OUR rides IN italy
The Summits of The Dolomites
Castles of Tuscany Tour
Calcione Experience
What our riders say
We had a fantastic time on our nomadic adventure. Riding through the Tuscany countryside and staying at the castles was spectacular. The staff were great, helpful and flexible to meet my needs. The horses were beautiful and so much fun to ride. I enjoyed getting to know the various riders and made same new friends from all over the world. I would recommend this adventure to other horse enthusiasts, but make sure you’re in shape, it’s three days of fast, fun riding. The trip of a life time !
This is a review written with mixed emotions as some things are so beautiful you hate to share them for fear of losing them, but riding with the team (and family) at Calcione is an experience of Tuscany that you will truly appreciate. Beautiful horses, a great castle with rich history, and a wonderful family and staff make for a perfect Tuscan experience. Top notch rides and horses by day returning for an evening of Michelin quality dinners and great company make for a dream come true. My wife and I spent a long weekend with them and feel we’ve made friends for life. Thank you team Calcione - especially Zoe!!!
Thank you for an amazing trip! Unforgettable and beautiful experience with extremely knowledgeable guides who took us on a lovely adventure while keeping us safe! We also greatly appreciated having transit to the trail start points taken care of too! I highly recommend using them for your next equestrian vacation! Great communication before, during and after our trip! Thank you Rita!
It was beyond expectation to describe the experience I have during the trip in Tuscany: well trained horses, beautiful castles, amazing fine dining from chef using local ingredients and fun riding team! Thank you Rita for making this possible. I would recommend it to anyone who seeks a unique experience in a complete package :)
Book with them and let the magic unfold ! The team turned my “gallop-through-Tuscany” dream into a flawless reality. Every ride, view, and vineyard stop felt hand-picked just for me, and the logistics were smoother than a well-trained canter. If you’re craving an unforgettable horseback adventure, book with them and let the magic unfold !
Horseback Riding in Italy: Off-the-Beaten-Path Journeys
Italy feels almost designed for horseback travel only. From the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the majestic peaks of the Dolomites, riding here is not just a journey - it is a way of stepping into a living landscape shaped by centuries of history, culture, and tradition.
At Nomad Riders, our horseback riding holidays in Italy are created for those who seek something deeper than a simple ride. Each trail is an invitation to slow down and connect - with your horse, with nature, and with the quiet rhythm of rural Italian life. One ride you may be cantering through sunlit olive groves, or riding along historic training tracks used for renowned horse races, the next climbing steadily towards a mountain lake where everything feels still.
Tuscany remains one of the most beloved regions for riding holidays in Italy for its rolling hills, cypress-lined alleys, and medieval villages. Here, riding is beautifully paired with vineyard visits, wine tasting, and stays in 15th-century Castles.
If you prefer dramatic mountain scenery, the Dolomites provide one of Europe's most spectacular mountain landscapes. Alpine meadows, pine forests, and panoramic peaks make this region especially appealing in summer, when the weather is mild and the trails are open.
If you are dreaming of horseback riding in Italy, do not wait and start planning your adventure with us.
ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES - BEYOND
OUR rides IN italy
E-Bike Tour
Ever dreamt of conquering the Tuscan hills by bicycle? Indulge in this new way to discover the region and its secrets.
Our knowledge of the territory and paths guarantees guests an unforgettable experience.
Through our guided or self-directed tours, you can discover Valdichiana or Valdorcia while enjoying savory local products – from wine to cheese
Truffle Hunting
Truffle hunting is a one-of-a-kind harmonious break offering nature, gastronomy, relaxation, and culture.
Castello del Calcione is home to one of the region’s most important Tartufaia.
This precise area in the woods is particularly fertile and adapted to the natural growth of tuber melanosporum, which is one of the finest types of black truffles. Your search for black gold will be led by a hunter and his dog.
Siena Visit & Lunch
Step into a living masterpiece of medieval architecture and history with our exclusive Siena tour.
Nestled in the heart of Tuscany, Siena is a breathtaking city that transports you back to the 13th century, preserving its original Gothic character with remarkable authenticity.
