Cattle Trails of Molise

Introduction
Abruzzo/Molise Italy
Tratturo and Molise are two words that belong together like horse and rider, cheese and wine, nature and culture...

We want to experience all of this with you on this new trail ride in the heart of Italy. Here in Altomolise, where Italy could hardly be more authentic, we repeatedly come across the "green highways" of the shepherds and cowherds of past centuries, the Tratturi. Sometimes enchanted and dreamy, narrow and overgrown, almost unrecognizable and then again open and visible from afar, the paths run through the country. On the edge of these paths we experience history and stories on our sure-footed, good-natured four-legged partners.

Discover old villages, churches and ruins, enjoy the wide views and heavenly peace, enjoy the traditional cuisine and the good feeling of having a great time. Time to unwind, to ground yourself, to slow down, and then to discover the little things along the way.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
The accommodations have been selected for full cultural immersion in Italy. Each location boasts personality and most importantly, family. While not grand, we offer cozy comfortable accommodations full of life and stories.
Most of the accommodations do have WIFI access on this trip. There are no laundry facilities available on this trip.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Farmhouse
Night 3: Hotel near Cerreto
Night 4: B&B in San Pietro Avellana
Night 5: Hotel in Roccasicura
Night 6: Farmhouse

Farmhouse
The farmhouse, dating from 1885, is situated at almost 3,000 feet above sea level. The house is at the edge of a forest and overlooks a beautiful valley. The nearest neighbours live in Carovilli, a little village 4 miles away. The front of the house faces a large oak forest whereas the rear offers a splendid view of the mountains and a valley.
The house is not very big, but quite comfortable. It was completely renovated in 2003. The living-room has a nice fireplace, a piano, and a modest library. There is 1 double room upstairs and a dormitory with four single beds and one double bed downstairs. There are 2 bathrooms with all modern conveniences.
** If you do prefer more privacy on these days, we can arrange for a room (with private bath) in the nearby B&B (8 minutes drive by car) with a supplemental charge - transfers are provided. Or if you are the last riders to book (numbers 9 and 10) you will be accommodated there as well and will have to pay this supplement.

Hotel near Cerreto
This small rural hotel has 4 bedrooms with ensuite bathroom, a TV and free Wi-Fi access.

B&B in San Pietro Avellana
This newly built accommodation offers comfortable rooms with private bathroom, LCD TV and free WI-FI.

Hotel in Roccasicura
Located directly on the Tratturo, this hotel offers 5 rooms, each equipped with a TV, private facilities and internet access.

Room Occupancy
Single supplement subject to availability.


Meals
All meals are included for this trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7.

You can be assured that at all these destinations you will be comfortable and very well fed. The food is wonderful with great care being taken to provide local specialties cooked with fresh ingredients.  Carmine used to own a restaurant and this is apparent from the wonderful recipes he shares with his guests. The tiramisu is the very best!
You will never go hungry here! Our own testers called the food 'imaginative and delectable' and 'original and sumptuous'!

Meals are served on the terrace or in the kitchen-diner.
Breakfast is usually 'continental'. Expect a lot of delicious pasta, salads, cheese, and bread. You will also taste the juiciest, sweetest tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, tasty salami, and other delights like tiramisu and fresh peaches.
Lunchtime often consists of salami, cheese, and bread picnic-style, accompanied with a glass of crisp wine.

Wines and beers are included during meals. All other drinks must be paid for.



Fund for refreshments and snacks
For the trek we collect Euro 40 per person to go into a mutual fund for refreshments on our way plus drinks and snacks other than at meals.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

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

Riding


Riding Level
Riders must be at least intermediate level to attend this ride. This means you are able to control a horse at ALL gaits, can mount and dismount unassisted, and are in good physical condition. There are areas where you will need to dismount and lead your horse. Therefore, you need to be in good shape.
We ride with western tack but experience in western riding is not required.

Pace
The ride includes 5 riding days with long days in the saddle (5-6 hours). The horses have to climb and go down a lot. Therefore, the pace is generally not very fast. However, in the plateaus and in the valleys we make long canters. The safety of the rider and that of the horse is of paramount importance to us!

Tack
We use western saddles. All saddles have a little saddle bag on the horn.

Horses
The horses have been selected for their character, looks, and intelligence (mix of American Quarter Horses, cross-breeds, Haflinger, Appaloosa and Paint). The horses are willing and easy-going. They were all born in the mountains, so they are very reliable.
All year-long, they live in a herd which makes them a close group- besides, most of them are related in some way or the other. They can choose from the paddocks around the house or the stable, which is at a distance of 30 feet from the house.
The horses are trained gently and with a lot of patience.

