General Info

Horse riding in Tuscany in the romantic Chianti Hills from a 400-year-old farmhouse.

Enjoy horseback riding or walking, visit the art cities of Florence, Arezzo and Siena, and take in the hidden treasures of Tuscany. The Tuscan farmhouse and riding center is located on the slopes of the Chianti hills with views over the Arno valley in famous Chianti region between Florence and Siena. Travelers may feel more like honoured guests and quickly become friends in this relaxed, home setting. Settle in and then enjoy a chat and a glass of Chianti Classico wine in the garden or sitting-room. 

This is not fast riding country, but there is so much to look at that speed is not an issue and in a week’s stay, riders will never do the same ride twice. Horse ride on trails through vineyards, olive-groves and woodland without any landowners objecting and without meeting a single gate, something that never ceases to amaze.

Visit abbeys, castles, Romanesque churches, wine-farms and medieval villages. Enjoy lavish picnics at lunchtime and in the evening the riders will dine and sleep in comfortable farm holiday centers or small hotels.

The Tuscan cooking, is, of course, a great attraction. Franca the cook has a large repertoire of pasta, rice and meat dishes and typical Italian sweets and can satisfy vegetarians. Most of the vegetables come from the organic garden. The olives for the oil are picked on the premises and eggs, turkeys and ducks are all home produced. 

The farmhouse is at the centre of a small organic farm. It has over three hundred olive-trees and produces all the extra-virgin olive oil used in the kitchen. There is no vineyard, but local farmers supply excellent Chianti wine.

If you wake up early in the morning and look out of the window, you will see horses grazing peacefully among the olives in front of the house. You will hear birdsong and smell the delicate perfume of wisteria and jasmine and possibly a whiff of manure as well... yes, it really is another world.

Packing

Packing Tips for horseback riding in Italy

• helmet- Please note- you need to bring your own helmet.
• riding-trousers (jeans are NOT comfortable)
• riding-boots or walking-shoes + half-chaps, (easier to pack)
• a light, full-length raincoat (yes, it rains even in Italy!)
• gloves, if you are used to wearing them. 
• Otherwise dress according to the season. Remember you don’t need to dress up at the farmhouse.
  
  There is a washing-machine and an iron if you need them.

Other useful items for Tuscany horseback riding: suncream, lip balm, personal medicines, small camera, gilet with pockets or fanny pack. There are plenty of books in English at the farmhouse. There is a hair-dryer in each bedroom and an Internet point in the sittingroom.

All guests are advised not to bring too much luggage. Bulky suitcases hamper you during your journey and are probably full of unnecessary stuff anyway. Reserve some space, however, for anything you might want to buy during your stay. 

About the Horses

Eighteen horses are kept in the stables immediately behind the house or in the surrounding fields for your Italy equestrian vacation. They belong to various breeds including Arabs, half-thoroughbreds, one Morgan and several Sicilians. The others are, well, just horses, chosen because they are comfortable, willing, surefooted, easy to handle and, above all, safe for all levels of ability.

The horses, all trained in the English style of riding. Your host is British and maintains her horses to a high standard. They are sleek and fit and even those which are stable-kept spend some hours in the paddocks every day if they are not ridden.

There are two rings: a small one for beginners and a large one for more experienced riders who want to improve their style in flatwork and over small jumps. The BHS instructor, speaks English and works hard to help nervous riders.

If riders feel inclined, they are welcome to help with the grooming and tacking up of the horses, an excellent way of making friends with their mounts.

Activities/Events

This Tuscany horseback riding vacation is appropriate for riders and their non-riding companions.

Area Sightseeing

The Tuscan farmhouse is roughly at the center of a triangle formed by Florence, Arezzo and Siena. These famous art cities can all be reached by car in less than an hour, while Florence and Arezzo are accessible also by train.

You can explore the Chianti region and the Casentino valley, areas rich in historical sites and natural beauty. You may also like to sample minor Tuscany, fascinating locations in the vicinity which do not however attract mass tourism: the medieval tower of Galatrona, the rose-garden of Caviglia (which boasts the largest collection of roses in Europe), the gardens and cellars of the Abbey of Coltibuono, the Romanesque church of Gropina with its animal carvings and ninth century pulpit, just to give a few examples.

Shopping

Every Thursday morning there is a large market in Montevarchi where an expert eye can pick up real bargains, while on the first Sunday of the month there is an important antiques fair at Arezzo (30 km).

There is a Prada outlet only 4 km away, while at the Mall in Incisa Valdarno you can buy on the cheap (it's all relative) the creations of Valentino, Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo and so on. And if you want to take home some of the local produce, there is no better place than the covered market at Montevarchi, where every day you can buy produce directly from the farmer: olive oil, wine, salami, sheep cheese, honey and the vegetables of the season.

