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This ride leads through parts of Tuscany and
Lazio – an area that shows rich culture and
historic background - the settlement area of the
first Etruscan population and the border area of
the former Vatican state. Follow the
tracks of the oldest Italian inhabitants through
the "Vie Cave" These are ancient Etruscan
pathways carved out of the rock. You can ride on
them just like the Etruscans did thousands of
years ago. They are carved deep into the rock,
so it is almost like being in a cave, but they
are open at the top.
Ride across Tuff plateaus, through evergreen
forests - mostly following old border trails and
ancient Etruscan and Roman roads of South Tuscany
and Northern Lazio. Discover one of the most
unique, rural and original landscapes of Italy,
where the horse tradition was born and for centuries
took part in the lives and culture of
its inhabitants.
Overnight in two different medieval castles, and a
fortress: Castle Proceno, Castle Santa Cristina
(close to Onano), and the Fortress of Sorano.
The first castle is located in the little fortified
walled village with rooms on different levels along
the only passage through the village. The pool is
below the protective wall in the middle of the
castle’s park area.
The second castle is located outside the village in
an agricultural area. The castle walls are covered
with green edera and the pool in front of the castle
reflects the surrounding countryside.
The fortress of Sorano is located above this unique
Etruscan town. From your rooms look down upon the
fortress walls, onto the town and across the
canyon. There are just few steps down to stroll
through though the town centre with all its maze of
passages, gates, arches and small staircases.
Come and take a breath of medieval lives style –
with modern comforts of course.
 IT-ITETR
Included: Accommodations in castles and country inns,
gourmet
meals, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 3,025 Single: + $320
--
based on € 2125 / € 225
2008 Dates:
04/13-04/20 04/20-04/27
04/27-05/04
05/25-06/01 06/01-06/08
06/08-06/15
08/31-09/07 09/07-09/14
09/14-09/21
09/21-09/28 10/19-10/26
10/26-11/02
availability & reservation
Meeting: Proceno
Airport: Rome
Train Station:
Orvieto
Transfer: from Orvieto train station
included at ~4 PM
Level:
Intermediate
Tack:
English
Horses:
Locally-bred
Anglo-Arabs
and Maremma mix.
Pace : Moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max Riders: 5-8
Note: good train connections from Rome to
Orvieto approx
1.5 hours
A similar ride is available with overnights in
farmhouse accommodations
- see Etruscan Ride
Itinerary
Day 1
Group transfer from Orvieto station to Proceno and
settle into your first local castle. Dinner in the
local restaurant – the only independent restaurant
in town. A local lady cooks in the traditional
style and creates also sometimes new, very tasty
filled pasta – called Tortelli. The deserts are very
special and always freshly prepared.
Day 2 Begin our ride in
the area of the medieval town Proceno, through clay
hills down in the valley of the river Palia - with
marvellous views of the mountains of Amiata and
Cetona. Lunch in the former border places from the
Vatican state to Italy – called Dogana. In the
afternoon, our route leads us back uphill through on
soft rolling wheat fields or pasture for sheep
herds. Dinner is in a local country farmhouse – the
oldest real agriturismo - with many specialties -
all prepared with home-grown ingredients.
Day 3 We travel on
horseback from Proceno to Onano. The area changes
completely – after passing the private forest
property of Montorio with its many streams, you ride
over huge plateau fields with various agricultural
business built on tuff (a volcanic soft stone)
ground. A long time ago farmers settled here with
their sheep and started a cheese production. Lunch
is in a restaurant with hand painted frescos in San
Quirico. Thanks to the Tuff rocks on the ground the
terrain is always well drained and ready for nice
trots and canters. In the afternoon you arrive
directly in the stables of the Castello di Cristina
where a local cook prepares a tasty dinner for us.
The fairy tale castle is most romantic with
its castellated turret rising above age old woods.
The farmhouse has been skillfully converted with
careful attention to conserving authenticity
together with comfort, and privacy in a pleasant
combination with communal living, if wanted.
Day 4 Today we ride
around in the area of Onano until we reach the
unique national park of Selva di Lamone. This is an
indescribable wood area, created from the now “cold”
volcano in the Lago di Bolsena. Stones all spread
around like crumbs on a cake. The leaves and the
trees create shade and light in a fantastic,
surreal mix on the inhospitable ground beside the
dirt road. Lunch in a remote farmhouse beside a
private little lake that was also once a volcanic
and is 200 mt deep. You get tasty home made starters
and barbecued meat outside on the lawn in front of
the house with view down on the lake. After the
afternoon ride back you will have dinner today in
the former stable part of the castle in front of a
nice green garden and a centenary tree.
Day 5 Travel on horseback
from Onano to Sorano. Romantic wood, steep ditches,
narrow canyons and old Etruscan roads are on your
route today. The closer you get to Sorano, the more
the area ‘breaths’ culture and history. Stop for
your lunch break in San Quirico. Today we overnight
in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan
town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the centre.
Day 6 Today we ride in
the unique area of Sorano with its deep and narrow
roads in the tuff rock and with its uncountable
tombs all over in the hills. Lunch break in Sovana
– one of the most famous villages of the Etruscan
civilisation – with its immense above ground tombs.
Back in Sorano dinner in a restaurant in the
village.
Day 7 Travel back from
Sorano to Proceno with lunch at a local farmhouse
with home cooked food. Farewell Dinner in the castle
restaurant.
Day 8 Shared transfer in
the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.
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