On Etruscan Trails in Tuscany Tuscany Italy On Historic Trails in Tuscany on the Tracks of the Etruscans: Who were the Etruscans? Who were the Etruscans? The Estruscans were the early inhabitants of Italy, long before the Roman Empire existed. However, the Estruscan civilization is often overlooked despite its enormous influence on the region. Estruscan settlements were frequently built on the hillside - the steeper the hill, the better - and surrounded by thick fortress walls, well protected from intruders. Many of the Estruscan’s early water systems later contributed to the iconic Roman aqueduct. While nobody really knows where the Etruscans originated - though many believe they came from Asia Minor - they were prominent in Italy by 800 BC. When exploring this region of Italy we discover remnants of their hilltop fortresses, old settlements and the imprint of their trading routes stretching from Naples to Venice. However, nowhere in Italy carries the Estruscan influence quite like Tuscany; in fact, Tuscany's name originates from the Italian Etrusci or Tusci, words used by the ancient Romans to describe the Etruscans. Let us explore and relive the history of this mysterious people! We provide three different itineraries for riders to choose from, as the history and landscapes available here is truly impossible to fit into one week alone! Some of the wonderful places these trips take us include the Necropolis of Sovana (Poggio Pisca), the Ildebranda Tomb, the hermitage of Rioatonna Cicognina, the ancient hamlet of Fonte Vetriana, the Nature Reserve of the Pietraporciana, ancient pilgrim routes, the nature reserve of Pigelleto, the nature park of Maremma, where we get to ride with the local Butteri cowboys, and much much more!    Progressive Ride (no camping) Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Castell'Azzara Airport: Rome Fiumicino Transfer: Chiusi-Chianciano station, Rome Ciampino or Rome Fiumicino airport Riders: Min 3 riders Max 8 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Arrive in Rome or Florence and take the train to Chiusi-Chianciano Terme. Pick-up in Chiusi for 17:30-18:30. Latest flight arrival in Rome or Florence should be 1:30 PM. Earliest departure flight out on last day is 2 PM - but better if it is later.
We also offer a transfer from the airports in Rome if preferred:
Ciampino Airport pick up at 3 PM - drop off 1 PM
Fiumicino Airport pick up at 4 PM - drop off at 12 noon.

Three itineraries will lead you through Tuscany on the treks of the ancient Etruscans:

Etruscan (for intermediate riders)
Natural environment: Striking and varied; mountain pastures of Cornacchino, the wilderness of the Fiora river valley and canyons cut by rushing streams in tuff rock, the Lamone forest, the hermitages near the lower reaches of the river Fiora, lake Mezzano, an Etruscan necropolis and medieval villages. Fiora River valley and canyons in tuff-rock, the Lamone Forest, Mezzano Lake, Etruscan necropoles and medieval villages.

Saturday:
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.

Sunday:
Entire day on horseback to verify horse & rider compatibility, with picnic and return to Cornacchino.

Monday:
From Cornacchino we cross a nice beech wood and ride to the banks of the Fiora river, stopping for a swim and a picnic. Afterwards, we ride through the Etruscan necropolis of Sovana ( Poggio Prisca) and along ancient Etruscan roads (Vie Cave) cut deep into the tuff rock more than 2000 years ago passing the most famous monument in this part of Etruria, the Ildebranda Tomb. Our ride takes us past the ancient walls of the medieval village of Sovana. From there, we continue towards Pitigliano and our accommodation (we sleep in a country house not far from Sovana, but we do not ride to Sovana nor Pitigliano themselves). Dinner and night's stay.

Tuesday:
We ride trough vineyards and olive trees. We cross along the river Fiora and cross it by the Necropole "Poggio Buco" until we reach our second country house for the dinner and overnight.

