Italy ~ Tuscany & Lazio
6 and 7 nights, riding between village and farm guesthouses and country hotels, available March to October (except August). For fit, intermediate riders and above.
Where Exploring the border country of Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria, about 2 hours drive north of Rome.
What is it like Unspoilt Tuscan landscapes, rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves, forests of mediterranean oak and hazel. Fortified villages and hamlets often top the hills, there are isolated farmhouses and traditional stone villas in the valleys. Riding is along ancient trails, sometimes narrow paths that wind through rocky gorges in the forest, sometimes along wide chalk or dirt tracks that follow high ridges with views onto iconic Tuscan scenes of cypress trees and fields of wheat studded with poppies.
Who does it suit Anyone who enjoys energetic riding and the sense of 'journey', with a chance to enjoy Tuscany's history and rural landscapes. The ride set up is friendly and low key; nights are in village hotels and 'agriturism' farm guesthouses which are simple but provide a reasonably comfortable night's rest after an active day - with evenings made all the more enjoyable by the rural Italian focus on locally produced food and wine.
Why we love it Its a super way to see this classic part of Tuscany which is rich in Etruscan history and dotted with ancient dwellings and tombs dug into the volcanic rock. We loved riding past grazing sheep which produce the pecorino cheese you have for lunch, vineyards and olive groves which produce the oil & wine you sample at dinner and the grey-horned cattle and wild boar which may be part of the evening meal!
SUMMARY
Riding: 4-5 hours a day.
Horses: local Maremma crosses, Anglo Arab, Sicilian, Andalucian & Apaloosa crosses
Pace: moderate overall, some good chances to canter.
Riding ability: suitable for intermediate riders and above.
Weight limit: 80kg (12st 8lbs).
Accommodation: country hotels and farm guesthouses (agriturismos).
Group size: maximum 10.
Season: March to October (except August).
Price: 6 nights from 1880 Euros (approx £1610) per person
HORSES & RIDING
Horses: Your guide has 16 or so horses of mixed breeds, including some Maremma crosses, Anglo Arabs and Apaloosa crosses. They average about 15.2hh and are a responsive, willing and enjoyable ride as well as being calm and sensible to handle. Tack is English style and most horses are ridden in snaffles. The rider weight limit is 80 kgs (12st 8lbs) although with prior notice, heavier riders may sometime be acceped. Contact us if you are over 80kgs to check. Rides are limited to a maximum of 10 guests.
Hours: Generally between 4 and 5 hours riding a day.
Pace and experience required: Rides are aimed at confident riders of an intermediate standard and above, who are able to control a well schooled horses at all paces in open, varied country. Riding is at a fairly relaxed pace overall but there are usually good chances to canter each day. Most of the route follows the white dirt tracks which link farms and fields to villages - however you will also follow narrow paths through forest, climbing up to ridges and down into deep valleys so must be confident and well balanced on a horse, with a good independent seat.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is in small village hotels and farm 'agriturismo' guesthouses. The style of accommodation varies each night depending on what is available along the route but hotels are roughly 2* and sometimes 3* standard, chosen for character and location - often the horses overnight in a field next door. Bedrooms are usually small and simply furnished but have their own bathroom (adjoining or en-suite) and several (not all) of the guesthouses have a swimming pool.
RATES & DATES
|
Rates 2025 |
Ridges of Siena (6 nights) |
| Dates 2025 | Ridges of Siena 6th to 12th April 2025 4th to 10th May 2025 13th to 19th April 2025 6th to 12th July 2025 7th to 13th September 2025 28th September to 4th October 2025 5th to 11th October 2025 19th t 25th October 2025 Etruscan Ride 27th April to 4th May 2025 11th to 18th May 2025 25th May to 1st June 2025 8th to 15th June 2025 22nd to 29th June 2025 13th to 20th July 2025 14th to 21st September 2025 |
ITINERARY
Itinerary in brief - Ridges of Siena (please enquire for Etruscan Ride itinerary)
| Day 1 | [Arrive Rome airport mid afternoon and own arangements to transfer to Sovana]. Meet your guide for dinner and overnight at a hotel in Sovana. |
| Day 2 |
Breakfast and a short transfer to meet the horses. When everyone is settled, set off riding towards the small town of Proceno stopping for a picnic lunch on the way. The night is spent in the old castle of Proceno, now a simple guesthouse with rooms in the old castle walls. Dinner and overnight. |
| Day 3 |
Breakfast and set off riding northwards towards the hilltop town of Radicofani. The route crosses the river Fiora and then climbs to high ridges between the valleys. Stop for a picnic lunch with views to Radicofani. Head down into the forested valleys and then climb again, reaching your destination close to Radifocani. Dinner and night at a simple agriturismo farm guesthouse. |
| Day 4 |
A morning ride to the tower and fortress of Radifocani. Stop for a picnic lunch with views towards Siena. In the afternoon a short ride back to the guesthouse. Time to relax by the pool (or take a taxi to Siena for sightseeing). Dinner and second night at the agriturismo.. |
| Day 5 |
Breakfast and set off riding by a different route back to Proceno. A picnic lunch by the river then follow tracks past cattle and sheep farms before arriving back in Proceno. A chance to swim if the weather is good or there might be time for a guided tour of the castle battlements by your host whose family have lived there for 3 centuries. Dinner and night Proceno Castle. |
| Day 6 |
Breakfast and the last day's ride back to Sovana. Stop for a picnic lunch at Vitozza, close to the town of San Quirico, where there are some ancient cave dwellings. Continue back through forested valleys, finally climbing to the plateau with views of Sovana. Farewell to the horses and a short transfer to a hotel in Sovana. Dinner at a local restaurant and night Sovana. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast and onward travel (transfers can be arranged to Orvieto or Rome). |
| Contact us at info@rideworldwide.com or on tel (+44) (0)1837-82544 / 825440 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions. |
TRAVEL
The meeting point for these rides is the village of Sovana, but transfers are possible on request from either Orvieto train station or Rome airport. Transfer prices are approximately 240 euros each way per vehicle from / to Rome Fiumicino airport; 130 euros per vehicle each way from / to Orvieto.
You can also hire a car and drive yourself to the start point which is about a 2 hours drive from Rome Fiumicino airport.
There are direct flights to Rome Fiumicino with British Airways from London Heathrow. Easy Jet, Ryan Air, and Jet2 fly from several regional UK airports to Rome (either Fiumicino or Ciampino). Flights start from around £150 economy return, with prices varying with season and availability
