Gourmet Ride

Introduction
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.
 

Accomodation


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 includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

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.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary 2020 - subject to changes

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival
Arrive on Sunday 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 (Monday): Francigena Clay Hills
Depart from the equestrian centre on horseback. Today’s ride takes a southwest direction and carries you through some of the most scenic hill landscape of cultivated fields and clay hills. During the course of your ride in this area, you will be exposed to the perennial erosive action of atmospheric agents that has created the startling and extraordinary slopes and ridges known as “calanchi”. It is the famous Via Francigena, the road of the ancient Etruscans and Romans, with its quite distinctive geography: the open rolling hills planted with golden wheat, the gray balze and some of the most famous farms are located in this area. 
Riding about 22 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 3 (Tuesday): Val d’Orcia Ride
On this day you will head off in south direction from the farm, and will ride to the Val d’Orcia area. This area is one of the most beautiful and famous in the world. The Val d’Orcia was registered by the World Heritage Committee in the list of UNESCO sites as a cultural landscape in 2004. The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional example of the redesigning of pre-Renaissance landscape, testifying to the ideals of good governance and the aesthetic research
that guided its conception.
Celebrated by painters of the Scuola Senese, the Val d’Orcia became an icon of the landscape that deeply influenced the development of landscape perception.
Riding about 21 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 4 (Wednesday): Free Day (no riding)
A trip to Tuscany should never be without sightseeing the historic sites or classic vineyards, so today is open for you to explore on your own or we can provide a driver for you. We offer a number of different sightseeing options (not included) to Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino etc., or you can rent a car from the center and explore on your own. We can set aside the morning to participate in a Cooking Class with the chef of the restaurant (included).
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 5 (Thursday): Radicofani Castle Ride
Today you will ride to the castle of Radicofani, built in the 9th century. The castle is located in a strategic position, dominating the Francigena route. In the middle age it was occupied by the ‘gentleman bandit’, Ghino di Tacco, a Robin Hood of sorts that was mentioned by Dante in the Devine Comedy and by Boccaccio in the Decamerone. With its 896 meters high, it is dominates the whole territory set between the Mount Cetona, the Orcia Valley and the Mount Amiata. During the war between Siena and Florence it was Cosimo I Medici who wanted it for a defensive fortress. Since 1735 it was neglected but the recent restoration has restored the ancient splendor of the past.
Riding about 24 km 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 6 (Friday): Mannella Ride
Today’s itinerary takes you on eastward trail to the area of ‘Crete Senesi’, the Rigo Valley and around the San Casciano Bagni, with its 46 thermal water sources that encircle it and have rendered it famous from the time of the ancient Romans. Along the way you will find a few secluded farmhouses, some of them restored some other not yet, among these there are Banditelle and Mannella that are included in our estate.
Riding about 26 km
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Casale

Day 7 (Saturday): Departure
Departure after breakfast. Ciao.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary 2021 - 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

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Non-Riders Program 2020
Our non-rider program includes 7 nights with half board, 2 cooking classes with our chef, learning the most famous recipes of Tuscany cooking traditions, 1 day visit the famous Renaissance city of Pienza, 1 day visit the medieval town of Radicofani or 1 morning at the thermal swimming pool of Fonteverde, on Wednesday with a day at the Fonteverde Spa or a visit with tasting of Nobile in Montepulciano.

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Non-Riders Program 2021 
Our non-rider program includes 7 nights with half board, 1 day at the Spa and 1 walking tour. 

Rates and Dates for Gourmet Ride

Dates Note:
Additional dates are available on request with 2-4 riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Celle sul Rigo
Airport: Rome/Florence
Transfer: Chiusi train station

Climate:
                                        Celle Sul Rigo area