Tuscany’s Vineyards, Villas and Vistas!

Tour Tuscany as it was meant to be seen – not from the back of a bus, but from the back of a horse! Leave the crowds behind, savor Italy in a uniquely local way and immerse yourself in an unforgettable “off the beaten path” experience.  This is definitely one of my very favorite trips!

• Imagine waking up, gazing out your window at the iconic rolling hills of Tuscany, and listening to the sounds of the horses whinnying for their morning hay, knowing that your riding partner is being well taken care of and waiting for you to come give him an apple from the tree.

• Picture yourself giddy with excitement as you walk down to the barn, riding pants on and helmet in hand, as you get ready for another magical ride through the vineyards and woods, across the streams and past the old villas and churches, in a part of the country that is completely free of tourists and crowds.

• Feel your stomach growling as you hear the dinner bell and know that you’ll spend the next couple of hours eating some of the best food in Italy, prepared by the resident chef, drinking wine from the vineyard just down the road and sharing laughs and stories with your fellow riders and your new Italian friends.

• Envision a vacation filled with active rides, nice walks and cultural immersion mixed with ample free time to relax with your book, roam around with your camera, lounge by the pool or simply sit and listening to the sounds of natural Tuscany as it’s been for thousands of years.

The Riding

From Vallebona the terrain is magnificent and varied, with different rides available each and every outing. You can climb up mount Bardellone for a view of Florence, descend down to the river Sieve, or gallop up to the village Rufina, famous in the world of Chianti wine.

You can ride through vineyards and olive groves to reach the little village of Doccia, or simply stop off in one of the celebrated wine cellars of the area to indulge in some local wine-tasting.

During the trail we can reach the forest of Vallombrosa, one of the finest and most complete forest ecosystem of Tuscany.  We’ll admire the magnificent scenery dotted with villages, castles and little churches that make up the historical and artistic heritage of this side of Tuscany.

The People 

In the midst of typical Tuscany countryside surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, woods, ancient farms and castles, the Melis family has owned and operated their exclusive riding holidays for over 25 years.  Franco, natural horse trainer extraordinaire during the day and Italian guitar player/ballad singer at night will entrance you with his knowledge of horses and of local and national history. Raimonda is your consummate hostess, easily translating between English, Italian and German, and graciously providing everything needed for a fabulous holiday. And the working students, whether from Germany, Scotland, Italy or further abroad, will warm your hearts with their open kindness and their love of the place and of the horses.

It is in this relaxed, familiar atmosphere you will find yourself immersed in peace, beautiful natural surroundings, typical local cuisine and unforgettable riding.

The Horses

The well-being, training of the horses and connection between horse and human is of prime importance to everyone.  The Center has 35 horses of different breeds (Maremma, Quarter horse, Sardinian Arabs), all of which have been trained or re-trained following the principles of “natural horsemanship” to guarantee maximum physical and psychological condition and reliability. The horses are not restricted to individual stalls, but live together outside in the fields, allowing them to remain healthy, both physically and mentally. The same attention is given to the relationship between horses and riders in order to guarantee each guest their best-suited workmate and partner.

Accommodations

Guests are welcomed into a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, far removed from the formality of hotels. Shared bedrooms are simple, airy and spacious, typical of old Tuscan farmhouses.

Farm-to-Table Dining

We all dine together, either indoors or on the terrace, which offers a stunning view of the countryside. The talented chefs offer a vast range of dishes that are of the authentic farmhouse tradition and are all made with seasonal and genuine ingredients.

Italian breakfast: Tea, coffee, fresh bread and butter with various marmalades and honey, yogurt and muesli.
Lunch and dinner: A wide variety of authentic Tuscan country cuisine. Every meal balances different recipes and the flavors that the season’s products can offer.
The tables are never lacking for jugs of Chianti wine and 0live oil harvested from the groves around the villa.

Riding Level

Advanced Beginner and beyond. You should be able to ride in a walk, trot and canter prior to the trip, but do not need to be an advanced rider.  The folks in Italy will help you advance your skills while there and on the trail.  We will do some extended canters on the trail, so if you have a weak back or core, we highly recommend to start a workout routine several months prior to the trip to strengthen these areas. Also, to make the trip the best possible experience for you, we recommend that you ride at least one to two days per week starting one to two months prior to the trip, just to get your derrière and riding muscles ready to spend some hours in the saddle.

If you are a true beginning rider, it is still possible for you to get ready for this trip. It’s your opportunity to become the rider that you’ve always wanted to be. If you can imagine yourself trotting through the olive groves in Tuscany and cantering by castles and vineyards, the time to start with some riding lessons is NOW! If you are in the Durango, CO area, I can help you find the perfect instructor for you. If you are out of the area, I’m happy to assist you in finding a stable that is the right fit for you.

Fitness level

Intermediate:  There is a reason they call it the hills of Tuscany!  You will be walking up and down to the barn and have the option of exploring and walking around the back roads and countryside.  To make your trip more enjoyable, we suggest that you have a walking/light workout routine 3-4 weeks prior to the trip.

Cost:  $5200

*All prices are based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates are available upon request. Airfare and restaurant meals are not included.  Riding itineraries may change due to trail conditions and rider experience levels.

Cancellation policy:

If you have to cancel, costs are fully refundable (less deposit) up to 120 days before the start of the trip. Between 60 and 120 days before the trip, 50% of the costs are refundable, less a 3% credit card fee.  If you have to cancel 30-60 days before the trip, the costs are nonrefundable, but are transferable to another person. The trip deposits are nonrefundable. However, this deposit amount may be transferred to another excursion is space is available.

Please fill out all liability and release forms 4 weeks prior to the trip and return them to Joy Rides Coaching at joyrides.dgo@gmail.com.  Forms will be emailed to you 3 months prior to our trip.

Some words from a past participant:

Tuscan Horse Adventure… there’s an entire world of awe and wonder captured in those three simple words, and this excursion did not disappoint! Riding through vineyards and olive groves, trekking up Mt. Giovi, relaxing in fascinating lodgings rich in Italian history and culture… and of course, ample pasta and wine!

It’s hard to express… seeing the heartland of Italy in all it’s beauty… on the back of an amazingly well-trained animal… with guides that are safe, and experienced, and hilarious! The folks at Vallebona weren’t just inn keepers or horse trainers… they quickly became friends intent on sharing the amazing life they have lovingly cultivated.

And although they were wonderful hosts and horse & mountain guides, Trish was our “human guide”, fostering a group bond that went well beyond the typical gathering of strangers with coinciding vacation schedules. Her wise, warm, sensitive, and funny nature brought the group together, while expanding our reflexive (and perhaps myopic) perspectives as well. As a group, we learned to take it all in, in new ways which heightened the experience. Part horse whisperer, part human whisperer… Trish took the trip, and all of us, to another level.

– Joe