its extraordinary natural beauty and the historical sources dating from Etruscan and Roman times up until the recent partisan war found here, Monte Giovi is one of the most valued beauty spots in Tuscany. The name comes from Latin, being the Sacred Mountain dedicated to Jupiter. The Monte Giovi is a national Park with a protected area of 19,000 hectares.

Trail: On Wednesday you will set off for the trek, on horseback all day and provided with a packed lunch. The night will be spent in a farmhouse situated in the mountain forests. Passing through the Chianti vineyards of the beautiful Vetrice villa, we follow the River Sieve past the village of Rufina - famous for its wines - and forge the river twice. On the middle day you climb to the top of the mountain range along age-old wooded paths and on reaching the top will be astounded by breath-taking views of the whole of the Chianti valley, the valley of the Arno and of Mugello. The trek back to Vallebona is a dive into the landscapes and nature of a Tuscany unknown to mass tourism but rich with pleasant surprises.

The center is located 372 meters above sea level, so it is cool on summer evenings and not too cold in the winter.

The villa itself offers horse lovers a typical stone farmhouse surrounded by green pastures and beautiful olive groves from which Vallebona makes its own olive oil. The house is a refurbished watch tower which once belonged to the Guidi Counts in the 11^th century. Guests are welcomed into a friendly, calm and relaxed atmosphere.

There are six bedrooms, each with two or more beds. The rooms are very spacious – typical of old Tuscan rural homes. There are three bathrooms to share between the rooms.

All guests dine together, either indoors or on the outside terrace that offers stunning views of the Florentine countryside. Available is a wide variety of authentic Tuscan country cooking, and the cook, a Tuscan woman named Luisa, is always happy to satisfy the culinary wishes of the guests. Vallebona is renowned for its great range of pasta dishes and the tables are never lacking in olive oil or flasks of Chianti!

During the cross country trekking riders sleep in typical, clean and well kept farmhouses, and in the evening enjoy a meal of traditional local dishes. In some of these houses double rooms are available. Bathrooms are sometimes on a shared basis.

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

The 30 horses are all schooled Western-style, although English is also available.

There is a large outdoor riding arena (35 meters by 75 meters). The arena is a panoramic viewpoint and overlooks the Val de Sieve. Riding lessons are available in English, German and Italian. The lessons are organizes according to experience.

Trekking groups consist of between 6 and 9 people and are accompanied by a guide over the whole journey, and another one that rejoins them in the evening with the rucksacks and necessary equipment.. Each day we cover between 25 and 30 kilometers, averaging 5-7 hours per day, including a stop for a lunch which is prepared fresh each morning and carried in saddlebags. During our overnight stays on the trek the horses stay in paddocks or stables close by.

Tack:		Western, (English sadle is available)
Horses:		Italian breeds (Maremma and Sardinian)
Pace:		Moderate with trots and canters 4 -5 hours daily | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(2.5 to 3.5 out of 5)    Low Intermediate+
Age:		Min 10
Weight:		Max 198 lbs
Riders:		Min 1 riders	Max 12 riders

The 30 horses are all schooled Western-style, although English is also available.

There is a large outdoor riding arena (35 meters by 75 meters). The arena is a panoramic viewpoint and overlooks the Val de Sieve. Riding lessons are available in English, German and Italian. The lessons are organizes according to experience.

Trekking groups consist of between 6 and 9 people and are accompanied by a guide over the whole journey, and another one that rejoins them in the evening with the rucksacks and necessary equipment.. Each day we cover between 25 and 30 kilometers, averaging 5-7 hours per day, including a stop for a lunch which is prepared fresh each morning and carried in saddlebags. During our overnight stays on the trek the horses stay in paddocks or stables close by.