Beautiful and Very Special 7-Day Horse Trekking with 6 Days in the Saddle
Sunday: Arrival at the beautiful Resort in Sovana in the afternoon: aperitif, briefing, dinner, and then we will let our guests rest.
Monday: SORANO – CASTLE OF PROCENO
4.5 hours on horseback heading northeast. At 10:00 a.m., we will take the horses and follow the Lente River, which will lead us to the citadel of Castel’Ottieri (Ottieri is the family name of one of the most influential families of the Middle Ages): we will enjoy a picnic here. In the afternoon, the landscape changes to wide hills and beautiful white roads where we will be able to gallop. Overnight stay at the beautiful Castle of Proceno, owned by an ancient Florentine family.
Tuesday: PROCENO – LAKE MEZZANO
5.5 / 6 hours on horseback heading southwest. Around 10:00 a.m., we will cross the Stridolone River and ride through the Montorio estate (2,500 hectares with many houses belonging to Mussolini’s nephew), heading toward S. Quirico. We will stop for lunch in Vitozza (S. Quirico), an ancient Etruscan necropolis where we can visit the remains of a Roman church and a fortress from the same period. One of Vitozza’s main features is its approximately 200 caves, inhabited by the people of S. Quirico until the early 1900s. In the afternoon, we will continue toward the Mezzano estate (named after the small volcanic Lake Mezzano) and end the day in the dark and mysterious Selva del Lamone. Here, in the charcoal burner’s hut, we will leave our horses for the night. Guests will stay overnight at the Frà Viaco farmhouse, owned by the Zapponi family on Lake Mezzano, or in one of the charming hotels in the medieval village of Farnese.
Wednesday: SELVA DEL LAMONE – VULCI
5 hours on horseback heading southwest. We will ride toward the ruins of the Etruscan-Roman town of Castro, where we will have lunch, and in the afternoon follow the Etruscan road of Castro to Vulci along the famous Path of the Brigands (once used by local brigands such as the well-known Tiburzi). We will cross the Torlonia estate, formerly owned by the Prince of Torlonia and his sons. We will then see a small but charming castle with Roman bridges (Ponte del Diavolo). From there, we will follow a narrow country path leading us to the wonderful farmhouse “Il Paglieto di Vulci.” After settling the horses, riders will be assigned their rooms. Dinner and a swim in the natural thermal pool at 40°C under the shooting stars.
Immersed in the Maremma of Lazio, “Il Paglieto di Vulci” agritourism is located near the Path of the Brigands, just 4 km from the Castle of the Badia, the Ponte del Diavolo, and the Vulci Archaeological Park. The property is powered by green energy thanks to its photovoltaic system and features a small pool with natural 40°C water. The agritourism also offers excellent extra virgin olive oil produced exclusively from local olives.
Thursday: VISIT OF THE VULCI PARK ON HORSEBACK
Maximum 2 hours on horseback. We will visit the park and the lake on horseback. Lunch at the park’s restaurant, where we will dine wonderfully. The afternoon is free: guests may visit the Etruscan Museum in the castle (when open), explore the park on foot, or relax in the shade of an oak tree along the Fiora River, read a good book, or be lulled by the sound of the waterfall within the park. In the afternoon, return on horseback to “Il Paglieto di Vulci.” The hot-water pool is always available for riders to relax and enjoy the gastronomic delights and warm hospitality of Sabrina.
Friday: VULCI – SELVA DEL LAMONE
Approximately 6 hours heading northeast. We will ride along the Fiora River through the Monte Calvo forest. Lunch break in an area near the river. In the afternoon, we will cross fields and hills until we reach the Etruscan road of Castro again, which we will follow in the opposite direction along a path bordering the ancient village of Farnese, where Duke Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, once lived. We will then reach the Lamone woods and spend the night in another farmhouse near Farnese, a very luxurious agritourism called “Il Podere di Marfisia.”
Saturday: SELVA DEL LAMONE – SOVANA
5 hours on horseback heading north. We will set off toward Vitozza (S. Quirico), crossing the Mezzano estate and passing near the renowned “Il Voltone” farmhouse. After lunch (Vitozza), we will head toward Sorano and continue along a spectacular canyon following the long Lente River. This is one of the most beautiful and adventurous stages, leading us directly back to our center in Sovana. Return to our legendary Resort (or another splendid agritourism) and begin the “last” dinner together.
Sunday: After breakfast, a taxi will take guests to their destination (train station, airport, etc.).