Riding Holiday Tuscany

This short horseback riding vacation is jam packed with Etruscan history and offers a range of terrains, from riding through villages, crossing rivers, navigating woodlands and meadows to riding steeper tracks. Riding is at all paces so we recommend intermediate or above.  The scenery across the 3-days is breathtaking, highlights of this trip include a visit to the Vitozza park, home to over 200 caves and the remains of a roman church and fortress. It is here that the S. Quirco people lived until the early 1900s.   You will also spend a night at the medieval Proceno Castle, built more than a 1000 years ago and well worth a tour if time allows.

Accommodation on this horseback riding vacation is very comfortable, all locations have swimming pools and serve delicious gourmet 3 course meals.  Breakfast are continental in style but plentiful and the picnics on the trail offer home-cooked Italian dishes, salad, bread and cheese.  Lunch and dinner are both served with wine. 

The ride is assisted by a Jeep that will transfer your main luggage from one location to another and meet you with lunch, this allows for faster horseback riding were the terrain permits. 

This horseback riding holiday covers approximately 30km per day over 5-6 hours of riding.

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from NP of Alton on 01/11/2024

Ride Summary
A very good trip.
What was your overall impression of the holiday
Overall impression
Unicorn Trails sales staff

Riding tour leader

Additional Comments
Horses and Tack

Additional Comments
Meals

Accommodation

Miscellaneous

Was this trip accurately described to you beforehand?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
The pace was slow due to wet ground conditions so 6 hours mostly walking a day. Canters and trotting where possible and it was the end of a long season for the horses.
Was there anything you should have known and were not told? NO
Please give more details to explain your response:
What could we do to improve this ride?
How would you rate the difficulty of this ride out of 10 where 1 is very easy and 10 is very advanced?
6
Please explain why you scored it as you did:
The horses were good, and the pace was gentle but the days in the saddle were long.
Would you recommend Unicorn Trails to your friends?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
May we use you as a reference for other people wishing to go on this ride?
YES
Any other comments:
Unicorn comments: Thank you for your feedback. Glad you had a great time! :)

Day 1 Thursday
Arrive at Hotel Resort Sovana, Tuscany, 2/ 2:30hr transfer from Rome Airport. This luxurious location is set in the old Etruscan town of Sovana. Once guests have settled in, enjoy a welcome drink with the guide before a 3-course dinner in the hotel's lovely restaurant, just a short walk away.

Day 2
After a hearty continental style breakfast, set off around 9:30 to meet the horses and saddle up. The first day's riding is a trek through beautiful countryside, old villages and along ancient Roman roads, following the Lente river to the citadel of Castel’ Ottieri. Stop for a picnic lunch and a glass of wine while the horses graze and take a rest. During lunch there is time to explore the ancient village before saddling up and heading to the medieval Castle of Proceno to spend the night. The castle serves gourmet foods and excellent local wines, a recipe for a funl evening. (4-5hrs / approx. 25km)

Day 3
After a continental breakfast, set off from the Castle in the direction of Lago di Mezzano. The route crosses the Strolone river, stopping for lunch at Vitozza, an old Etruscan necropolis where there are 200 caves carved into the volcanic stone. Riders can visit the remains of churches and see some of the caves that were inhabited until the early 1900s. The afternoon's ride leads to the Mezzano property (named from the volcanic lake nearby). Finish the day riding through the mysterious forest of Lamone, where the horses spend the night while the groups spend the night at the Fra’ Viaco farmhouse. (5½ - 6hrs / approx.35km)

Day 4
After breakfast, set off for a final day of riding in the direction of Sovana, stopping at Vitozza for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon continue the journey following the Lente River and passing through ancient woodlands. The trail crosses the river several times before following the old Etruscan road with 10m high wall, and on towards Sorano. Arrive at the Caggio farm and unsaddle the horses returning them to the heard before heading to the hotel for one final farewell dinner and a good nights sleep. (4-5 hours / approx. 25km)

Day 5 Monday
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye and take the transfer back to the station or airport to start the journey home.

This is a sample itinerary and the guide may make changes to the program for safety or use similar accommodation where the need arises.

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.

Horses & Riding

There are a total of 10 horses available for riding on this vacation. They are of mixed breeds and sizes, including local Maremma crosses, Anglo Arab, Sicilian, Andalucian & Apaloosa crosses, some are homebred and all are very reliable. The horses are forward going but responsive to their rider, they have a lovely temperament and are in excellent condition.

