Medieval Castle Tour of Tuscany

Saturday

Arrive in to either of Rome’s airports and you will be transferred to the picturesque castle location. You will be staying in converted buildings around the Castle, taking breakfast each morning in the Castle itself.  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. This evening you will be served dinner at the castle.

Sunday

After breakfast this morning you will be heading out along ancient tracks and through chestnut woodland 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. After a short ride along the border of the lake we will reach the beach and have a canter. Lunch will be served right on the terrace of a typical trattoria right on the beach. If it is warm enough, you can have a swim before heading off for the afternoons ride.  As we head back towards the castle we will pass through the archeological area of Pianezze and through vineyards and back to the top of the crater which provides a spectacular view and a wonderful opportunity to take some photographs. This evening dinner will be served at the castle.

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 beautiful countryside and up into the wooded hills which surround Onano. Here you will have the opportunity to canter along a wonderful track surrounded by trees. At the top of this plateau you will have the chance to take in the spectacular scenery before carrying on past local farms and into chestnut woods on the hillsides that surround the lake. On top of the hill overlooking the lake we will stop for lunch at a small rural restaurant where the horses can enjoy a rest in their shady corral whilst we eat, relax and maybe enjoy a refreshing swim. In the afternoon we will ride back following the old Brigands trail, taking in a few historical sights along the way. This evening you will enjoy dinner at the castle.

Tuesday

After breakfast this morning we will be riding from the castle to Sorano. With the Tuscan mountains in the background we will be riding along level tracks allowing for a steady trot and some cantering. Lunch will be in a fantastic historical spot next to the ruins of a medieval castle called Vitozza. A picnic will be laid out with tables and chairs on a lawn on top of the hill. After lunch a gentle track will lead you towards Sorano, where you will be staying this evening in a unique hotel which is situated inside the medieval Orsini fortress of Sorano. The position is incredible, on the side of a gorge overlooking the ancient village. Tonight, dinner will be served in a restaurant next to the fortress.

Wednesday

Today we will be enjoying a full days riding in this unique area of Sorano with its age old narrow roads cut into the tough rock. Scattered throughout the countryside, archaeological sites with Etruscan tombs will serve to remind us of how ancient this beautiful land really is. We will pass through the village of Pitigliano bordering the ancient walls. Lunch will be another picnic laid out on the hillside near Pitigliano. This afternoon we will head back to Sorano and dinner in the restaurant.

Thursday

After breakfast this morning we will be departing Sorano and heading towards the castle of Proceno. We will be riding through the rocky hills and into the valley of the river Lente which has magnificient views. A picnic lunch will be served near Castellottieri. After lunch we will be riding uphill in the afternoon sun to Proceno, where we will be staying tonight. Proceno is a stunning 11th century castle at the centre of the village. It used to be the last stronghold of the pope before Tuscan enemy territory strategically positioned itself above the old roman road.

Friday

This morming we will be riding down into the river Stridolone valley and up the other side through the hilly woodland that takes us to an 18th century ex-convent. After a lunch stop our ride takes us through the most unspoiled of Tuscan countryside, crossing the Montorio game reserve where you may spot pheasant, fallow-deer and wild boars.We will reach the outskirts of the village of Onano and the 16th century country church of Madonna delle Grazie from where we will have a beautiful view of the medieval village walls. Soon we will return to our home base where we will celebrate with a farewell dinner and enjoy a last night at the castle.

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.

Dates 2011

28 May - 4 June, 4 - 11 June, 11 - 18 June, 18 - 25 June, 10 - 17 September, 17 - 24 September, 24 September - 1 October

Dates 2012

26 May - 02 June, 02 June - 09 June, 09 June - 16 June, 16 June - 23 June, 08 September - 15 September, 15 September - 22 September, 22 September - 29 September

Transfer cost is 120€ per car return from Rome Airports. The arrival transfer window is between 10am and 1pm so please ensure your flight arrives between these times. The departure drop-off times are between 10am and 1pm so ensure check-in is after 10am. Private transfers can be arranged outside of these times but there will be an additional cost. Please note if you have a private transfer i.e. – 1 person the transfer cost will be 60€ each way.

Optional activities at the castle on the horse riding holidays Italy packages include:
• Swimming pool (01st June - 30th September)
• Tennis court (€15 per hour)
• Mountain bikes (€20 per person per day)
• Mini football Pitch
• Volleyball
• Ping pong
• Billiards

The horses are a mixture of Haflinger, Appaloosa and Maremmano 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 4 and 10.

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.

Equestrian Escapes also specialises in horse riding holidays in Spain. Our riding holidays in Andalucia are suitable for all ages and cater for all different riding experiences.

If you are interested in riding in Spain you may like to look at some other holidays that we offer a few of which can be found below.

Trail Riding Holidays Spain

Epona Trail and Train Riding Holiday

Beach & Desert Riding

For our full range of horse riding holidays and short breaks please click here. Please note that all of these riding holidays are tailor-made for you so you can choose your accommodation, the amount of riding you want to do and the places you want to visit. Please also take some time to view Friends of Equestrian Escapes.

Our horse riding holidays will have something for everyone.

We inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.