Saturday
Afternoon arrival at the picturesque castle location for our unique horse riding holidays Italy packages. After checking in you will be served with a welcome drink and then receive a briefing from your guide/instructor who will be looking after you throughout the week.
Sunday
This morning you will be heading out along The Brigands Trail towards the picturesque Lake Bolsena. This is a fantastic spot with breathtaking views of the area stretching from the beautiful crater of Lake Bolsena on one side, to the hills surrounding Lake Mezzano on the other side. On a clear day you can see the sea 40 km away, shimmering like a mirror. As you head back along this ancient ‘outlaws highway’ you will pass through mature oak woodlands dotted with original farm dwellings built in the traditional tufo rock.
Monday
Today you will be riding to Lake Mezzano, this is an area of great interest both historically and naturally. The lake was formed in a volcanic crater and is now a historical site with traces of human settlements dating back to the pre-etruscan era. We will be riding through the chestnut woods on the hillsides that surround the lake before descending onto the beaches that surround the lake. We will stop for lunch at a small rural restaurant overlooking the lake where the horses can enjoy a rest in their shady corral whilst we eat, relax and maybe enjoy a refreshing swim.
Tuesday
Once again this morning we will be heading off along The Brigands Trail as we ride north towards the fortified village of Orano. Centuries ago this fortified village was an important stronghold of the Monaldeschi family who ruled this area throughout the middle ages.
We will return to the castle for lunch. This afternoon the choice is yours, either relax in the beautiful gardens of the castle or saddle up again for a shorter hack to a local dairy farm renowned for its fabulous "ricotta" cheese.
Wednesday:
Today we will follow an old trail down towards the crater of Lake Bolsena, the biggest volcanic lake in Europe. Breath taking views of the lake will accompany our excursion all the way. Scattered throughout the countryside, archaeological sites with Etruscan tombs will serve to remind us of how ancient this beautiful land really is. Today lunch will be served on the beach in a typical local restaurant and again there will be the opportunity to swim in the lake.
Thursday:
Today is a free day. The owners offer a number of local excursions including a trip to an ancient Etruscan settlement in their four by four vehicles or olive oil tasting. Alternatively, mountain biking is offered on this horse riding holiday Italy package!
Friday:
We ride today from castle to castle, a fabulous excursion that will take us through the most unspoiled of Tuscan countryside, wading a ford in the Stridolone River before reaching the hilltop overlooking the fortress of Proceno. Along the way you may spot pheasant, fallow-deer, and wild boars. After lunch we will cross the river again and climb the side of a plateau through thick vegetation taking advantage of an old track once used by farmers.
Saturday:
Sadly today it is time to bid farewell to your castle home, but if you can’t bear to go home just yet we can organise an additional night or two for you in Rome.
Included in the horse riding holiday Italy price:
7 nights accommodation in twin rooms with ensuite facilities (Saturday to Saturday)
Full board including table wine (picnic lunch on some rides)
Welcome drink and guided tour of the castle.
5 riding days, 3 full riding days (4/5 hrs. per day), 2 half days (2/3 hrs. per day)
Multi-lingual guide.
Lessons available in the arena from beginners to intermediate
Cost per person in shared twin £1250.00
The horses are a mixture of thoroughbred and warm blood crosses all chosen for their excellent temperaments, their patience and their delight for travelling through this enchanting countryside! The tack is English tack. There are two outdoor arenas and lessons are available for all ages and levels in both dressage and jumping. The maximum weight allowed is 100kg and the numbers of riders on each excursion is between 1 and 5.
There is a single supplement charge of £135
Transfer cost is 120€ per car return from Rome Airports. Please note if you have a private transfer i.e. – 1 person the transfer cost will be 60€ each way.
A number of different packages are available in the riding holidays Italy range including a learn to ride one week holiday, midweek and weekend breaks and family riding holidays .
The Brigands Trail runs from April to November avoiding childrens' holidays in the summer when a family holiday is offered.
Optional activities at the castle on the horse riding holidays Italy packages include:
- Swimming pool (01st June - 30th September),
- Tennis court (15E per hour)
- Mountain bikes (20E per person per day)
- Mini football Pitch
- Volleyball
- Ping pong
- Billiards
ATTENTION: The excursions on the horse riding holidays Italy packages can be changed according to weather, horses and riders conditions by the riding management of the castle.
Note
The price above includes clean towels once a week and bathroom soaps and shampoos are provided. There is no daily cleaning of your room or room service with change of linen on this package. Extra clean towels will be provided on request at a price of €15 per set of 3 pieces.
Breakfast will include cereals, fruit, yoghurts, bread, toast, butter, jam as well as a selection of croissants and cakes.
Alternatively for those wanting additional services we offer a ‘gold package’ that costs £220 per week per room and this includes:
A daily room cleaning service with three changes of towels and bed linen per week.
Breakfast includes the above plus scrambled eggs or boiled eggs, ham, salami and cheeses.
These horse riding holidays Italy offer fabulous trail riding for the more experienced rider and you can combine trail riding with lessons if you are a beginner. These riding holidays are flexible packages and trail rides and lessons can be combined on all our horse riding holidays.
For information on related websites please see Friends of Equestrian Escapes
We inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.
Click here to download a booking form.