Advanced rider programme

SAMPLE 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. Enjoy a great dinner before it is time to go to sleep

 Dinner and accommodation at Santa Cristina Castle.

Day 2: Ship farm riding trail and afternoon in Sorano – fortress and 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.

After lunch at the castle, you will be picked up to visit beautiful Sorano Fortress. After a short sightseeing of this gem in Tuscany, you will enjoy a fabulous wine tasting at the Fortress.

 Dinner at Santa Cristina Castle

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 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.

Dinner  at Santa Cristina Castle.

Day 4: Morning around Onano (three hours) and hack

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.

Lunch at Santa Cristina

Afternoon 2 hour riding in the countryside

Dinner at Santa Cristina

Day 5: Take a break and visit Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio

After breakfast, you will visit the majestic Orvieto. Sites to visit are the Duomo, St. Patrick’s Qell, and Underground Orvieto tours that take you into the caves and can be taken from the Tourist office. You have a pic nic included or you can choose to have lunch at a beautiful restaurant in the center and after lunch, 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.

Dinner and accommodation at Santa Cristina Castle.

Day 6: Hack in the morning and afternoon

Enjoy a full day splitted in 2 hacks 2 hours duration each, bot morning and afternoon

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.

Lunch and Dinner at Santa Cristina Castle.

Day 7: Hack in the morning

Enjoy your last hack in the morning

After lunch it is time to relax prepare your luggage, sadly you will check out tomorrow

Lunch and Dinner at Santa Cristina Castle.

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 a.m.- 11 a.m., although a late check-out can be arranged subject to availability

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’s primary concern.