The horses wear good quality English tack which is regularly replaced, however there are a few western saddles also available on request. The horses are well schooled, confident and surefooted on all types of terrain ridden on these trails, if they could talk they would be your guide. You are sure to have a very enjoyable ride.


Rider requirements

Riding is at a walk, trot with several long canters where the terrain is suitable. While the guides are happy to assist nervous riders, some experience of trail riding over rough ground is essential.
You need to be able to mount and dismount with assistance, for lunches out on the trail. Riding helmets are compulsory, for safety.
Children from 14 years of age are welcome to accompany their parents on this ride.

Weight Limit

The weight limit for this ride is 176 lb/80 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

You will stay at multiple locations during this trail including a mix of hotel and guesthouses. All accommodation is comfortable and some are described as luxurious. Your first night is spent in a beautiful Hotel & Resort in Sovana, a medieval Etruscan town. On your second night you will stay in the ancient Proceno castle with amenities and pool. On night 3 you will be at the Mezzano Lakes. The ride is assisted by a Jeep that will transfer your main luggage from one location to another, this allows for faster riding.

All meals and drinks are included, from dinner on the first night to breakfast on the last day. The food is of very high quality. Breakfasts are continental in style and plentiful, evening meals are large and varied, but always delicious. Expect a range of meals, from freshly hunted boar to homemade pasta dishes. During the day you will picnic on the trail in beautiful locations. Expect a range of homemade pasta and rice dishes, salad and cheeses. Wine is included with lunch and your evening meals.


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

Documents - Visa and Consulate Info

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


Climate Summary

The weather is Tuscany is a big attraction of the area. Summers (July/August) are usually hot with little or no rain. Spring (April/May) and Autumn (October/November) are milder and rainier, but this is a beautiful time to visit Tuscany and there are still plenty of dry, sunny days.

Climate Chart

Health

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

Electricity

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.

Mobile, WiFi and charging

There will be opportunity to charge phones / cameras each evening at the various accommodation and all have wifi. If using a GoPro please get the permission of the group to be filmed.

Packing List

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, 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 can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone

Specific to this ride:
- Torch
- Hat or beret and a buff bandana (sometimes, especially when it is very dry, horses can kick up a lot of dust during the rides)

Provided by hosts:
- Most of the accommodations provide shampoo / shower gel and hairdryers, all provide towels.
- Water is provided on the trail.

Programmes

5 days / 4 nights / 3 riding days

Departure Dates

2025: 6, 13, 20, 27 Mar; 15, 29 Jun; 24 Jul; 28 Aug; 21 Sep; 26 Oct; 9 Nov

Pricing
No single supplement is charged if the rider is willing to share with someone of the same sex, and a sharer can be found.
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description £
20255d/4n3double pp1,035
20255d/4n3single supplement175
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description
20255d/4n3double pp1,215
20255d/4n3single supplement205
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description US $
20255d/4n3double pp1,279
20255d/4n3single supplement215
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description SEK
20255d/4n3double pp14,149
20255d/4n3single supplement2,359
Recommended Reading

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



 


Wildlife

As your ride takes you further from the villages and towns and deep into the Tuscan countryside you may come across European wildlife such as hare, deer, porcupines, red foxes, dogs, badgers, dormice, pheasants, wolves, and even wild boar. Grass snakes and Vipers are common in this area though you are unlikely to see them en-route. Tuscany is also a great place to go bird watching. A wide range of beautiful birds can be spotted throughout the region. During the ride you will pass along high ridges, ride through thick forest and across open fields as well as cross flowing rivers. The wildflowers are at their best in late May and early June but October offers beautiful autumn colours.

Other Information

During your ride you will pass through the Citta del Tufo. The park is expansive, stretching over vast areas of ancient forest in the middle of the fertile Fiora Valley. There are 11 sites of interest within this area, most are tombs, but there are also Vie Caves. The roads and ruins are carved from volcanic rock (tufo) and are an impressive site to behold.

Other Country Information

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.

Travel Summary

Meeting-point (getting there):
The check-in, at the Hotel Resort of Sovana (Afternoon arrival).
Transfer:
2025: Approx. 2hr to and from the airport or 1hr from the train station of Orvieto.
Transfers are arranged by us and paid directly to driver. 2025 average for up to 3 pax from Rome-Fiumicino approx €350 (subject to change), from Orvieto railway station approx €160- 200.00. (subject to change)
Flight Guide:
2025: London to Roma Fiumicino airport (FCO) from £170.00pp (Season Dependent)
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