Five Rides in Italy, from Wine to Volcano

Tuscany, Chianti

Profile. Trail ride. Ride with a visit to San Gimignano, lunch and wine tasting, 7 hours, from 190 euros. Ride in the Chianti hills, 1.5 hours, from 75 euros. Ride with a winery visit and lunch, 7 hours, from 120 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the tourism portal of the Region of Tuscany, large forest areas in the Chianti Classico area were turned into vineyards and olive groves, which shapes the landscape.

Best time. According to the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico the grape harvest runs from the last third of September to the second ten days of October, budding in April and flowering in May.

Vesuvius near Naples and Pompeii

Profile. Trail ride. Ride on Vesuvius, 2 hours, from 69 euros. Ride on Vesuvius, 3 hours, from 70 euros. Guided ride on Vesuvius with wine sample, 3 hours, from 89 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the park authority, Vesuvius National Park was established on 5 June 1995 and covers 13 municipalities, and the Pompeii excavation site measures 98.35 hectares.

Season, rules. We found no proven source for this, ask the provider.

Sicily, Etna

Profile. Trail ride. Private ride in the Etna area with a traditional lunch, 4 hours, from 291 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to the park authority, the Parco dell'Etna has existed since 1987 and covers around 59,000 hectares. Whether the ride is within the park is stated by the provider.

Season, rules. We found no proven source for this, ask the provider.

Sardinia, Alghero

Profile. Trail ride. Ride at Porto Ferro and Lake Baratz near Alghero, 1 hour, from 56.50 euros. Ride on the beach near Orosei, 1.5 hours, from 84 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape. According to Sardegna Turismo, the Porto Conte Regional Park near Alghero was founded in 1999 and covers around 50,000 hectares. Whether the ride to Porto Ferro and Lake Baratz lies within the park is stated by the provider, we cannot prove it.

Season, rules. We found no proven source for this, ask the provider.

Cinque Terre, Monterosso

Profile. Trail ride. Ride on the coast of Monterosso al Mare, 1.7 hours, from 85 euros. Level and guide language are stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Landscape, season, rules. We found no proven source for Monterosso, so there is no statement about the landscape here.

What to pack

Sun protection and a head covering that fits under a helmet if the provider does not supply one. Sturdy shoes with a heel and long trousers. Water, it is often dry on slopes and in summer. Something warm for the evening. Ask the provider what they supply (helmet, chaps, rain jacket).

Questions for the provider

1. Which route is ridden, and do rules of the park, the winery or the municipality apply there?

2. Which gaits are possible, and how much of it at a walk?

3. How big is the group, how many guides accompany it?

4. Which level and which weight limit apply, and who decides on site?

5. What is included in the price (food, tasting, transfer, helmet)?

6. What happens in heat, rain or fog?

Rules we could not prove

We found no riding rules for Vesuvius National Park, the Etna park, the Porto Conte Regional Park or the Cinque Terre. Check the rules on site with the provider.

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