The 7 best experiences to have in Garfagnana

Horseback riding with the possibility of a picnic on the Cerbaie Hills starting from Castelfranco di Sotto.

The experience is designed specifically for couples on a private basis and consists of a horseback ride surrounded by nature and, if selected, a picnic with typical Tuscan products set up directly in the park during the outing.

The outing takes place in the Cerbaie Natural Park on the Via Francigena, the historic pilgrimage route from Canterbury in England to Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia.

During the horseback ride, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will lead you along the entire trail. The hike is suitable for everyone.

During the horseback ride in the Pisan Hills. You will have a choice of one-hour or two-hour hike.

The views are very beautiful and open to the Pisan Hills.

A minimum of experience is recommended for the horseback riding trip. Helmet is provided at the facility and jeans and sneakers are recommended as clothing.

The horseback ride behind Forte dei Marmi, in the middle of Versilia, is easy and suitable for everyone. The ride starts from Montignoso, a town a few kilometers from Forte dei Marmi, and continues to Lago di Porta, next to the Forte Golf Club.

This walk is quiet and even those who have never ridden a horse, or have little experience, can do it. Very nice to explore Porta Lake on horseback.

The’quad bike excursion in the Val di Lima, in the mountains above Florence in Tuscany é an’activity’that makes you experience the nature of the’Tuscan-Emilian Apennines in a fun way, together with the performance Quad Yamaha Kodiak 700.

1-hour excursion - Livizzano:

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• Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
• Trail Duration: 11km - average 1 hour
• Altitude: 600m

You will start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’, continuing then along wooded trails that will allow you to return to the starting site.

3-hour hike (half day) - Monte Prato Fiorito:

• Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
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• Trail Duration: 33km - average 3 hours
• Altitude: 600m to 1200m (elevation gain: 600m)

You will again start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’.

The hike will then continue along wooded trails that will allow you to reach the spectacular views that await you on the slopes of Mount ‘Prato Fiorito’ at 1200m altitude.

5-hour hike (day) - Botri Gorge:

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• Departure: Livizzano Base Camp
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• Trail Duration: 40km - average 5 hours
• Altitude: 600m - 1200m - 900m (total elevation gain: 1200m)

Also in this option you will start the hike from the mule tracks, dirt roads, fords and small streams of ‘Livizzano’.

The hike will then continue along wooded trails that will allow you to reach the spectacular views that await you on the slopes of Mt. ‘Prato Fiorito’ at 1200m altitude.

The tour will then continue to the Orrido di Botri nature reserve where you will stop for lunch. Lunch consists of a set menu and must be paid for on site (15€ per person):

• Tuscan appetizer
• Bis of pasta
• Water
• Caffè 

For each selected tour, a briefing and initial test are provided before departure to explain how to use the ATV, so that you can ride it with ease and in complete safety.

If you choose to participate in the Garfagnana rafting experience on the Lima, you will have the opportunity to decide between 2 different experiences, classic rafting and packrafting.

Classic rafting This experience consists of a 4 km long descent on the Lima stream. During the adventure there will be a rafting guide who will allow you to learn more about the river environment and the magical world of rafting. The activity includes a stop at the footbridge waterfall for photo ops, 5m plunge at the old hydrometer and aquatics test in rapid. Technical equipment is provided and helmets have attachments for your action-cams. You can have the experience from November to May.

Packrafting

The activity consists of an easy perscorso of about 3.8 km duration with the "Packraft," a portable, lightweight and surprisingly sturdy one-person inflatable boat designed to navigate in any type of aquatic environment.

Experience the thrill of riding a Packraft through rapids and nature in the beautiful Mediavalle of the picturesque Serchio River just a few steps from the renowned Devil's Bridge. Clear water, thrills, breathtaking views and rapids await you.

All technical and safety equipment for activities is provided on site.

Open from March to July and September to November.

Riverplay in Garfagnana at Strette di Cocciglia is a guided tour of a wild and natural canyon.

You will be completely immersed in nature, the route is characterized by three scenarios; the upper part of the "Golette" basins with clear water carved by the force of the stream into the rock, the middle part where the narrows open up and we meet the small rapids and finally the final large canyon the "Blue Lagoon" with crystal clear water and underwater caves up to 12m deep.

Along the way you will have the opportunity to go diving, natural slides, the "washing machine" slide, small rapids, swimming, playing in the waterfall bubbles, adventure and lots of fun.

Horseback riding in Volterra, near Florence, amidst the rolling Tuscan hills and Berignone forest, è a very pleasant and relaxing outing.

Horseback rides can last one hour, one hour and thirty minutes or three hours depending on your preference. All walks are also suitable for beginners.

The trails are very scenic, amidst hills and nature in total relaxation. The 3h walks also include a snack.

The walk is conducted in groups with a’instructor. The minimum age required for the walk è 14 years. The maximum weight of the participant è is 95Kg.

The horseback riding tour among the vineyards and tasting in San Gimignano will take place among the unforgettable panoramic views among rustic farmhouses and vineyards in the area.

It is a horseback tour of the estate, nearby vineyards and the forest around San Gimignano (1 hour).

Afterwards there will be a short lecture on wine and vineyards, after which there will be a full wine tasting and then, if selected, lunch outdoors in the garden.

The San Gimignano horseback ride and lunch is a pleasant experience among the beautiful views of San Gimignano with lunch at Il Vecchio Maneggio farmhouse, in the hills just outside the town.

The walk starts in the morning or afternoon. During the trek you will have the opportunity to love learning about horses thanks to the guides who will accompany you on the tour.

