Ride Description

The castle is located one and a half hours from Rome in the centre of a plateau where Tuscany, Umbria and Latium meet. It is a land still unspoilt of enchanting beauty with hills covered with oak woods which slowly become plains, an ideal place for horse riding.

The splendid 17th century castle (complete with fairy tale turret) is still the property of the same noble family as it has been for centuries. The last generation of the family has breathed new life into the residence by restoring the cottages and farmhouse once used by the farmers.

In this wonderful background is an equestrian centre which offers you top class riding for all the family and a choice of programmes. You can make your trip as active or sedate as you like but you are guaranteed fantastic riding with English speaking staff to accompany you.

There are two outdoor riding schools - one with jumps and here we can arrange lessons from beginners upwards.

Food & Accommodation

Just below the castle stands a handsome XVIII farmhouse, the original centre of the estate's farming activities. The farmhouse has been skillfully converted with careful attention to conserving authenticity together with comfort and privacy. The very large farmhouse now contains eight charming apartments and fourteen bedrooms 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 including a dining room and billiard room with table tennis facilities. There is also a large kitchen available for all the guests and equipped for cooking courses as well.

Two of the apartments sleep six to eight with four double bedrooms each with their own bathroom facilities. There is an apartment for six and two that sleep four to five. The smallest apartment sleeps four. All the bedrooms have ensuite facilties and the apartments are fully equipped for self catering.

The accommodation here is on a self catering basis for the family programmes. This enables you to be flexible and also enjoy some of the wonderful Tuscan dishes served by the many restaurants in the area. Tuscany is renowned for its wonderful regional cooking and the delicious local wines and cheeses.

However, on the Brigands Path trail all meals are included. Wonderful dinners are served at local restaurants and trattorias so you can sample some of the delicious local cooking.

Activities

The facilities here are fantastic for all the family. There are two private swimming pools, a tennis court, indoor games room and plenty of green grass and a mini soccer pitch for those active children.

The vast network of country tracks, bridleways and public footpaths cover the area and are still used by farmers and shepherds. The mountain biker is allowed to cross this land freely in any direction. You can rent a bicycle from the castle and head off alone or ask for a guide and benefit from his expertise knowledge of the area.

You can hop on one of the 4x4 guided tours following old tracks through lakes, over hills and through forests to uncover interesting and mysterious sites that even some of the locals don't know about. You can visit the best Etruscan archeological sites, ruins of the ancient town of Castro and hermit's caves, carved into the rocks.

In the summer it is possible to experience a unique snorkelling adventure. Beneath the water, on the beautiful southern shores of Lake Bolsena a fantastical archeologicall site is concealed. Plunge into the warm and crystal clear waters and with a mask and flippers you will see the remains of a human settlement from the pre Etruscan period.

This relatively undiscovered region of Alta Tuscia has much to offer - mystical cities, volcanic crater lakes and medieval architecture.

Horses

Type of horses: Haflinger, Lippizaner X, Arab X, Westphalian, Selle Italian, Maremma

Nature of horses: The horses are personally selected for their calm temperament

Number of horses: 10

Height of horses: 13.2 - 18 hh

Weight limit: 100 kg

Tack type: English

Further Details

Languages: English, Italian and German

Health requirements: None

Age limit: 9 years minimum

Tuition: Yes

Included: see individual programme

Not included: Flights and transfers

Travel Information

There are many airlines flying into both Rome airports including Ryanair and Easyjet.

Orvieto is the 35 km away and is the nearest train station. It is forty minutes drive by car. Orvieto is one hour by train from Rome. However, we recommend you rent a car at the airport so you can explore this wonderful countryside.

Airport: Rome

Airport 2: Florence

Family Programme

This is a special package for families where some members ride and others don’t. Perhaps non riders would like to try some lessons or prefer to do other activities.

Riders can enjoy 1.5 hours riding every day, lessons are available for (beginners) and excursions for the more experienced riders. There is a pony school for children, while non riding children or parents enjoy the swimming pool (June\September). There are many other facilities available such as tennis, billiards, mini football, etc.

If the rider would like to go for a full day excursion, family can reach the place by car and join in for lunch at our lunch stop at a local restaurant.and discover some very interesting places.

Explore one of the less inhabited Italian regions: Alta Tuscia in Southern Tuscany. Your riding days will be spent in the territory surrounding S.Cristina castle, a centuries old estate still owned by the the ancient and noble Caterini family, whose new generation with a passion for horses has turned into an enchanting resort.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 5

Ability description: Beginners to experienced

Type of ride: Trek or tuition

Total riding time: 1.5 hours per day included but more available

Departure dates: Saturday to Saturday from 23 August to 1 November 2008

Pricing: The price includes accommodation for four persons in cottage with two double bedrooms with bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, in the farmhouses below the castle., welcome drink and guided tour of the castle. This is a self catering option. Half board can be added - please contact the office for details.

