Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

TUSCANY : FOLLOWING THE ETRUSCAN'S TRAILS...

In the heart of "the most beautiful countryside of the world" with isolated medieval farms that crown hills bordered with cypress, we propose you two itineraries in Tuscany, in a region called Maremma that reaches until the coast of the Mediteranean sea : - the "Etruscan farmhouse tour" during which you will be accomodated in three different farmhouses called Agriturismos and that leads you through parts of Lemone and Vulci, west of the Lago di Bolsena, - the "Etruscan castle tour" where you will be put up in two medieval castles and in a fortress of an ancient Etruscan city. In the saddle on Maremma horses and Anglo Arabs and mixes breeds, you will discover one of the most original regions of Italy, where the horse tradition is born and still used for the farm work - the land of the Butteri (the local cowboys).   On the Etruscan's trail - farmhouse version On the Etruscan's trail - castle version

ITINERARY

ON THE ETRUCSCAN'S TRAIL - FARMHOUSE TOUR

You take accomodation in three different farmhouses. They are called Agriturismo - which means a combination of agricultural and tourism business. The Italian government gives the farmers financial help and makes in this way sure that they survive and the countryside remains animated.

(This route can be changed in a different direction according to the constraints of weather or organisation)

Day 1 : Orvieto - Proceno
Arriving in Orvieto and shared transfer for the group from Orvieto station to Proceno and settlement in Agritursmo Franciola. Dinner in the local restaurant - the only independent restaurant in the town. A local lady cooks in the traditional style and creates also sometimes new, very tasty filled pasta - called Tortelli. The desserts are very special and always freshly prepared.

Day 2 : Daily ride in the area of the medieval town Proceno
Through clay hills down in the valley of the river Palia - with marvellous view on the mountains of Amiata and Cetona. Picnic close to the former boarder places from the Vatican state to Italy - called Dogana - on the banks of the river. The way back leads uphill in the afternoon sun with warm view on soft rolling wheet fields or pasture for sheep herds. For dinner today you stay in your accomodation and will realise how a real Italian mama cooks.

Day 3 : Travel on horseback from Proceno to Lago di Mezzano
The area changes completely - after you passed the private wood property of Montorio with its brooks, you ride over hugh plateau fields with various agricultural business built on tuff (a vulcanic soft stone) ground. Farmers settled here with their sheeps already in the past and started a good traditional cheese production. Lunchstop in an archeological park area with cave settlement in San Quirico. Thanks to the tuff rocks on the ground the terrain remain always well drained and ready for nice trotts and canters. In the afternoon you arrive with far view on green hills in the direction of the seaside on the lake and in your accomodation. You get tasty homeproduced starters and barbecued meat outside in the green or inside the cosy restaurant.

Day 4 : Travel from Lago di Mezzano to Castro
You start your day with a phantastic view on the medieval town Valentano, built safely on the borders between a plateau and a deep ditch. You enter than in the unique national park "Selva di Lamone". This is an undescribable wood area, created from the now cold vulcan in the Lago di Bolsena. Stones all over like crumbs on a cake. The leaves and the trees create shade and light in a fantastic, unreal mix on the inhospitable ground beside the dirt road. Lunchstop in the middle of the wood in a picnic area. Out of the Selva you pass in the afternoon the ancient ruins of the city of Castro - destroyed by the will of one man - a Roman emperor.

Day 5 : Daily round from Castro to Vulci and back
Today you ride through one of the last nearly untouched areas of Tuscany and Lazio - you get an idea of the way animals were kept in the past - hugh herds of cattle can be found half wild in hugh private properties. Here you find also several horses - not always in fences. For lunch you arrive in Vulci - once one of the biggest Etruscan cities in Italy. The way back in the afternoon leads through private wood property from the still noble owners.

Day 6 : Travel from Castro to Lago di Mezzano
Through canyon and over plateau, passing sheep herds, little fields and small old barns - the former people kept just barns in the countryside and lived in the village because the area was full of bandits - you arrive close to the old town Iscia where you stop for lunch. From here you pass the flat in front of Valentano and can smell the water full of sulphur that's just running in the earth before you go back to the Agriturismo Fra Viaco.

Day 7 : Travel back from Lago di Mezzano to Proceno
You start the ride through a vulcanic wide canyon in the direction of Onano on sandy roads - good for a quicker ride. In the national park of the "Selva di Onano" we find a perfect place for our lunch picnic. The afternoon brings us slowly back in the Proceno area to the accomodation Franciola. We have a last dinner in the local medieval castle.

Day 8 : Proceno - Orvieto
Breakfast and shared transfer in the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.

THE ETRUCSCAN'S TRAIL - CASTLE TOURS

You will be accomodated in two different medieval castles and a fortress.
The castle of Proceno, the Castle Santa Cristina close to Onano and the Fortress of Sorano. Come and take a breath of Medieval livestile - with nowadays comfort of course.

(This route can be changed in a different direction according to the constraints of weather or organisation)

Day 1 : Orvieto - Proceno
Arriving in Orvieto and shared transfer for the group from Orvieto station to Proceno and settlement in the local castle. Dinner in the local restaurant - the only independent restaurant in the town. A local lady cooks in the traditional style and creates also sometimes new, very tasty filled pasta - called Tortelli. The desserts are very special and always freshly prepared.