Wednesday:
Today a longer ride in the morning followed by a relaxing afternoon. We ride along the river Fiora until the hermitage of Poggio Conte, where 16th century hermits built a chapel entirely dug out of the tuff rock. For lunch we are going to reach the country house, a farm that breeds and trains Maremma horses using traditional methods and the owners have a private collection of Etruscan artifacts which they are happy to show to guests. In the afternoon we are going to help the Butteri (Italian cowboys) working with their cattle.

Thursday:
Our journey continues along the Olpeta deep cut Etruscan road (the only one in the area that contains the remains of an ancient Roman road). Then we cross the Olpeta River and climb up to the site of the ancient city of Castro. Here we enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. During our ride we'll encounter cattle of the Maremma breed, living in the clearings of the forest. We stop for our picnic then leave the forest and cross rolling hills with spectacular views and reach our accommodation near lake Mezzano, a crater lake of volcanic origin, an absolute paradise, where we will have time to enjoy a swim.

Friday: 
From lake Mezzano, riding along field tracks we reach first San Quirico, then Vitozza, a village rich in medieval treasures, castle ruins and a church alongside numerous caves that served as houses until the end of the eighteenth century. (it is not allways possible to visit Vitozza, therefore better to write that we riding through hills direction home. From there we descend to the source of the Lente river, climb up to Sorano, then continue along Etruscan roads. Our journey continues toward Montevitozzo, before returning to Cornacchino. In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.

Saturday:
Breakfast and departure.

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Maremma and its Equestrian Tradition (for strong intermediate and experienced riders)
*Please note that our Maremma Trail in tents, which takes place in May, has deviations from the country house program from day 2 to day 5. The trail has 3 overnights outward (May 12-19) and 4 nights return (May 19-26) in tents. On these days we spend the nights in with the Butteri in tents.

Discover with us the Maremma with its gorgeous landscape and equestrian tradition. We will join the Butteri (Tuscan cowboys) at work with their Maremma cows and horses, an experience that you will never forget!

Day 1:
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide, who explains us the week in details, and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.

Day 2:
Entire day on horseback to verify horse & rider compatibility, with picnic and return to Cornacchino.

Day 3:
We leave Cornacchino and start our two days-trail that brings us until Ischia di Castro. We head to the medieval village of Sorano, riding along an Etruscan road, and from here we continue through hills until we reach the Mezzano lake.

Day 4:
We enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. In the late afternoon we reach our agriturismo Pietrafitta, where we are staying for 3 nights. In may we ride to our friends the Butteri, where we will camp for 3 nights.

Day 5:
First day with the "Butteri" (Tuscan cowboys). We ride through the woods of Baccano and reach Vulci castle, where we have our pic-nic. In the afternoon we visit the archeologic parc and start working with the Butteri and their Maremma cows.

Day 6:
We spent the entire day in Vulci with the Butteri and their cattle, including some lazos work. For lunch we have a barbecue, enjoying the products and recipes this beautiful region.

Day 7:
We ride back from Vulci to Pietrafitta, where in the afternoon we move Maremma foals from their fields to the corrals. In the late afternoon, we head back to Cornacchino by mini-bus where we enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.

Day 8:
Breakfast and departure.

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Maremma and its Equestrian Tradition - Return Route (for strong intermediate and experienced riders)
*Please note that our Maremma Trail in tents, which takes place in May, has deviations from the country house program from day 2 to day 5. The trail has 3 overnights outward (May 12-19) and 4 nights return (May 19-26) in tents. On these days we spend the nights in with the Butteri in tents.

Discover with us the Maremma with its gorgeous landscape and equestrian tradition. We will join the Butteri (Tuscan cowboys) at work with their Maremma cows and horses, an experience that you will never forget!

Day 1:
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide, who explains us the week in details, and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.

Day 2:
After breakfast we drive to the Maremma and reach our farmhouse, where we are going to stay 4 nights. We start our adventure riding through the hills of San Colombano, cross the river Fiora and the woods of Montecalvo and visit the hermitage of Poggio Conte, where 16th century hermits built a chapel entirely dug out of the tuff rock. In may we ride to the Butteri Ranch where we will camp for 4 nights.

