Excursions

Minutes from the villa, the town of Poggio Mirtito has a weekly Friday market with local produce and artisan alwares. The market visit will coincide with your cooking workshop and include a visit to the magnificent Farfa Abbey and Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

For hikers and the Sabine Riders:  Known as the  "jewel of  Sabina," Casperia is a magnificently restored, ancient hilltop village known as "One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy" (Borghi più Belli d'Italia).   It is also the home of the Chateau. The poet Virgil first mentioned this walled village 1000 years ago in his epic poem the Aeneid. Today, sunny, narrow streets, accessible only on foot,  house artist studios, and delightful little restaurants featuring the region's specialties. 

For hikers and the Sabine Riders. This riverside village's walled fortifications, massive entry portals and intricate underground alleyways tell its ancient story.  Rieti, which is known as  the"navel" or geographic center of Italy,  includes the sprawling sanctuary Fonte Colombo with its frescoes, caves and cloisters.  Lunch at Fermento Pizzeria, the  town's (and maybe Italy's) best pizza. You can then shop on  Via Roma or visit any of  the four impressive museums. 

A Riding group excursion to the 2-million-year-old caves in the tiny village of Stiffe. A  guided hide along a magical half-mile trail of Neothic limestone chambers,  stalactites and stalagmites, an underground river and a spectacular waterfall.  A three-course dinner at a local trattoria.

A Riding group excursion exploring this typical Apennine village (home to the Chalet) with its paving stone alleys and Gothic portal.  In the heart of the Natural Regional Park of Sirente Velino, the once fortified medieval village retains its rustic ambiance.  Perched above the village is the Monument of the Alpino honoring casualties of the world wars,  with its spectacular views.  We'll stop at a cafe/bakery for a local speciality, a ferratelle stuffed with a traditional Abruzzese jam made from wine grapes.