Italy - Chianti Castles, Ride and Relax

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There is no set itinerary for this riding holiday, the programme is very flexible and can be tailored to the needs of the rider and can be finalised on arrival.  The centre offers tuition for beginners to intermediate riders and short trails for adults and children aged 7 upward, so ideal for families with non-riders being welcome. There is a full size outdoor arena, smaller indoor arena, jumps including cross country course and qualified instructors for all levels at the riding centre.

The riding hours can be taken as lessons or riding out (depending on ability), as 2 hrs on 5 days or put together for a full day rides. Additional riding can be purchased onsite too. Full day trails with picnics at panoramic sites, wine tasting and castle/monastery visits can be arranged. For the longer and faster rides, riders must be confident at all paces and aged 14+ as there will be opportunities for long trots and canters.  

Mondays is the horses day off and perfect to see the cultural riches in the area, indulge in wine tastings or simply relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the view. 

WHAT TO DO WHEN NOT RIDING
We suggest car rental as this part of Italy is very quiet and easy to navigate with a host of smaller medieval towns and activities/local shops and restaurants available within 10-30min drive. Your hosts have many suggestions, sage advice and books and guides created for guests over the years. Ideas include

• Relax by the large swimming pool with views over the private valley or on your own shaded terrace.
• Walk one of the many annotated trails from 1-3hrs with destinations such as Montalto Castle or San Gusme village
• Cycle: use the free onsite bikes or rent an e-bike (recommended due to hills!) to increase your range. Cycle along the many dirt roads/bridle paths and quiet local roads, detailed maps and routes are available. We can arrange to have e-bikes delivered ahead of your arrival.
• Visit local hot pools and spa (10 min drive). With large indoor and outdoor hot pools at a natural 32C, 36C and 39C as well as spa treatments San Giovani is or Antica Querciolaia are recommended.
• Driving excursions: cultural, scenic or wineries or olive oil producers. A few examples below.
• Siena is an easy non-stressful 20 min drive and ideal for a day out with a detailed guide written by Sadio and Donatella available. There are a few scenic driving routes described and annotated (eg the Chianti Hills of Montebichi, San Vincenti, Monteluco, Rosennano or the Valdambra Hills of Rapale, Sogna, Badia a Roti, Ambra, Cennina) or make your own.
• Visit wineries specializing in the local Sangiovese grapes which produce the famous Chianti wines. Locally more than 30 are available eg Velsina, Arcena, Castel Brolio, Pacina (organic/natural wines), many of these can be visited on horseback during the week or by walking. Driving increases the range to include the well known wines of Montepulciano and Montalcino (with the pricey pure Sangiovese wine Brunello) and many, many more. Discover a new gem on your holiday!
• Visit local crafts or food producers such as nearby blue cheese from ewes milk, or ceramics from the nearby clay hills. Your hosts are brimming with tempting suggestions.
• -Attend one of the many colourful festivals, details of the famous Palio.

2025 PALIO WEEK in Siena on 29 June

The Palio di Siena is a bareback, no-holds-barred race of 10 traditionally attired riders round the town square (Piazza del Campo) of Siena. This tradition dates back to 1701 and is hotly contested each year on 2 July. It evokes great passions locally with fervent supporters cheering their team and urging interference with opposing teams. There are very few rules in this race. Movie lovers can see Siena and the Palio in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
The atmosphere builds over 4 days, with racing (heats) in the Piazza twice daily at 9am and 7.30pm until the evening of 2 July when the final 10 riders and horses race. 
Viewing the race is free from the standing only spaces which are very crowded in the final. Buying a more comfortable seated viewing space is cheap and easy for the heats including the last morning but are almost impossible to acquire for the final and seats are expensive. The race evokes strong passions among rival Contrade supporters and the atmosphere starts to really build from the evening before the final.
There are parades with flags and costumes starting at 3pm on the final day, and also before the heats. On the final afternoon/evening the event is broadcast on screens visible throughout Siena, and it is possible to absorb the atmosphere and energy without being right in the middle of the craziness in Il Campo. 
Usually Donatella suggests visiting the day before the final, viewing the morning parades and heats in the piazza (which is relatively quiet after the "night before the final" buildup). Then you are free to stay in Siena and enjoy the finals on the screens or in the main square and the post-race drums, music and celebrations. Or return home to your peaceful oasis for a rest. We can also arrange seating tickets for the main event given enough (at least 6-8 months) notice. 

