Hotel Tuscany, Italy
Overview
Horses
Type of horses:
Maremma
Nature of horses:
Calm and responsive, surefooted
Number of horses:
20
Height of horses:
14.2 - 16.2 hh
Weight limit:
Over 90kg possible (please contact office)
Tack type:
English or Trail
Pricing
Discovery Week
2008 Seasons
Season A:
14-20 March
24 March-23 April
27 April-16 May
13 September- 3 November
Season B
17-29 May
2 June-18 July
30 August-12 September
Season C
21-23 March
24-26 April
30 May-1 June
19 July-1 August
23-29 August
Season D
2-22 August
Prices: Season A
Discovery full board: £670
Discovery half board: £550
Single supplement: £116
Half board non riders: £385
Full board non riders: £505
Single supplement: £116
Prices: Season B
Discovery full board: £700
Discovery half board: £585
Single supplement: £135
Half board non riders: £419
Full board non riders: £530
Single supplement £135
Prices: Season C
Discovery Full board: £735
Half board: £620
Single supplement: £155
Half board non riders: £450
Full board non riders: £569
Single supplement: £155
Prices: Season D
Discovery Full board: £799
Discovery Half board: £680
Single supplement: £181
Half board non riders: £515
Full board non riders: £635
Single Supplement: £181
Satellite
Prices: Season A
Satellite Half Day Rides - Half Board : £550
Satellite Half Day Rides - Full Board : £670
Single supplement : £116
Satellite Full Day Rides - Half Board : £715
Satellite Full Day Rides - Full Board : £835
Single supplement : £116
Half Board - Non riders : £385
Full Board - Non riders : £505
Single supplement : £116
Prices: Season B
Satellite Half Day Rides - Half Board : £585
Satellite Half Day Rides - Full Board : £700
Single supplement : £135
Satellite Full Day Rides - Half Board : £750
Satellite Full Day Rides - Full Board : £867
Single supplement : £135
Half Board - Non riders : £419
Full Board - Non riders : £530
Single supplement :£135
Prices: Season C
Satellite Half Day Rides - Half Board : £620
Satellite Half Day Rides - Full Board : £735
Single supplement : £155
Satellite Full Day Rides - Half Board : £780
Satellite Full Day Rides - Full Board : £899
Single supplement : £155
Half Board - Non Riders: £450
Full Board - Non Riders: £565
Single Supplement: £155
Prices: Season D
Satellite Half Day Rides - Half Board : £680
Satellite Half Day Rides - Full board : £799
Single supplement : £181
Satellite Full Day Rides - Half Board : £850
Satellite Full day Rides - Full Board : £964
Single supplement : £181
Half Board - Non riders : £515
Full Board - Non riders : £635
Single supplement :£181
These prices are based on double occupancy - twin or double room.
Maremma
The price includes full board and accommodation based on double occupancy and riding as described. Drinks are included in the picnics but not in the restaurant.
£850 (single supplement £115
Trail to the Sea
Price includes double occupancy, full board and accommodation and riding as described. Drinks on the picnic are included but not in the restaurant.
£909 per person (Season A only)
single supplement an additional £116
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Discover the beauty of Tuscany on the back of one of the friendly and sturdy horses. Does a riding holiday to you mean being in the saddle for a half or whole day? Or do you prefer to ride a whole week long from one place to the next? You can choose!
Both beginners and experienced riders will love this destination. There is much to do for all the family so non riders will love a stay here. The Discovery Week for beginners will enable the novice to feel relaxed and confident in the saddle and able to ride out on a trail after a few lessons.
Satellite rides are a half-day ride from the Hotel. If you decide to go on a full-day ride, you simply return to the stable with your horse in the evening. If a two or three hour ride is enough, then after the midday picnic you can change your horse for a seat in the bus that will drive you back to the hotel. Your horse will in turn be given to someone who has chosen to take part in the afternoon portion of the ride back to the hotel.
The two five day trails are for destinations farther afield. Unlike the satellite rides, the horses will stay overnight where you arrive in the evening that day, while you will return to the familiar peace of the Hotel.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
The hotel lies 750 metres above sea level on the slopes of a hill minutes from a beautiful medieval village. The hotel occupies two traditional farmhouse buildings and enjoys a panoramic view of the seemingly endless landcape and at this altitude there is a refreshing climate even in the hottest summer months. The hotel's rock facade is a warm rose colour and the terracotta statues and floor tiles of the swimming pool terrace evoke the earthy tones of the surrounding countryside.