Experience the magic of a city that has maintained its authentic charm for over 800 years.
Cooking Classes w/Chef
Join our expert chef in an authentic culinary journey.
Learn the art of traditional Italian cooking as you prepare a delightful dinner from scratch, using fresh local ingredients and time-honored techniques.
This hands-on cooking class offers an intimate glimpse into genuine Tuscan gastronomy, where every recipe tells a story of family, tradition, and passion.
Massages at The Château
Rediscover the art of slowing down through massage sessions designed to restore energy and release tension.
Drawing from the tradition of Thai Yoga Massage, each treatment blends deep pressure, assisted stretching, and mindful touch to soothe the body and calm the mind.
Sessions are tailored to your needs and may take place on a massage bed or traditional floor mat. It’s a moment to soften, stretch, and return to your center—held in the quiet rhythm of Calcione.
The Nomad Riders Experience
At Nomad Riders, we craft more than riding holidays; we design immersive luxury horseback riding vacations that blend exclusive rides, cultural discovery, gastronomic experiences, wellness rituals, and refined accommodations into one seamless adventure.
- Exclusive Riding Adventures: From tölting on Iceland's black-sand beaches to riding Gaucho-style across Patagonia, every journey takes you off the beaten path. Our trips are designed for small groups of riders, seeking singular experiences in the world's most breathtaking landscapes.
- Cultural Immersion: History and heritage are woven into every itinerary. On each journey, we invite you for an immersive cultural experience for you to truly connect with the local heritage of your destination.
- Refined Accommodations: Rest in places as memorable as the rides themselves. From historic French châteaux and Indian Maharaja palaces, every property is handpicked for its charm and refinement — the perfect retreat after a day in the saddle.
- Gastronomy: We believe a region is best discovered through its flavors. On every ride, we handpick partner restaurants where local chefs craft seasonal, traditional cuisine turning every meal into a highlight of your horseback riding tour.
- Wellness Rituals: Riding is exhilarating, & restorative moments matter. On each adventure, you can enhance your ride with wellness experiences, from yoga sessions and spa treatments to natural hot springs - for a restorative break between rides.
Why Book Your Horseback Riding Experience with Us?
We believe horseback riding holidays are about connection, freedom, and experiencing travel at a different rhythm.
To bring this vision to life, we ensure that every experience is thoughtfully crafted and tested firsthand. We handpick each ride, travel on-site, meet the horses and guides, and try the full experience to ensure it meets our highest standards. This allows us to offer only high-quality horseback riding experiences.
Above all, we place horse welfare at the core of every decision we make. On all of our horseback riding tours, we collaborate exclusively with trusted partners who provide attentive care, balanced routines, and the highest standards of well-being. Riding with Nomad Riders means being part of a community that values the horse as much as the experience itself.
To offer you a fully immersive experience, we work closely with passionate local guides who bring each destination to life. Beyond leading the ride, they share their knowledge, culture, and stories, creating a deeper and more enriching experience. From guides to hosts and chefs, every partner contributes to making your journey seamless and authentic.
Finally, as every rider is unique, we take pride in creating fully private, tailor-made riding experiences that reflect your preferences and riding level. Thanks to our close relationships with trusted partners and refined accommodations, we create journeys that are truly your own. Whether you dream of riding from castle to castle in the Loire Valley, tölting on Iceland’s black-sand beaches, horse-trekking at the summits of Dolomites, riding by Gaucho tradition in Patagonia or horseback riding in Paris, we craft experiences that stay with you long after the ride ends.
Eager to join one of our luxury horse riding vacations in Europe & worldwide ?
Reach out to us and start planning your next Nomad Riders adventure.
Frequently asked questions
An intermediate rider is someone who feels comfortable at all gaits and is confident handling different types of horses, even without riding regularly. You should be at ease using your aids - seat, legs, and hands - to communicate clearly with your horse and maintain control in varied situations.
If this sounds like you, the Calcione Experience in Tuscany is one of the most suitable horseback riding in Italy.