Day 3:
First day with the "Butteri" (Tuscan cowboys). We ride through the woods of Baccano and reach Vulci castle, where we have our pic-nic. In the afternoon we visit the archeologic parc and start working with the Butteri and their Maremma cows.

Day 4:
We spent the entire day in Vulci with the Butteri and their cattle, including some lassos work. For lunch we have a barbecue, enjoying the products and recipes this beautiful region.

Day 5:
We ride back from Vulci to Pietrafitta, where in the afternoon we move Maremma foals from their fields to the corrals.

Day 6:
Departure of the two days trail that brings us back to Cornacchino. We ride along the Olpeta deep cut Etruscan road (the only one in the area that contains the remains of an ancient Roman road). Then we cross the Olpeta River and climb up to the site of the ancient city of Castro. Here we enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. We stop for our picnic then leave the forest and cross rolling hills with spectacular views and reach our accommodation near lake Mezzano, a crater lake of volcanic origin, an absolute paradise.

Day 7:
From lake Mezzano we ride though hills and head to the medieval village of Sorano, then continue along Etruscan roads toward Montevitozzo, before returning to Cornacchino. In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.

Day 8:
Breakfast and departure.

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Two Lakes Trail (for intermediate riders)

Day 1
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.

Day 2
Today, we spend the whole day on horseback to verify horse-rider compatibility. We enjoy a picnic and return to riding center for the night. 

Day 3
Today we ride to Montevitozzo and start our descent towards Stridolone Stream, which we will cross many times before entering the region of Lazio. In the late afternoon, we will reach the Castello di Santa Cristina, where we will dine and spent the night.

Day 4
We ride towards the Bolsena lake, that we reach for lunch (pic-nic by the lake, opportunity to swim, during the lunch break). In the evening we will reach the country house in Bolsena for dinner and overnight.

Day 5
We continue riding around the Bolsena lake and marvel at gorgeous sceneries above the lake. We sleep in another country house not far from Montefiascone.

Day 6
We ride along the lake and then ride into the town of Marta, with its streets paved with ancient Roman rock. Then, we will go towards the town of Valentano and ride through its hills, and reach the Mezzano lake where we spend the night. Before dinner, guests can have a swim in the lake, or if they prefer, use the wellness facilities of the country houses (not included in the price).  

Day 7
From Lake Mezzano, we ride though hills and head to the medieval village of Sorano. Then, we continue along Etruscan roads toward Montevitozzo, before returning to the riding center. In the evening, we will enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.
 
Day 8
Departure after breakfast.


--The programs may be modified at any time due to prevailing weather conditions or for technical reasons.--

                                            Terme di Saturnia area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	51	52	59	66	72	80	87	86	76	68	59	53
Average Low Temperature (°F)	43	43	48	52	59	66	72	72	65	59	51	46
Average High Temperature (°C)	10	11	15	19	22	26	30	30	25	20	15	12
Average Low Temperature (°C)	6	6	9	11	15	19	22	22	18	15	10	8
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	5	4	4	5	3	2	1	1	3	4	6	5

Source: NOAA


Seasons
In general the climate in Tuscany is very mild. There are little differences between the regions, though. Rule of thumb: at the coast and in the valleys the summers are hotter than in the hilly areas, where the climate is very continental – rain falls are more often.

Usually the summers in Tuscany are without rain and very hot, especially in the valleys.
Spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) might be rainy but there are still dry, sunny days and temperatures are pleasant.
In the winter there are sunny, mild days but at night it sometimes gets very cold.

Protective clothing at the rider’s discretion; flat-heeled comfortable shoes with rubber soles and protective leggings, or flat-heeled boots with rubber soles; rain coat; trousers or riding britches that are sturdy enough to resist the thorns of wayside bushes; gloves at the rider’s discretion.
We suggest a hat for protection from the sun, sun cream, a bathing costume for stops at streams or thermal springs, a light windproof jacket, a sweater. 
 

