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ItalyA lovely island off the tip of the boot of Italy $1899 per person. Single Supplement: $130pp. Airport: Olbia or Alghero via London or Rome. Ferry: Porto Torres or Olbia from Genova. Transfers $60pp. Ryan Air from London's Stanstead Airport. Dates: Nature and Culture Trail Weekly all year except for August INCLUDES: 8 days/7 nights full board Hotel. Horse, guide, baggage transfer (please bring one soft sided bag), Ensuite bathroom with shower and toilet. For lunch we'll have picnics and wine with dinner and where possible grill local specialties such as fish fresh from the sea. DOES NOT INCLUDE: Airfare or travel meals, tips, extra alcholol in the bar. Trekking in a Tent Please inquire about dates, very limitedl INCLUDES 8 days/7 nights, full board, with Tent accommodation. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. 30 km/day with long lunch stop. We will ride very early in the morning as it can be quite hot during the day. We ride in beautiful Sardinia, Italy's second largest island famous for its spectacular coastline and unspoiled beauty. These treks are over rugged Sardinian countryside. The riding center is open All year long EXCEPT AUGUST due to the mild winters. These treks offer the visitor the chance to see the real Sardinia, in particular the interior of the island, and make for a very memorable holiday. Those people interested in ancient culture will find much evidence of the fact that Sardinia has been populated since prehistoric times. Everyone can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean countryside and a sea whose colors are unequalled anywhere in Europe, stretching along the northern coast to the Bonifacio straits and on to Corsica. Horses: There are 15 horses, locally bred Anglo-Arabo-Sards, a breed well known in Italy for both its stamina and good all around ability, offering a good ride to both experienced equestrians and relative beginners. They are sturdy reliable mounts capable of carrying weights to 89 kg (196 pounds). The tours last one week (you may book for more than one week in a row) and are of two types: -a cultural, architectural trail including many old churches and a nature trail along the northern coastline to Corsica. Depending on what week you book you will receive one or the other. They are BOTH spectacular and it matters not which you experience. Eight Days, 7 Overnights, all inclusive of meals, accommodation, horse, tack, guide. The accommodation is generally what is known in Italy as agritourism centers--bed and breakfasts--small farms whose owners offer half board to visitors. We take dinner and breakfast with the farmer and his family and usually organize a barbecue or picnic lunch on the trail. Usually the farmers offer some home made specialty such as limonchello, a lemon liqueur not to be missed! Example of Itinerary: (may change at the discretion of the guide due to weather or terrain considerations) Trekking Culture and Nature: Day 1--Arrival by plane to Olbia Airport or Alghero Airport (we are in the middle of the two). Transfer to the riding center. 1 1/2 hour drive. Lunch and small sightseeing tour of the area. Dinner and overnight at a quiet nearby hotel with swimming pool. A short walk will bring you to a thermal spring. Saddles: you have your choice of endurance saddle, which is hard plastic or English. I recommend the English unless you are used to endurance saddles. Please mention this on your ride to the barn. Day 2--We start our tour with a ride along the little village of la Ciaccia (just in front of the sea) and 1 hour after riding we arrive in a little bay called "Baja Ostina." Time to swim so pack your suit in your fanny pack.. In 45 minutes we are in Castelsardo, a village perched on a rock. We visit the ancient tower and the cathedral. Lunch in the forest. Later we are ready to go to Tergu and visit Nostra Signora di Tergu, a beautiful church built in the Xll century. Dinner and overnight in an agritourism site. (Bed and Breakfast) Day 3--At 9:00 am we are ready to pass "hell valley" and then we arrive at Elephant Rock (a granite mass shaped by the wind into an elephant sculpture). On our ride towards Sedini we pass through a petrified forest and the ruins of the ancient St. Barbara Church. We arrive at the village of Sedini to see the house of fairies--prehistoric tomb carved out of the rock. These artificial caves were hewn out of rock using hard stone axes in prehistoric times. Funeral rites linked to the cult of death were performed and ritual meals were consumed in fireplaces dug into the earth. Then we continue until we arrive at St. Pedro delle Immagini, a spectacular bi-colored stonework church. Horses stop here for the night and we go back to the hotel. Day 4--We ride through a valley with many medieval churches from the 11th to 14th centuries; coasting Lake Coghinas and crossing an old bridge we arrive at Tisiennari. We continue, greeted by the fragrance of many lovely trees--Myrtles, mastic trees, broom, cork oaks, juniper, and oleasters are a many colored landscape. The wind gathers up and then spreads the fragrance of this ancient land, where the landscape has been formed into an astonishing, open air museum. We are in the forested site of Bortigiadeas. Later we arrive at Aggius, a little village famous for its carpet manufacturing and granite buildings. Dinner and overnight in an agritourism site. (Bed and Breakfast). Day 5--We descend into the valley "valle della luna" (moon valley) famous for its granite rocks that have been shaped in to bizarre-looking sculptures by the wind to arrive at La balestra. Then we begin to descend to the sea. Passing through some of the more hidden angles of the coastline we will have lunch at the seaside in Vignola. Overnight at hotel on the beach. Day 6--For the whole day we will ride close to the coast, passing fabulous beaches and stunning coves, beginning from Torre Vignola. We will stop in a beautiful bay for lunch and a little rest in the pine wood, and then we will continue until Rena Majore where the horses will stay. Overnight at hotel on the stunning beach. Day 7--From Rena Majore we come back to Vignola, enjoying the sea and beautiful landscape (Corsica is visible over the Bocche di Bonifacio straits) Overnight and dinner in hotel. Day 8--Breakfast and transfer to airport, taking the memories of a lifetime with you. Ciao Amichi! Come back next year! Nature and Culture in a TENT. $1259pp Saturday to Saturday Similar to above with tent accommodations sleeping on the beach or a beautiful cultural site...this is an adventurer's dream trip. You will see the interior of the country and along the rugged cliffs and coastline. Few ever see some of these areas. