RHPC DREAM RIDE ITALY TOUR 2024
After the Gate 1 Tour, we started the riding part of our Dream Ride. When we went to Azores, Portugal the year before, we asked our fellow riders from the Netherlands who would be a good company to use if we wanted to ride in Italy or Europe. The ladies told us about how efficient Patricia Bakker (patricia@paardenpas.nl) was and that they used her services numerous times. So, I contacted her and they were right, she was thorough and helpful. Patricia set up our ride at the Castella Santa Cristina, Tuscany, Italy, after she suggested three other places. We chose Castella as it seemed to have more trail riding. Her website is www.paardenpas.nl but you might need to translate to English.
We and Patricia also decided while in Rome, we would ride on the Appian Way. It is one of the oldest and most famous roads in Italy, built in the 4th century BC. It connected Rome to the southern Peninsula. It has Roman ruins and monuments all along the route. Julius Caesar traveled on it. The contact is Lorella at +39 392 7885168 to make reservations for the Ancient Rome Via Appia.
After riding there, a prescheduled transport picked us up at the Milton Hotel and we headed back to Tuscany. It was about a two-to-three-hour drive. When we arrived, we were greeted and given our rooms. We put our luggage in our rooms and relaxed and looked around. Our room looked out over the crystal-clear pool and activity yard. Plus, we were above the patio. Lunch and dinner were served in the Taverna below our rooms.
Antonio and Cristina took us on a tour of the castle built in the 17th century. The antique furniture was awesome. They try to use all the antique furniture in the rooms to keep the feel of a real castle. The owner Antonio and Chris-tina were gracious and very welcoming to our 13 ladies.
Breakfast the next morning was in the castle under the arches in the ancient horses stables. It was restored to provide a beautiful lounge and event center, It looked like several weddings were held there.
Below our rooms, was the Taverna where we ate lunch and dinner. They said it was originally where the livestock stayed and the farmers lived where our rooms were. They have done an exceptional remodel of this building. The kitchen is also located there.
All our rides started in the biggest arena. I think there were three arenas. We had two groups. 3 ladies wanted to do faster rides and 10 of us just wanted to walk and take pictures. Our two guides were from Czechoslovakia. They come for the summer to work then return in the winter. Our ride was the last for the season. They also have bike tours. We could choose one ride in the morning around the estate or we could do a morning ride, come back for lunch then go out again for afternoon ride. The rides were great. We took an easy route the first two days because of the rain and slick trails. Then we went on some hilly trails and volcanic areas. The horses were well trained and in great shape. The owners give the horses days off and rotate them.
In the evening, we played Samba, taught by Jane and Cathie, and Euchre taught to Glory and Alice by several of us.
One day after breakfast, Christina took us for a tour of the villa, which can be rented as one 4 bedroom or it can be divided to have 2 two bedroom accommodations with their own kitchens. Up the hill is another newer building with several bedrooms and kitchen, living room and dining room and a gorgeous patio in the wooded area. They are really setting up the property as an agro-tourist facility.
We went to Orvieto shopping and looking around. They have some very beautiful old cities.
We also took a tour of Antonio’s cousin’s palace in Bolsena. It was a place where the Cardinal had dinners, meetings and was a stopping point on the way to Rome from Flor-ence. We saw a lot of history in those rooms. We also toured the Lake and city and Saint Christina’s Basilica. All the churches in Italy were outstanding. It was also Halloween and little goblins were everywhere getting treats from the businesses along the streets.
I am certain I have not written about some of the activities offered to us but all 13 ladies were pleased with this Castella and ride. The riding, food and accommodations were top notch. Antonio and Cristina went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed Italy and their part of the country.
www.santacristinacastle.com
www.tuscantonbike.com info@santacristina.it