“Explore the beautiful region on horseback”
(No availability) 8 Day Medieval Castle Tour Intense Horse Riding Holiday Between Tuscany and Umbria
Castello di Santa Cristina, Strada Capodimonte Gradoli 11, Grotte di Castro, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy
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Italy Horseback Riding Holiday
At the Castle of Santa Cristina, you can enjoy a fantastic holiday on horseback. The equestrian center is located just north of Lake Bolsena between Lazio, Umbria, and Tuscany.
- Rider Weight Limit: 199 pounds / 90 kilograms
- Tack Type: English tack
- A mix of Maremmano and Arabian, suitable for all levels
Highlights
- 6 hacks and 1 full day riding
- Explore beautiful Tuscany on horseback
- Step back in time as you ride through quaint villages
- Wine tasting in Tuscany included
- 2 excursions and transfer services included
- 7 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Group airport transfers
Skill level
- Advanced
Styles
5 days with instruction
Group size: 2-7 participants
Airport transfer included:
Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport
Airport transfer included:
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
Accommodation
The castle
The splendid 17th-century castle, Castello di Santa Cristina, has been owned by the noble Caterini family for generations. It is located in southern Tuscany halfway between Orvieto and Siena, closely bordering the regions of Umbria and Tuscany, and an hour and a half from Rome.
Apartments and cottages
A few meters from the castle is the ancient village, which in the past represented the center of all the company's production activities. The farm has been transformed into a welcoming and comfortable structure, where comfortable apartments furnished with antiques, mostly coming from the Castle, have been created.
Swimming pool
The main pool is located under the beautiful terrace with a gazebo and measures 6.50 x 16 meters. Next to it, there is a children's pool measuring 2 x 2 meters. A further swimming pool measuring 8.50 x 4 meters is reserved for guests staying in the Marta and Capodimonte cottages. Comfortable wooden loungers are available for sunbathing.
- Free access from 09:00 to 20:00.
Tennis court
The tennis court of the Castle with synthetic grass is located a few meters from the swimming pool. Tennis rackets and balls are available at the reception.
- Prices: 10 EUR for 1 hour
- By reservation every day from 10:00 to sunset
Soccer field
The Castello soccer field with real grass is located next to the swimming pool.
- The field is accessible for free every day from 08:00 to sunset
Program
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rome - welcome to Italy!
Pick up at Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO) As you arrive at the castle, you will meet your guides and the staff of the castle. Upon arrival, you will meet also the count owner of the castle and make the first approach with the horses. In the afternoon, you will have a fabulous 17th-century castle tour.
Day 2: Ship farm riding trail and afternoon in Sorano - wine tasting
Enjoy this two-hour trek around the castle and ride towards the hills framing the west plateau on which the castle is situated.
In the afternoon, you will be picked up to visit beautiful Pitigliano. After a short sightseeing of this gem in Tuscany, you will enjoy a fabulous wine tasting at a famous vineyard
Day 3: Lake Mezzano
The lake was once a volcanic crater and historical site with human settlements going back to the pre-Etruscan era (approximately 2700 years ago) later it was submerged by water due to earthquakes. It is now part of the Selva del Lamone regional park due to its beauty and the fact that many birds find shelter there. The excursion takes horses and riders through the beautiful countryside, up into the wooded hills that surround Onano.
Here, the horses have the opportunity to canter along a wonderful natural passage surrounded by trees. At the top of this plateau, you have a chance to take in the dazzling scenery, before you carry on past local farms into a very old wood made by huge chestnut trees that leads you into a flat open plain that offers great scenery. Here, if desired, horses can canter up the old tracks, before you reach the marshlands and vineyards which surround the Lake Mezzano itself.
In a fantastic position on top of a hill overlooking the lake is the small farm where the restaurant is based. Here, stop for a nice lunch, extra pice € 30,00 pp with a fantastic view while the horses rest in a paddock. During the warmer months, you can also swim in the lake with its crystal clear waters. In the afternoon, ride back following the old Brigands trail, taking in a few historical sights on the way.
