Tuscany Medieval Castle Ride

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the 17th century old Stables room of Castle! We are ready to start our first hack of approximately 2 hours duration around Onano, breathing the countryside with our new friends!

Once again this morning we take the Brigands path, we head north through the hills towards Onano, a fortified village with a medieval castle which was the stronghold of the Monaldeschi family who ruled this area during the Middle Ages.
After lunch at the Castle you will be picked up and transferred to visit the magical Sorano Fortress. After a short sightseeing of this jem in Tuscany, you will be transferred to Fattoria Aldobrandesca Antinori vineyard to taste the most famous wines in the area.
Accommodations: Santa Cristina Castle

We leave in the morning S. Cristina castle and we ride through the neighboring farmland, through chestnut woods and using an ancient track which will carry us right above the crater of Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Europe. The descent of the crater will start from the village of Gradoli dominated by an impressive renaissance palace,that it was meant to be the wedding gift of Pope Paulus III Farnese to his nephew around the middle of 1500.

While riding, we will witness some breath–taking views of the lake and surrounding area and of the two islands Isola Bisentina and Martana. The shore of the lake will be reached after crossing the fields just before the water, we will then border the lake ending on the beach where horses will be set into a canter before crossing a ford where a small river joins the lake. After that we finally reach our mid day stop.
Lunch is served on the terrace of a typical trattoria right on the beach,where Antonietta the cook will serve delicious local food. In the right season if you wish to cool off in the water, a swim in the lake can be done before starting riding back up. As we head up back to the castle, you will note many Etruscan tombs scattered throughout the countryside some reused by farmers as cellars for their wine but still serving as a reminder of the ancient history which abounds in this area You will be Passing through the archeological area of Pianezze literally full of Etruscan tombs dating back 2600 years. Once at the top of the crater, we turn right through some vineyards where again a breathtaking view of lake Bolsena will provide a wonderfull opportunity to rest the horses and take some photographs. After crossing the vineyards we reach the shepherds’ trail in the woods that will lead you back to the Santa Cristina Castle estate.
Accommodations: Santa Cristina Castle

The lake was once a volcanic crater and historical site with human settlements going back to the pre-etruscan era (aprox 2700 years ago) later it was submerged by water due to earthquakes. It is now part of the Selva del Lamone regional park due to it’s beauty and to the fact that many birds find a shelter there.

Our excursion takes horses and riders through the beautiful countryside, up into the wooded hills which surround Onano. Here, the horses have the opportunity to canter along a wonderful natural passage surrounded by trees. At the top of this plateau, we have a chance to take in the dazzling scenery, before we carry on down past local farms into a very old wood made by huge chestnut trees that leads us into a flat open plain which offers a great scenery.
Here, if desired, horses can canter up the old tracks, before we reach the marshlands and vineyards which surround the lake Mezzano itself. In a fantastic position on top of a hill overlooking the lake is the small farm where the restaurant is based. Here we stop for a nice lunch with a fantastic view while our horses rest in a paddock.
During the warmer months you can also swim in the lake with its crystal clear waters. In the afternoon, we ride back following the old Brigands trail, taking in a few historical sights on the way.
Accommodation: Santa Cristina Castle

After breakfast you will visit majestic Orvieto. Sites to visit are the Duomo, St. Patrick’s Qell, Underground Orvieto tours takes you into the caves and can be taken from the Tourist office.

You will have lunch at a beautiful restaurant in the center and after lunch you will discover Civita di Bagnoregio, the dying city. The morphology of this village was caused by erosion and landslides. The territory is made up of two different formations of rocks, different in chronology and in constitution. The most ancient formation is that of clay; it comes from the sea and it forms the base layer which is particularly subject to erosion. It is situated in a solitary area and it is reachable only by a reinforced concrete pedestrian bridge
Accommodations: Santa Cristina Castle

Today we will discover by horse Vitozza, the most interesting and extended rock settlements in central Italy, inhabited from the 12th to the 17th centuries.

Touched by the clear waters of the Lente stream, and hidden by the luxuriant wood, two hundred caves, the “columbaria” and the remains of the medieval village still survive today. After which we will enjoy a picnic lunch. At your arrival at the Castle our masseuse will be waiting for you: benefit of a relaxed massage after this intense horse riding week!
Accommodations: Santa Cristina Castle