TRAILS & TASTE OF TUSCANY
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🇮🇹 ITALY 🇮🇹
Week 1: October 3 – October 11, 2026
Week 2: October 11 – October 19th, 2026
This exclusive trip is designed for only 8 participants and is guaranteed to sell out!
Contact Elli today to secure your spot:
(970) 946-1686
elli@soulutionsbyelli.com
Imagine fall in Tuscany…
Cool mornings, warm days, it’s the time between the grape harvest and the olive harvest, and it’s the perfect season to ride through the rolling hills of Tuscany.
Your 4-legged partner will be a quarter horse, and you will be riding in a western saddle, like a true “spaghetti western” scene come to life.
Your home for the week is a charming Tuscan villa with its own private pool, owned by a longtime friend of Elli’s and a fellow natural horsemanship enthusiast, Paola. Paola also produces her own organic olive oil, so be sure to leave room in your suitcase for some souvenirs!
Not too far from there, the horses live at a ranch that is also a working winery and olive grove – all organic. Naturally, that means wine tasting will be on the agenda, best enjoyed after a day in the saddle.
Wine tasting, a cooking class, and plenty of sightseeing will add to this immersive Italian experience.
Tuscany
Nestled on the coast of Italy, the region of Tuscany is rich in beautiful scenery, historical architecture, and lush vineyards.
Tuscany is about the same size as New Jersey, but with much fewer people!
Tuscany has 7 islands – Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Pianosa, Giannutri, and Gorgona (in order of size, from biggest to smallest). Some of those we might be able to see from our rides! There’s a legend behind the origin of these islands – the Goddess Aphrodite lost seven beads from her necklace in the waters off the Tuscan coast, and they became the 7 islands of the Tuscan archipelago. Truth be known, most of these islands hosted prisons for a long time, even Napoleon was exiled to a Tuscan island – do you know which one?
Tuscany was the trendsetter for the rest of Europe, even back in 1339 when Tuscany made the decision to pave its roads, and this innovative measure was then taken all over Europe, making the cities more accessible.
As the heart and soul of the Renaissance (15th & 16th century), Tuscany was an incredibly important cultural center, consequently being a major influencer of the commercial and artistic development of Europe, and indeed the world. Whilst Italian clearly shares a close relationship with the Latin language, the modern Italian that is spoken throughout the country today is based upon the Toscano (Tuscan) dialect, which was formed during the Renaissance period.
What a coincidence that the ranch we will be riding at is called the “Toscani Ranch”!
Tuscany was once the capital of Italy. When Italy became a country in 1861, Turin was named as the capital. In 1865, Florence was named the new capital of Italy. Only six years later, in 1871, the capital was moved to its current home in Rome.
Tuscany produces about 1/3 of Italy’s leather, which is used for clothing, shoes, and accessories, making for great souvenirs! You will see plenty of leather articles near the Leaning Tower as well as in Volterra.
Pisa
The word ‘Pisa’ comes from the Greek word for ‘marshland’, and the Italian architects might have done well to consider this fact before they built the 15,000-ton tower. That means the Leaning Tower of Pisa weighs as much as over 2,000 large African elephants! (1 ton = 2000 lbs)
The construction on the bell tower, the Torre Pendente, began in 1173, which makes the Leaning Tower of Pisa 853 years old in 2026!
The Leaning Tower of Pisa leans for a Couple of Reasons:
The engineers and architects didn’t plan well enough for the soft land in Pisa. Located close to the sea, the land is marshland, which has a soft and not very stable surface. Also, the Leaning Tower was only built on a 10-foot foundation, which wasn’t deep enough for such a tall, heavy tower.
Many people believe that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was built for defense purposes. Instead, the Tower is the Bell Tower of the Duomo of Pisa (Pisa Cathedral). If you climb to the top, you’ll see the seven large bells. There are 273 Steps to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa.
The ‘lean’ in the tower isn’t a modern problem. In fact, the Leaning Tower of Pisa was sinking and leaning even after just a few levels of construction! In order to correct the tilt, the engineers made the walls on the side of the lean taller for a few levels, resulting in a slight curve in the tower. War raged during the construction of the Leaning Tower, and at one point, construction halted for almost 100 years. Scientists believe this delay helped save the tower because it allowed the ground underneath to settle. The Leaning Tower was finally completed in 1372.
Galileo Galilei was a professor of mathematics at the University of Pisa in the late 16th century. Legend says that he decided to test his theories on gravity at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He dropped two balls of equal size (but different masses) from the Leaning Tower to show that they’d land at the same time, regardless of their difference in mass.
In 1990, the lean of the Tower was over the limit, at 5.5°. It’s the most it’s ever leaned, and many believed the Leaning Tower was close to collapsing. So, the tower was closed, and engineers worked hard to fix it. They first used steel cables to stabilize it, which involved drilling into the ground. Unfortunately, the marshy land filled the holes with water, so the engineers froze it with liquid nitrogen. But when the frozen water melted, the tower sank and leaned even more! To help fix the lean, they then drilled underneath the side opposite the lean, which helped alleviate some of the lean. The total cost of the 11-year project was $27 million.
