Italy - Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting
You stay all week at the Berardenga Equestrian Centre which is on an 18th century farm in Chianti surrounded by meadows and woods with a view of a medieval castle.
Each day you ride in a different direction between villages, across wooded hillsides and pastures through vineyards and olive groves. On some days you stop at a vineyard where you are invited to a wine-tasting.
There are four all day rides with picnics and two half day rides. There are three wine-tastings during the week and also a half day visit to the beautiful city of Siena.
At mealtimes there is an emphasis on simple country cooking using local ingredients.
You should be an experienced rider, competent at all paces and fit for day long rides. The pace is varied according to the hilly terrain, with plenty of trots and canters. It is important that you are riding regularly to join this ride.
The horses are chosen not by breed but by their ability to give good results in work in the school and in the countryside; they have the good character necessary for the frequent changes of rider as well as being easy to handle over different terrain. The horses, besides working in the riding school and on trails, always spend some hours in the paddock resting and playing freely.
While not expected, most guests do like to assist with tacking and untacking their horse. Your guide will be on hand should you require assistance with this.
There is a strict rider weight limit of 88kg (13st 11lbs).
Tack and style of riding is English. Hard hats are mandatory.
There are five guest rooms at the farmhouse, three ensuite and two which share a bathroom.
The communal living area has sofas and easy chairs for relaxing with a glass of Chianti wine and a large dining table where meals are taken. There are a range of books to browse through and an open fire to warm up a chilly evening. WiFi is available in the main area and most of the rooms.
When not riding or exploring you can relax around the salt-water swimming pool.
At Berardenga the jams, bread, yogurt and cakes served at breakfast are home made; lunches and dinners are a typical Tuscan menu prepared with the freshest of homegrown or locally sourced ingredients.
Set arrival and departure dates in spring and autumn. Additional dates may be available on request for a minimum of four guests.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 28 Apr 2024 - 5 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Book | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 12 May 2024 - 19 May 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Full | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 26 May 2024 - 2 Jun 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Full | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 22 Sep 2024 - 29 Sep 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Full | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 29 Sep 2024 - 6 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Full | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 6 Oct 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Full | |
| Chianti Castles and Wine Tasting | 20 Oct 2024 - 27 Oct 2024 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £2,125.63 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board; wine with meals; riding; wine tasting sessions and sightseeing as per the itinerary.
Discounts are available for non-riders.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT is £241.17. The supplement is always payable for single travellers.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Train/bus/taxi from airport to Montevarchi train station before and after the ride; entrance fees in Siena.
NEAREST AIRPORT Florence or Pisa.
TRANSFERS Included from Montevarchi train station at set times. We can arrange private transfers from Florence airport (c. €240) or Pisa airport (c. €280) per vehicle each way (up to three people) payable locally.
Return transfers are included from Montevarchi train station. The usual collection time on arrival day is 17:00.
Alternatively you can make your own way by rental car directly to Centro Ippico della Berardenga and we will give you driving directions.
Many people fly to Pisa and we suggest flights arriving before 14:00 to allow you plenty of time to transfer by bus to Florence train station (c.€10 one-way) and then by train from Florence to Montevarchi train station (c.€6 one-way). Flights to Florence can arrive later in the afternoon as it is just a short taxi drive from the airport to Florence train station.
If your flight arrives early there is a left luggage facility at Florence Santa Maria Novella Station which will mean you can enjoy some time in Florence. You are not recommended to arrive at Montevarchi hours prior to the agreed pick-up time since there is nothing to see or do there. You can check train times from Florence (Firenze S. M. Novella) to Montevarchi on www.trenitalia.com/en.html. The journey takes under an hour.
Your return flights from Pisa should depart after 14:00 to allow you plenty of time for the journey from Montevarchi. Flights from Florence should depart after midday.
Alternatively, we can arrange private transfers to/from Pisa airport or Florence airport per vehicle (up to three people) payable locally.
Based in the Chianti Hills in Tuscany, 20km from Siena and 70km from Florence.
Tuscany has a mild climate. The hottest months are June to September when the evenings are warm.
From March to April and October to November the days should still be warm, but evenings in spring and autumn can be cool so be sure to take warm clothes that can be layered.
Rain is possible at any time of year but less likely in summer. Winds can be strong in the hills.
All the horses were well looked after, all the tack was in good order and clean. The variety of paces thoughtout the day stopped the rider getting bored and the variety of routes chosen by our hosts was superb.
Leila ,Jersey
Overall rating: 5/5
