ETRUSCAN TREKKING - ITALY

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This is a point to point horse riding holiday through the the Etruscan region of Italy with camping en route. Western saddles are utilized on this holiday. The natural environment is varied and impressive with        mountain pastures, the wilderness of the Fiora river valley and canyons in tuff-rock.

You will ride along the pastures of Montevitozzo, through the Etruscan necropoles of Poggio Prisca and across ancient Etruscan cavern roads. You will pass by the most famous monument in this part of Etruria, the Tomb of Ildebranda and ride through the Lamone Forest Natural Park before camping on the shore of the volcanic Mezzano Lake, an absolute paradise. You will explore medieval villages and Etruscan necropoles.

For a nature loving rider this horse riding holiday is a wonderful way to discover the nature and culture of the area.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010 B&B: double pp £1,335/€1,405/$1,995 2010 camping: double pp £919/€969/$1,375 Departure dates 2010: 17 Apr*; 10 Jul*; 21 Aug; 4 Sep * B&B trail Approximate riding time per day 5 - 6 hours Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter. Group size 4 - 8 Meeting point (getting there) Chiusi Train Station or Rome/Fiumicino Airport Transfer 2010: From Chiusi Train Station on Saturday (9-10am, 5-6pm) - €30pp, other days or times - €60pp. From Rome €150pp return at set times, other days or times - €210 per car one way from Ciampino and €190 from Fuimicino. Flight guide London to Rome/Fiumicino Airport return from £60 Single supplement detailed prices No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise: 2010 B&B: £149/€155/$219 2010 camping: £149/€155/$219

SAMPLE ITINERARY - ETRUSCAN TREKKING

Day 1
Arrive and transfer to accommodation. In the evening meet with the guide and the other guests to chat and get to know each other.

Day 2
The entire day is spent on horseback, getting to know your horse and ensuring that horse and rider are completely compatable.  Lunch is a picnic.

Day 3
We start from the riding centre along the pastures of Montevitozzo to the banks of the Fiora river, stopping for a swim and a picnic. Afterwards, we ride through the Etruscan necropolis of Poggio Prisca and along ancient Etruscan roads (Vie Cave) cut deep into the tuff rock more than 2000 years ago passing the most famous monument in this part of Etruria, the Ildebranda Tomb. After crossing Valle dell’Inferno (Hell Valley!) and admiring the Colombaia Tomb dug out of the rock overlooking the valley, we continue our ride and pass beneath the ancient walls of the medieval village of Sovana. From there, we continue towards Pitigliano and our campsite situated on a beautiful plateau.

Day 4
From the Pitigliano campsite we take the ancient San Giuseppe and Fratenuti Etruscan roads, travel through vineyards and olive groves, cross the Fiora River and continue towards the necropolis of Poggio Buco and finally reach our campsite beside the river Fiora.

Day 5
We continue our journey downstream, crossing the river many times before coming to the hermitage of Poggio Conte, where 16th century hermits built a chapel entirely dug out of the tuff rock. From here we will continue to the Olpeta deep cut Etruscan road (the only one in the area that contains the remains of an ancient Roman road). Then we cross the Olpeta River and take a break near the site of ancient city of Castro to have our picnic. In the afternoon, we enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve, with its trees growing among volcanic rocks, and eventually reach our campsite in a forest glade.

Day 6
We leave the campsite for a visit of the Lamone Forest Natural Park. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. During our ride we’ll encounter cattle of the Maremma breed, living in the clearings of the forest. In the afternoon we'll leave the forest and cross rolling hills with spectacular views and reach our camp on the shores of lake Mezzano, a crater lake of volcanic origin, an absolute paradise, where we will have time to enjoy a swim.

Day 7
From lake Mezzano, riding along field tracks we reach first San Quirico, then Vitozza, a village rich in medieval treasures, castle ruins and a church alongside numerous caves that served as houses until the end of the eighteenth century. From there we descend to the source of the Lente river, climb up to Sorano, then continue along Etruscan roads (Vie Cave). Our journey continues toward Montevitozzo, before returning to the riding centre .In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive a
small souvenir and a map of our journey.

Day 8
Depart.

Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

The weight limit for this ride is 16 st/220 lb/100 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.

WHAT IS INCLUDED
Full board (breakfast and 2 three course meals including wine), accommodation as described, riding, horses and tack, luggage transfer and camping equipment.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transfers from/to station/airport (payable on site), items of a personal nature and gratuities. Optional extras include a full service bar and availability of rain gear for rent.

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