Country: Italy

You will experience the charmed land of Tuscany, equally blessed by the genius of man and nature and often by the combined efforts of both.  You will ride through vineyards of green vines which march up gently rolling hilsides surrounded by dark cypress trees to the Sienna Mountains.  Your trail will pass rust colored farmhouses and moss coated castles.  Every inch of land has been sculpted, first by the elements and then by generations of inhabitants whose goals were always twofold: make the land produce as much as possible and make the land as beautiful as possible.  It wil be a historical experience too, as you discover the remains of the mysterious Etruscan civlization.

Itinerary:
Day 1: Sunday
Arrival in the evening for dinner, at the agroturismo, Aia del Tufo which denotes guesthouses being faithful to the Italian farming tradition and Tuscan cuisine.
Day 2: Monday
Your ride will begin at the archaeological park of Citta de Tufo, the birthplace of the Etruscan civilization. Your journey will pass two typical Tuscan villages, the medieval Castle L’Ottier and S. Giovanni Delle Contee, then follow along a river to Proceno which is situated across the canyon.
Day 3: Tuesday
After you have passed through the small village of Celle Sul Rigo, you will ride on clay paths across the rolling Sienna hills, which were created by ancient volcanoes, to the perched village of Radicofani. The main landmark of the village is the Rocca castle, built in 978, on the the highest point of a hill.
Day 4: Wednesday
You will ride through the centre of Tuscany as you cross the Orca Valley. During lunch, you will have a breathtaking view of the Radicofani Fortress and then ride to the medieval castle to visit the premises and wander through the surrounding old village.
Day 5: Thursday
You will ride to the ancient Cassia, the road that linked Firenze to Roma. The terrain allows some nice cantering as you return to La Franciola.
Day 6: Friday
The ride will take you towards S. Quirico and Prato Lungo. Your lunch will be served at Vitozza, an ancient Etruscan necropolis constructed from 200 caves. After lunch, you will traverse down the narrow trails of the Citta de Tufo Parc and ride along a river bed to the impressive village of Sarano which is built on a cliff. A ride along a beautiful Etruscan road dug in the volcanic rock as you are surrounded by impressive overhanging cliffs which will lead you to a Roman church. You will continue to the picturesque village of Celle Sul Rigo, set in a typical Sienna landscape. Next you will head for Sarteano, a Renaissance-style village.
Day 7: Saturday
Transfer to airport

Dates:  April 17-23, May15-21,  May 22-28, May  29- June 4,  June 12 – 18,  September 18-24, October 9 – 15
Length of ride: 5 days
Meeting point: Orvietto train station or Rome Fumicino airport
Ability level: Walk, trot, canter, gallop
Horse: Surefooted Maremamani and cross breeds
Group size: 4 – 8
Saddles: English
Hotel/s: 3*** Inns and Bed and Breakfasts 
*Price per person:$2,261 per person double, $275 single supplement

* Prices are quoted in U.S. dollars but are billed in euros.   The exchange rate will be fixed on the date of your final payment.

Includes: 6 nights accommodation, 5 days guided trail rides, all meals, horse, tack, luggage transfers and tax.
Not included: Air fare, transfers to and from airport (€200 round trip from Orvietto train station and €420 round trip from Rome airport.)