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A castle and
its “borgo” as your home and a horse as your friend. Explore one of the less inhabited Italian regions:
Alta Tuscia. Your riding days will be spent in the
territory surrounding S.Cristina castle, a
centuries old estate still owned by the ancient and
noble Caterini family, whose new generation with a
passion for horses has turned into an enchanting
resort.
A strip of land rich with historical and
archaeological sites encased in between Southern
Tuscany and Umbria .This area, cradle of the ancient
Etruscan civilization, was later named Ducato di
Castro and during the Renaissance belonged to the
pope natural son Pierluigi Farnese for over a
century between ‘500 and ‘600.
A region rich of history proved by the many tombs
towns, palaces and castles scattered everywhere that
you will see while horse riding along the “brigands
path” an old track used by local outlaws trying to
avoid the law some two hundred years ago.
With your horse you will cross vineyards and olive
trees with breathtaking views of lake Bolsena and
through chestnut woods into open plains .
In Alta Tuscia there is an old passion and
tradition for horses once the local cowboys
”butteri” only friends.
Hospitality is that one warm and simple but
authentic of a country still relying on agriculture
as its main income .When possible, every long
excursion will be stopping halfway at one of the
local restaurants or “trattoria” where the delicious
local recipes are served.
 IT-ITSR05
Rates: incl.
castle farmhouse accommodations with all meals
included 6 riding days - 4 full days and 2 half days, English speaking
guide.
8 days/ 7 nights $
1,575 Single: +$ 365
-- based on €
1100 / € 250
2008 Dates:
04/12-04/19 04/19-04/26
04/26-05/03
05/03-05/10 05/10-05/17
05/17-05/24
05/24-05/31 05/31-06/07
06/07-06/14
06/14-06/21 06/21-06/28
06/28-07/05
07/05-07/12 08/23-08/30
08/30-09/06
09/06-09/13 09/13-09/20
09/20-09/27
09/27-10/04 10/04-10/11
10/11-10/18
10/18-10/25 10/25-11/01
availability & reservation
Meeting:
Grotte di Castro
Airport: Rome
Train station: Orvieto
Transfer: Best to rent a car
or take taxi from Orvieto
-- 27 miles -- ~$160
(€
120) return
Level:
Intermediate
Tack: English
Horses:
Local breed, Maremmano,
Sella
Italiano
Pace:
moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max: 2-5 riders
Accommodations:
Old traditions and modern hospitality
The fairy tale Castle is most romantic with its
castellated turret rising above age old woods. It
has a long association with powerful Prelates who
played a key role in forming the Vatican State which
culminated in Pope Pius IX's chief advisor, Cardinal
Prospero Caterini, choosing the Castello in 1848 as
his personal residence. His descendants still use
this as a country home.
Just below the Castle Cristina stands a handsome
XVIII's farmhouse, the original center of the
estate's farming activities. The farmhouse has been
skillfully converted with careful attention to
conserving authenticity together with comfort, and
privacy in a pleasant combination with communal
living, if wanted. The very large fattoria, now
contains eight charming apartments and 14 bedrooms
B&B mostly furnished with original pieces. On
the ground floor, opening onto the main terrace
overlooking the swimming pool there is a large "taverna"
with brick vaulted ceilings. The space is divided
into three main areas: meeting room dining room,
billiard room, ping-pong room, plus a large kitchen
available for all the guests and equipped for
cooking courses as well.
Meals
At mealtimes the guests sit altogether at a long
table, and there is plenty of merriment as well as
good food. Pietro the cook has a large repertoire of
Tuscan dishes, accompanied, of course, by plenty of Chianti
wine. Vegetarians are amply catered for as he has a
well-stocked organic vegetable garden. Eggs, turkeys
and ducks are home-produced and olives for
extra-virgin olive oil are picked in the surrounding
groves.
Sample Itinerary
Saturday : Afternoon check in , welcome drink
& briefing with guide\instructor about riding and
accommodation details and choice of the horses for
the next days, dinner .
Sunday :
Morning or afternoon :
THE THREE WATERS ALONG THE BRIGANDS
PATH
Time about 2 hr 30 min.
