Ride Through National Parks

The morning is yours to enjoy as you wish—sleep in, savor a leisurely breakfast, or pursue any activity you like. 

Before lunch, there's a safety briefing. Following that, we'll groom and saddle the horses, and watch a brief demonstration of western riding. After lunch, the trek begins. 

For about four hours, we will follow the Tratturo Celano-Foggia route until we reach Montedimezzo, an old hunting lodge once owned by the Bourbon royal family and now a museum. The surrounding forest is a UNESCO-protected area. UNESCO protects 256 forests worldwide, with four in Italy and two in Molise. We will leave the Tratturo to ride through this beautiful protected area, which includes a picnic spot where we can enjoy a refreshing drink. Nearby is a paddock, our destination for the horses today. 

We will return to the farmhouse by car, and before bed, we will be served a delicious dinner at our host's new Bistro.

In the morning, we are taken to the horses, and around 11:00 a.m., our ride begins. We follow the Tratturo Celano-Foggia, an ancient 2,000-year-old track still used to move cattle from the far south during the summer when grass is scarce. 

We continue along the Tratturo until we reach the river Sangro, where the track becomes wild and overgrown, offering us only narrow paths to follow. Our picnic spot is a shaded area under trees. 

As we proceed on small paths, sunbathing lizards scurry away, and the air is filled with the aroma of rosemary and thyme, reminiscent of an Italian kitchen. Before our final stretch, we stop on a plateau where Molise's native grey-furred cows graze around us. From this vantage point, we can appreciate the incredible path we've traveled. 

The horses will stay overnight at a riding center that also has a restaurant, where we'll enjoy dinner before heading to a nearby hotel for the night.

Today's journey leads us up to the first mountain of Majella Park, guiding us through ascending peaks. Upon reaching the summit of the pass, we pause for a picnic, where we can marvel at two contrasting panoramas. Looking behind us, the landscape unfolds into the rolling hills of Molise. Ahead lies Majella National Park, with its towering mountains and expansive valleys welcoming us. 

As the afternoon draws to a close, we trot through one of these picturesque valleys. Roccaraso will be our base for the next two nights, renowned locally as a skiing resort. 

Dinner awaits us at our hotel in Roccaraso.

Today, we venture into Abruzzo National Park, starting our journey towards the Piano delle cinque Miglia, known as the Valley of the Five Miles. Here, we indulge in a thrilling gallop across its expansive terrain. As we reach the valley's end, towering mountains rise on either side. Following a gravel road, we arrive at Montagna Spaccata, where benches beneath ancient oak trees invite us to pause and take in the scenery. Turning left, the landscape transforms into something resembling a lunar vista, featuring a small lake. 

As the day winds down, we descend the mountain via a skiing trail, leaving the horses at the stables. After spending approximately 7 hours on horseback, we're sure to be ready for a refreshing drink back at the hotel. Later, we gather for dinner at another restaurant.

Our journey begins with an ascent towards a vast plateau, Aremogna, often referred to as "little Tibet," where we enjoy an exhilarating canter. Descending through Roccaraso, we bid farewell to the two parks and head towards Rocca5miglia, a town seemingly frozen in time. Nearby, we stop for a picnic before descending further into the valley of the Sangro River. Following the river, we enter the park surrounding the town of Castel di Sangro, known for its outdoor activities.

After stabling the horses, we drive to a cozy B&B where we'll spend the night. Tonight's treat: pizza!

After breakfast, we begin our journey homeward accompanied by our trusted four-legged companions, with whom we've formed a strong bond. It's a long day ahead, but the horses proceed calmly and confidently. We cherish our final moments together with the horses and nature, indulging in a picnic in the heart of Italy, accompanied by a glass of wine.

As we pass the Ponte della Zittola, marking the boundary between Abruzzo and Molise, Carmine shares one last time the fascinating history of his homeland and its people with those eager to learn. 

Returning to the farmhouse, we dismount the horses for the last time and relish in a farewell dinner together.

Departure after breakfast.

N.B. Due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances the programme may have to be adapted.