A Tuscan paradise where you can ride, cycle, walk, sightsee or simply relax with a glass of Chianti wine - Valdarno is the undiscovered side of Tuscany.

Situated at a thousand feet above sea-level on the slopes of the Chianti hills, Rendola Riding is a small organic farm with marvelous views over the Arno valley. Only 50km from Florence, it is easy to reach by car or train, but when you arrive you feel that you are entering a different world.

Rendola was founded in 1969 originally as a riding school, and became one of the first agriturismos (farm-holiday centers) in the region. The horses, all trained in the English style of riding, are sleek and fit and even those which are stable-kept spend some hours in the paddocks every day if they are not ridden. 

Riding Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Riders should be able to ride comfortably at all paces.

Speed: Walk / Trot / Canter

Distance: Riding distance will vary.

Ride Time: Ride times will vary, but riders should expect to spend several hours in the saddle each day.

Tack: English tack

Terrain: Hilltops, open fields, creek crossings, dirt and paved roads through quaint villages, vineyards, and the Italian countryside. 

Accommodations will be in Jenny’s 400-year old Tuscan home in the Chianti countryside with a wonderful view over the Arno valley. Outside, it has the typical characteristics of a seventeenth century farmhouse (actually parts of it may be older), with its small tower, arches, outside staircase and a balcony adorned with geraniums; while inside the floors are of terracotta and the ceilings have oak or chestnut beams.

Rendola has six bedrooms for guests, each with its own bathroom.  In the evening guests can gather in the comfortable sitting-room to read, chat and, when the weather is cool, enjoy the log fire. 

While this may be a riding tour, the real reason you visit Italy is for the food, of course! Meals will consist of farm-to-table ingredients, perfectly paired local wines, and exquisite cuisine all around.  At Rendola you will enjoy delicious Tuscan cooking, known throughout the world, at its very best. 

Guests may drive to Rendola or take the train (nearest major city is Florence). You will be advised upon booking which train to book for both your arrival and departure, and your host will meet you at the train station in Montevarchi when you arrive.

Arrive at Montevarchi. The train comes into platform 1 and Jenny, your host, will be there to welcome you. It takes just ten minutes to drive up to her 400-year-old typically Tuscan home near the tiny village of Rendola. Settle in and then enjoy a chat over a glass of Chianti Classico wine. Local wine is served at all main meals.

Breakfast and morning ride (about two and a half hours) with your English-speaking guide Eraldo through vineyards, olive-groves and woodland, passing near an 18th-century villa and a 14th-century church. On your return go to a local hostelry for your Sunday lunch. Walk home for a cup of tea and then join your host for a hilarious lesson in Italian pronunciation which will prove useful over the following days. Choose your pizza pronouncing all the ingredients correctly and enjoy it for dinner, followed by cantuccini, a Tuscan almond-flavored biscuit, dipped in vinsanto, a delicious dessert wine.

Breakfast and morning ride with breathtaking views of the Valdarno valley and frequent canters through the vineyards.

After lunch, visit to the farm of Alessandro to discover how Tuscan pecorino cheese is made (and to taste it of course!), followed by wine tasting at Fattoria Casabianca, with Aldo’s top quality wine and award-winning Vin Santo. Dinner at home.

 Day ride with Eraldo in the Chianti hills south of Rendola.  You will pass the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina, a pretty lake and then have a picnic nearby. Back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters. Dinner at Jenny’s home. 

A free day to laze around or to make your own arrangements for sightseeing, perhaps to visit Florence (which Jenny knows well and will gladly show you the main sites, there are both culture and shopping opportunities galore!) Or you can visit one of the hill-towns in the area, Arezzo, Assisi, Cortona or Orvieto, take your pick. All four are a direct train journey from Montevarchi and you will be driven to the station and back. Dinner at Jenny’s home. 

Breakfast, followed by a visit to the local street market, with typical Italian food, “porchetta”, cheese and fresh vegetables for your lunch.

In the afternoon, after a short ride (one hour and half), a short walk to a local farmhouse to sample some homemade jams and visit the “Museo della civiltà contadina” (Museum of Rural Culture).Dinner at home.

Breakfast, followed by a final day-ride (approx 5 h riding throughout the day) with a stop to visit the typical medieval village of Montegonzi, with a light lunch at the local “osteria”.

In the afternoon, leisurely ride home to Rendola for a rest and a nice cup of English tea, in the sitting room with your hostess .

In the evening, a special farewell dinner.

Breakfast and short journey to Montevarchi station to meet the train, back to Florence or Rome.

Note: our programs have a degree of flexibility for your own leisure, and some details may change due to weather or specific events such as grape harvest.