At the Farmhouse

Relax in the garden with a book and a glass of wine. If the weather does not permit this luxury. move to the sittingroom and sit in front of the log fire. If reading is too much like hard work, you can chat, listen to music or have a snooze. 

Accommodations/Food

Not a luxurious villa nor a country house hotel, the restored Tuscan farmhouse has a family home the atmosphere and is informal and friendly. Guests become friends and often return time and time again.

This Tuscan farmhouse vacation is not for people looking for luxury. Hens and ducks peck around the house, the two dogs greet you on your arrival, and you may find the cat curled up in your chair. It is primarily a riding-centre. The stables are just behind the house, and horses graze in the surrounding paddocks.

No one has to dress up on any occasion. Non-riders are welcome, of course, but they must not be shocked at the occasional whiff of manure! The house itself is clean and pretty, but it is after all a family home, with books spilling out of the shelves and jackets hanging on the back of chairs. There are six bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and no TV's in the bedroom. They are mostly on the small side, but the curtains and bedspreads are brightly coloured, there are pictures on the walls and shelves full of books, mostly in English. In each bedroom there is information about local places of interest. In the evening guests can gather in the comfortable sitting-room to read, chat and, when the weather is cool, enjoy the log fire.

The seventeenth century farmhouse has a small tower, arches, outside staircase and a balcony adorned with geraniums, while inside the floors are of terracotta and the ceilings have oak or chestnut beams.

Italian Food

The Tuscan cooking, is, of course, a great attraction. At meal-times the guests all sit together at a long table and there is plenty of merriment as well as good food. Franca the cook has a large repertoire of pasta, rice and meat dishes and typical Italian sweets. Vegetarians are well accommodated. Most of the vegetables come from the farmhouse's own garden. The olives for the oil are picked on the premises and eggs, turkeys and ducks are all home produced.
 

The Ideal Traveler

Riders for horse riding Tuscany should be experienced and fit intermediate to advanced riders who are able to walk, trot and canter and want to see Tuscany on horseback from a relaxed, farmhouse setting.

Discover Tuscany

8 days/ 7 nights for Intermediate to Advanced Riders

2013 Dates: April 13-20, April 20-27, April 27-May 4 SOLD OUT, May 11-18 SOLD OUT, May 25-June 1, Sept 14-21, September 28- Oct 5, October 12-19 (all Sat - Sat)
 
2013 Rates: $2,109 per adult* (€1,509) per person double occupancy.

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking. Rates include: Seven nights accommodation; most meals; wine with meals; riding; return train fare from Florence to Montevarchi.

Italy Riding Vacation Description
A weeklong, centre-based ride with plenty of riding but also a chance to discover new aspects of Tuscany, both cultural and gastronomical! Excursions include a guided visit to Arezzo, lunch at a gourmet restaurant and a trip to the local market.

Sample Itinerary

Saturday - Day 1
At 17:50 (5:50pm), meet your host at the Florence main station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) under the SELFSERVICE sign outside the main bar in the station, roughly opposite track 14. You will be accompanied on a forty-minute train ride to Montevarchi and then on a ten-minute drive to the 400-year-old typically Tuscan home of your hosts. Settle in and then enjoy a chat and a glass of Chianti Classico wine. Dinner and night at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Sunday - Day 2
Breakfast and morning horse ride (about two and a half hours) through vineyards, olive-groves and woodland, passing near an 11th-century tower and a 14th century church. Return to the Tuscan farmhouse for lunch. Over coffee, enjoy an informal talk about Tuscan farmhouses. After a short siesta join your host for a lesson in the pronunciation of Italian, which will prove useful over the following days (learn, for example, that the “ch” in Montevarchi is pronounced like a 'k'!). For dinner, freshly made, truly Italian pizzas followed by dessert.

Monday - Day 3
Breakfast and morning ride (about two and a half hours) in the wooded hills north of the Tuscan farmhouse, scattered with charming hamlets and traditional farmhouses. After lunch go to the ancient city of Arezzo and enjoy a guided visit to the unusual and fascinating frescoes of Piero della Francesca and to the main square made famous by the film “Life is Beautiful”. There is a chance, too, to do some shopping. Dinner and night at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Tuesday - Day 4
Day ride and picnic in the Chianti hills south of the Tuscan farmhouse (about four and a half hours in the saddle). During your ride you will pass the medieval village of San Leolino, a lake and the castles of Cennina and Lupinari. On your return, you will have a chance to help prepare a buffet supper using local herbs and vegetables. Night at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Wednesday - Day 5
A free day to make your arrangements for sightseeing, perhaps to visit Florence, or the hill towns of Cortona, Assisi or Orvieto – take your pick. All three are an easy train journey from Montevarchi and you will be driven to and from the station. For those who prefer to hike, maps of local trails will be provided and also a picnic lunch at a small extra charge.

Thursday - Day 6
A morning visit with your guide to the local town of Montevarchi and its famous weekly market. This is a good chance to pick up bargains! Lunch at a gourmet restaurant in Loro Ciuffenna, a medieval village built round a ravine on the other side of the Arno valley. Drive back to the Tuscan farmhouse and have either an afternoon ride of about two hours, or a lesson with the instructor in the school. Dinner and night at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Friday - Day 7
A final day ride to the top of the Chianti hills (nearly 2,500 feet) behind the farmhouse. Enjoy a barbecue on the ridge and ride back to the farmhouse via the village and castle of Montegonzi. If the weather is uncertain or if there are too many horse-flies, an alternative ride in the valley will be offered and the barbecue will take place in a park created by a local sculptor, Carmelo Librizzi.

Saturday - Day 8
Breakfast and then a ten-minute journey to Montevarchi station to meet the train back to Florence.

Make your own arrangements for your onward journey from Florence or have us make travel arrangements for you to continue your vacation in Italy. For those going to Rome, there is a direct train from Montevarchi every two hours.

Contact us to book this trip.

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.

Taste of Tuscany

5 days/ 4 nights for intermediate to advanced riders

2013 Dates: April 20-24, June 1-5, Oct 19-23 (all Sat to Wed)

2013 Rates starting at $1,254 USD* (€897) per person double occupancy

* Prices shown are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are indicative only; the price of your chosen holiday will be reconfirmed by your travel consultant, prior to your making a booking. Includes: Four nights accommodation; meals; wine with meals; riding; return train fare from Florence to Montevarchi. Included from Florence train station, which is a short taxi ride from Florence airport. There are regular trains and buses from Pisa airport to Florence train station.

Italy Riding Vacation Description
A short but sweet four-day centre-based holiday with two-half-day rides and one whole day ride, a guided walk to a medieval tower and a guided visit to Arezzo or Cortona.

Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Italy and either drive to the Tuscan farmhouse or at 17:50 (5:50pm), meet your host at the Florence main station (Firenze Santa Maria Novella) under the SELFSERVICE sign outside the main bar in the station, roughly opposite track 14. After a forty-minute train journey to Montevarchi, take a ten-minute drive in a minivan to the 400-year-old typically Tuscan home of your hosts. Settle in and then join them in a glass of Chianti Classico. Dinner and night at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Day 2
A morning ride takes you through the vineyards, olive groves and woodland of this unspoilt Tuscan countryside. After lunch, visit the tower of Galatrona from the top of which there is a fabulous view over the Arno valley and the 14th Century church. Walk down to the village of Mercatale for a welcome aperitif in one of the bars before returning to the Tuscan farmhouse for dinner.

Day 3
The morning ride takes you through a charming hamlets and past the abandoned church of San Tommè. After lunch, a short trip by train to the ancient city of Arezzo and a guided visit of some of its most notable sights, including the frescoes of Piero della Francesca. Dinner at the Tuscan farmhouse.

Day 4
Ride to the top of the Chianti hills with fantastic views over the Chianti Classico region. After a barbecue lunch and an opportunity to do some olive-oil tasting, ride back past the medieval castle and village of Montegonzi.

Day 5
Breakfast and either your own arrangements to leave (departure is usually by 10.00am) or a ten-minute drive to Montevarchi to meet the train back to Florence. Make your own arrangements for your onward journey from Florence or contact us to help with the rest of your itinerary. For those going to Rome, there is a direct train from Montevarchi.

Contact us to book this trip and learn more about the advantages of booking trips on EquitrekkingTravel.com.

* This itinerary is a sample itinerary. Itineraries are subject to changes due to the weather, the trip guide's discretion and other factors.

Related Travel Articles

Traveler Reviews

I just wanted you to know how much Sharon and I enjoyed our Equitrekking equestrian vacation in Tuscany. I am still smiling from ear to ear!

Sharon and I were a bit uncertain as this was our first riding vacation but Discover Tuscany turned out to be absolutely wonderful. Jenny Bawtree is a gem like no other -- a warm and generous person with incredible knowledge of Italian history and art.

Her Tuscan farmhouse is homey and comfortable and she made us feel as if we were staying with our favorite aunt. We loved hanging out with Jenny especially in her living room with a warm fire ablaze in the original farmhouse fireplace.

The meals were terrific. Sergio is the understated backbone of the farm. He (and Jenny) made sure everything was running smoothly, from the horses being readied for us to ride to making sure we had train tickets, shuttling us around in the farm van to cooking wonderful food. I am craving his mushroom risotto and grilled eggplant. Jenny and Sergio are a great team.

The rides themselves were magical. The scenery was so breathtaking. I am glad we kept the riding at a slower pace although brisk trots and rolling canters (in an organized fashion) kept our senses keen and added some of fun. Jenny's horses were wonderful - steady and trustworthy and very comfortable. I would have loved to taken Nerone and Carmen back to the states me.

Our excursions to Arezzo and Loro Ciuffenna with Jenny were fantastic. She kept us enthralled with her unbelievable knowledge of history and art. Sharon and I barely made a sound as she told us about the villages history and the artists and church frescoes. Even other tourists quietly sidled up to us trying to hear what she was talking about. Jenny truly seems to love teaching and is an excellent teacher and tour guide!

There is much more I'd love to tell you about the experience and am happy to talk to other future travelers. Thank you so very much for making our first equestrian vacation a wonderful one. And....many, many thanks to Jenny Bawtree! 

-- Halla Black, USA

Our guide, Jenny, was an inspiration. She works very hard, is a most competent rider and knows history well. She couldn’t have been nicer – deserves much praise for the work she does.

-- Liz Bannerot, Canada

Jenny's house is warm, beautiful, cozy. The meals were delicious! The best Italian food I've ever eaten.

-- Jennifer, USA

Great guide, wonderful scenery, amazing horses, fabulous food. Couldn't be bettered! I'm longing to go back.

-- Shirley, USA

The horses were fit and very well cared for. I felt that there was a high level of horsemanship. We also loved the knowledge of art history and the Italian language that Jenny shared with us.

-- Tom and Tracy Dumm, USA

Jenny did a wonderful job of hosting! Caring for needs of guests! My husband is a non-rider but brought a bike. Jenny had very good information on roads, sights, places for his rides which made a perfect vacation for him, too! Thank Jenny for looking after all details to make this a SUPERB vacation – it went too fast!

-- Virginia Gardner, USA

Jenny was wonderful, brilliant, kind and knowledgeable about local art and customs and of course, horses.

-- Louise Chivers, USA

Such a nice mix of riding and sightseeing. Shopping too!

-- Sue, United Kingdom

I know you are probably off in the countryside on another ride, but I wanted to send you a note of thanks for putting together such a wonderful riding vacation for me! I so enjoyed your company, your house, your staff, all the great food, your fine horses, and most especially your infinite knowledge of the amazing wooded landscape all around your area. My time in Italy exceeded all my expectations and I loved every minute….. Thank you again for all that you do, and also for being a great inspiration.

--  Nancy Fonicello, Montana, USA

A wonderful and memorable holiday in a beautiful landscape. Such pleasant walks and rides, excellent and amusing company and conversation, lovely food, everyone kind and thoughtful. 

-- Nick, United Kingdom

You know how happy I always am at Rendola and how much I love to come. Your care of both the horses and riders is unsurpassed and it’s wonderful seeing the same cast of characters (with minor changes) year after year. This was absolutely the best trip yet and I’ll begin saving for next year as soon as I get home.

-- Andrea Beauchamp, after her fifth visit to Rendola.
 

Reading List

Italy in Mind (Paperback) by Alice Powers

A terrific collection of some of the best literary writing on Italy, including pieces by Melville, Lawrence, Henry James, Mary McCarthy and many others. Each piece (they tend to run about 5-7 pages) is introduced thoroughly with a description of its historical, geographical, or literary context. Great reading.

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

In this memoir of her buying, renovating, and living in an abandoned villa in Tuscany, Frances Mayes reveals the sensual pleasure she found living in rural Italy, and the generous spirit she brought with her. She revels in the sunlight and the color, the long view of her valley, the warm homey architecture, the languor of the slow paced days, the vigor of working her garden, and the intimacy of her dealings with the locals. 

One-Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Italy (Hardcover) by Paolo Lazzarin

A handsome book highlighting Italy's charming and scenic villages. Featuring color photographs and an overview of history and attractions, favorite accommodations and restaurants by photographer-journalist Lazzarin. Translated from the Italian (the book was originally published for the Italian market as an introduction to unique and wonderful places throughout the country).

Italy -Eyewitness Travel Guides (Paperback) by Adele Evans (Author), Ian O'Leary (Photographer), Susi Cheshire (Contributor), Elinor Hodgson (Contributor), Gillian Arthur (Contributor), Reid Bramblett (Contributor), Roberta Kedzierski (Contributor)

Italy offers an extraordinary kaleidoscope of regions and experiences for all visitors. Packed with photographs, illustrations and maps the Eyewitness Travel to Italy has mapped out all of the remarkable flavors of Italy. Use this guide to help you decide where to stay, eat, relax, and shop. Every page in the Eyewitness Travel to Italy has pinpointed the highlights of each fascinating region.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.