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Ride World Wide, Staddon Farm, North Tawton, Devon, EX20 2BX - UK. |
| Europe | Italy: Tuscany & Umbria | ||
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General Description
As well as good horses and beautiful landscapes that include a plethora of classic Tuscan views - stone farmhouses framed by cypress trees, ancient Roman churches nestling on plains of shimmering wheat, medieval castles perched on small hills and fields of golden sunflowers - these rides show you rural Tuscan hospitality at its best with delicious food, plentiful wine and a warm welcome at every stop. There are three 7 night ride itineraries for 2008, all progressive rides moving from village to village. The week long Etruscan Rides follow a route from the border and hills near Orvieto, to the Maremma coastal district in west Tuscany, with accommodation either in converted castles and forts or in simpler local farmhouses. The Border Ride explores the border country where south east Tuscany adjoins Umbria and Lazio.
Summary
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Riding: 4-6 hours a day. | ||
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Horses: Maremma cross, Arab and Apaloosa crosses, Italian crosses. | ||
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Pace: moderate and varied; can be quite fast depending on the terrain. | ||
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Riding ability: confident intermediate to experienced riders. | ||
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Weight limit: about 90kg (14st 2lbs) but please call to discuss if your weight is close to this. | ||
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Accommodation: country guesthouses / converted medieval castles. | ||
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Group size: max 10. |
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2008 Dates:  |
Etruscan Castle Ride Etruscan Farmhouse Ride Border Ride | |
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Season: |
April to November | |
Horses and Riding
The horses are local Maremma and Italian crosses and Arab crosses. Most are about 15.2hh with some of up to 16.2hh. They are all a well schooled, responsive, willing and enjoyable ride and are very well looked after by Michele your guide. Tack is English style. Rides are limited to a maximum of 10 guests.
Hours: There is generally about 4 to 6 hours riding a day, broken with rests and for a long lunch.
Pace and experience required: The rides are for reasonably competent riders, who are secure, comfortable and in control on a horse at a walk, trot and canter in open country. They are at a moderate pace overall although this depends on the terrain and the pace may be fairly slow on some days when you climb in and out of valleys or ride along winding woodland paths and faster on others when you ride along chalky white tracks, across fields and around vineyards. Occasionally the terrain is a little tricky and participants should be relaxed and confident over varied terrain.
Accommodation
Nights are spent in traditional local and farm guesthouses and village hotels. Rooms are twin bedded and have private bathrooms with loo and shower and although simple, are all reasonably comfortable. They are chosen as far as possible for their character. Many of the hotels have swimming pools. Food on the rides is excellent. Breakfast and dinner (three or four delicious courses with a chance to try many of the local specialities) are usually eaten at your hotel. Lunch is a picnic brought to meet you out riding.
Rates & Travel
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Rates 2008: |
Etruscan Farmhouse Ride - £1255; single supplement - £75 Etruscan Castle Ride - £1495; single supplement - £130 Border Ride - £1295; single supplement - £110 |
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Rates include - all riding, guiding and equipment, 7 nights twin accommodation, meals, wine with lunch and dinner and transfers from / to Orvieto / Siena. | |
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Rates exclude - flights to Italy / travel to Orvieto or Siena, personal medical insurance (compulsory), any visa fees, personal extras and tips. |
Travel
The meeting point for the ride is Orvieto (or Siena for some of the Siena Rides). It
is generally easiest to fly to Rome and to transfer to Orvieto from there. There are good train services from Rome to Orvieto (the cheapest and usually an easy
way to transfer) or we can arrange collection from / to Rome for an extra charge. For flights to Rome from London budget around £150 economy return
(varies with the season and availability).
Itinerary in Brief (Etruscan Castle Ride)
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Day 1 |
Meet your host at Orvieto train station and transfer to the first nights accommodation, the Castello di Proceno in the town of Proceno on the border between Tuscany and Umbria. Dinner and night. |
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Day 2 |
A short drive to meet the horses and a day ride in the Palia river valley with views of Mt Amiata and Mt Cetona. Return to Proceno, dinner in a local restaurant and night in the Castello di Proceno. |
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Day 3 |
Breakfast and ride towards Onano, firstly through private forest and then sheep pasture on the high plateau. Lunch in San Quirico then ride on to Castello di Cristina for dinner and the night. |
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Day 4 |
A full day ride in the Onano district to the unique national park of Selva di Lamone. Lunch in a lonely farmhouse with views over a crater lake. In the afternoon ride back to Castello di Cristina for dinner and the night. |
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Day 5 |
Breakfast and set off riding form Onano to Sorano, a wonderful fortified town in a commanding position. The old Etruscan roads take you through narrow canyons and romantic forests. Dinner in Sorano and the night in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan town. |
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Day 6 |
The ride today takes you on a circular route along tracks cut into the volcanic rock and past many tombs up in the hills. Lunch in the famous Etruscan village of Sovano then ride back to the Fortress of Sorano for dinner and the night. |
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Day 7 |
The final day's ride takes back to Proceno, stopping for lunch at another farmhouse on the way. A farewell dinner and the night at the Castello di Proceno. |
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Day 8 |
Breakfast and you will be driven to Orvieto to depart. |
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Contact us on 01837-82544 for further information, detailed itineraries, dates and answers to questions |
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