Day 4: Morning around Onano (three hours)
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the 17th-century old stables room of the castle. You are ready to start your first hack of the day of approximately three hours duration around Onano, breathing the countryside with your new friends. This morning, take the Brigands path and head north through the hills towards Onano, a fortified village with a medieval castle which was the stronghold of the Monaldeschi family who ruled this area during the Middle Ages.
Day 5: Visit Civita di Bagnoregio
After breakfast, you you will discover Civita di Bagnoregio, the dying city. The morphology of this village was caused by erosion and landslides.
The territory is made up of two different formations of rocks, different in chronology and in the constitution. The most ancient formation is that of clay; it comes from the sea and forms the base layer which is particularly subject to erosion. It is situated in a solitary area and it is reachable only by a reinforced concrete pedestrian bridge.
Day 6: Hack in the morning
We ride towards the hills framing the west plateau on which the castle is situated. A fantastic spot for a breathtaking view of the area; from the beautiful crater of Lake Bolsena to the hills surrounding lake Mezzano.
Day 7: Hack in the morning
Enjoy your last hack in the morning. In the afternoon it is time to relax prepare your luggage, sadly you will check out tomorrow.
Day 8: Depart
It is time to say goodbye to this beautiful destination, fabulous new friends, and the wonderful horse that you have been so connected with all week.
Check-out is usually between 8.30 - 11 a.m., although a late check-out can be arranged subject to availability.
Included excursions
- Wine tasting in Tuscany
- Sorano Fortress and town in Tuscany
- Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio
- Orvieto, Umbria
PLEASE NOTE: The excursions can be changed according to weather, horses, riders' experience level, or circumstances beyond the control of the management of the castle. Safety is Santa Cristina Castle is our primary concern.
Location
At the crossroads with Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, in a strategic position, halfway between Rome and Siena, you will find a fascinating region with unspoiled nature and rich in history and mystery. The Castle of Santa Cristina will be able to offer you a natural base for the exploration of this wonderful land in many respects. “Adventure, history, and nature” is their motto. Other ways to get to know the territory can be: on horseback, with electric mountain bikes, or by renting a boat to explore the beautiful lake of Bolsena.
Tuscia is a land of wonderful nature and art, but it is still unknown and uncontaminated. You can explore the area in a very relaxing way and without feeling like a typical tourist. You can decide to spend your free time visiting the beauties of the area, such as Civita the dying city, close to Orvieto, which in the Middle Ages held this territory in its grip.
In an area of 40 kilometers, you can discover the archaeological sites of the Etruscan culture (pre-Roman) admire the wonderful palaces of the Italian Renaissance that the Farnese has left in every village in the area, visit castles, or decide to spend a relaxing day in the nearby thermal baths. The nearby sea and Lake Bolsena with their fascinating beaches will offer numerous possibilities for an enchanting holiday.
Destinations reachable within 30 minutes are Pitigliano, Sorano, Sovana, Civita di Bagnoregio, Tuscania, Lake Bolsena, Acquapendente, and Orvieto. Destinations reachable within one hour are Viterbo, Bomarzo, Lake Vico, Vulci, Tarquinia, Capalbio, Pienza, and Terme di Saturnia.
Food
You will be served daily breakfast included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Cooking courses
- Cycling
- Massages
- Wine tasting
Spa treatments
You will relax with 50 minutes of massage during this holiday.
What's included
- 1 full-day riding excursion and 4 hacks
- Wine tasting in Tuscany
- 7 nights accommodation
- Breakfasts
- All roundtrip transfer services (from and to the Airport, for Civita di Bagnoregio and Pitigliano Tuscany)
What's not included
- Airfare
- Lunches and dinners
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
How to get there
Recommended Airports
CIA
Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport
115 km
Transfer included
FCO
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
102 km
Transfer included
Airport: Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport
Airport transfer included: Ciampino–G. B. Pastine International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
Airport transfer included: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 7 days before arrival.
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