The Villages and Vintages horseback riding holiday in Italy is based out of a comfortable and elegant 18th century farmhouse in Chianti, Tuscany. Daily rides on well-trained horses allow you to venture through vineyards, olive groves and to medieval villages where the sound of hoof beats echo from the cobbled streets.
There is a nearby castle overlooking the grounds of the riding center, to which you can enjoy an outing, including taking tea with the current owner. Ride along cyprus-lined roads to a neighboring vineyard, where you take part in a tasting of the local wines. Other destinations by horseback include a Roman abbey, a convent converted to an organic vineyard and a monastery surrounded by the olive and grape studded landscape so typical of Tuscany.
The itinerary also includes a visit by car to the fascinating town of Siena and other nearby points of interest. When you return each day to the riding center, you’ll have time to enjoy the pool while watching horses graze nearby. Meals are carefully prepared from local ingredients and the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, allowing you to feel both pampered and at home.
If this type of trip looks interesting, take a look at our other equestrian wine tours
Sunday: Arrive anytime in the afternoon and enjoy a welcome drink at 7pm and dinner at 8:30pm in the elegantly restored 18th century Tuscan farmhouse that will be your home for the week.
Monday: After a generous buffet breakfast your morning ride will take you to the Roman abbey of Badia d’Ombrone. During this ride you will be getting accustomed to your horse, who is well-trained and comfortable for the trail. Return to the farmhouse and the stables for lunch and a relaxing siesta. The afternoon’s ride takes you to the neighboring medieval Castello di Montalto, visible from the guesthouse. Here you will have a visit and take tea with the castle’s owner before returning home for a relaxing dinner and evening.
Tuesday: Today is a full day of riding on the rolling hills that take you to Arceno, a property that is centuries old and allows you to breathe in its history and beauty. Here you will an enjoy a wine tasting in a superb location with views of the vineyards and cypress-lined roads. This is the heart of Tuscany and the Sienese Chianti area, renowned for its wines. Next you visit the medieval village of San Gusme before arriving at the Etruscan site known as Campi, where you will have a picnic lunch. They view here is magnificent, as you can see 360 degrees from Monti del Chianti to Siena and Monte Amiata.
Wednesday: Ride this morning to the medieval village of Montebenichi, passing the terraced landscape and olive groves. After lunch back at the guesthouse, you will go by car to visit another medieval site of Montepulciano where you will have a wine tasting of the famous Nobile de Montepulcianoto and visit the towns which have been the sets for many historical films.
Thursday: Another full day’s ride to Pacina, a organic vineyard that has been converted from a convent. They now produce small quantities of a wonderful, all natural wine. Enjoy a picnic today on this farm before returning to your comfortable accommodations.
Friday: Your final full day ride is today, as you pass through the “Crete senesi,” a landscape totally different from what you’ve been riding in so far, and famous for its sheep. An ancient Etruscan road takes you to an amazing view of the valley before you pass through the village of Rapale, one of the last examples of an ancient village that hasn’t been renovated.
Saturday: A half day ride today to the Borgo monastery. This final ride will take you through the typical Tuscan countryside with which you are now familiar, through forest, vineyards and olive groves. Enjoy a last lunch at the guesthouse and then travel by car to Siena, the best conserved medieval town in Italy.
Sunday: Enjoy breakfast and bid goodbye to your hosts.
Tell us more about your riding experience and trip preferences below so we may find the perfect options to meet your needs. We will research availability and get back to you with a booking confirmation detailing suggested departure, cost and extended ride itinerary.
Do you have questions about this ride itinerary? Do you want to make sure that this it is the right ride for you? Or are you ready to book? Please call or email our experienced and friendly ride consultants for more detailed information. With first-hand knowledge of the exciting tours we offer, the ride consultants at Equitours look forward to answering any questions you might have
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Your host and her staff in Italy are the definition of "hospitality".... We feel as if we left behind a special family - and it was our privilege to have been a part of their lives if only for a week.
Linda Giannino
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