Official Leaning Tower Website & Tickets: https://www.opapisa.it/en/
Tenuta Ricrio
Your accommodations will be at the Tenuta Ricrio estate that covers 1,600 acres in the hills, about 8 miles from the coast. Your home away from home will be the Villa Bacio (Italian for “kiss”), a spacious 6-bedroom villa with a kitchen, 2 living room areas, a dining area, and outdoor seating and dining areas.
The owners, Paola & Gaetano are passionate horse people and long-time friends of Elli’s.
Toscani Ranch
In the late 1960’s Oliviero Toscani had the vision to build his own house near Casale Marittimo: a tiny village built around a castle in coastal Tuscany, up on a hill and a few kilometers from Bolgheri, famous for its “super Tuscan wines”. He purchased a small farmhouse with some land and bought two horses. Every year, he used to invest all his savings in buying land. He did not believe in bricks, but he did believe in the land. After planting more than 4000 olive trees, raising Appaloosa horses, Cinta Senese breed pigs, Angus cows, and homing pigeons, the family felt like their project was missing something: a vineyard.
Today, his son Rocco is in charge. The winery has become an artisanal production where care for the environment comes first, and a sustainable production is the basis of how he runs the vineyard. Rocco’s goal is to optimize the strengths of the vineyard and its terroir by producing wines that have never been experimented with before in the area. Wines that reflect the features of their own grapes, from their crisp freshness to their fascinating force. He’s changed the production to organic by bringing back useful bugs instead of using chemical methods. The same goes for the cellar, low-intervention wines with very little use of sulphites. “All this makes this project extremely hard but very fascinating,” says Rocco, who exports his wine to the US, Canada, France, Brazil, Thailand, the Baltic countries, Switzerland, Norway & Germany.
Oh, and the Toscany Ranch has since shifted to raising Quarter Horses, and the Toscani Family has earned numerous trophies for their success in the Reining arena, a passion that Rocco’s son Romeo now carries on.
The Toscani family also proudly produces the finest olive oil.
During your trip you will get to:
🇮🇹 Not just see, but live & breathe the beauty of Tuscany
🇮🇹 Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa
🇮🇹 Stay at a true Tuscan Villa
🇮🇹 Tour one of the oldest Tuscan towns, Volterra
🇮🇹 Take a cooking class
🇮🇹 Taste the famous Tuscan wine
🇮🇹 Visit Bolgheri, home of the Super Tuscans
🇮🇹 Experience the process from olive to oil
🇮🇹 And, of course, eat all the delicious Italian food your heart desires!
Itinerary
Please note, this itinerary may change due to weather and other influencing factors. Changes will be communicated as early as possible. More often than not, a change in itinerary will result in an equally amazing Plan B that you won’t want to miss!
DAY 1
Week 1: Sunday, October 4th
Week 2: Monday, October 12th
If you get to Italy early, you will have time to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa today!
In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at your home away from home, the Villa Bacio in the rolling hills of Tuscany. Either by rental car or a private taxi transfer, ask Elli about setting this up!
Dinner will be catered by a private chef, so that you can just get settled in and relax.
DAY 2
Week 1: Monday, October 5th
Week 2: Tuesday, October 13th
You’re waking up in the Tuscan villa at Tenuta Ricrio, unsure if you’re still dreaming or actually living your dream. After breakfast, it’s time to head over to the Toscani Ranch and meet the horses.
First, you’ll get to take your horse for a ride in the arena, get to know each other, and figure out a common language. Soon enough, it will be time to head out and hit the trail!
Lunch will be a picnic lunch out on the trail, if you’re still hungry after feasting on those views along the way!
Today’s ride should get us back to the Toscani Ranch mid-afternoon with time to relax by the pool afterwards. Did someone say naptime!?
For sunset, we will head over to Bolgheri, renowned for its “Super-Tuscans” (wines) and the scenic cypress-lined road leading to the village, for a little wine tasting and dinner.
DAY 3
Week 1: Tuesday, October 6th
Week 2: Wednesday, October 14th
Today’s ride will take us through scenic countryside to a charming medieval village, where we will pause to enjoy lunch and explore its timeless streets.
In the evening, we will gather for dinner at Locanda Le Giunche, a cozy restaurant with a small specialty shop located just down the road from Villa Bacio. This might be a good opportunity to stock up on some local specialties and gifts to take home!
DAY 4
Week 1: Wednesday, October 7th
Week 2: Thursday, October 15th
Today is a non-riding day, giving us the chance to discover more of Tusancy’s rich history & flavors. This morning, we will enjoy a guided tour of Volterra, one of Italy’s oldest towns, before rolling up our sleeves this evening for a hands-on cooking class with Gigliola, our chef & instructor!
DAY 5
Week 1: Thursday, October 8th
Week 2: Friday, October 16th
We are back in the saddle today for a longer ride through rolling hills and classic Tuscan scenery stretching as far as the eye can see. Our journey includes a delicious lunch on route.
After we’ve had a chance to rest & freshen up at Villa Bacio, dinner will be at the Toscani ranch, where we will also enjoy a wine tasting of their organic homemade wines and get to sample their exceptional olive oil.
DAY 6
Week 1: Friday, October 9th
Week 2: Saturday, October 17th
We will wrap up the week with a relaxed ride and a picnic lunch, followed by a visit to a local olive oil press, perfectly timed with the peak of the harvest season.
As the sun sets, we will enjoy an aperitivo together before ending the day with a surprise Cena Italiana! 🍕 🍝
DAY 7:
Week 1: Saturday, October 10th
Week 2: Sunday, October 18th
Time flies when you’re having fun!
Today, we say goodbye to our home away from home, Villa Bacio. Elli has a block of rooms reserved for tonight in Pisa, or you may choose to continue your adventure on your own, exploring Florence or maybe even Rome, before beginning your journey home at your own leisure. Elli also has connections to a private driver if you wish to arrange for transportation or individual sightseeing (Cinque Terre, San Gimignano, Siena, Florence, Rome, etc.)
DAY 8:
Week 1: Sunday, October 11th
Week 2: Monday, October 19th
Fly home or continue your travels across Italy and beyond!
LOGISTICS
🇮🇹 You will be riding in Western saddles, on Quarter Horses or Appaloosas.
🇮🇹 Helmets are not mandatory; however, the Toscani ranch has helmets available for use.
🇮🇹 Maximum rider weight: 220lbs
🇮🇹 The rides will be at the walk.
🇮🇹 The “shorter rides” will be 3-4 hours long; the “longer rides” will be 5-6 hours long.
🇮🇹 Pisa, best known for its iconic Leaning Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will be your best starting point and closest airport to fly into (airport code PSA; 50 minutes away). Alternatively, you can fly into Florence (FLR; 1,5 hours away) or Rome (FCO; 3 hours away).
What’s Included (pretty much everything…):
🇮🇹 6 breakfasts at Villa Bacio
🇮🇹 4 lunches during your rides
🇮🇹 4 Dinners: including a private chef catered dinner at Villa Bacio, a dinner at Toscani Ranch, a surprise dinner, plus one more!
🇮🇹 4 days of riding at the Toscani Ranch (2 longer days of riding; 2 shorter days of riding)
🇮🇹 Your lease horse from the Toscani Ranch
🇮🇹 Cooking class
🇮🇹 Guided sightseeing excursion to Volterra
🇮🇹 Wine tasting at the Toscani Ranch
🇮🇹 Visit to an olive oil press
🇮🇹 Shuttle van rides between the villa and the ranch
What’s not included:
𝘹 Overnight stay in Pisa (however, Elli has a block of rooms at a very nice boutique hotel on hold)
𝘹 2 Dinners
𝘹 Lunch on the non-riding day
Trails & Taste of Tuscany :
The prices below include everything stated above; you simply choose your preferred room type based on availability.
Private Premium: €5,195 (only 4 available!)
Shared Room: €4,875 (only 4 available!)
Payment:
🇮🇹 To hold your place, a non-refundable $100 deposit is due up front. This deposit can be paid via Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.
🇮🇹 After that, a 50% down payment will be collected on January 30th, 2026, as the next step to fully confirm your registration. This payment is payable in US Dollars at the current exchange rate on that day, which Elli will email you about on January 30th, 2026. This down payment can be made via Zelle or check.
🇮🇹 The remaining balance is payable in US Dollars at the current exchange rate on that day, which Elli will email you about on April 1st, 2026 – no joke. This 2nd payment can be made via Zelle or check.
🇮🇹 Payment plans are available, just ask Elli!
Cancellation Policy:
🇮🇹 10% of the full price is non-refundable if canceled before or by February 28th, 2026
🇮🇹 50% of the full price is non-refundable if canceled after April 15th, 2026 (or find a replacement rider for your spot).
🇮🇹 No refunds are given if canceled after May 30th, 2026
* Event prices are listed in local currency (Euros EUR) for reference. All payments will be collected in U.S. dollars, based on the official exchange rate on the due date. The amounts due will be calculated using the XE.com daily rate on the payment due date.
Participant acknowledges that exchange rate fluctuations are beyond the organizer’s control.
FAQ’s
Yes, and it is free!
It is fairly small; there are 4 baggage claim belts, for example.
You can rent a car; the hotel has secure parking available for an additional cost.
Transfer by taxi is easy & straightforward, the cost is about EUR 25.
The hotel can arrange for a shuttle for up to 7 people for EUR 45.
Yes! The Leaning Tower is only about a 7-minute walk from the hotel.
The RIF, named after the founders’ initials.
Yes, they serve a light dinner menu and drinks as well as a scrumptious breakfast buffet!
They actually have blackout shutters, as well as nice curtains. For a good night’s sleep!
No, but there is a lovely courtyard garden!
Yes, but I would recommend drinking bottled water.
There will be a big water dispenser in the kitchen/living room area.
We can arrange for a trip to the grocery store to take care of any shopping needs.
Think cool mornings, warm days, chilly nights.
The hotel in Pisa supplies shampoo, body wash & body lotion – all made in Italy!
The Villa Bacio supplies shampoo & soap made in Italy with olive oil!
No, but there is one in the common area.
Yes, there is both.