This itinerary offers the perfect balance between active riding and relaxation, with around 2 to 4 hours in the saddle each day. You will explore the very best of the Tuscan countryside, riding through rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards, and past medieval villages and historic castles. The pace remains enjoyable and varied, making it ideal for riders who want a real experience without overly demanding days.
One of the key advantages of this ride for intermediate riders is its rhythm : afternoons are generally free, allowing time to rest, enjoy the surroundings, or simply unwind between rides.
Overall, it is an excellent introduction to horseback riding vacations in Italy - immersive, comfortable, and engaging, while still maintaining an active feel in the saddle.
If you are unsure which Italy horse tours best suit your level or would like to create a tailor-made itinerary, feel free to contact us — we will be delighted to guide you in planning your ideal riding experience.
An experienced rider is confident, fit, and fully at ease in the saddle for long hours. You are comfortable riding at all gaits - including faster canters and gallops - and able to handle forward or sensitive horses across varied and sometimes challenging terrain. With an independent seat and soft hands, you can adapt quickly to different horses and maintain control in open spaces.
In Italy, we offer two horseback riding holidays that are particularly well suited to experienced riders - each with its own character and intensity.
The Castles of Tuscany Tour is a progressive, point-to-point journey through one of Italy’s most iconic regions. Designed for riders who enjoy spending full days in the saddle, it combines varied terrain with plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters. As you move through vineyards, rolling hills, and historic estates, the ride offers both a steady rhythm and a strong sense of travel, making it ideal for those who want an active yet culturally rich experience.
For a more adventurous experience, the Summits of the Dolomites Ride takes you into a spectacular high-mountain environment. Designed for fit and experienced riders, this itinerary combines long hours in the saddle with technical terrain - you may need to dismount and lead your horse on steeper sections. In return, the ride offers a truly rewarding experience, with trails winding through alpine meadows, forests, and breathtaking panoramic landscapes.
If you are unsure which horseback riding in Italy best suits your level or would like to create a tailor-made itinerary, feel free to contact us — we will be delighted to guide you in planning your ideal riding experience.
Yes — all of our Italy horseback riding vacations can be privatized and customizable according to your preferences. Whether you are traveling with a group of riding friends, as a family, or wish to enjoy a more exclusive and personalized experience, we are delighted to craft a private and tailor-made riding retreat for you.
Choosing a private ride rather than a group ride allows you to set the pace of your rides, focus on specific interests (such as trail riding, cultural discovery, wellness or gastronomy), and enjoy as much flexibility as possible throughout your journey. From adjusting riding hours to including additional experiences — cultural visits, SPA treatments, wine tastings— the itinerary can be thoughtfully curated according to your riding level and interests.
Of course - Non-riders are more than welcome on our Italian rides except on The Summits of The Dolomites Ride.
We are delighted to welcome non-riders on most of our horseback riding in Italy. Creating fully personalized experiences for every guest is at the heart of our philosophy, and our primarily private riding format allows for a great level of flexibility.
While riders explore the trails, we invite non-riding guests to enjoy a curated selection of activities depending on the destination — from e-bike tours and moto tours, to cooking class, wine tastings, massages or cultural visits. Each of these activities is designed to offer its own enriching experience of the region, and is carefully selected, with the same attention to detail as our riding activities.
Throughout the journey, our flexible format allows riders and non-riders to reconnect for lunches, aperitifs, and group experiences, ensuring that moments of the adventure are enjoyed all together.
Our horseback riding holidays in Italy stand apart thanks to a highly personal approach, deep on-the-ground involvement, and a strong commitment to quality at every step of the adventures we craft:
- Close, local relationships:
We aim to create, maintain close, long-standing relationships with all of our partners who come together to shape each of our riding experiences. This proximity ensures consistency in our riding adventures, trust, and a seamless level of service throughout every trip.
- A meticulous selection process of our rides, always tested on-site:
Behind every ride lies an intricate process of selection. We carefully handpick each experience to ensure it aligns with our core values and commitments. Before being included in our collection of horse riding tours in Italy, every itinerary is personally tested on-site: we meet the riding team and the horses, ride the trails, visit the accommodations. These try outs allow us to guarantee the ride meets our requirements and provide you with all the information you need before joining the adventure yourself.