The guestrooms are simply furnished characterised by yellow or white decor and wood furnishings. There is a telephone, television, shower and toilet in all twenty rooms to ensure a comfortable stay.
The hotel has laundry facilities, wake up service calls, a safe deposit box at the front desk and internet access.
The whitewashed brickwork and terracotta floor tiles and low lighting make for a traditional Tuscan farmhouse atmosphere in the hotel restaurant.
Typical Tuscan meals are accompanied by excellent wines of the region. Wonderful picnics with regional specialities are provided on the trail. These picnics included appetisers, main courses, cheeses, wine and coffee.
In the evening you can can choose between two menus - one of which is vegetarian. The 'fruits' of the woods such as wild boar, mushrooms and chestnut characterise the regional specialities.
Activities
This hotel is able to offer activities for all the family. As well as horse riding, hiking and mountain biking are very popular here. Hiking trails begin directly in front of the hotel. The beautiful rugged landscape guarantees pure mountain bike pleasure and there are several trails which start and finish at the hotel. You are able to rent a bike here and be able to follow the well worn trails. We are able to give you more detailed information at the office on the mountain biking and hiking.
There are also guided treks where you are able to discover an untouched and "wild" region of Tuscany. There is a swimming pool and also a spa to relieve your aching muscles at the end of the day. For those looking for culture, the hotel is within twenty five kilometres of Chiusdino and San Galgano Abbey and the city of Siena is fifty kilometres away. Follonica which is by the sea is 45 km.
Further Details
Languages: English and Italian
Health requirements: None
Age limit: None
Tuition: Yes
Included: All food, accommodation and riding as detailed by individual programmes and tarifs
Not included: Transfers and drinks in restaurant
Travel Information
There are a number of options for reaching the Hotel Tuscany. A combination of train and taxi transfer proves to be the easiest and cheapest means for many guests. Pisa (Florence) is the airport of choice for those choosing this option.
Regular low cost flights can booked with Ryanair from the following airports:
Glasgow (Prestwick)
Dublin
Liverpool
East Midlands
London Stansted
Bournemouth
You will need to board a train from Pisa airport station to Follonica. This journey takes approximately 2 1/2 hours and includes one easy change. You can access timetables and buy tickets on the Trenitalia website. However, we are more than happy to help you with this so please do not hesitate to contact the office for assistance. We will then arrange taxi transfer from Follonica to the hotel for 60 euros per person to be paid locally.
For those preferring to hire a car the airport of choice is Florence. Many guests find transfer by train an easier option but detailed maps and directions will be provided to those choosing to drive. Rome is another airport you may wish to consider travelling to.
Florence is 90 kms and Pisa 140 kms
Airport: Pisa
Alternative Airport: Florence
Programmes
Discovery Week
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With experienced help and tuition, the beginner and novice rider will soon feel comfortable with the important fundamentals of trail riding after ten hours in the saddle. As soon as you feel relaxed with your riding and confident to step out of the menage, you will be ready for your first trip out. You will quickly learn to trust your quiet, calm horse. This ideal combination of riding lessons and hacks out is individually structured to your needs and each evening your riding instructor will discuss the next day's lesson with you. |
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| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Beginners or intermediate |
| Type of ride: | Tuition |
| Total riding time: | 10 hours |
| Departure dates: | Saturday - Saturday by arrangement |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Satellite
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This is a programme which is very flexible for the experienced rider. You are able to choose a half day ride so you can enjoy the other facilities at the hotel or take part in other activities. If you wish you can perhaps extend this to ride for a full day which will be 4 to 5 hours in the saddle. You may also be able to combine two half days riding. The following is an example of some of the possible trails you may follow:- LAGONI: Hot springs and sulphur vapours that gush out of the ground mark the Cecina valley. The horses are used to the hissing sound of the geysers, so you can quietly study from horseback how geothermal energy is used. MINES OF GERFALCO: A wild-romantic path leads to the former silver mines, from where there is a wonderful view to the sea. The afternoon ride takes you through the small medieval alleys of the village of Gerfalco, followed by a bizarre landscape of meadows with unusual layers of Tuscan earth colours. GALLERAIE: The ride to the springs of the Cecina and along the river leads you to the hotel Galleraie, where you visit ruins of antique baths from the time of the Etruscans. In the afternoon you have an endless view over the provinces of Grosseto and Siena. PRATA: Old trade and animal paths cross through these native forests. In this area you often meet wild animals such as fox, deer, wild boar or porcupines. From the “Poggio di Prata” you can enjoy a wonderful view to the sea and to the island of Elba. A full-course picnic awaits you near the mining village of Prata. BOCCHEGGIANO: You ride to the