The 8 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.

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.

Guided horseback ride inside the Toscani organic farm in Casale Marittimo, Pisa province.

Program

Departure is scheduled from the Toscani Ranch in Campigallo. After a briefing, we will ride through the farm grounds and the Macchia della Magona Nature Reserve, with views of the Tuscan coast and Casale Marittimo.

Options will include a picnic option that includes a tasting of 3 wines.

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.

Discover with a horseback ride the fantastic hills in the countryside around Lucca.

1h route:

during the horseback ride you will pass through an olive grove, go through a forest and arrive at a vantage point with spectacular views of the hills.

1h30 route:

during The second route you will instead cross the forest arriving at a point from where you can admire the plain of Lucca.

The horseback ride is suitable for everyone, no experience is needed.

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.

Horseback riding and wine tasting in the surroundings of Florence.

You will leave from the stables in Pelago together with an equestrian guide and, after about an hour of riding through the hills, you will reach a historic winery nestled in the countryside.

Here you will visit the estate and learn about the winemaking processes, and then taste 4 glasses of local wine. You can also choose the "with chopping board" tour to taste local cured meats and cheeses.

When the tasting is over, you will get back on horseback to return to the stables accompanied by your guide.

The equipment for horseback riding will be provided to you by the facility, but appropriate sportswear (long pants and closed shoes) should be your own. We also recommend the'use of a sweatshirt for the winery visit.

Tasting of four locally produced wines accompanied by a board with typical Tuscan products in San Gimignano.

Program

The experience will begin with a meeting at the winery, where dedicated staff will welcome you.

After a brief introduction about the family history and presentation of the winery, you will begin the tasting of 5 wines accompanied by a rich platter of typical Tuscan cold cuts, mixed bruschetta and selection of Tuscan pecorino cheeses.

A wine tasting with a visit to the Tenuta degli Dei in Chianti is the perfect opportunity to spend a relaxing time surrounded by the picturesque Tuscan vineyards.

The meeting begins in front of the Church of San Leolino, a three-nave basilica that preserves valuable works of art from the Tuscan artistic tradition.

The tour continues with a visit to the vat cellar, where the vats in which the fermentation of the wines takes place, and the barrique cellar, which houses the fine French oak barrels in which the wine rests until it reaches perfect maturity.

Next, you will reach the Estate, where the tasting will take place. In the dedicated room, you will have the opportunity to taste five wines: a white wine, a rosé, a Chianti Classico and two IGTs, accompanied by a small sampling of local cured meats and cheeses.

You can choose between the tour in Italian and English.

Minors and those not participating in the tasting do not pay and will receive a tasting of local products.

In case of food allergies or intolerances, you can contact the property after booking.

Finally, the estate is pet friendly, welcoming your four-legged friends as well.

The walk with alpacas in the Florentine Hills è a pleasant experience in the midst of woods and fields on the outskirts of Florence, accompanied by the sweetest alpacas. During the loop trail, which is about 3 km long, you will learn about all the alpacas you will be walking.

After the walk you can stop on the meadow and enjoy the spectacle of the alpacas in freedom.

We recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and sports or hiking 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.

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 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.

Horseback riding outside Volterra gives you a relaxing experience along a route of white roads through the rolling Tuscan hills.

Once you arrive at the stables, you will be greeted by an instructor who will provide you with a safety helmet and basic information about saddling the horse and the type of riding.

During the evaluation lesson (lasting about 30 minutes), you will learn how to hold the reins and understand the horse's behavior outside the arena.

Afterwards, you will set off on a 1-hour horseback ride through the rolling hills surrounding Volterra. You will be accompanied by an equestrian guide.

It is possible to go out on the walk in groups of up to 4 people at a time. This experience is suitable for everyone, even those new to horseback riding. To participate, you must be 14 years of age or older and weigh less than 90kg.

You are required to wear long pants, long socks and closed sneakers.

This experience is subject to favorable weather conditions and terrain suitability.

The daily boat tour in the Secche della Meloria marine area with aperitif and lunch allows you to experience a day aboard a cozy sailing yacht.

You can enjoy sailing along the Pisan and Livorno coastline thanks to all the comforts on board and dive to discover the Secche della Meloria marine protected area, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy.

Departure is scheduled at 10:00 am in Pisa. Once embarked, you will be served a welcome drink of appetizers accompanied by a glass of wine.

After about 1.5 hours of navigation you will arrive in the beautiful natural setting of the Secche della Meloria, considered one of the most beautiful marine protected areas in Italy.

Right here you will anchor to spend 4 hours of free time: you can sunbathe, snorkel in search of the characteristic posidonia or take advantage of the SUP boards available on board to reach the scenic Southern Lighthouse of Meloria.

Lunch is planned afterwards, which includes a sea-scented main course accompanied by water and a glass of white wine.

Return is scheduled at approximately 5 p.m.

In case of food allergies and intolerances it is possible to contact the facility after booking.

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.