An extra bed for a fifth person will be charged at £25 per night

It also includes 1.5 hours riding for one guest on 6 days,
We can arrange riding for other members of the family at a rate of £27 per person per day

Low Season: 12 April-17 May, 27 September-8 November
£805

Mid Season: 17 May-21 June, 23 August-27 September
£885

High Season: 21 June-12 July
£1290

Brigands Path

Explore one of the less inhabited Italian regions: Alta Tuscia. Your riding days will be spent in the territory surrounding the castle, a centuries old estate still owned by the ancient and noble family, whose new generation, with a passion for horses, has turned this into an enchanting resort.

A region rich in history proved by the many monuments, 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.

Hospitality is warm and simple but authentic of a country still relying on agriculture as its main income. When possible, every long excursion will be stop halfway at one of the local restaurants or “trattoria” where the delicious local recipes are served.

Itinerary

Saturday;
On arrival in the afternoon you will check in and enjoy a welcome drink at the castle & briefing with your guide/instructor about riding and accommodation details and choice of the horses for the next few days, Dinner will be delicious.

Sunday:
This morning on your first ride you 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. you will reach a large track winding through the beautiful hills and small woods on a steady and soft ground perfect to let the horses canter if wanted. At the end of the track you will enter a big wood named Selva di Onano.

In the afternoon the excursion follows north by the old outlaws track, initially along the hills and later with a zig zag into the bushes and valleys hidden in between the oakwoods. This track was used by famous outlaws of the last century to escape from the guards chasing them from the plains of Maremma. Soon you will reach the old farm named Nocchieto, ruined but still fascinating in its architecture leaning against the tufo rock. The road changes from rock into soft ground and the horses can now be pushed into gallop until the old fountain, where they can stop for a rest.

Here turning on the right you will enter a hidden and narrow line of gorges used by the shepherds. At the end you will reach the top of a hill with a beautiful view of Mount Amiata. With a few ups and downs following an easy track, you will reach the farm of S.Martino from where through a road carved into the rock you will go back to the castle.

From the Castle through the hills thick with chestnut wood, you 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 you will stop for lunch above the lake in a magical atmosphere. A small rural restaurant overlooking lake Mezzano will provide you with a beautiful view and a delicious lunch under the shade of the trees overlooking the lake. From June to September those who want 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:
Once on the Brigands track you will go north through the hills, after crossing the provincial road. A beautiful scenery of mountains and hills in front opening onto a nice track which will take you around Onano. Onano is a fortified village with a medieval castle in its middle, providing an interesting site for the riders. Centuries ago, it was an important stronghold of the Monaldeschi family who ruled this area for ages during the middle ages. Narrow crossings will alternate beautiful open fields with a view. Once at the little medieval church Madonna delle grazie you will follow the track north through enchanting countryside back to the castle.

The afternoon ride is approximately 12 km - from the castle you cross the hill overlooking the castle with a fantastic landscape framing the background. Mount Amiata, the Radicofani fortress, the castle of Torre Alfina are part of this wonderful picture. You soon join a track crossing hills and valleys. The road turns to the left and after a while the horses can be pushed at a canter on the soft but steady ground between the chestnut woods. After a few kilometres the woods give ground to the pastures full of sheep, there you reach S.Luigi a dairy farm where fabulous "ricotta" cheese is produced. From there the old estate track will take you back to the castle along the hills.

Wednesday:
From the castle you 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 your excursion all the way. Here and there scattered around the countryside archaeological sites with Etruscan tombs to remind everyone how old the beautiful land is. 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 your 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.

Thursday:
Day off for local excursions. The surroundings of the castle are full of interesting archeological and historical sites. Just a few suggestions - the village fortresses of Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovano. It is definitely worth visiting the marvellous Italian gothic church of Orvieto - Civita di Bagnoregio, called the ‘Dying Town’

Friday:
From castle to castle you will ride for around 40 km) and this is an incredible experience. In this excursion you will have the opportunity to travel with your horse from the castle to Castle Proceno. You will reach the outskirts of the village of Onano and XVI cent. little country church of Madonna delle Grazie from where you 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 you are lucky pheasants, fallow- deer, and boars can be spotted while horseriding. A fabulous excursion that will take you through the most unspoiled Tuscan countryside, wading a ford in the Stridolone river before making the hilltop overlooking the fortress of Proceno.

After lunch you 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 you will reach first an ex XVIII century convent and then head to the castle from the north east.

Saturday;
Morning is time to check out and depart to the airport.

The excursions can be changed according to weather, horses and riders conditions by the riding management of the castle.

Accommodation: Accommodation is in one of the single or double bedrooms as described above.

Minimum group size: 2

Maximum group size: 5

Ability description: Intermediate. Moderate pace with trots and canters

Type of ride: Trail

Total riding time: 4 - 5 hours a day with a rest day

Departure dates: Saturday to Saturday -From 23 August - 1st November

Pricing: The price of the Brigand Path trail is £795 (single supplement £200) and includes farmhouse accommodation (double room), breakfast, welcome drink and guided tour of the castle, meals (picnic lunch where necessary) and dinners at the nearby restaurant.