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| Europe: Italy: Tuscany: Welcome to a Country Hotel |
| What: |
Restored Italian countryside hotel offers Saturday to Saturday at charming country hotel providing weeklong riding programs for beginners, leisurely riders, and for more serious intermediates. Half or full day rides from property are regularly available while two of the scheduled rides the Trails to the Sea and the Maremma are circle tours where riders are taken back to the property at end of eacj day while horses are pastured at property where ride ended for day. In morning you return to the horses by vehicle and resume ride. |
| Dates and Rates: |
Operates from April, to end of October, 2008.
For 8 days/7 nights: from a low of $1085 US with full board, and either half day riding program(12 hours) or discovery program(learning program) to a high of $1290 as rates vary with season.
Full board with full day riding program(20-23 hours) with picnic lunches varies in season from
$1350 US to $1560 US.
Single supplement vary from $126 US to $196 US.
Swimming pool opens May 10 and closes Sept 21.
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| Horsesense: |
Beginners and intermediate riders can find a riding program to suit their abilities. Property maintains a herd of 20 locally bred Maremma purebreds and crossbreds; the sturdy local horses traditionally used to herd cattle in the area. English and trekking saddles are used with the style of riding being loose rein which is the same as Western riding styles. |
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| A comfortable property in Tuscany with good riding; what more can you ask for? Our Italian delight offers daily half and full day riding with one day off during the week and an alternative mountain bike tour. Located 750 meters above sea level, 10 minutes from the nearest village (1 km) the property offers a revealing vista of the surrounding area of native chestnut and oak forests, olive grove, vineyards, pines and cypresses. There is a comfortable pool on the property. Throw into the mix, the beaches, the historical towns that surround the area including numerous medieval villages and you have a region that has long attracted tourists both on and off horseback. Typically most riders enjoy the Satellite Trail, which consists of daily half and/or full-day riding from the property to a different destination each day with enjoyable picnic lunches. Half-day riders are transported back to the property after lunch while full day riders ride their horses back. There are numerous daily destinations to ride too and you will not exhaust all the options in a week. If on the other hand you prefer well organized riding tours you may wish to try the Maremma Trail and the Trail to the Sea where riders are returned by bus each evening to the property while the horses find comfort at local farms and stables. Both of these 7-night programs involve five days of riding and are appropriate only for moderately experienced riders. The alternative riding package for beginners, the Discovery Week offers fundamentals meant to get you into the saddle and riding, a total of 10 hours for the week. Non-riders may wish to enjoy the self-guided mountain bike tours or simply with use of a rented car take in the sites and sounds of this enchanted land. |
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| WHAT TO EXPECT: |
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| ITINERARY |
Discovery Week for beginner riders :
You are not sure whether "happiness is being on horseback"? Then why not give it a try? With experienced help you will be comfortable with the important fundamentals of trail riding after 10 hours in the saddle. As soon as you feel relaxed with riding and confident to step out of the ring, you are ready for your first trip out. You will quickly learn to trust the quiet, balanced temperament of our horses. The ideal combination of riding lessons and outings is individually structured. Each evening your riding instructor will discuss the next day's lesson with you. |
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| Satellite rides are a half-day ride from the Rifugio Prategiano. If you decide to go on a full-day ride (4 – 5 hours in the saddle), you simply return to the stable with your horse in the evening. If a two -hour ride is good enough, then after the midday picnic you can change your horse for a seat in the bus that will drive you back to the hotel. Your horse will in turn be given to someone who has chosen to take part in the afternoon portion of the ride back to the hotel. |
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Individual destinations include:
LAGONI: Hot springs and sulphur vapors that gush out of the ground mark the Cecina valley.
MINES OF GERFALCO: A wild-romantic path leads to the former silver mines, from where there is a wonderful view to the sea.
PRATA: Old trade and animal paths cross through these native forests. In this area one often meets wild animals such as fox, deer, wild boar or porcupines.
