Horseback riding and aperitif 2 hours for beginners

The best part of this outing is that the riding is tied to a real countryside route, not just circles around an arena. After a ground briefing and field lesson, you ride through woods, cross a stream, pass the Upezzinghi tower in Caprona, follow an old path to the abandoned convent of Nicosia, and return near the Certosa di Calci.

I like the patient beginner setup and the small maximum group of six. I also like the finish: wine, bread, cheese and salami back at the stables, with photos included so you are not forced to manage a camera from the saddle.

The main caution is the short two-hour schedule. Much of that time includes instruction, so this is a gentle introduction rather than a long horseback trek. Also, the information gives both age eight and minimum age nine, so confirm the age rule before booking.

Key points at a glance

• A real countryside route: Ride through woods, ford a stream, pass Caprona and reach the old Nicosia convent area.
• Built for beginners: You receive a ground briefing, a field lesson and a test route before heading farther out.
• Small groups: The maximum is six people, which matters when you need help mounting, steering or adjusting your pace.
• A proper Tuscan-style finish: The aperitif includes red wine, bread, cheese and salami, with juice mentioned for younger participants.
• Useful extras included: A safety helmet and a photoshoot are part of the price.
• Easy clothing plan: Wear long trousers and tennis shoes. You provide both yourself.

Starting at Centro Ippico La Cartuja in Calci

Your meeting point is Centro Ippico La Cartuja on Via Trieste in Calci, outside Pisa. The activity ends at the same riding school, which makes the day easier to plan than a ride with a separate drop-off point.

Pickup can be arranged from a hotel, city location or another meeting point. It is not simply included in the advertised price. If your pickup is more than 12 kilometers away, the operator asks for an additional 10 euros per person, with the full pickup cost agreed separately according to distance.

I would treat pickup as something to settle before the day, not at the last minute. The riding school can be harder to identify if a driver relies only on a map pin, so make sure your driver knows the exact riding center and entrance. The published information also says confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The group limit of six is one of the more useful details here. Beginners need extra time, and a smaller group gives the staff a better chance to notice if your stirrup, reins or posture needs attention.

A gentle lesson before you leave the yard

The session begins on the ground. You learn or review the basic commands and prepare for the ride before getting on or setting off. This is good practice for a first ride because you can focus on what the horse is doing without also trying to follow a guide through the countryside.

Next comes a field lesson. You get familiar with the horse and work on the basic commands in a controlled area. The goal is not to turn you into an expert in a few minutes. It is to help you understand how to ask for movement, direction and a slower pace.

The staff then take you on a test route outside the riding area. This step matters. It gives you a chance to see how you handle the horse beyond the arena before the route reaches the woods, stream and village paths.

The advertised difficulty is easy, and the outing is aimed at beginners. Still, horseback riding requires balance, attention and the ability to follow instructions. If you are nervous, tell the staff early. The small group size should help, and the staff have been praised for patience with first-time riders.

Past accounts specifically mention guides named Alex, Jack and Lewis, while Silvio is also connected with the operation. Your guide may be different, but the important point is that instruction is part of the outing rather than an afterthought.

Through the woods and across the stream

Once the lesson is complete, the route leaves the riding school and moves into the countryside around Calci. The first sections pass through woods, giving the ride a quieter feel than a short track session.

The route also includes a stream ford. This is one of the memorable details, but it is worth keeping in proportion. You are not signing up for a difficult adventure ride. The activity is rated easy, and staff accompany the group, but terrain outside the riding area is less predictable than an arena.

Follow the pace set by the staff and keep your attention on the horse rather than trying to take pictures. The included photoshoot is useful here. You can enjoy the ride without handing a phone to someone or worrying about dropping it.

The route is also a nice fit for someone who wants more than a standard riding lesson. You get a basic introduction to English riding, then see woods, paths and village surroundings from the saddle. That change of setting is the reason the price feels more reasonable than a simple arena lesson.

Caprona and the Upezzinghi tower

The route reaches the town of Caprona and continues toward the Upezzinghi tower. This gives the ride a clear sense of place. You are not just moving through anonymous fields, but following a route linked to a recognizable local landmark.

The tower is one of the points where you can appreciate the setting and the connection between the riding school and the villages around Calci. The supplied itinerary does not promise a formal guided visit inside the tower, so think of it as a scenic passage rather than a museum stop.

The activity is listed as lasting about two hours. That includes the briefing, lesson, test route, countryside ride and aperitif. You should not expect long stops at each point. The value comes from combining several small parts into one easy outing.

For families, this can be a pleasant way to add a rural activity to a Pisa visit. The minimum age needs special attention, however. One section says age eight and up, while the additional information sets the minimum at nine. I would use nine as the safe rule and ask the operator to confirm before paying for a child.

The old path to Nicosia

From Caprona, the ride goes up an ancient path toward the abandoned convent of Nicosia. This is probably the most atmospheric part of the route. The path adds a sense of age and distance, while the abandoned convent gives you a destination with more character than a random turnaround point.

You should understand what abandoned convent means here. The itinerary does not describe a guided interior visit, restored rooms or an extended stop. You are riding to the area and seeing it as part of the route, not booking a dedicated religious or architectural tour.

The path may also feel more demanding than the flat riding area, even though the overall difficulty is easy. Let the staff set the pace. Beginners are better served by a calm, steady ride than by trying to keep up with more experienced companions.

