On the trail of noble lords and dreaded bandits, this riding tour through sunny Tuscany takes you back to the dark Middle Ages and the time of the Etruscans. Ride on centuries-old Etruscan and Roman roads through the unique tufa region of the Maremma, past historic tombs and through archaeological parks. Experience one of the most impressive and unspoilt areas of Italy on horseback and immerse yourself in history. The riding tour starts in the south of Tuscany, but the largest part of the journey leads through Lazio.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival towards evening at the Agriturismo Vecchio Fienile, where you will be welcomed with an aperitif before the tour briefing and dinner.

Day 2: San Valentino - Proceno
At about 10.00 a.m. you will start along the river Lente, which will take you to the fortified village of Castel Ottieri (Ottieri was a noble family that was very influential in the Middle Ages). Before the picnic you will ride up to visit the medieval village. In the afternoon you will leave the forest and enjoy a ride along wide paths that invite you to beautiful and long gallops. You will enjoy the view over wide hills up to the medieval Proceno. There you will reach it over winding paths, which lead you through fragrant bushes. You will spend the night in the beautiful Proceno Castle, which belongs to a centuries-old family from Ferance. The owners of the castle will be pleased to invite you to visit it. If you wish, you can relax in the pool before the delicious dinner. Riding time: about 4,5 hours

Day 3: Proceno - Selva del Lamone
After breakfast, you will first cross the Stridolone River and then ride through the impressive estate of Montorio, which covers 2,500 hectares and is owned by a Mussolini nephew. Wild trails first lead through the Mediterranean forest. The route continues between fields and meadows in bloom, where there are many opportunities for trotting and galloping. Midday rest near San Quirico. In the afternoon you continue your ride to the estate of Mezzano to end the day in the dark and mysterious Selva del Lamone. This indescribable forest area represents a unique national park and was formed in ancient times by a volcano - today´s Lake Bolsena. Innumerable stones are scattered all over the forest floor. The dense, shady forest provides an ideal habitat for birds and other wild animals. You will spend the night in an agriturismo on the edge of the lake of Mezzano. About 6 hours in the saddle.

Day 4: Selva del Lamone - Vulci
Today you will ride to the ruins of the Etruscan-Roman city of Castro. But before that, you will continue through the mysterious Selva del Lamone. You will be on the Sentiero dei Briganti (Bandit Trail) and in the primeval forest it is easy to imagine the highwaymen attacking passing carriages. Further on you ride through olive groves and flowering meadows and enjoy the view of the gentle hilly landscape. At noon you reach the ruins of the once important town of Castro, which was completely destroyed in the late Middle Ages on the orders of the Pope. Afterwards you ride along the narrow Etruscan road, carved in tuff, down to the picnic area next to a pilgrims´ church. After a delicious lunch picnic, you will cross the estate of the Prince of Torlonia until you reach the pretty castle Castello dell Abbadia. Here you cross the so-called Devil´s Bridge, a narrow, high Etruscan bridge that crosses the idyllic Fiora River. You have now arrived at the Park of Vulci, an archaeological site that contains 5 percent of all Etruscan tombs ever discovered. Vulci was once one of the largest Etruscan towns in Italy and covered an area of about 80 hectares. Overnight stay in a nearby agriturismo. Riding time: about 5-6 hours.

Day 5: Park Vulci on horseback
Today a special guide on horseback will show you the impressive archaeological park Vulci and the Etruscan tombs. You will ride along the well preserved Roman road, past the ruins of thermal baths, temples and a huge Roman villa. From here you will cross the river Fiora to the Etruscan tombs, of which you will visit the most important one (Tomba Francois). The ride continues down to the river, which at one point forms a small idyllic lake with a waterfall. The horses like to splash around in the shallow water. Afterwards you ride to the restaurant of the park, where you have lunch today. The afternoon is at your leisure: you can either visit the Etruscan museum in the castle, wander around the park on foot or read a good book in the shade of an oak tree by the river Fiora and enjoy the splashing of the waterfall. About 3 hours in the saddle.

Day 6: Vulci - Selva del Lamone
They leave Vulci over wide yellow fields. Today you can enjoy beautiful gallops over wide paths again. You follow the river Fiora first through horse and cattle pastures, later in the forest where you enjoy your picnic in the shade. In the afternoon you ride through picturesque fields and typical Tuscan hills until you reach the starting point of the mysterious Etruscan road of Castro, which you now ride up again in the opposite direction. The road was once the only road to Castro and is hidden between rocks and woods. Continue along wide dirt tracks along the Bandit´s path that will lead you back to the Selva del Lamone. You release the horses to the pasture and return to the Agritourismo at Lake Mezzano for the night. About 6 hours in the saddle.

Day 7: Selva del Lamone - Sorano
They are riding through the Mezzano estate today. You will stop for lunch at Vitozza (near San Quirico), an ancient Etruscan necropolis, where you will visit the remains of a Romanesque church and a fortress from the same period. Characteristic of Vitozza are over 200 caves, which were inhabited by the inhabitants of S. Quirico as late as the 20th century. After lunch in Vitozza you will ride down a narrow historical path to the river Lente. You will be in the Città del Tufo Archaeological Park. A wild path leads above the river through the ancient forest to the picturesque Sorano, which is enthroned high up on the rocks. You cross the river to climb up again on the other side of the river on an adventurous Etruscan path. The route continues through olive groves, meadows and the hilly Mediterranean forest, through which you finally return to the stable. Here you say goodbye to the horses and drive a short distance to the idyllic Agriturismo Castel Sereno, where monks used to live. Between olive trees and sunny fields you can relax before dinner. Riding time: approx. 5-6 hrs.

Day 8: After breakfast you start your journey home.

Saddle & Tack: English and Trekking saddles, water bridles.

Experience: You should be comfortable in all gaits and in varied terrain. The terrain is demanding, with some narrow and difficult paths. Not for fearful riders. Where the terrain permits, there are long gallops and trotting sections. Maximum 40 km per day.

Horses: reliable italian breeds and arabian(-mixes), well trained and going forward.