VAL D'ORCIA TRAIL - ITALY

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This is a point to point camping horse riding holiday in the Etruscan region of Italy, Western saddles are utilised on this trail. You will ride along mountain trails, field roads, Etruscan cavern roads, river beds and lake shores, all whilst enjoying the  scenery. The scenery is striking and varied; from the mountain pastures to the Paglia and Orcia river valleys; from the famous Val d’Orcia, with its extensive arid areas, rolling hills and fields and famous clay outcrops known locally as “calanche”, to avenues of cypress trees and ancient hamlets, from the
ancient thermal baths to the castle towns of Sarteano and Radicofani.  For a nature loving rider this horse riding holiday is the most beautiful and intense way to discover nature and has no particularly difficult terrain or riding challenges.

Trip length 8 days / 7 nights (6 days of riding) Ride price detailed prices price promise 2010 B&B: double pp £1,229/€1,405/$1,895 2010 camping: double pp £849/€969/$1,305 Departure dates 2010: 24 Apr*; 11*, 25 Sep * B&B accommodation instread of camping 24 APRIL - SPECIAL OFFER £1,265.00! Approximate riding time per day 5 - 6 hours Riding ability required Walk, trot and canter. Group size 4 - 10 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: £135/€155/$209 2010 camping: £135/€155/$209

SAMPLE ITINERARY - VAL D'ORCIA TRAIL

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
Leaving the oak and beech woods around the riding centre we ride towards the Paglia river where we'll stop for our picnic. In the afternoon, ride up the surrounding hills towards our campsite near Trevinano.

Day 4
From Trevinano we follow the ridge lying between the Paglia and Chiana Valleys, where the regions of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio meet. We stop for our picnic at the ancient thermal bath of San Casciano dei Bagni, where we can relax and enjoy the warm waters. In the afternoon we continue our ride towards the castle town of Sarteano, stopping for the night in our campsite near the ancient hamlet of Fonte Vetriana.

Day 5
Riding along dirt tracks and paths at the foot of Mount Cetona we reach Sarteano where we will enjoy our picnic in the shady grounds of the castle. After lunch our journey continues to the charming village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, with its narrow streets and fantastic view over the Val d’Orcia. Our journey continues to the Nature Reserve of Pietraporciana where we spend the night not in tent but in the reserve’s hostel accommodation.

Day 6
From Pietraporciana we reach La Foce from which we can enjoy more spectacular views of the Val d’Orcia. We continue down to the to Orcia river and follow it as far as Radicofani, where the ancient pilgrim route, the via Francigena, meets the ancient Roman Cassia road, and we visit the town’s fortress. Arrival at our campsite at the foot of mount Amiata in the late afternoon.

Day 7
We ride through pine, chestnut and beech woods into the Nature Reserve of Pigelleto, passing the recently restored cinnabar mineral mines of Siele. In the afternoon, return to riding centre via the Natural Reserve of Mount Penna.
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, 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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