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. No single accommodations available with this trek. You must share a tent with same sex rider unless your group happens to be very small. Day 1: Arrival by plane, transfer to Vignola by car. 1 1/2 hours. Lunch. Short sightseeing tour. Back for dinner and to put up tents on the beach. Enjoy the sunset and rest. Day 2: Very early ride on the beach and along the coast. To St. Mary for lunch and rest under olive trees. To Lu Colbu where riders will have dinner and stay close to St. Giovanni Church for the night. Day 3: On to Costa Paradisio, a stunning site among red rocks. We eat by a little river then pass through some of the more hidden and wild angles of the coastline along fantastic cliffside treks. To St. Giacomo Church for dinner and overnight. Day 4: To Aggius, a wonderful village known for it's carpet weaving. On to Valle della Luna famous for it's granite rocks that have been carved by the wind into bizarre sculptures (there are some man-made ones tucked among the rocks as well). We eat a picnic at St. Pancrazio Church in Bortigiadas. We climb along the coast and spend the night with a wide and breathtaking view of north Sardinia and Corsica, where we'll spend the night near St. Gavino Church. Day 5: Up into the fragrant hills where the land has been formed into an astonishing open air museum. We will see historical and cultural sites all along the way. Lunch is at Punta Altana. Later we will continue greeted by the fragrance of nature: myrtles, mastic trees, broom, cork oaks, juniper and oleaster. Stopping for the night at Tisiennari on Lake Coghinas. Day 6: We will cross an old bridge on the lake, seeing many Nuraghi (houses from 3000 BC!) and churches from the 11th to 14th centuries. We'll stop for lunch at St. Pietro delle Immagini in Bulzi. We will pass by the Elephant Rock, carved by the wind. We will grill something and sleep by the bay, Baja Ostina. Day 7: We ride up the cliffs of Monte Ussoni to have another breathtaking view of Castlesardo and the bay the Vikings and Romans used to invade this land. Lunch at the barn. Free afternoon at the beach. Dinner and night at the farm. Day 8: Departure. Please make plans to come again next year!~ It is helpful, but not absolutely necessary, that you speak at least some words of Italian. ***Please take a small phrase book with you if you do not speak any Italian. The Ride Master's wife is fluent in English and is accessible by telephone at all times for any questions. You must know: banyo=bathroom, gelato=ice cream, cavallo=horse. manjaro=eat.
Prices: $1250 Full board = Riding for 1 week (does not include drinks in
restaurant and bar),
$125 Single
Supplement Ah, Maremma, Tuscany. Enjoy fantastic nature rides, visiting monuments of former centuries. Wander ancient monasteries, medieval villages, primeval forests. Investigate Etruscan ruins. Riders from experienced beginner to advanced are welcome. Guests are welcomed at the hotel from Saturday to Saturday. Beginners who can trot and canter may take the DAY RIDES ONLY. TRAILS for riders with two years experience. These rides are quite fast at times so you must be able to canter and gallop on the Trails. The Satellite rides are just a bit slower, with the occasional canter. Arrival: Fly into Pisa (best International arrival destination*) or Florence, Then board a train to Pisa with transfer to connecting train to Follenica. 2 1/2 hours travel time. You can arrange IN ADVANCE to be met in Follenica for a small charge. Most guests arrive Follenica around 5pm. Driving directions are available for those who rent a car upon payment of your ride. Horses: 20 Maremma horses with a balanced character, sure-footedness, and good condition. They are a strong warm-blooded race, and an ideal trail horse. They are experienced on difficult land conditions. We ride without strong aids, in English or Trail saddles (like a Maclellan saddle) and on a loose rein about 5 hours a day on the week long trail ride. No spurs please. Discover Tuscan countryside from the back of a horse, or else by bicycle or on foot. Soak in the beauty of the landscape. Feel the cool mountain air, the warm southern sun on your skin. Explore picturesque former country seats of the aristocracy and old crumbling farms. Our equestrian activities and the informal atmosphere encourage our guests to make new friends and really enjoy their holidays. Every day everyone meets at our famous picnic sites: by horse, by bike, on foot or with our picnic bus. This allows non-riders to join riders for country picnics. We have a rustic 3 star*** hotel with 25 rooms with TV, shower and toilet, located 50 k (31 miles) southwest of Siena. For over 25 years the same family has operated this hotel and adjoining riding stables with charm and with commitment to their guests. It is an ideal base for guided horseback riding and individual excursions on foot or bike. The historic symbol of this house -Giano, the god with two faces- symbolizes vision in all directions, and to the present, the past and into the future. The hotel rooms surround a large and comfortable lounge complete with fireplace, bar and piano, where guests gather each evening. The Maremma Trail ride connects the favorite local destinations while returning to the hotel each evening. No packing each day. Approximately 5 hours a day in the saddle. Trail to the Sea is a loop trail with some nights away from the hotel. Approximately 5 hours a day in the saddle. These two trails only offered a few weeks a year with the remainder of the year available for the Daily Rides. Essentially the same thing as the Satellite rides but with some nights away from the hotel. but different locations. Please request dates of the trails as they change.
