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ITALY - SOUTH : HORSE RIDING STAY IN CILENTO NATIONAL PARK...

ITINERARY

This itinerary of this 7 nights stationary program is indicative, your guide, who perfectly knows the region, will be able to change it if the weather or the safety of the group requires it. The riding days could be reversed.

Day 1

Arrival at the farm during the afternoon. Welcome and meeting with your guides and horses. Dinner and night to the agriturismo.

Day 2 - The Road of Brigants and Peasants
After breakfast, we start out along the road that skirts the hill to the right of the agritourism and ride 3 km to the small Church of San Giovanni (Saint John). The Church, which dates back to the XIV century, is thought to have been built by Basilian monks. Then on towards Galdo (12 km from the departure point) which is completely immersed in the countryside, along tracks which allow you to fully admire the beauties of the Mediterranean scrubland (broom, bramble, heather, holm-oak, oak and sorb).
Galdo is an ancient medieval village dating back to 1090, which has preserved a mysterious charm. The original buildings are well preserved and there is an atmosphere of absolute stillness. After leaving the village we carry on towards St Mauro along a track which offers a wonderful view of olive groves and orchards against the backdrop of the blue sea. Along a path lined with olive-trees and characteristic houses we reach the village where we stop for a traditional lunch at “The Frantoio”.
Then we ride towards Celso. We enter Celso through the arch of Mazziotti’s Palace (now a national monument) which belonged to a Baron and very illustrious scholar. Celso, an ancient medieval village dating back to 1050, was the scene of the events of the Risorgimento in Cilento which took place in 1828 and 1848. We stop here for a coffee break. We leave the village (418m above sea-level) and ride by a wood of young chestnut trees and then again through the Mediterranean scrubland that becomes the natural frame to the blue sea and spectacular coastline. We return to the agritourism in the dinner and night.
30km - 5-6 hours on horseback.

Day 3 - The Crest of the Gods
After saddling the horses, we’ll start riding towards the sea. Following the sandy beach we will be able to gallop until we reach the declivity of the hill of Velia-Elea once home of the Eleatic school founded by Parmenide and Zenone. Still riding we pass through century old olive-trees where the air still smells of history and mythology ; this is the crest of the Gods near Zeus’terracces, the path next the surrounding wall of the ancient city in the middle of the well preserved Mediterranean vegetation. This will be the ideal place to stop for a delicious lunch served at table and freshly cooked for us in the agriturismo. After a couple of hours of rest we will saddle the horses again and start taking the way back to the farm along flat trails which enable us to do some trot and canter. Dinner and night to the agriturismo.

25km - 5 hours on horseback.

Day 4 - Day rest
This day rest is made for people who want to relax at the farm or visit the different places around.

Guided tours to the archaeological site of Velia, interesting walking tours, bowshot, swimming in the pool and the possibility to participate at the main rural works on our farm( picking olives, milking the goats, making cheese in our cheese-factory...) will make your day interesting and pleasant. Full board included.

Day 5 - From Middle-ages to Risorgimento
After breakfast, we start out along the road that skirts the hill to the right of the agriturismo and ride 3 km to the small Church of San Giovanni (Saint John). The Church, which dates back to the XIV century, is thought to have been built by Basilian monks.

Then on towards Celso (10 km from the departure point) which is completely immersed in the countryside, along tracks which allow you to fully admire the beauties of the Mediterranean scrubland (broom, bramble, heather, holm-oak, oak and sorb). We enter Celso through the arch of Mazziotti’s Palace (now a national monument) which belonged to a Baron and very illustrious scholar. Celso, an ancient medieval village dating back to 1050, was the scene of the events of the Risorgimento in Cilento which took place in 1828 and 1848.

We leave the village (418 m above sea-level) and ride on towards Pollica past a wood of young chestnut trees and then again through the Mediterranean scrubland that becomes the natural frame to the blue sea and spectacular coastline. We enter Pollica through a Franciscan Monastery founded in 1611 by Prince Capano. Along the streets of the town we can admire the typical stone portals and the 17th Century Palace Tower which dominates the village. We stop here for a picnic lunch.

After lunch, we leave Pollica and continue our journey along narrow paths, past gorges and streams until we reach Pioppi and the sea. We return to the farm in the evening for dinner and night.

30km - 5 or 6 hours on horseback.

Day 6 - The Route of the Monks

We ride through a colourful landscape dotted with olive-trees to reach, after 2km, a stream which will lead us to a ford over the river Alento. From here, we ride towards the hills past vineyards and olive-groves, leaving behind us a beautiful view of the Gulf of Casal Velino and Velia Castle.

We ride towards Castel Nuovo Cilento (272 m above sea-level) where we will stop to rest, eat and visit the medieval castle. This site of clear medieval origin was a very important bulwark at the time of the saracen invasions, Later it became the administrative centre of the feud of Guido d’Alemagna. On the way back, after a downhill ride through olive-trees, we arrive at Pantana where we find the Franciscan monastery of Saint Clare (20 m above sea-level). In front of us stretches the plain of the river Alento, with its intense cultivation of vegetables.

