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Italy, Florence

Franco has been hosting riders for more than 20 years, and has become well known both in Italy and other countries for his quality horses and experienced guides. Franco is a skilled guide and horseman with years of experience as a horse trainer and riding instructor. The horses are very well trained and ridden in the western style. The farm is located in the middle of typical Tuscan countryside with olive groves, vineyards and woods surrounding the old courtyards, towers and castles. The farm is traditionally Tuscan, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

The farm offers horse lovers a wonderful setting with its typical stone house surrounded by green pastures and the beautiful olive groves, and you can even make your own olive oil.  The atmosphere is warm, friendly and relaxed, far from a formal hotel.

Here you can choose a week-long farm program with 12 or 18 hours riding. You arrive on Saturday and familiarize yourself with the farm and greet the horses. Sunday begins with a lesson, allowing you and the horse to understand each other, and you get insight into how Franco's western-oriented riding philosophy works. The day continues with a ride in the surrounding countryside.

When not riding  you can relax with walks in the surrounding area, you can walk a short distance to a nice swimming pool  or visit Florence, Siena or San Giminiano. It is recommended to take a car, but it is also possible to organize a taxi.

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Program

During this week you combine riding with basic western lessons. It is a flexible program where you can also a take a side trip to Florence or other nearby places of interest.

- 12-hour horse riding / week
You have a lesson in the morning and ride in the afternoon, or just take a 2-hour ride depending on your riding experience. You can book extra riding hours on location if you want to ride more. It costs EUR 20 / hour and is payable locally. On Friday, you head off on an all-day ride of 4-6 hours with a stop for a picnic lunch or lunch at a restaurant (the lunch at restaurant is not included in the price). The all-day ride is weather permitting and if enough guests want to ride.

- 18-hour horse riding / week
The same program as above but more riding hours. For example, the first three days you ride 2 hours / day and on Wednesday and Thursday, 4 hours / day. On Friday, there will be a full-day of 4-6 hour ride with a picnic lunch or lunch at a restaurant (the lunch at restaurant is not included in the price). The all-day ride is weather permitting and if enough guests want to ride.

If the number riding hours during the week exceeds 12 or 18 hours (subject to the program) you will pay extra on location, 20 EUR/hour.

New Year

New Year

New Year's Eve week with 12 hours riding and New Year's Eve Special dinner with many delicious courses, torchlight on horseback at midnight, then party. On the first day of the year you have a longer ride, with a picnic break in the meadows, a great way to start the new year.    

Accommodation & Food

The farm has spacious double rooms with shower/wc. Single rooms can be booked at extra cost. 

Safe deposit box: Yes in office
A/C: Yes
Hair Dryer: No
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: No

Everyone eats together, either indoors or on the terrace with a nice view of the surroundings. The good food is a variation of Tuscany's good home cooking, and the chef will do all he can to satisfy all requests. Meals often include different kinds of pasta dishes, and the table never lacks olive oil or a good wine. The breakfast normally consists of coffee, tea, milk, yoghurt, muesli, fresh bread, marmalade. Dinners often start with two different pasta dishes (eg broccoli or tomatoes, olives, parsley and olive oil) or lasagna with pesto tortellini with creamy sauce. It then continues with meat, duck or chicken, served according to Tuscan tradition. It is often served with zucchini, carrot and peppers with aubergines. The dinner ends with a homemade dessert. The menu changes subject to the tastes and flavors of the season.

Horses

There are about 30 horses and most are of Italian descent (Maremma, Sardi). All are very well trained on the farm. The horses are well balanced and live naturally outdoors in herds. There are quiet horses for less experienced riders and livelier horses for those who wish. You will use Western saddles with loose reins.

Climate

Autumn / spring about + 20-25 ° C (68-77 F). Even in winter it will often be about + 20 ° C (68 F) when the sun is shining, but it can also snow.

Travel Information

Ability description: Level, trail ride 1-3 >>

Included in the price: 7 nights, 6 days riding, full board incl. red wine with meals.

Not included: Flights, transfers, insurance, local tax, drinks and extras not mentioned. 

Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Flight: To Florence or Pisa.

Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot.
From Florence airport about 47 km.
Price: ca. 100-120 EUR one way for 1-2 persons.

Train: From Florence to Pontassieve (end destinations Arezzo or Rome).
Transfer from Pontassieve train station around 4.30 pm on Saturday. Price 55 EUR one way/person.

Rental car: If you want to explore the surroundings or come by flight to another airport, we recommend you to rent a car.

Riding: 2-3 hours/day, western, outdoor rides and lessons with the same accommodation throughout the week

Season: All year round. Low season between Feb - May and Oct - Dec. High season in the period May - September. 

Single rooms: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices. If there is no one to share a room with, a single supplement will apply.

Currency: Euro

Credit card: Possible at riding center (except american express), small expences is preferably being paid with cash. 

Tipping: Not expected.

Tourist tax: "Imposta di soggiorno" is 7 EUR/week/person which will apply and is payable directly on site. Children under 16 do not pay tourist tax.

Wifi: Yes

Electricity jack: 220V, adapters are available.

Group size: 1-8 persons.

Age limit: 10 years

Viktgräns: 90 kg

Closest village: 1 km away where there are restaurants and pubs, bigger town is 7 km away. There are lot of special sightseeings in the surroundings, usually a car is needed.

Beach: No

Pool: Yes waling distance, open may-september.

Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet and rain jacket.
Saddle bag available: Yes
Special diet: Inform when booking.

Feedback from our travellers

Dates and prices

DateDaysName of tripPrice from
23/03/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
23/03/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
30/03/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
30/03/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
06/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
06/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
13/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
13/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
20/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
20/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
27/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
27/04/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
04/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
04/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
11/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
11/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
18/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
18/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
25/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
25/05/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
01/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
01/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
08/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
08/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
15/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
15/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
22/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
22/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
29/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
29/06/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
06/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
06/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
13/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
13/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
20/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
20/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
27/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
27/07/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
03/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
03/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
10/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
10/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
17/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
17/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
24/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
24/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
31/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
31/08/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
07/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
07/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
14/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
14/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
21/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
21/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
28/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
28/09/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
05/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
05/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
12/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
12/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
19/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
19/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
26/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
26/10/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
02/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
02/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
09/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
09/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
16/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
16/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
23/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 890Book on request
23/11/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 18 hours ridingEUR 1,100Book on request
26/12/20248Italy, Florence - Stationary program, 12 hours ridingEUR 980Book on request

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