Rendola Riding is an organic olive farm and well-known riding-centre belonging to Jenny Bawtree, an Englishwoman enamoured of the Tuscan countryside. It is situated in the Chianti hills 50km south of Florence and is easily accessible by car or train. The Centre has eighteen safe, well-trained horses and offers riding lessons, trail-rides and four-day treks in the Chianti region. All our riding staff have ENGEA qualifications and are very experienced.
Non-riders can take part in jovial Franca's cooking lessons, (learn to make bruschette, gnocchi, tiramisù, you name it!). They can also explore on foot or bicycle the Arno valley and the Chianti region, using the numerous waymarked trails and quiet roads in the area. (We supply maps). Or they can simply relax by the fire or in the garden, chat, read a book and enjoy a glass of Chianti wine...
For art-lovers, Florence, Cortona, Siena and Arezzo can be reached in less than an hour's drive; on request Jenny, who is knowledgeable about Tuscan art and architecture, is happy to act as your guide. She can tell you also about Toscana Minore, lovely places off the beaten track that are not swarming with tourists: an abbey, a rose garden, a Romanesque church, a 12C mill - the list is endless. If desired she can organize wine-tasting at a celebrated Chianti Classico winery. She used to teach English at Florence University and is also ready to help you to brush up your knowledge of the language.
For those interested in fashion, there are two important outlets in the vicinity, Prada (4km) and The Mall (18km).
Guests stay in an agriturismo, Jenny's 17C farmhouse overlooking the Arno valley. It has seven pretty bedrooms ensuite, a sitting room with log fire and a library, a large dining room where, sitting altogether at a long table, you can enjoy lively conversation and Franca's excellent Tuscan cooking, accompanied by Chianti wine. (Vegetarian or gluten-free dishes are supplied when requested.)
This is a friendly, informal place where singles are also welcome. It is open all the year round.
We speak Italian, English, French and a little German.
For further informations: www.rendolariding.com