Toscana Cucina is a perfect combination of riding, genuine Italian cooking classes and cultural and historical sightseeing around Sienna. The circular stone walls of the Castello, a medieval hamlet built on the foundations of a 12th century castle, serve as a hospitable central base. After our superb riding or excursions we return to the convivial atmosphere of the Castello's spacious dining room and Tuscan kitchen. There's plenty of time to relax and pampering massages can be booked on site.
Accommodation is in lovingly restored suites which havbe retained their atmosphere while offering every modern convenience. The entire basis of this ride is history and a connection with the land. This means picking our own organically grown ingredients for the menus prepared in the cooking classes. Menus and food follow the seasons: truffle hunting, olive and grape harvesting and sausage making to name a few. Apart from the cooking classes, there are fine wine tastings in medieval cellars, city tours, visits to food producers and to a shepherd's farmhouse to assist in the making of pecorino cheese.
No supplement if willing to share. Otherwise:
2012: £445/€535/$649
SAMPLE ITINERARY - TOSCANA CUCINA
Day 1
Arrival and pick up at 5.30 pm at the train station of Sienna. Welcome drink and overnight at Castello di Tocchi.
Day 2 Ride to explore the beautiful valley surrounding Castello di Belagio. Climb up an ancient stone road to visit a horse farm which specializes in breeding Maremmano, the horses historically used by Italians for working cattle. Indulge in a picnic lunch “Italian style” before returning to the stables by a different route. Assist the Chef in preparing dinner at the Castello with recipes from La Cucina Del Castello.
Day 3 No riding today. In the morning learn to prepare a traditional Tuscan recipe with a Chef Mama. After lunch, visit the towns of Buonconvento and Montalcino and enjoy tasting the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine at the fortress of this medieval town, then on to dinner at a restaurant favored by the locals.
Day 4 Mount up and ride past medieval villages to the hamlet of Orgia for an elaborate picnic lunch. In the afternoon ride for about two hours with trots and canters along the crest of the hills with beautiful views of the southern province of Siena, returning to the Castello for a cooking lesson with the Chef, and dinner and conversation
Day 5 This is a non-riding day. Lunch at the Castello following a cooking class with a Chef Mama. Then on to visit the best preserved and most famous medieval town in Tuscany: San Gimignano. You will taste Vernaccia de S. Gimignano, the famous white wine produced there and mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy. Have dinner at a traditional local restaurant before returning to the Castello.
Day 6 There will be some long trots and canters through huge pine forests and along a river today. The destination is San Galgano Abbey, an inspiring structure that has been partially restored but remains open to the sky, where you will see the famous ‘sword in the rock’. The abbey, associated chapel and beautiful surrounding valley will invoke images of the times of wandering knights and cavaliers. There will be plenty of time to learn about the area and hear intriguing tales over an Italian-style lunch. Return to Castello di Tocchi for a memorable last dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Depart for Sienna after breakfast
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 17 st/242 lb/110 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
The programme contains six nights in double rooms with private bathroom. On six days full board with Italian breakfast, lunch picnic or light meal in restaurants and three or four course dinner; incl. table wine, coffee and water, horse riding as described and English speaking guide. On arrival day dinner; on departure day breakfast. Luggage transfer during the week.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Getting to and from Sienna, drinks other than with meals and items of a personal nature. If you would like a transfer from Rome airport to Sienna the starting point, this can be arranged for an extra charge.
Riders who booked this ride also considered:
Castellos of Tuscany - Italy
Ride in the glorious Tuscany countryside on fit, forward going, responsive horses. Italian warmth and hospitality this ride is unique in Europe and top class on every level.
Catalan Based with Mini Trail - Spain On this beautiful horse riding holiday in the Catalan region of Spain, your accommodation in the same beautiful 16th century Inn with panoramic views every night with its own swimming pool and the horse meadows beside the house. The week includes a mini trail where the horses are left en route while you are driven back to your accommodation. Good pace riding and quality food.
Reading List We're avid readers here at Unicorn Trails and have selected several books connected to this ride. If you're interested in reading more about the area before you travel, or want to get into the cultural background, here are some suggestions that may inspire you. Click on the links for more information.
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
21, The Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
This Website and all of its contents are copyright of Unicorn Trails.
Under no circumstances is any part of this site to be copied or used without written permission.
- E.M Forster
- HV Morton