This list is only a guideline for you

Travel documents and Voucher

Flight tickets

Personal Travel Insurance

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Jodhpurs or comfortable jeans (used if possible!)

Long riding boots: leather or rubber or boots and mini chaps.

Riding helmet

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection

Windproof jacket

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Bandana

Warm jacket

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Handkerchiefs

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and extra batteries

Sun glasses with strap

Sun tan lotion and lip balm

Average ratings from 3 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date kasia tolubinska 10/29/2017 margaret suchow 9/23/2016 oksana itkes 9/15/2015

Accommodations
The farmhouses: are carefully chosen by us taking into consideration their typicality, comfort, cuisine and stables for the horses and equipment.
The picnics are prepared in the morning and taken to the picnic destination by the support vehicle.

You will be staying at different country inns, also called "Agriturismo" in Italy. Rooms are nicely decorated and charming, but not luxurious. There are 13 rooms and 8 bathrooms (3 shared, 2 ensuite in room, 3 private but outside the room) -- if you would like to have a private bathroom please let us know in advanced.  During the trail we overnight in small country houses and it is not always possible for everyone to get a private bathroom (even if single room was booked and confirmed).

For the Maremma Traditions (tent), 3-4 nights are spent in a tent at the Butteri farm. Here there will be a shower with hot water and a bathrooms at the guests' disposal.


Meals
Meals are taken at the inns with wholesome farm produced ingredients - you are in for a treat.

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

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Haflingers, Appaloosas, Paints, Maremmanas, South American Thoroughbreds, and some cross breds
Pace:		Moderate with trots and canters where possible - Approx. 115 miles with daily trips of 15 to 25 miles. 5 to 7 hrs per day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 3 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 220lbs
Riders:		Min 3 riders	Max 8 riders

Riding Experience
These trips have been designed for intermediate riders who are comfortable at all gaits and are able to ride through steep and challenging terrain. They should ride on a regular basis and be in good physical condition.
The Etruscan Trail is suitable for intermediate riders and above.
The Two Lakes Trail is suitable for intermediate riders and above.
The Maremma Traditions Ride is suitable for strong intermediate and experienced riders only as you will be working with cattle and crossing some rivers.

Terrain
On the Etruscan Trail and the Two Lakes Trail, we ride predominantly on mountain paths, ancient Etruscan roads cut deep into the tuff rock, country roads and dirt roads.
On the Maremma Traditions Ride, the trails consist in mainly mountain paths, country roads and dirt roads. At times, there are difficult fords and uneven trails.

Pace
We go at a walk, trot and canter where possible. Each riding day lasts for about 5 - 6 hours split between the morning (longer ride) and the afternoon. On average, we ride between 25 and 40 km per day.

Horses
We host more than 60 horses, who live in small groups, outdoor on 100 acres of pastureland, completely according to their natural needs of socialization and movement. All the horses are trained in Western riding and particularly suitable for trekking.

Horse Training
The horse training is personally overseen by Fabio, with his the method called ‘Natural Western’. The initial training consists of teaching the horses to trust humans, and subsequently to carry out all the necessary movements in the countryside: walk, trot, canter, gallop, back, side passes, gallop changes, transitions, jumping, and water crossing. The horses carry out much of their training in the countryside, learning while having fun and at the same time increasing their level of experience.

Guides
An experienced guide rides with the group while an assistant takes the luggage to the overnight site and prepares the fencing for the horses. On the Maremma Traditions, during the 4 days with the Butteri, our guide and a buttero will lead the group.
Your guide can provide basic medication and will take along a first-aid kit on the trek. Any health conditions that require special medication should be brought to the attention of the guide before departure on the trek. Allergy sufferers should bring their own medicines, as those who suffer allergies from common medications.

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.