Tuscan art and Tuscan countryside
for riders, and non-riders who like walking
Embark on a journey through the heart of Tuscany with this exciting holiday programme, where every day unfolds a tapestry of history, art and natural beauty. Hosted by charismatic Jenny, this weeklong adventure promises a harmonious blend of Tuscan culture, rides or walks through Tuscany’s enchanting countryside and the tantalizing flavour of Tuscan cuisine.
2-6 participants
2024 dates: April 6-13; August 31-September 7, September 7-14
SATURDAY: Meet your host Jenny at the main Florence station, S.M.N (outside the Feltrinelli bookshop opposite platform 14) at 17.50. By train (40 min.) to Montevarchi, then by van (10 min.) to Rendola. After settling in, welcome dinner cooked by Isabella, your cook and housekeeper.
The beautiful eighteenth-century farmhouse where you will be staying.
Pulpit of the Pieve di Gropina (Loro Ciuffenna, Arezzo)
SUNDAY: for riders a two-hour ride with Eraldo, your guide: for non-riders a stroll round vineyards and olive groves with Jenny, author of two books about the Tuscan countryside.
After lunch, an excursion for all to the medieval village of Loro Ciuffenna and the Romanesque 13C church of Gropina with its rare 8thC pulpit and animal carvings. Dinner at Rendola.
MONDAY: After breakfast a walk in the woods and then an informal talk about the intriguing ‘Cycle of the Months’, the subject of Jenny’s most unusual book, now placed among the ten best books about Italian medieval art, together with Umberto Eco’s! After a visit by train to Arezzo to see the famous Etruscan statue of the Chimera, the Roman amphitheatre, a statue of the 11thC Aretine monk who invented musical notation – and a 13thC Cycle of the Months in a medieval church. A drink in the main square where the Joust of the Saracen takes place, then back home for dinner.
Monument representative of Arezzo, Tuscany: the Chimera
TUESDAY: for riders, a two-hour ride with Eraldo, for non-riders a tour called ‘Pietro’s walk’: you will discover why. A light lunch at Rendola and later for everybody a hands-on lesson in Tuscan cooking with Isabella. Dinner at home.
Basilica of San Miniato a Monte (Florence)
WEDNESDAY. For everybody, by train to Florence for Jenny’s fun tour of the city centre – unlike any other. Lunch near the Badia Fiorentina, then up to the 11C church of San Miniato and a stroll round Piazzale Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city. Back home for dinner.
THURSDAY: For riders a two-hour ride with Eraldo, for non-riders a gentle climb up to the medieval tower of Galatrona and a drink in the local bar of Mercatale. A light lunch at Rendola and in the afternoon a talk about the Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca and his world-famous frescoes in Arezzo about which Jenny is presently writing a book. Dinner at ‘L’Osteria di Rendola’.
FRIDAY: For everybody by train to Arezzo, to see Piero della Francesca’s wonderful frescoes in the Basilica di San Francesco, as well as other interesting artworks there, both medieval and modern. After lunch at a trattoria, stroll up to the cathedral and ‘Il Prato’, the city park with its Medici fortress and a wonderful view over the hills. A final drink in Piazza Grande before returning to Rendola for your farewell dinner.
Piero della Francesca’s frescoes in the Basilica di San Francesco in Arezzo
SATURDAY: your departure by train, back to Florence or on to Rome (you can buy your own tickets at the station). Arrivederci! (See you again!)
Price: 1,560 € – all included except for a supplement of 180 € for riders. No supplement for singles
Other dates may be available for shorter programmes, please ask!
- For further information or to book, please contact rendolariding@gmail.com
- If you wish to contact Jenny personally, please write to jennifer.bawtree@gmail.com
Recent reviews (all unsolicited!)
“Thank you for entertaining us in Florence in your inimitable way. Your historical knowledge of the area is boundless.”
Julia Bromhall (UK)
“Our trip with you to Arezzo was the highlight of our stay with you. We learnt a lot in the nicest possible way.”
Sir Raymond Jack (UK)
“Your wonderful presentation of Piero della Francesca’s Legend of the True Cross was much livelier and more
informative than anything that I had read.” Andrea Beauchamp (USA)