Guide
Carmine is a certified FISE (Federazione Italiana Sport Equestre) guide. He speaks Italian and English.

Age Restriction
We require all riders to be 12 years if traveling with and adult or 16 years if traveling alone.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances the program may have to be adapted.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
After your transfer from Isernia, you are expected to arrive on Saturday evening at the farmhouse. After a welcome drink there will be dinner with your hosts/guides. A three-course Italian dinner will be served every night, accompanied by local wines.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse

Day 2 (Sunday): Tratturo Celano - Foggia
After a leisurely breakfast in front of our stone house from the 19th century, enjoy the quiet location in the forest and the view over the horse pastures up to the Colle dell'Orso, 30 km away. Then we get to know the horses and, if necessary, familiarize ourselves with western riding.
Our first ride begins with a crossing of a rocky river. During the subsequent steep ascent to the Tratturo Celano - Foggia, the horses give us a first taste of their sure-footedness. We cross a horse meadow where we let our horses take a breather and continue up to the ridge, in the forest. We pass mud pits, the "bathtubs of the wild boar" and catch a glimpse of the frogs living there before we enjoy a short but brisk canter on an open meadow.
After another short steep climb, we reach our picnic spot in Monte Caraceno. This small mountain presents us with a 360° panorama and over 2000 years of Samnite history. After the break we lead the horses on foot until we reach the 200km long tratturo that brings us back to the ranch.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farmhouse

Day 3 (Monday): Tratturo 
We start our ride at 10:00 a.m. and start with a long ride through an oak forest leading us to many beautiful meadows near the Tratturo. Here you can gallop wonderfully. We leave the Tratturo and ride to a picnic area where our host once hosted endurance races. Our path then leads for kilometers through beech forests until it finally leads us to our first hotel directly at by the Tratturo.
Here we refresh ourselves with drinks in the garden, next to the horses and relax with a great panorama. Around 8:30 p.m., dinner will also take place there.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Hotel

Day 4 (Tuesday): Tratturo 
Today is the shortest ride of the week. For about 3 hours we follow the Tratturo until we reach the town of San Pietra Avellana. We ride through high oak and beech forests and stop at a bar on the edge of the forest to enjoy our lunch with fresh cheese and salami from the region.
After unsaddling the horses, we watch them roll around, give them some food in the feed bags and listen to the satisfied snorting. In the evening we walk from our hotel through the old streets of the 10th century founded place to a restaurant. Here there are fresh truffles from the forests that we crossed during the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the B&B in San Pietra Avellana

Day 5 (Wednesday): Tratturo Castel di Sangro - Lucera
Italy's tratturi travel from the fresh mountain pastures of Abruzzo to Puglia in the south. With a length of up to 250km, the 6 main tratturi cross Molise. Today we will switch to the Tratturo Castel di Sangro - Lucera and ride past the ruins of an almost deserted small town. While nature reclaims this place, the old walls tell stories of the hard life in the mountains. With a bit of luck we will meet the resident shepherd with his herd. Here at the latest the Tratturo comes alive again and we feel transported back to the time when the shepherds covered this route with their flocks twice a year.
During our break, we enjoy not only regional delicacies, but also the wide view, the scent of fresh herbs and stories about the country and its people. In the afternoon, our destination for the day appears on the horizon in front of us. A small place called Roccasicura (safe rock), tucked away somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Our luggage is already waiting for us in a beautiful hotel at the highest point of the village.
We have enough time for a typical Italian round with drinks and snacks and a refreshing shower before we make our way to the restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Hotel in Roccasicura

Day 6 (Thursday): Traturelli San Domenico
This morning, we ride south along the Tratturo and, depending on the season, we can enjoy the colorful blossoms or nibble on delicious blackberries while we watch the butterflies dance. After a short but strenuous ascent, the horses get a little break before we ride over a stone road to a small plateau over which we can enjoy a wonderfully refreshing gallop. We continue past goats, cows and sheep with their guards, the herding dogs. We reach a junction, the Traturelli San Domenico, which leads us to our picnic area. Here the horses are allowed to graze extensively while we take our time for a picnic in the shade of large trees. Shortly afterwards we visit a small church and enjoy the last hours in the saddle. At around 5:00 p.m. we are back at the stables to unsaddle the horses one last time.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

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

Rates and Dates for Cattle Trails of Molise

Dates Note: Custom trips possible on request in August and from November to April - please inquire
Shorter programs of 3-5 nights are also possible

Other Info
Meeting: Carovilli
Airport: Naples
Transfer: Isernia Train Station

Climate:
                                                Vastogirardi area