- Riding experiences enriched with heritage, gastronomy & wellness:
Our Italian riding adventures go far beyond the saddle, offering a true cultural immersion where horseback riding meets heritage, gastronomy, and wellness. From riding through the Dolomites with expert local guides to exploring the traditions of the Palio di Siena alongside former jockeys, each experience brings you closer to Italy’s soul. Gastronomy is an essential part of every journey, with carefully chosen local dining experiences that showcase authentic regional cuisine and seasonal ingredients. In addition, we invite our guests to enjoy at least one wellness experience — whether it’s a yoga session, a massage, or a natural hot spring experience — allowing you to unwind in the perfect post-ride ritual.
- Curating refined and characterful accommodations:
We believe that your riding experience in Italy should be both restful and enjoyable, which is why we exclusively offer refined accommodations that combine comfort, authenticity, and character, while offering a high-end service. From historic châteaux to charming family hut, each property is chosen for its atmosphere and quality, ensuring you have the perfect place to rest after a day in the saddle.
- A curated, limited portfolio for higher quality and tailor-made journeys:
At the heart of our approach is the creation of fully personalized, tailor-made horseback rides, designed around your preferences, riding level, and aspirations. Because this level of customization requires time, care, and close collaboration, our collection remains intentionally limited. This allows us to stay closely connected with our partners, and dedicate ourselves to crafting tailor-made journeys with the highest level of service.
When curating our portfolio of riding experiences, group size is a fundamental consideration for us. We believe that small, intimate groups of riders ensure closer guidance from riding guides, minimise the risks inherent to trail riding, while allowing for greater flexibility, attention to detail, and a more refined experience for each of our guests.
That is why, for our horseback riding in Italy, we only work with trusted tour operators who share this philosophy. Group sizes typically range from 4 riders on the Summits of the Dolomites ride to up to 6 riders on our Tuscany rides.
At Nomad Riders, our italy horse tours are designed as fully curated, seamless journeys, where every detail is thoughtfully arranged so you can focus entirely on the experience of riding, discovering, and disconnecting.
Typically, our riding adventures in Italy will include everything organised throughout the journey* : private transfers, selected accommodations, all meals, riding activities, and, upon request, travel insurance. We believe this all-inclusive approach allows riders to travel with complete peace of mind, with no unexpected surprises along the way, to enjoy a fully taken-care-of experience.
Depending on the destination, your experience may also include other activities such as private guided visit of Châteaux, vineyard visit & wine tastings, wellness rituals, or immersion into equestrian traditions - elements that enrich your journey and connect you more deeply to the places you ride through.
*The only element we are unable to include in our horse riding holidays is international airfare, which remains the responsibility of the guest.
While Italy offers excellent riding conditions in many regions, the seasonality of our horseback riding holidays depends on the destination and is closely linked to the wellbeing of the horses and the expertise of our local riding partners.
For the Dolomites, the riding season typically runs from June to September, when the high-mountain trails are accessible and weather conditions are most stable. This period offers fresh alpine air, open landscapes, and spectacular visibility across the peaks.
In Tuscany, riding is generally possible from March to November. Spring and autumn are particularly enjoyable, with mild temperatures and vibrant scenery. July and August can be warmer, but we have adapted our itineraries accordingly. During the summer months, rides are carefully scheduled in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid peak heat and reduce the presence of flies, ensuring comfort for both horses and riders.
More broadly, each season in Italy offers a distinct riding atmosphere :
- Spring (March to May): One of the most rewarding periods in Tuscany, with fresh green landscapes, pleasant temperatures, and ideal riding conditions.
- Summer (June to August): In the Dolomites, this is the main riding season with perfect mountain conditions. In Tuscany, rides are adapted with adjusted schedules for comfort and horse welfare.
- Autumn (September to November): A highly popular season in Tuscany, with softer light, warm colours, and excellent riding temperatures.
If you are unsure which season is best for your horseback riding in Italy, our team will be happy to advise you and help you choose the timing that best matches your expectations and riding goals.