This is where the outing feels most distinct from a standard tourist activity in Pisa. You spend time outside the city, follow an old route and see a quieter side of the province. If your holiday is already full of churches and museums, the horse ride gives you a different way to experience the area.

Returning near the Certosa di Calci

The circular route continues toward the Certosa di Calci before returning to the riding school. The itinerary names the Museo Nazionale della Certosa Monumentale di Calci as the stop, although the ride description focuses on passing through the area rather than entering the museum.

Do not book this expecting a museum tour. The attraction is the setting and the route around the Certosa, not a separate admission, interior visit or guided explanation. If you want to tour the museum itself, plan that as an additional activity and check its opening hours independently.

The circular format is practical. You see several different sections of the Calci area without retracing the full route. It also brings you back to the place where you started, where the aperitif is waiting.

Wine, cheese and salami at the stables

After the ride, you return to the riding center for an aperitif. The food described includes bread, cheese and salami, with red wine for adults and juice mentioned in connection with a family outing. One account calls the aperitif exceptional, while another enjoyed it at a gazebo.

This is more than a small drink handed over as you leave. It gives you time to come down from the ride, talk with the staff and enjoy a simple local-style snack. After two hours on horseback, that pause is part of the appeal.

The aperitif also helps the outing work for mixed groups. Someone who is not especially interested in riding may still appreciate the food and countryside setting, though everyone taking part in the activity needs to meet the age requirement.

Photos from the experience are included. That is a useful touch for beginners, who may not feel comfortable trying to photograph themselves while holding reins. Ask the staff when and how the photos will be delivered, since the supplied details do not explain the format or timing.

What the $107.23 price buys you

At $107.23 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours near Pisa. The price includes the riding lesson, staff accompaniment, countryside route, safety helmet, photoshoot and aperitif. It also covers the fact that the activity is capped at six people.

I think the value depends on what you want from horseback riding. If you only want a quick first lesson, the countryside route and food may be more than you need. If you want a small-group outing with instruction, scenery and a meal-like finish, the package is easier to justify.

The helmet is included, but you must bring your own long trousers and tennis shoes. That is a modest requirement, yet it matters. Shorts, sandals and dress shoes are poor choices for this activity, and the operator does not provide replacement clothing.

Pickup can add to the cost. Beyond 12 kilometers, the listed supplement is 10 euros per person, while other pickup prices are arranged by distance. If you are staying in Pisa, ask for the exact total before confirming so you can compare it with getting to Calci yourself.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would choose this for a first-time rider who wants instruction without spending a full day in the saddle. The early briefing, field lesson and test route make it less intimidating than being placed directly on a trail.

It also suits families with older children, couples looking for a rural break from Pisa and solo visitors who want a guided activity with a small group. One solo rider particularly valued the friendly support of Alex, which suggests that the social side can matter as much as the riding.

Horse lovers should note that this is an easy beginner outing, not an advanced riding lesson. You are unlikely to get a fast or technically demanding ride. The horses have been described as calm and well cared for, which is exactly what most beginners need.

I would be more cautious if you dislike uneven ground, feel uncomfortable around animals or want a highly structured sightseeing tour. The route includes a stream ford and an old path, and the timing is approximate. You need to accept a little outdoor uncertainty.

The negative account connected to the experience describes a serious disagreement at arrival involving parking, waiting and staff behavior. The operator disputed that account and said a refund dispute was involved. I cannot resolve that disagreement from the available information, so I would reduce the risk by confirming the entrance, arrival instructions, pickup plan and start time in writing.

Practical details before you book

Wear long trousers and tennis shoes. Bring only what you can safely manage during a ride, since the route includes woods and a stream crossing.

The activity is offered in English and uses English riding. A safety helmet is supplied. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, though the exact transport connection is not provided.

The maximum group is six, and most people can participate. The published age information conflicts, so ask about children under nine before booking. This is especially important if your child is eight, since one part of the description permits age eight while another says the minimum is nine.

Allow more than the bare two-hour window in your day. The ride itself is listed at approximately two hours, and pickup, arrival and the aperitif can affect your total schedule.

Should you book the Calci horseback ride?

Book it if you want a small, easy introduction to riding with a genuine countryside route and a relaxed food-and-wine finish. The combination of patient instruction, calm horses, woods, Caprona, Nicosia and the Certosa area gives you more variety than a basic arena session.

Skip it if you want a long trail ride, a formal tour of the Certosa museum or a guaranteed fast pace. Before booking, confirm the minimum age, pickup price, meeting entrance and the exact start time. For a first ride near Pisa, those checks make this a practical and appealing choice.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding activity last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours, including the briefing, field lesson, test route, countryside ride and aperitif.

Where does the activity start and end?

It starts and ends at Centro Ippico La Cartuja, Via Trieste, 56011 Calci, Pisa. The activity returns to the riding school after the circular route.

What places does the horseback route pass?

The route passes through woods, crosses a stream ford, reaches the Upezzinghi tower in Caprona, follows an ancient path toward the abandoned convent of Nicosia and continues toward the Certosa di Calci.

What should I wear?

Wear long trousers and tennis shoes. The operator does not provide sneakers or long pants. A safety helmet is included.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the horse ride, beginner instruction, staff accompaniment, a safety helmet, an aperitif and a photoshoot of the experience.

What is the minimum age for this activity?

The information gives two different age rules: one says eight and up, while the additional details state a minimum age of nine. Confirm the correct requirement with the operator before booking for a child.