With this mini trekking we will easily reach the
hills framing at west the plateau on which the
castle is situated. A fantastic spot for a
breathtaking view of the area, going from the
beautiful crater of Lake Bolsena on one side to the
hills surrounding the little lake Mezzano on the
other side. Provided a sufficiently clear day the
sea can be seen at 40 km in the distance like a
glowing mirror.
Starting from the castle, after 1 Km. we will reach
a large track winding through the beautiful hills
and small woods on a steady and soft ground good to
let the horses canter, if wanted. At the end of the
track we will enter a big wood named Selva di Onano.
Monday: LAKE MEZZANO
FULL DAY including lunch
DESCRIPTION: Lake Mezzano is an area of great
interest both historically and naturally. The lake
was once a volcanic crater and historical site with
human settlements going back to the pre Etruscan era
(aprox 2700 years ago), now submerged by water due
to earthquakes. From Castle S.Cristina through the
hills thick with chestnut woods, we will descend
upon a plain where the lake lies.
There, if wanted, horses can be pushed into a canter
following the old track crossing the plain before
the lake along the fields and vineyards Bordering
Selva del Lamone Naturale Reserve we will stop for
lunch above the lake in a magical atmosphere.. A
small rural restaurant overlooking lake Mezzano will
provide us with a beautiful view and a juicy lunch
under the shade of the trees overlooking the lake.
From June to September who wants can have a
refreshing swim in the lake when the season allows
it. In the afternoon the group will take the horses
back through the wooded hills.
Tuesday:
LAKE BOLSENA
FULL DAY including
lunch
From Castle
S.Cristina we will follow an old trail down through
the crater of lake Bolsena, the biggest volcanic
lake in Europe. Breath taking views of the lake will
accompany our excursion all the way. Here and there
scattered around the countryside archaeological
sites with Etruscan tombs to remind our riders how
old is this beautiful land. Once at the bottom lunch
will be served on the beach of the Lake in a nice
typical restaurant . A swim in the lake
Bolsena(summer) can be part of the day before
hopping back on your horse. On the way back the
magnificent Farnese renaissance palace in Gradoli
will catch our attention while crossing the village.
Once at the top of the crater of the lake an old
track through the woods will take us back to the
castle.
START: 10.00 A.M. from Castle S.Cristina
Wednesday:
FROM CASTLE TO
CASTLE
FULL DAY including
lunch
An incredible
experience. In this excursion you will have the
opportunity to travel with your horse from Castle S.Cristina
to another fortress: Castle Proceno.
We will reach the outskirts of the village of Onano
and XVI cent. little country church of Madonna delle
Grazie from where we will have a beautiful view of
the medieval village walls. Now the country road
turns north into enchanting countryside on the
border between Lazio and Southern Tuscany.
Crossing Montorio game reserve, if we are lucky
pheasants, fallow- deer, and boars can be spotted
while horseriding. A fabulous excursion that will
take us through the most unspoiled Tuscan
countryside, wading a ford in the Stridolone river
before making the hilltop overlooking the fortress
of Proceno. After Lunch we will cross the river
again on a easy wade and climb the side of a plateau
through thick vegetation taking advantage of an old
track once used by farmers.
From there at a trot bordering vineyards and fields
we will reach first an ex XVIII cent.. convent and
then head to S.Cristina castle from the north east.
START: 9.00 A.M. from Castle S.Cristina
Thursday:
EXCURSIONS (2-3 hrs)
In the morning a nice excursions followed by a wine
and oil tasting in the afternoon..
Visit at the local wine cellar to taste some of our
delicious local products, like wine and oil.
Friday
:
Morning:
EXCURSION (2-3 hrs) - see
Thursday program
Afternoon: SPA
The Spa nearby, with its natural hot springs, is
waiting for you. You can decide just to relax by
a
thermal swimming pool furnished with two water falls
under which can you enjoy natural hydro massages with
waters that flow out from natural Springs at 37
Celsius rather than to
receive a special massage or treatment.
Please note, the offer includes the entrance to the
thermal swimming pool and the use of the large
equipped area with sun beds and umbrellas. To be
paid extra: massage and special treatments.
Saturday
Departure |
