ItalianVisits.com - Gourmet Horseback Riding Tour in Tuscany

The Gourmet Ride in Tuscany
~ fabulous!

Leader: Ryan and the gang

ItalianVisits.com links: Tuscany, Umbria

The Gourmet Trail - guest stay, trail rides, excellent food and good accommodation
You’ll stay on a beautiful estate that has regained its ancient splendor after the restoration that has transformed it into an elegant and refined hotel with restaurant. Ride each day through gentle hills, along meandering rivers, and through small forests. In the afternoon we take you sightseeing into the real Tuscany with its vineyards, ancient ports, hot springs, etc. The has 15 rooms with private bath, mini bar, telephone and TV, a swimming pool and excellent cuisine.

The wine that is served here comes from local vineyards and has already been awarded several prizes. And the riding stables convince even the most discriminating rider that their owner is a horse-lover.
Altogether a very pleasant atmosphere where everybody likes to be spoiled for a week or two.

Tour Schedule and Itinerary

Saturday: check in, dinner and overnight.

Sunday: Ride to the small medieval village of Poggioterro through woods and meadows on the North-East side of Scansano. Stop for a rest for riders and horses, then back to the hotel for lunch (approx. 3 hrs of riding). 3:30 pm departure by van to visit Sovana and Pitigliano, ancient villages built in tufa stone. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Monday: After breakfast panoramic ride on the South-East side of Scansano called "La Civitella". Already known in the Roman Age (remains are held in the antiquarium of the town hall), it overlooks the seaside and the Mediterranean undergrowth. On the way back, stop for a rest in a typical osteria. If possible we will visit the "Morellino di Scansano" wine producer's cooperative.

Tuesday: Breakfast and departure for another beautiful excursion of Maremma countryside. We ride along old car-roads, going down hill slopes and across torrents where we can see the typical plantation of this area and , if we are lucky, meet a wild boar or a fallow-deer searching for food. We then stop for a rest before returning to the hotel for lunch ( 3 to 4 hrs of riding. 3:30 pm we depart by van to visit Saturnia, famous for its spa. Here it is possible to have a bath in sulphurous water at a temperature of 37 degrees centigrade, followed by a visit in the town of Saturnia. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Wednesday: After breakfast depart for a long ride on the south side of Scansano, we are in a nature pure and wild. After a nice long canter we reach the old village of Pereta with its city gate and its tower built in the XVI century. Stop for lunch in a typical "osteria" or picnic (approx. 4 to 5 hrs of riding). Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight.

Thursday: In the morning ride to "Il Marcereto" farm where we produce red (Morelino di Scansano) and white wine, grappa and olive oil. From the horse stables we go along the old road of "Il Salalolo" to reach an old salt mine and then go on hill-slopes, through vineyards and olive groves and up across an old torrent. Stop in the farm to visit the cellar and taste our products. In the afternoon back to the hotel (approx 5 to 6 hrs of riding).

Friday: Morning ride to the Roman "Villa" situated in a place called "Campo della Chiesa". We will ride through the old area of the sulfur-mines and reach the archeological site surrounded by woods. On the way back visit Scansano and the local market. We then enjoy a picnic in a typical "Cantina" with cheese and ham. In the afternoon we depart by van to visit Argentario with its two ports Porto Santo Stefano and Porto Ercole. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Saturday: after breakfast … good-bye to everybody.

2008 Tour Dates	2008 Dates: 04/14-04/21 05/12-05/19 06/09-06/16 07/07-07/14 09/08-09/15 10/13-10/20
Meet/Depart	Scansano, Tuscany, Italy Fly to Pisa or Rome. Rent a car and drive to Scansano, or bus or train to Grosetto. Rates: incl. all meals, 6 riding days, 3-4 hrs per day, guided afternoon sightseeing excursions, transfer from Grosseto. Will pick up groups in Grosetto for transfer (no cost), or will pick up individuals or couples - add € 50 per person.
Accommodation	Rooms included based on 2 to a room. Superior room with a balcony add 135 Euros; Upgrade to a suite add 335 Euros.
Riding info	Level: Good Novice+ Tack: English Horses: Maremmano Pace: Slow with some trots and short canters Min/Max Riders: 6-8
Reservations	Contact: IV Travel
Tour prices	8 days/7 nights $ 2,075 Single: $ 195 -- based on € 1,625 / € 150 Room upgrades per week/ per room: room with balcony + $ 195 (€150) superior room /balcony + $ 280 (€290) deluxe suite /balcony +$375 (€290)
Accommodation	Note: This beautiful estate has 20 rooms with private bath, mini bar, telephone and TV, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and Spa facilities.
Languages	English
Payment & Deposit Currency converter	Payment in US Dollars. 25% non-refundable deposit, balance within 70 days of tour date.