Riding Excursions
A castle as your home and a horse as a friend
S.Cristina castle is a place where riding is a must, if you really want to enjoy the Italian countryside. At the same time on the spot you will find all the facilities to improve your riding skills from basics to dressage, or cross-country jumping.
Two well kept sand arenas of which one with jumps allows the rider different solutions with the tutoring of an instructor.
Anyway we have four kind of riding holidays to offer and our guests can choose exactly what they need and if still not satisfied they can ask for an especially tailored program just for them.
These are the regular programs that we offer
Half-days rides
- The three waters along the brigands path
- Medieval Church
- Nocchieto and S.Martino
- Acquatic Vista Tour
- San Luigi Tour
- Onano Tour
- Around Gradoli
Full-days rides
The brigand’s path
This program has been designed for the riding enthusiasts willing to explore our beautiful Southern Tuscany region in depth. An area largely still undiscovered by tourists.
You will be guided through an area so full of historical and archaeological sites that every ride will be framed by medieval fortresses and castles on the hilltops, Etruscan and roman tombs carved into the rock 2500 years ago, renaissance palaces and churches, medieval ruins.
Our horses picked up for their good nature will take you through hills covered of vineyards and into the depths of ancient chestnut woods following the famous “Brigands Path”.
An old track used in the last three centuries by outlaws escaping from the law.
The views are spectacular especially on the volcanic lake Bolsena and enjoyment guaranteed.
During these excursions you will discover the warmth of the local people and their, fantastic local recipes served at the trattoria’s for lunch halfway along our rides.
At the beginning of your holiday you will be matched with a suitable horse and welcome if you wish to groom him before and after riding.
The Brigand’s path for beginners
The more engaged excursions require a good level of fitness and riding skill.This is why for everyone who wants to start ones own adventure with the horses we offer a special package with beginner lessons and also treks which can be a good match to riders’ ability and fitness. Beginners (or those a bit rusty in the saddle) can improve their skills during lessons with instructor and participate the shorter rides round the castle to experience the picturesque landscape in a safely way.
At S.Cristina you can enjoy also tennis, volleyball, mini football and pool table. We offer also guided tours for mountain-bikes, four wheel-driving and in summer snorkelling adventures in the nearby volcanic Lake Bolsena.
Hacking,Dressage, Spa, wine & olive oil tasting:
A Special program for those who wants a mix of different experiences: some good riding excursions to explore the region and its beauties but with something new on top.So on the last two days, in the afternoon you will join two new guided tours:
- The first proposal is a wine and olive oil tasting, for those who wish to find out more about the way of olive oil and wine production. A trip to the local cooperative cellar, at the front of the famous Renaissance Farnese palace of Gradoli, shows you where the local farmers bring their grapes. The cellar manager will introduce you into the secrets of producing wine and olive oil, ending with a glorious tasting of local Doc wines and Dop olive oil on the terrace opposite the Farnese palace our guests will have the opportunity of indulging on a glass of wine with some juicy bruschetta and oil in the other hand.
- Second proposal is to enjoy the Spa in the enchanting frame of Sorano village. It’s waiting for you with its natural hot springs at 37° Celsius. Just relax in the thermal swimming pool or use the waterfalls to receive a natural hydro massage. The entrance includes the use of the large equipped area with sun beds and umbrellas. Massage and special treatments will be paid extra.
Italy Long-weekend & Mid-week Italian Break
For everyone who doesn’t have time for full week holidays we have in our offer two shorter breakes with selection of our best treks or if somone prefer lessons(from beginners to advance riders both in dressage and jumping). Run from Thursday to Sunday or sunday to Thursday they can give you a chance to catch some fresh-air-breath and relax before next week of work.
If you want to come with your not-riding family or friends Santa Cristina can offer them week of sports in general: they can rent a bike and ride along the Brigand’s Path, play tennis on our tennis court (synthetic grass), swim in Lake Bolsena and discover the ruins of the ancient Dukedom of Castro with our 4×4 jeep.
St. Cristina Castle – a century-old estate, the ancestral home still owned by the noble family Caterini, whose new generation with a passion for horses, has turned it in an enchanting resort.
For your family holidays here are available comfortable and pretty furnished apartments in self –catering or half board. You can spend your sporting days in the surroundings or go to explore one of the less inhabited Italian regions: the Alta Tuscia in southern Tuscany.