Ride Overview

Folks seem to have such a difficult time choosing between our Roman Countryside Ride and our Tuscany Villa Ride – so here, we’ve given you a little of both!

Your week begins at the country Relais, I Due Laghi, nestled in the rolling Etruscan hills about 45 minutes north of Rome. Exciting canters up long hills and around ancient Etruscan ruins wind their way to vistas overlooking Lakes Bracciano and Martignano. This area is a trail riders dream with miles of endless hills, Roman Roads and wonderful, energetic and fun horses to enjoy in and out of the arena.

Midweek you head north into the area of Siena, in the cypress lined hills of Tuscany. The remainder of your week will be full of fun and active rides each morning, in and along land that is a World Heritage Site. The rides follow Roman Roads to ancient fortress towns with reminders of the prominent Medici family at every turn. The absence of large lakes or important rivers hardly leads people to associate it with water, yet this corner of Tuscany has very strong aquatic links – it’s actually an island floating on a sea of scattered thermal springs!

This trip truly combines the best of both of these destinations and offers the utmost in exceptional riding and mouth watering homemade cuisine. It is in essence, a taste of Italy!

Dates: Available May, June, September and October, weekly
Rates: $2,450.00 USD per person in a shared room. (Single Supplement: $295.00 USD)
Non-Rider: $1,195.00 USD

Included

  • 6 nights
  • 4 days of lessons and trail riding
  • All meals
  • Spa visit
  • Cooking class
  • Wine tasting
  • Transfer midweek and also to Chiusi train station on the last day
  • All local taxes

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Travel Insurance
  • Transfers to/from the airport
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Gratuities for the team at the end of the stay

Day 1 - Sunday:

Guests arrive either to Fiumicino Airport in Rome or the the Anguillara Train Station at any time on Sunday. Transfers are not included but can be arranged from either location. Time to settle in and relax. In the evening, the members of the management will have a drink with you to discuss the upcoming few days and the program.

Day 2 - Monday:

Riders will have an assessment lesson in the morning, and in the afternoon dressage and/or jumping lessons.

Day 3 - Tuesday:

Today begins with a relaxing and soft hack in the estate and receiving an overview of the extnesive “agritourismo” farm of I Due Laghi. This is a wonderful way to start the week and a lovely chance to hack out into the verdant countryside.

You will have a visit to the goat farm on the property, where the dairy products are all converted and see how the milk makes many types of mouth watering cheeses. The visit wouldn’t be complete with just the chance to observe, you will have the opportunity to taste some of the cheeses with a glass of wine while admiring the panoramic view of Lake Bracciano. All the while, the shepherd will continue to discuss the cheese making process and be available for questions.

Day 4 - Wednesday:

After breakfast today you will be transferred by vehicle to Il Poggio, located in San Casciano dei Bagni in Siena (transfer fee of 250€ is paid direct to the driver in cash).

After having the chance to settle in to your new accommodation, your afternoon will include a visit to the famous Fonte Verde Spa for a relaxing afternoon before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 5 - Thursday:

Departing from Il Poggio Equestrian Centre, today’s ride takes a southwest direction and carries you through some of the most scenic hilly landscape of cultivated fields and clay hills During the course of your ride in this area, you will be exposed to the perennial erosive action of atmospheric agents that has created the startling and extraordinary slopes and ridges known as “calanchi”.

You will ride on the famous Via Francigena, the road of the ancient Etruscans and Romans, with its quite distinctive geography: the open rolling hills planted with golden wheat and some of the most famous farms, which are located in this area.

This afternoon offers a cooking class with the chef where you will have 2 hours to learn how to make some of the typical Tuscan dishes such as homemade pasta (pici, ravioli, pappardelle…).

Day 6 - Friday:

After breakfast, you will head off in a northeast direction from Il Poggio, and will ride to the Cetona Mountain area. This area is one of the most important prehistoric settlings of central Italy. The ride travels across the eastern slopes of the Cetona Mountain. Since the Paleolithic era (50,000 years ago) many of its natural caves were occupied by humans. The area is also full of animals such as birds of prey, green woodpeckers, deer and many others.

In the afternoon, relax and enjoy a wine tasting in the cellar with a small discussion of the history of the grapes, the process and some of the elements that make this one of the richest and fertile areas for growing wine.

Day 7 - Saturday:

Enjoy a last lovely breakfast before your return home. Guests will be taken to the Chiusi train station where they can catch a train to Rome or to points north such as Florence.

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