mines of this village, which were once worked for pyrite. The number of mines no longer functioning is an indication of how successful the region once was and how times have changed today with the continuous out-migration of this industry. CHIUSDINO: This day ride will take you from the wild Maremma through the typical agrarian country of the Sienese hilly landscape that so typifies Tuscany. While wandering through the village of Chiusdino, enjoy the picturesque view of the Merse valley. RIVER MERSE: Overgrown fruit trees surround crumbling farmhouses and, depending on the time of year, invite you to a fruit snack. Riding through the crystal waters of the Merse River, experience how nature has recaptured former agricultural land through the years. On warm days the high point of the riders' week is a swim for riders and horses in the river. After the picnic you have the possibiliy to visit the abbey ruins of San Galgano. Feel the indescribable mystical atmosphere around the standing remains of the Romanesque chapel, making this one of the most interesting visits in Tuscany. |
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| Minimum group size: | 2 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Intermediate to experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 2 - 5 hours per day |
| Departure dates: | Departure dates to suit Saturday to Saturday |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Maremma
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This is a trail for experienced riders who would like to explore parts of Tuscany that only a knowledgeable guide on a horse can show you. You will ride through diverse countryside passing abandoned villages and abbey ruins and through magnificent estates. Your horses stay overnight at your destination and you return to the hotel for a welcome drink and dinner. Sunday: A light day ride to a Roman thermal bath in the Cecina valley will allow you to get to know your horse and the surroundings. Monday: Huge old trees and thick undergrowth are an indication of the native forests around Montieri and Gerfalco. During the picnic you enjoy a wonderful view to the sea. The rocky path to the castle ruins of Fosini has a unique beauty. In the evening you reach the magnificent Renaissance estate of Anqua. The horses will stay over in the meadows belonging to this friendly Sienese noble family. Tuesday: From Anqua you head out to Lagoni, a hot springs area. The landscape loses its wildness to more charming agricultural developments typical of centuries of occupation - picture-book Tuscany. You pass by abandoned farm houses, cross fields and small rivers until you leave the horses overnight close to the village of Fosini. Wednesday: Not far from Fosini lies a well-known cultural monument in Tuscany - the abbey ruins of San Galgano. This cloister built in the 13th. century used to be the cultural and economic centre of the region. Once you have viewed the legendary walls of this historically-significant church, you gallop into wide open meadows and follow the legendary "Ancient path of the Maremma" until the castle "Luriano", where your horses stay 2 nights and have a day to relax. Thursday: Relax or discover the area on your own. We would also be glad to organise excursions to Massa Marittima, Siena or to the sea. Friday: The next morning you cross the beautiful grounds belonging to the Countess of Luriano and move on to the romantic riverbed of the Merse. Watch how the trout flash through the rushing water away from the hooves of the horses. One last time, experience the soft beauty of the Maremma hills and after a steep climb, turn back to the hotel. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Experienced riders |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | 4 -5 hours in the saddle |
| Departure dates: | 3-10 May, 13-20 September 2008 |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |
Trail to the Sea
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Sunday: Heading towards the coast, enjoy an adventurous ride through the thick, unspoiled Macchia. Overwhelmed by the variety of wild Maremma animal and plant life, you reach a typical Maremma farm in the late afternoon. Monday: In the morning you ride along the typically cultivated agriculture area, passing by olive groves and vineyards. Before you can catch the first breath of ocean air you have to climb up the last hills. As you ride over old trade trails that go through cork oak and Mediterranean bushlands you move closer to the coast. Tuesday: A gallop along white sand beaches, a refreshing bathe in the ocean - on this day you will experience the sea. Mediterranean plant life, steep rocky shores and romantic sand coves as far as the eye can see. After a picnic in an idyllic nature park near Follonica, you can devote yourself to the beach, with or without your horse. Wednesday: A day of rest for the horses gives you the possibility to follow your own plans. Your hosts will also be glad to coordinate an excursion with the other guests. Thursday: You will cross over to Massa Marittima. A trot along the grey-green shimmering olive groves, a gallop through endless cypress rows? These are pictures of Tuscany you will never forget. Friday: After a difficult climb and one last look at the sea you enjoy the cool shadows of the chestnut forests on the way back to the Hotel.. |
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| Minimum group size: | 4 |
| Maximum group size: | 12 |
| Ability description: | Experienced |
| Type of ride: | Trail |
| Total riding time: | Five days riding with 4 - 5 hours in the saddle |
| Departure dates: | 11th - 18th October 2008. |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |