
History, wine and horses

This part of Tuscany is known for its landscapes shaped by nature and man, its thousand-year history and the production of some of the most famous Chianti wine in the world.
With this experience we want to share these “wonders” by combining them with the ancient and slow rhythm of the journey on horseback.
The places that can be admired are along the Via Francigena, the ancient medieval road, or riding the paths along the vineyards on the Chianti hills with farms with a centuries-old history where Chianti Classico wines are produced, the almost lunar landscapes of the Crete Senesi with the inevitable skyline of the city of Siena.
Program
Sunday
Meeting at the Equestrian Tourism Center and accommodation of guests in the accommodation and dinner.
Monday
Departure from the equestrian center at 9.30. The first part of the route crosses Pian del Lago, where until the mid-18th century there was a lake (or rather a swamp) called Verano which was completely reclaimed at the behest of the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo.
This stretch of the Via Francigena will lead us first to the Chiocciola Castle with its cylindrical tower located on the eastern side which contains a beautiful ‘spiral’ helical staircase and then to the Monteriggioni Castle built between 1214 and 1219.
After the lunch stop and still on the Via Francigena, we pass through Abbadia Isola. “Abbadia” stands for abbey, the church being a Cistercian foundation, while “Isola” reminds us of the fact that it originally stood on the marshy Lake Verano. After passing Castel Pietraio we reach the horse stopping point of this first stage.
Tuesday
The Via Francigena will lead us, in the territory of Castellina in Chianti, to Villa Trasqua whose first records date back to the year 1001. Since then, the link between this farm and the territory has never been broken, continuing the production of Sangiovese and Chianti wines today 100% organic, which will accompany our lunch.
The journey proceeds along the vineyards of this part of the Sienese Chianti, crossing oak and holm woods, to reach the horse rest point.
Wednesday
Today’s route will be on the hills of the Chianti Senese north of Siena. A rural landscape with woods, vineyards, centuries-old olive trees and sown fields will lead us to the Monaciano estate and along the dirt roads of the estate we reach the Villa di Monaciano dating back to the 18th century.
After lunch, which will be accompanied by the wines produced on this estate, we set off again to reach the horse stopping point in Mociano. This location is important for the Siena people because the selection and training activities for the horses of the Palio di Siena are carried out.
Thursday
Today from Chianti we move to the Crete Senesi area south-east of Siena. The name “Crete” derives from the clay present in the soil formed when between 2.5 and 4.5 million years ago this entire area was covered by the sea.
The landscape, depending on the seasons, can have a grey-blue colour, almost lunar or green, with gently rolling hills, oaks, cypresses, and isolated farms.
After the lunch stop, we cross the territory of San Rocco a Pilli, an area already inhabited in Etruscan and Roman times, to then reach the horse rest point in Rinidia, home to an important farm that produces organic products.
Friday
Today is the last day of the trip and to return to the equestrian center we travel along part of the Via Francigena on the Sienese Montagnola. Having crossed Ponte allo Spino, an early medieval village, the paths will lead us to the Villa Cetinale built in 1676, to the Romitorio di Cetinale, an eighteenth-century religious building and to the Parish Church of Pernina, a church whose first records date back to 1078.
After the stop lunch the route continues on the Montagnola Senese, until reaching the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago whose first certain information dates back to the year 1112. The Via Francigena will lead us to the equestrian center passing through the Pyramid, an obelisk in memory of the reclamation of the Lake Verano.
Saturday
Breakfast and departure
Notes
Arrival on Sunday – departure on Sunday; seven days – six nights in a double room in full board formula.
The journey doesn’t hide any particular difficulties, lasts five days with approx. 4/6 hours in the saddle per day. In case and if possible we can modify the gait.
A shuttle service will take care of all guests transfer.
The itineraries may vary if circumstances require it. Lunch stops along the routes (pic nic or in structures) and dinners include water and wine.
Participants: minimum 2 maximum 8 guests. Maximum weight 90 kg / 190 lb. Minimum age 14 years.
Departures 2025: January 26; February 23; March 23; April 20; May 18; June 22; July 20; August 17; September 21; Octobre 19; November 16; Dicember 21. Other periods can be agreed.
Upon booking, riders must complete and send us the equestrian ability form (downloadable from the section contacts), to be able to entrust the most suitable horse to your abilities, and provide information on particular dietary needs.