Day 1 - Saturday
Riding: No riding.
Arrival to Montevarchi-Terranuova station and transfer to the 400 year old farmhouse where you will be staying. There is time to settle in and enjoy a chat with a glass of Chianti Classico wine. Your dinner will be prepared by Isabella and is served with local wine.
Day 2 - Sunday
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
After breakfast you will mount up for your first ride of around two and half hours with your English-speaking guide Eraldo. The ride today takes you through vineyards, olive groves and woodlands, as well as by an 18th century villa and a 14th century church.
In the afternoon you will have a fun and informal cooking lesson with Isabella, preparing dishes such as fresh pasta, ravioli, ragu bolognese, or tiramisu - all of which you'll then sample at dinner!
Day 3 - Monday
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
After breakfast you will head out on another morning ride with breathtaking views of the Valdarno valley and frequesnt canters through the vineyards. Lunch is served at the farmhouse.
In the afternoon Eraldo will take you to visit the farm of his friend Alessandro where you will learn how pecorino cheese is made. There will be a cheese-tasting before Eraldo drives you on to Fattoria Casabianca where the owner, Aldo, produces top-quality wine and his award-winning vin santo (an Italian dessert wine/liqueur). Return to the farmhouse for dinner.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Today is your first full day ride with around five hours in the saddle. You will ride by the medieval village of San Leolini, the Castle of Cennina and a scenic lake before stopping for a picnic nearby. The way home brings you past the Castle of Lupinari and you can enjoy many canters on the way. Dinner back at the farmhouse.
Day 5 - Wednesday
Riding: No riding.
Today is a free day for you to relax or to make your own arrangements for sightseeing, although you will be dropped off at the local train station and picked up again before dinner to suit your plans. Florence is a popular choice and your hostess Jenny, who knows it well, may be available to go with you and give you a guided tour of the main sites. Alternatively you may like to visit one of the hill towns of Cortona, Assisi or Orvieto or head to Arezzo, all beautiful in their own way and easily reached with a direct train from Montevarchi.
Other activities can also be arranged such as guided hiking or e-biking with their neighbour Francesco; a workshop with Isabella to paint a personal pottery mug; a truffle hunt with a neighbour and his dog.
Dinner and overnight back at the farmhouse.
Day 6 - Thursday
Riding: 1 - 2 hours
After breakfast you visit a local street market with typical Italian food such as porchetta, cheese and fresh vegetables which will be brought back to the farmhouse for your lunch.
In the afternoon you have a short ride (1-2 hours) followed by a short walk to a local farmhouse to sample some homemade jams and visit the "Museo della Civilita Contadina" (museum of rural culture). Return to the farmhouse for dinner.
Day 7 - Friday
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
Today's final day ride is around five hours long and includes a stop to visit the typical medieval village of Montegonzi with a light lunch at a local "osteria". A leisurely ride back to the farmhouse in the afternoon before a farewell dinner.
Day 8 - Saturday
Riding: No riding.
Breakfast is served before you take a transfer of around ten minutes back to Montevarchi station to begin your journey home.
*Please note that the itinerary may change subject to local conditions such as the grape harvest or weather events, but always with your best interests at heart.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
