Horseback Riding in Chianti Italy

Enjoy a combined week of horseback riding and wine tasting with leisure time to visit the corners of Tuscany. The riding center is located in a fantastic area for the cultural and architectural attractions of the Tuscany region. This week long tour is ideal for those who wish to begin riding on an intensive course, achieving tangible results by the end of the week.

This week will give you the opportunity of discovering the variety in this area, rich in historical buildings, vineyards, olives trees and woods. Riders stay in comfortable farm accommodations, where you can taste superb Tuscan food and wine.

The horseback riding center is located near the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga in Southwest Chianti, almost at the center of the Siena-Florence-Arezzo triangle. It lies in an area that deserves your acquaintance because of particularly rich cultural heritage and the beauty of its landscape.

Riders will discover castles, abbeys, churches and Tuscan farmsteads surrounded by nature's peace and tranquility.

Beginners have two lessons a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, maximum 3 learners per group at the same level, with horses carefully selected and prepared for the purpose. The instructor starts beginners off with a personalized, gradual system, tried and tested over years of experience, enabling the novice to learn to ride and get to know the horse and move with him. Learners usually go out for their first ride after 3 days of lessons.

For experienced riders who wish to visit parts of Tuscany that are only visible on horseback, there is a close network of bridle paths and cart roads. There is a wide variety of rides available enabling the rider to discover the historical, cultural and architectural beauties of the Chianti area, surrounded by nature and far from the noise of tarmac roads.

After a morning on horseback, you can wander through the narrow streets of Siena & you can enjoy a glass of Chianti at Castello di Brolio, or Brunello at Montalcino.

You can visit the Cistercian abbey of Monte Oliveto, get to the heart of Chianti through the village of Volpaia, or visit the famous cities of Florence and Arezzo, Cortona or San Gimignano. All of these destinations are no more than an hour away from the riding center.

Alternatively, it is possible to combine riding with a personalized spa and massage treatment available at the nearby spa town of Terme di Rapolano.

Included:
~ Full board
~ Wine
~ At least 10 hours of riding
~ Entrance to the thermal spa

Special Notes

~ Riders must be a minimum of 14 years old
~ Riders weight cannot exceed 85 kilograms

Itinerary for Advanced Riders:

Sunday
7:00 pm - Welcome drink and visit to the riding center.
8:30 pm - Dinner

Monday
10:00 am - Ride to the Romanesque Abbey of Monastero d'Ombrone. Lunch and afternoon visit to Siena.

Tuesday
Day on horseback (5/6 hours) with picnic; riding through the Arceno estate, with its vineyards, olive groves and free range "Cinta Senese" pigs, and the incredible Cypress Avenue to the villa. Picnic at Campi, ancient Etruscan site with a splendid 360° view over the Chianti hills.

Wednesday
Morning on horseback to the medieval village of Montebenichi; lunch at the riding center and afternoon visit with wine tasting at Badia Coltibuono winery or relaxation at Rapolano Thermal Spa to enjoy a massage or dip in the warm waters of the thermal springs.

Thursday & Friday
Two days on horseback with picnic lunch, leaving the riding center at 11:00 am. Break at the Fattoria of Felsina, one of the best wineries in the area, to visit the cellars and taste their wines. The ride continues until lunch time. After lunch you'll cross the "crete Senese" and see a completely different landscape, characterized by gently rolling hills where sheep graze. It is from here that the famous Tuscan Pecorino cheese comes. In the afternoon we arrive near Siena where the horses, and sometimes the riders too, have dinner and stay overnight.

Friday
We ride through various Chianti classic wineries and reach the imposing medieval castle of Brolio. We climb the Chianti hills again to reach our picnic place, above the remains of an ancient charcoal burner. In the afternoon you'll go down to Ambra valley to return, tired but happy, to the riding center.

Saturday
In the morning, a short ride with lunch at the riding center. In the afternoon, for those with enough energy, a lesson, or a shopping expedition to Castelnuovo Berardenga to purchase local produce.

Tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Rates are in US dollars. Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 800-719-6391.