Day 2
Daily ride in the area of the medieval town Proceno, through clay hills down in the valley of the river Palia - with marvellous view on the mountains of Amiata and Cetona. Lunch in the former boarder places from the Vatican state to Italy - called Dogana - also on hot days a fire is lit in the dining room to cook on. The way back leads uphill in the afternoon sun with warm view on soft rolling wheet fields or pasture for sheep herds. Dinner in a local farmhouse out in the countryside - the oldest real agriturismo - with all kinds of animals around and from them many kind of homeproduced and homecooked foodstuff.

Day 3
Travel on horseback from Proceno to Onano. The area changes completely - after you passed the private wood property of Montorio with its brooks, you ride over hugh plateau fields with various agricultural business built on tuff (a vulcanic soft stone) ground. Farmers settled here with their sheeps already in the past and started a good traditional cheese production. Lunch in a restaured restaurant with handpainted fresco in San Quirico. Thanks to the Tuff rocks on the ground the terrain remains always well drained and ready for nice trotts and canters. In the afternoon you arrive directly in the stables of the Castello di Cristina where a local cook prepares a tasty dinner in the former stable below the rooms - the ceiling helt up from several archbowes.

Day 4
Daily round in the area of Onano until the unique national park "Selva di Lamone". This is an undescribable wood area, created from the now cold vulcan in the Lago di Bolsena. Stones all over like crumbs on a cake. The leaves and the trees create shade and light in a fantastic, unreal mix on the inhospitable ground beside the dirt road. Lunch in a lonely farmhouse attached on a private little lake, that was a former vulcan and is 200 m deep. You get tasty homeproduced starters and barbecued meet outside in the green in front of the house with view down on the lake. After the afternoon ride back you will have dinner today in the former stable part of the castle in front of a nice green garden and a centenary tree.

Day 5
Travel on horseback from Onano to Sorano. Romantic wood, steep ditches, narrow canyons and old Etruscan roads are on your way today. All the area is breathing culture and history the closer you get to Sorano. You stop for another lunchstop in San Quirico with different menue. Take accomodation in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the center.

Day 6
Daily round in the unique area of Sorano with its deep and narrow cutted roads in the tuff rock and with its uncountable tumbs allover in the hills. Lunchstop in Sovana - one of the most famous villages of the Etruscan civilisation - with its hugh overground tumbs. Back in Sorano dinner in a restaurant in the village.

Day 7
Travel back from Sorano to Proceno with lunchstop in a different lonely farmhouse with family business and homecooked food. Dinner in the castles restaurant.

Day 8 : Proceno - Orvieto
Breakfast and shared transfer in the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extension stay in Rome

To make the most of your stay in Italy, we offer you to spend a few nights in its capital. The Coloseum, Spain Square, Saint Peter's square in Vatican City...there are so many things to do and see.
That for, we offer you to book as many night as you want in a central 3 or 4* hotel, with breakfast, to be free to o and visit what you want.
Cf. "Options" section below for detailled prices.

This is just a suggestion, feel free to contact us if you have any other idea, or for any advice !

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
You will ride on Italian saddle horses (warmblood) and Anglo Arabs mixed bred.

Tack
English saddles

Required riding level
You should be confident at all paces and have an experience of open air riding including some jumps because of the irregular ground of the Tuscan countryside...
A level of fitness is required, as the daily riding is from four to six hours depending on the pace, of course.
Beginners are not accepted on those rides.
Weight limit: 90 kg
The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.

YOUR GUIDES

The trail rides are supervised by experienced local guides (Nicola and Michele) who perfectly know the region and their horses.

ACCOMMODATION

On the Estrucan's trail - Farmhouse Version

The first accomodation - Agriturismo Franciola in Proceno - is the oldest activity in this way in the area. They keep many different kind of animals for their own production and they bring for dinner just homeproduced foodstuff on the table.
Next is the Agriturismo Fra Viaco - a five family business (but all out of the same roots) - located directly on the lake Vico.

At least remains the Agriturismo Castro - named from the ancient city Castro close by. This was an important city like Florence now - and it was completely destroyed just by the order of a Roman emperor. They have many acres and the three brothers manage all the business by themselves. Sometimes you can see also the father - now just overviewing everything.

On the Estrucan's trail - Castle version

The castle of Proceno is located in the little village, creating in parts the protection wall; has its rooms in different levels along the only passage through the village. The pool is on the bottom of the walls in the middle of the castles park area.
The Castle Santa Cristina is a country castle out of the village in the middle of agricultural ground. The main house is still inhabitated by the owner who has also some horses. You take accomodation in the romantic dependance, fully covered with green edera and the pool in front with its nice green around.
The fortress of Sorano is located above this unique Etruscan town. From your rooms with a good meter of wall around you see down on the town and further in the canyon that protects the village. There are just few steps downhill to have a walk though the center with all its ups and downs, passages gates, arches and small steps.

DATES AND RATES

Single supplement
- Farmhouse tour : 100 €
- Castle tour : 200 €
This supplement is systematically invoiced to any person registering on her own. If you are willing to share and we find another rider to share with you, we will refund this amount at your return.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

1. Tuscany

2. Abruzzi

3. Sicily - Etna Tour
4. Cilento National Park

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..