CHIUSDINO: This day ride will take you from the wild Maremma through the typical agrarian country of the Sienese hilly landscape that so typifies Tuscany. While wandering through the village of Chiusdino, enjoy the picturesque view of the Merse valley.
RIVER MERSE: Overgrown fruit trees surround crumbling farmhouses and, depending on the time of year, invite you to a fruit snack. Riding through the crystal waters of the Merse River, experience how nature has recaptured former agricultural land through the years. On warm days the high point of the riders' week is a swim for riders and horses in the river. After the picnic we have the possibility to visit the abbey ruins of San Galgano. Feel the indescribably mystical atmosphere around the standing remains of the Romanesque chapel, making this one of the most interesting visits in Tuscany.
Maremma Trail: May 13 – 20, Sept. 16 – 23, 2006 |
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| Sunday |
A light day ride to a Roman thermal bath in the Cecina valley will allow you to get to know your horse and the surroundings. |
| Monday |
Huge old trees and thick undergrowth are an indication of the native forests around Montieri and Gerfalco. During the picnic you enjoy a wonderful view to the sea. The rocky path to the castle ruins of Fosini has a unique beauty. In the evening we reach the magnificent Renaissance estate of Anqua. The horses will stay over in the meadows belonging to this friendly Sienese noble family. |
| Tuesday |
From Anqua we head out to Lagoni, a hot springs area. The landscape loses its wildness to more charming agricultural developments typical of centuries of occupation - picture-book Tuscany. We pass by abandoned farm houses, cross fields and small rivers until we leave the horses overnight close to the village of Fosini. |
| Wednesday |
Not far from Fosini lies a well-known cultural monument in Tuscany - the abbey ruins of San Galgano. This cloister built in the 13 Th. century used to be the cultural and economic center of the region. Once we have viewed the legendary walls of this historically-significant church, we gallop into wide open meadows and follow the legendary “Ancient path of the Maremma” until the castle “Luriano”, where our horses stay 2 nights and have a day to relax. |
| Thursday |
Relax or discover the area on your own. We would also be glad to organize excursions to Massa Marittima, Siena or to the sea.
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| Friday |
The next morning we cross the beautiful grounds belonging to the Countess of Luriano and move on to the romantic riverbed of the Merse. Watch how the trout flash through the rushing water away from the hooves of the horses. One last time experience the soft beauty of the Maremma hills and after a steep climb, turn back to the Rifugio Prategiano.
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Trail to the Sea: April 1–8, May 6–13, Sept. 30–Oct 7, Oct. 14 – 21, 2006.
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| Sunday |
Heading towards the coast, enjoy an adventurous ride through the thick, unspoiled Macchia. Overwhelmed by the variety of wild Maremma animal and plant life, we reach a typical Maremma farm in the late afternoon.
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| Monday |
In the morning re ride along the typically cultivated agriculture area, passing by olive groves and vineyards. Before you can catch the first breath of ocean air we have to climb up the last hills. Over old trade trails that go through cork oak and Mediterranean bushlands we move closer to the coast.
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| Tuesday |
A gallop along white sand beaches, a refreshing bath in the ocean - on this day you will experience the sea. Mediterranean plant life, steep rocky shores and romantic sand coves as far as the eye can see. After a picnic in an idyllic nature park near Follonica, you can devote yourself to the beach, with or without your horse.
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| Wednesday |
A day of rest for the horses gives you the possibility to follow your own plans. We will also be glad to coordinate an excursion with the other guests. |
| Thursday |
We will cross over to Massa Marittima. A trot along the gray-green shimmering olive groves, a gallop through endless cypress rows? These are pictures of Tuscany you will never forget. |
| Friday |
After a difficult climb and one last look at the sea we enjoy the cool shadows of the chestnut forests on the way back to Rifugio |
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| Included: |
All meals and drinks during picnics, accommodations from Saturday to Saturday, riding from Sunday to Friday including one day off. |
| Not included: |
Airplane tickets to and from Italy, drinks in the restaurant or at the bar, laundry service. |
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