Non-riders and other activities:
The farmhouse and riding school are immersed in the heart of Tuscany, between the provinces of Siena, Arezzo and Florence; three splendid hills of Chianti. The perfect setting for your holiday, just a few kilometres from the most famous spas, to enjoy a holiday between sport, relaxation, history and art, in the best Italian expression.
Walks - you will be provided with a guide written by the hosts
Short-distance excursions - you will be provided with a guide written by the hosts
Cycling, a sustainable way to visit the hills.
The modern spas of Antica Querciolaia and San Giovanni in Rapolano Terme, 10 minutes by car.
The medieval city of Siena, 20 minutes by car
Chianti, which extends towards Florence for another 50 km
Arezzo, 30 minutes by car.
Florence, 50 minutes by car/train
Montepulciano and Montalcino, 30 minutes by car.
Monteriggioni and San Gimignano, 30 and 50 minutes by car.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

The hosts, Sadio and Donatella, have created a peaceful paradise in the classic Tuscan countryside; a farmhouse and equestrian center where the horses live and work. They have 16 hectares of pastures for the horses to graze and play in their free time and where, when they can no longer work,  can enjoy their retirement in these beautiful surroundings.
Donatella  has dedicated her life to working with horses and teaching classical horse riding to adults and children alike, and has many qualifications including federal guide, riding Instructor and farm operator. She has ridden around the world including many European countries, Africa, Australia, New Zealand.
Sadio is actively interested in environmental protection, bird watching, wild flowers, horse riding, world and walking travel, local culture and history, but also yoga. In fact he obtained the Sivananda Yoga Instructor Diploma in France in 2019 . The synergistic vegetable garden and the free range hens produce produce for the kitchen are personally supervised by Donatella.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

There are 17 riding horses at the centre that have been personally chosen and prepared by the owners. They are chosen not by the breed, but by their ability to give good results in work on the flat and in the countryside. There are Maremma, Thoroughbred, warmblood and crosses between 15hh and 16.2hh. The horses, in addition to working in the school and in the countryside, always spend a few hours in the paddock relaxing, free to play.

The horses are periodically ridden and worked on the lunge by the instructors to keep them well schooled so that they can be used by all levels of rider.

The Equestrian Centre has a full size outdoor arena and a smaller indoor arena, this allows the riding school to be kept active all year round and to have lessons throughout the year in any climatic condition. There are also jumps, including 15-20 cross country jumps around the 17 hectare property and many horses capable dressage and jumping. The center has been recommended by Ian Stark, in the English magazine "Horse and Hound", for the high standard of care which both students and horses are given.

The farm has access to hundreds of kilometers of dirt tracks with good footing all year round and in all weathers. Many rides don't require any roadwork at all. The pace of the riding outside is walk (up and down the hills, some of which can be steep but no drop-offs) with frequent trots and some canters on every ride. The pace average  and never boring due to a lot of variation in pace and the picture-perfect classical Tuscan views at every turn. For longer day rides 35+km are covered and the pace is by neccesity faster with longer trots and canter requiring better and fitter riders.

The tack and riding style is classical English. Most horses are ridden in snaffle bits and are very responsive, well schooled and sure footed. The riding is in line and the horses are used to and good at keeping distance also at canter.

This centre can accommodate all levels of rider, most suitable for beginners to intermediate riders. They offer a combination of lessons and short trails. Full day longer and faster trails with picnic lunches/wine tastings etc are also available but riders are required to be intermediate or above for full day rides.
Non riders are welcome and can book riding on site if they decide they would like to join try, most beginners will progress to canter in the school and a ride out to Castello di Montalto over the 10hrs of concentrated tuition.

Minimum age for riding at the centre is 7yrs, on the longer trails crossing roads children must be 14yrs or above as it is illegal to ride on the roads before the age of 14 in Italy. There is not a lot of road work, roads do need to be crossed occasionally to get from one to bridleway to another on some rides. Maximum rider weight 90kg.

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Experience Tuscan hospitality at a beautiful country farmhouse built at the end of the 19th century, which is home to the Equestrian Centre and organic farm that provides much of the food you will eat. The farmhouse is near Siena (20min) and Florence (1hr20min) yet surrounded by meadows and woods with views of the ancient medieval castle, and offers guests the silence of nature. By choice, the rooms are not equipped with a television. (although one is available in the communal lounge!). The center also offers the club house, a changing room and laundry area.

Full Board Programme

Accommodation:

There are 7 rooms, large and traditionally furnished, all with en suite shower/bidet/toilet and basin. There is one suite with 2 rooms and a central bathroom which can be booked for a reduced single supplement fee for own room/shared bathroom.

Meals:

3 meals a day are offered as well as aperetif before dinner, fruit, snacks, local Chianti house wine, water, tea, coffee anytime. Meals are prepared by 2 in-house chefs using mainly products from the organic, seasonal garden. Even the wines and cheeses served are often purchased from certified organic farms or at the very least, locally sourced.  

