Umbrian Short Break by horseXperiences™

Umbrian Short Break - horseXperiences™ GO EQUESTRIAN

An action-packed short break to do some serious riding, eat some memorable meals and recharge your batteries.

Enjoy one half-day and two full-day rides and a free one hour lesson to develop your technique.

Section

RIDING HOLIDAY
5 days | 4 nights

FIXED DATES

FULL BOARD

CHILD FRIENDLY

Overview

Situated in some of the loveliest countryside anywhere in Europe, with low-cost flights from more than 3 near airports, this surprisingly accessible and exclusive riding centre offers fantastic eXperiences for a short break from your daily routine, exploring rolling mountains, hidden valleys and medieval hill villages in this unspoilt corner of Umbria. A fantastic destination to recharge your batteries from the busy city life.

Paired up with one of the well-schooled horses, you will venture out on a series of memorable half and full-day treks, stopping for picnic lunches in shady groves and with plenty of time to drink in the breathtaking scenery. As a complement to this eXperience we offer you a dressage or jumping lesson to improve your techniques.

Your guides are trained to ensure your safety as well as your enjoyment. Great care is taken to match each rider to his or her level of confidence and ability and to a suitable horse. Tuition in flatwork and jumping is given by FISE instructors (BHS equivalent).

Accommodation is in comfortable chalets where you will be looked after by the Bevilacquas and made to feel like one of the family.

There is plenty to do for non-riders, including walking, visiting vineyards, and exploring the nearby towns of Spoleto and Assisi. Rome is an easy day trip by train.

Accommodation

The centre has a range of sleeping accommodation available, including en suite bedrooms and self-contained chalets, furnished to a high standard,in traditional Umbrian style. There is an open air swiming pool with spectacular views Many of them look out onto spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and all have central heating for the winter. Some have fireplaces.

Meals

Food is high on the agenda in this part of the world and you will eat well and heartily during your stay, with home-cooked dishes prepared from the best Umbrian ingredients and accompanied by the excellent local wine.

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive at Spoleto. Pick-up at train station and transfer to stables. Three-course dinner with wine is served in the clubhouse. Accommodation in comfortable chalets.

Day 2
You start off with a half-day ride that takes us through the grounds of a magnificent 600-hectare private estate called La Tenuta dello Schioppo, but known locally as Il Parco delle Farfalle, the Butterfly Park. There are wide avenues perfect for cantering for those who want to, and trotting for those who don’t, and splendid views of mountains, valleys and hill villages in all directions. In a woodland glade a huntsman's table has been fashioned out of local chestnut wood, and this will be the stopping place for an aperitif. In May and June, these woods are carpeted with tiny wild strawberries. You ride back for lunch at the clubhouse with a free afternoon to relax or go exploring in nearby Spoleto (transport can be provided at reasonable cost). Alternatively you can have a free one-hour lesson with a FISE (BHS equivalent) instructor, doing flatwork or jumping, depending on your level. Dinner is served in the clubhouse.

Day 3
Pianella is the destination for this day-long trek of 5-6 hours (35 kms), a gloriously peaceful spot in the heart of the Umbrian countryside. To get there, you ride through woods and trails and down into a hidden valley where you pause to admire the exquisite little village of Castagnacupa, whose old stone houses have all been recently restored. From here you ride past a beautiful Romanesque church and into more woodland before reaching the shady meadow where you will have lunch, tying the horses to a post and rails and sitting on wooden tables and benches thoughtfully provided for picnickers. After lunch you head on through the old village of Pompagnano, close to Spoleto, and back over the hills via Catinelli, a village poised spectacularly on a rock outcrop and home to just two people, an old man and a woman who can often be seen tending to their animals.

Day 4
Today’s ride is a spectacular one, and great fun too. The terrain and scenery is very varied during the 35 kms and 5-6 hours that riders will spend in the saddle. Winding through woodland trails you come to the hamlet of Torrecolla before passing a delightful stone church and heading along some wider paths. Then it's time to begin the long but gentle climb up to Monte Fionchi, a huge alpine meadow at the top of a 1300 metre high mountain, where riders can refresh themselves with a drink from an ice-cold mountain spring. A leisurely picnic lunch will be served in a meadow close to another lovely Umbrian country church, the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio. The return leg takes us through the wild and staggeringly beautiful Valnerina, past abandoned villages stuck to the side of the mountain, through other inhabited hill villages and back to the stables. Dinner will be served in the clubhouse.

Day 5
After breakfast transfer back to Spoleto train station and start planning for your next short break in Italy.

Additional information

Airpot Gateway Perugia (PEG) | Rome (FCO) | Rome (CIA)

Suitable for all levels. Novices and experienced riders will be split into groups for the faster rides. Children under 14 are not permitted to ride out in Italy, although they are welcome to ride our ponies on site, and take part in riding lessons and pony games.

Please note: This is a sample itinerary and treks may be altered as a result of local conditions especially weather. In warmer months, and in times of a full (or nearly full) moon, it may be possible to replace a full day ride with a memorable Night Ride up onto the mountain of Monte Acetella. Riders are met by the stables' jeep, and served a camp-fire supper as they scan the skies for shooting stars. The return leg of the journey takes place by the light of the moon.