We ride on towards Isca Longa to cross the river at its shallowest point. From here, past an area of reafforestation of pines and eucaliptus trees, we reach San Giorgio where, according to legend, there was a settlement of monks professing to the Greek rite, before the year 1000. After the war of Vespro (1282-1302) both the settlement and the village were destroyed. We return to the agritourism in the evening.

30km - 5 or 6 hours on horseback.

Day 7 - The Ancient Road of Salt
After breakfast we saddle the horses and start riding towards the inland leaving the sea behind us . We follow the river and cultivated fields among peach-trees and vineyards.Along the road we’ll see some ruins of ancient houses and the view on the surrounding country-side is always beautiful. Riding along the hill towards north we’ll meet cows to pasture in freedom and we’ll reach the ancient road of salt which used to enable the trade coming by sea from the ancient Velia to  the inland where the “Enotri” used to live.
Once we reach a nice area in between hundred years old olive trees we ‘ll stop for our lunch.A tasty barbecue and some good wine will help relax and enjoy every moment.
When we are ready to continue the ride, we saddle the horses again and follow a small stream which will take us towards the sea for a little walk on the beach, always riding among the wonderful scents of mediterranean scrub. Last canter on the beach and return to the agriturism for dinner and night.

30km - 5 or 6 hours on horseback.

Day 8
Say good bye to the horses and departure after breakfast.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses Used to the hilly ground of their native region, they will know how to make you appreciate the isolation of this countryside and their feet are always sure, on the path as well as in the villages with tortuous alleys… They are mainly Italian horses. Tack The tack is exclusively english with comfortable saddles.

Required riding level
It is necessary to be confident at all paces and to be able to stay in the saddle from 5 to 6 hours per day, several successive days.
Accompanied children over 12 years old are welcomed if their riding skills are good enough. In any case, helmets are mandatory for everyone. We have no helmet available at the farm, so we will ask you to bring your.

Maximum weight : 90 kg (and 1m90)
You also have the possibility to do the ride with your own horse. Please refer to the prices below.

Non riders
Non riders are welcome to that place. They have many possibilities of activities : join the riders by bike, trekking, or logistic vehicule for lunch, visit some archeological sights, help picking the olives or grappes in autumn, make cooking course and learn how to make goat cheese in our goat cheese factory, boat excursions....

YOUR GUIDES

Your guide will be Marco, an italian and english speaking horse riding instructor. He perfectly knows the environment and will make you discover the area in total security.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation You'll be accommodate to our cosy and friendly agriturismo in double rooms with private bathroom all well furnished, spacious and comfortable ; even nicer since they are surrounded by a wonderful nature and beautiful view. It is important for us that you’ll keep the holiday in your heart for a long time . That’s why the accomodation offers all comforts, terraces, gardens and are all nearby the wonderful swimming pool and solarium in order to enjoy sunny days and a magical atmosphere. Catering Looking for the traditional ancient flavours is our unicity.Those flavours ,often only a memory, are re-proposed by our family with an innovating taste. The wine cellar offers not only our excellent wine but also some of the best labels of the region Campania. A little shop inside the farm allows you to buy our self-made products such as the highly appreciated goat-cheese made in our own little cheese factory.  Our aim is to prepare only products with genuine and high quality ingredients;to transform traditional recipes in order to remain in the heart of those who will want to taste them. Everything is prepared by the family’s hands which have been working for years now with passion and knowledge. You can see it in the taste of our conserves, sweet and salty,sausages,salami,goat cheeses,extravergine oliveoil,wine, liquors and honey.

DATES AND RATES

The agritourism is open all year round, but the program describe below can be made only during the periods below. Out of the period, you can have lessons and short rides. Contact us for any enquiry.

Kindly note that the farm welcome guests only during the schedulled period above.

Single room supplement : 90 €
Riders booking alone are supposed being prepared for sharing accomodation with another rider of same sex. No supplement will be charged if we finally cannot find someone else for sharing with you.

Non rider discount : -390 € (Including full board and accommodation)

With your own horse : -165 €

For all booking of a riding holiday in September or October, we will offer you a gift basket (olive oil, cheese, wine).

- the trail ride as described in double/twin room, on full board basis,
- drinks (water and wines),
- the transfers from and to Vallo della Lucarnia train station if required,
- the financial guarantee of deposits sent to Randocheval.

- transport to the meeting point,
- any other service,

- any other non included drink,
- tips and personnal expenses,
- optionnal insurances : further information...

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Italy - Cilento National Park

1. Tuscany

2. Abruzzi

3. Sicily - Etna Tour
4. Cilento National Park

From 2 to 6 riders.

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..