A typical breakfast: breads, butter, fruit, cereal, home made natural yoghurt, traditional crostata (brakfast cake), cereal, home made jams, tomatoes, olive oil/balsalmic, honey, eggs cooked to order and coffee/tea.

A typical light lunch: large pasta or grain salad with water/Chianti wine, followed by sweet (eg cantucci with vin santo) and tea/coffee

Typical dinner: usually starts with an aperetif of wine, cheeses, bread and olives. Then the traditional pasta course followed by a vegetable and meat course then a sweet eg tiramisu

This is traditional Tuscan cuisine made from locally grown organic products and your hosts are always on hand to explain all aspects of the meals. 

Self Catering Programme

On self catering weeks you are provided with one starter bread basket which includes a litre of milk, half a loaf of bread, jams, yoghurt, cheese and a traditional breakfast cake, all home made and eggs from the farm hens. More breakfast baskets can be purchased. There is a long list of 40 restaurants as close as 5 min drive away, or local supermarkets to cook in your own kitchen - using traditional recipes provided by your hosts if wanted or even local cooking classes which can be arranged. You are welcome to purchase the local organic Chianti wine from your hosts at a very reasonable price.

For groups of 4+ people lunches or dinners can be pre-ordered on booking with typical Tuscan menus. Please note these arrangments are not flexible as chefs have to be booked. 

Accommodation: the farmhouse has 3 apartments, each with its own kitchen. The rooms are arranged to flexibly make up one, two and up to 5 bedrooms per apartment, with all but 2 bedrooms with en-suite shower, toilet, bidet and  wash basin. Each apartment has its own private shaded terrace to relax on and also a lounge/communal area. When booking the self catering alone, the whole apartment (possibly one bedroom) must be booked and a single supplement paid.

Check out on your final day is by 11am.

Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions

In the Berardenga area the summers are short, warm, and mostly clear and the winters are long, very cold, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -0°C to 31°C and is rarely below -5°C or above 35°C.

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Italy and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites

In Italy the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

There is free wifi onsite and good mobile phone signal available. If using a GoPro please ensure you have the permission of the group to be filmed.

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards – (some locations, mostly in the EU, can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Water bottle
Mobile phone
Lightweight long sleeved shirts – light colours are best
Insect repellent/sun screen

Provided by hosts
- Riding Helmets
- Half Chaps

8 days/ 7nights full board with set departures.
8 days /7nights or any length with a minimum of 4days/ 3nights self catering are available on request throughout the year.

2025 Full Board 7-night): 6 April; 18 May; 8, 29* June; 13 Sep; 19 Oct (Dates are adaptable) *Palio Week (see itinerary)
2025 Self Catering all year round on request, any length from 3n onwards

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 Chickens Eat Pasta', written by Clare Pedrick

A valley in Italy: confessions of a house addict - Lisa St Aubyn de Teram 

A Room With A View - E.M Forster

A Traveller in Italy - HV Morton

The Italian Tradition of Equestrian Art - Giovanni Tomassini

Privileged Horses. The Italian Renaissance Court Stable - Sarah Duncan

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit  www.thelongridersguild.com 

A fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com

Spring is a beautiful time to visit and the weather warms quickly. Closed during August due to the fly season

Italy forms a peninsula in Southern Europe extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, Elba and about 70 other smaller islands. It is mostly mountainous, though between the Apennines (which form the spine of Italy) and the eastern coastline there are the fertile plains of Emilia-Romagna in the north and of Puglia in the south. The Alps in the north divide Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.

The Roman Empire was once the most powerful in the world, covering Europe and extending into modern day Asia. Their horsemanship skills second only to the Mongols further east. The incredible sophistication of Roman culture still leaves its mark across Europe and has been the foundation for countless artistic movements, including the Renaissance, through cities such as Florence and the medieval university city of Bologna.

Italians are understandably proud of their heritage and are renowned as people of great taste and as having an eye for the aesthetic. Their architecture and fashion leave most of the world in their shadow, appearance is very important to them and the majority of Italians will never leave the house without ensuring they are impeccably and elegantly attired.

Italian food, from pizza to pasta, has been adopted by the rest of the world but you will never taste a better pizza anywhere else. As with the rest of mainland Europe meals are eaten late with plenty of wine and preferably al fresco.

Italy is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. (There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram).

The international dialling code is +39.

Important information regarding rail travel:
Visitors are often caught unawares by train and transport systems requiring validation. Tickets bought in Italy for Regionale and Regionale Veloce trains are not marked for any particular time or train and become valid only when time-stamped at a validation machine. Without this validation, train operators assume the rider is trying to fare dodge, since the ticket could be reused. So validation is absolutely essential before boarding, and there are small boxes in the station or near the platform. After being time-stamped, the ticket is valid for the amount of time shown on the ticket.