Traveling through Italy at a slow pace, surrounded by nature, dramatic landscapes, vineyards, and coastlines,between plains and hills, expanses of vineyards and coasts, reveals the country’s rich history, natural wonders, culinary delights, and traditions. From the Maremma region of Tuscany to Sicily and Sardinia, equestrian tourism offers unique experiences and an authentic way to explore Italy on horseback.
Riding a horse, each itinerary becomes unforgettable, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature and discover the area in an environmentally friendly way. You will live new emotions every day, venturing off the beaten path, travelling through otherwise inaccessible places and reliving bygone eras in a travel in space and time.
Italy on horseback, a centuries-old tradition
The tradition of high school horse riding was born in Italy in the 16th century, in Naples. It is in the Italian countryside that centuries-old traditions have developed, such as the working riding of the Maremma Butteri.
Horses can be found in Italian history in many ways and events, for example in the form of the Palio, like the one in Siena, the most famous. But they are also present in art, as in Renaissance works, from the Leonardo da Vinci mastepieces to the incredible frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, for example.
Horseback tourism, an itinerary in Maremma
There are many horse tourism proposals, to discover different areas of Italy. Among these, one of the itineraries designed by Elesta starts from Florence, to reach Siena, city of the Palio. Traces of Palio are present throughout the year through a tradition kept alive, with great passion and participation, by the Contrade. We then head towards southern Tuscany, on the border between Valdarno and Chianti, for a three-day full immersion in the Maremma and in the ancient tradition of the Butteri.
This is a unique formula compared to the more usual horseback riding. Here the aim is to allow participants to experience an immersion in horse work, personally carrying out the daily activities of managing the herd on a real farm. What makes this possible is the competence and experience of Ernesto Benini, founder of the Dimensione Maremma association. In addition to preparing the horses, he supports the riders in working in absolute safety and guaranteeing unique emotions.
After the intense experience in Maremma, the journey ends with a stop in Rome. Here, a visit to the Scuderie del Quirinale, the Papal Stables, will allow us to delve deeper into the presence and role of the horse in history and art.