Before or after the walk, depending on the time you choose, you will stop at an agritourism to enjoy a lunch or dinner with a special menu. It includes bruschetta with locally produced extra virgin olive oil, penne with Tuscan meat sauce or tomato, dessert of your choice, wine, water and coffee.

Lunch is at 1 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m. (lunch present in the experience only in the period between April and September)

You will be provided with all riding equipment, including helmet (mandatory). Recommended clothing includes long pants and closed shoes.

Lunch among the vineyards and wine tasting in San Gimignano is a very romantic experience in Tuscany. It is also available for dinner and includes a walk through the vineyards, during which you will be shown the technique of harvesting grapes. Afterwards you will be given a lesson on wine, from winemaking techniques to how to preserve a vineyard.

This will be followed by a tasting of wines and typical Tuscan products among the rows of the estate vineyard, with lunch or dinner served. The experience consists of a vertical tasting of 15 Tuscan products.

Lunch or dinner will be accompanied by the tasting and the following courses:

• Aperitivo with typical Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses and bruschetta.
• Tuscan Ribollita or Lasagna with truffles
• Roasted meat with side dish
• Cantuccini with Dessert Wine or Vanilla Ice Cream with Balsamic.

Available upon request are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu.

The horseback ride in the Tuscan countryside from Rignano sull'Arno, includes a group tour on horseback at the slowest gait (pace), saddle fitting and field practice before departure are included.

Upon arrival you will be asked to sign insurance forms, followed by a full explanation on the ground, on "riding the horse," and on safety, and then you will set off for the ride that will develop according to the package you choose.

Once you feel comfortable, you will begin the actual walk through the Tuscan hills. During the tour, you will take in the natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside, with its rolling hills and green fields. Your riding instructor will guide you through scenic trails, giving you the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of stunning scenery.

If you have chosen to do only the one-and-a-half hour ride, the ride will end at the stables where you can get off the horse and rest.

If, on the other hand, you have chosen to add the tasting (total time about 3 hours), the walk will take place through the countryside among vineyards, olive groves, cultivated fields and farmhouses that characterize the Tuscan landscape. It will then end in the park of the historic villa Torre a Cona. This is followed by a short walk (3 minutes) to reach the entrance of the villa where clients will be met by the villa staff. Here the guided tour to the small museum and cellars of Torre a Cona will begin, where the production processes from vine to bottle will be explained. This will conclude inside the old barn, with a tasting of four of the Villa's production wines accompanied by a plate of local cheeses. At the conclusion you will be taken back to the stables by van. The experience lasts about 3 hours (including about an hour and a half in the saddle).

Either way, horseback riding in the Tuscan hills is an unforgettable experience that will introduce you to the beauty and culture of Tuscany.

For the Wine Tasting in Colle Val d'Elsa you will have a choice of different packages, which include a visit to the winery:

VISIT TO THE FARM tasting the products of the estate: a walk through the village during which we will tell you about the history of the estate and the agricultural productions. You will visit the winery and the oil mill and then taste the estate's products.

LIGHT LUNCH in the FARM tasting the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions, and then have lunch on the veranda with the Sommelier who will guide you in the food/wine pairing.

TAGLIERE AND TASTING with the wines of the Estate: walk in the village during which we will tell you about the agricultural productions. Followed by the tasting of the products such as wine and oil together with the sommelier, accompanied by a nice board of cold cuts, cheeses and crostini, to finish cantucci and vinsanto.

Horseback riding with the possibility of a picnic on the Cerbaie Hills starting from Castelfranco di Sotto.

The experience is designed specifically for couples on a private basis and consists of a horseback ride surrounded by nature and, if selected, a picnic with typical Tuscan products set up directly in the park during the outing.

The outing takes place in the Cerbaie Natural Park on the Via Francigena, the historic pilgrimage route from Canterbury in England to Santa Maria di Leuca in Puglia.

During the horseback ride, you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will lead you along the entire trail. The hike is suitable for everyone.

During the horseback ride in the Pisan Hills. You will have a choice of one-hour or two-hour hike.

The views are very beautiful and open to the Pisan Hills.

A minimum of experience is recommended for the horseback riding trip. Helmet is provided at the facility and jeans and sneakers are recommended as clothing.

The kayak tour of Pisa from the Arno River is a unique experience that will allow you to delve into the heart of Pisa's historic center admiring its Lungarni and learning about the vicissitudes that make the Tuscan city what it is today.

The tour begins with your guide giving you a short briefing on basic technique and safety provisions. You will then set off in your kayak, single or double. By reservation only, there is also an opportunity to enjoy a delicious aperitif in a canoe midway through the tour; the cost of the aperitif is not included in the price.

The accompanied kayak tour lasts about 1 hour 45 min. for a total of about 3.5 km (the length of the tour may be subject to change if physical or weather conditions require it).

• Only adults over 18 or accompanied minors may ride on the single-seater canoes, while 2 adults or 1 adult and 1 child over 5 may ride on the two-seater canoes.
• Indicatively, tours run from May to September (depending on the flooding of the Arno River).
• The tour can be conducted in both Italian and English.

The truffle hunting in the woods and truffle lunch experience in San Gimignano will give you an unforgettable day, ending with a tasting lunch, perfect for groups of friends and enthusiasts.

The experience will begin with a brief introduction to the history of the property and then move on to a truffle hunt in the woods, during which you will be accompanied by an experienced truffle hunter.

The tour will end with a special tasting menu :

- Truffle hors d'oeuvre: selection of our products
- Tagliolini with fresh truffle
- Eggs al tegamino, the quintessential classic truffle dish
- Dessert surprise
- Wine, water and coffee included

We recommend comfortable clothing and hiking boots.