Arrival and departure dates for the Maremma Trail and Trail to the Sea: Saturday to Saturday. Satellite tours: Ride out from the hotel each day on a trail ride with picnic, returning to the same hotel each night. If there are no planned Trail Rides the week you choose different satellite rides are offered Saturday to Saturday.
Swimming Pool Open May 20-Sept. 9 Temperatures:
Rainy Season: Non-Riders: Nearby Siena is the town of the Palio horse race, probably a remnant of the Roman military practice, first mentioned in the modern reports in the 10th century. The Palio takes place each July and August. Volterra, 80k (50 miles) north of Montero, is the home of the finest museum of Etruscan artifacts in the world. Wander through Etruscan ruins or primeval forests and blossoming orchards. Never far away is a clear sparkling river and mountain bikes and a guide are available for hire with advance notice. Mountain Biking: Full Day with Guide and Rented Bike: $52/day for non-riders. Mountain Bike only all day: $24 Many sightseeing opportunities abound in the area for those who are not riding. A rental car is a must for those day trips. ITINERARIESMaremma Trail Sunday- A light day ride to a Roman thermal bath in the Cecina Valley will allow you to get to know your horse and the surroundings. Monday--Huge old trees and thick undergrowth are an indication of the native forests around Prata. Passing an old mine, we reach the expansive lands of the state farm, Filetto. Under the watchful eye of the Maremma herds that command a respectful distance, you can try to get a closer look at these cattle. Tuesday--The rocky way to the castle ruins of Fosini has a bizarre beauty. While picnicking by the ruins on a rocky cliff, the valley of Pavone lies below. In the evening we reach the stay over in the meadows belonging to this friendly Sienese noble family. Wednesday--From Anqua we head out to Lagoni, a hot springs area. The landscape loses its wildness to more charming agricultural developments typical of centuries of occupation--picture book Tuscany. We leave the horses overnight in a stable close to the village of Fosini. Thursday--Not far from Fosini lies a well-known cultural monument in Tuscany--the abbey ruins of San Galgano. Once we have viewed the legendary walls of this historically significant church, we gallop into wide open meadows. (this ride is quite fast at times.) Friday--From the beautiful lands of the Luriano castle where our horses spend the previous nights, we move on to the romantic riverbed of the Merse. Watch how the trout flash through the rushing water away from the hoofs of the horses. One last time experience the soft beauty of the Maremma hills and after a steep climb, turn back to the Hotel. Saturday--return home with memories to last a lifetime! Ciao! Trail to the Sea Sunday-- A light day ride to the romantic river meadows of the Merse allows you to get to know your horse and the surroundings. Monday--Heading towards the coast, enjoy an adventurous ride through the thick, unspoiled Macchia. Intrigued by the variety of wild Maremma animal and plant life we reach a typical Maremma farm in the late afternoon. Thursday--By lunchtime you will have the opportunity to swim after riding through olive groves and vineyards to rest by a small, picturesque lake. Before you can catch the first breath of ocean air there is still a four hour stretch ahead. Over old trade trails that go through cork oak and Mediterranean bushlands, we move closer to the coast. Wednesday--A gallop along white sand beaches, a refreshing bath in the ocean--on this day you will experience the sea. Mediterranean plant life, steep rocky shores and romantic sand coves as far as the eye can see. After a picnic in an idyllic nature park near Follonica, you can devote yourself to the beach, with or without your horse. Thursday--After a refreshing day by the sea you cross over to Massa Marittima. A trip along the dray-green shimmering olive groves, a gallop through endless cypress rows? These are pictures of Tuscany you will never forget. Friday--After a difficult climb and one last look at the sea we enjoy the cool shadows of the chestnut forests on the way back to the Hotel. Saturday--We part with our newfound friends cherishing the week we have spent in a dream. Depart for home.
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