Benvenuti a Roma

Your Italian adventure begins in the Eternal City. As the sun sinks over the domes and bell towers of Rome, we gather for sunset drinks. Raise a glass of prosecco, meet your fellow travellers, and toast the summer ahead.

Two Thousand Years of Rome

Walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators. Stand in the shadow of the mighty Colosseum. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to promise your return to Rome. Then gaze up at the Pantheon's great open dome, which has let the sky pour in for nearly two thousand years.

With Rebecca as our guide, we go beyond the postcards. She knows the hidden piazzas, cobbled lanes and neighbourhood corners most visitors never find, and the best places to stop for a gelato or an espresso along the way.

Across the Heart of Italy

We travel in our private van through the green hills of Umbria and Le Marche to the Adriatic coast. Along the way you can stop at Assisi, a hilltop town of rose-coloured stone, home of the Basilica of Saint Francis and its breathtaking frescoes. We arrive in Pesaro to settle into our villa, our home for the week.

La Dolce Vita in Pesaro

Our villa sits in the countryside above Pesaro, with lovely gardens, a sparkling pool and peaceful spaces to unwind. Days here follow a rhythm the Italians have perfected: ride in the cool of the morning, then return for a long lunch, a swim and a little riposo before the afternoon's adventure.

In the saddle: four morning rides, each with an individual 30-minute lesson, and a golden-hour sunset hack around the farm. After each lesson, Kirstin leads a debrief, explaining the riding concepts behind the session and answering your questions, so you truly get the most out of every ride.

• E-bike through the San Bartolo national park, where green clifftops drop to the sparkling Adriatic far below
• Wander the streets of Pesaro, birthplace of the composer Rossini, with time for some Italian shopping
• Discover Urbino, a jewel of the Renaissance and birthplace of Raphael, and its magnificent Ducal Palace
• Step back in time at Gradara, a fairytale medieval castle that is said to be the setting of Dante's tragic lovers, Paolo and Francesca
• Cruise the Adriatic coast by boat, with lunch on board and time to swim in the clear blue sea
• Cook with a local chef at the villa, learning the secrets of regional cuisine over wine and local cheeses

Arrivederci

One last breakfast together, full of stories, before we say our farewells. Stay on to explore more of Italy, or head home to New Zealand with a heart full of memories. Until next time, arrivederci.

Eating Like a Local

Rebecca is a local, and she knows every hidden gem. She'll take us to family-run trattorias where the food is made the way nonna made it, using traditional recipes and produce from the surrounding farms and sea. Fresh seafood is the speciality on this stretch of the Adriatic, and every meal comes with stunning Italian wines and a warm, convivial atmosphere. On some evenings, we'll gather local produce from the markets and dine al fresco under the stars at the villa.

Your Villa

You'll have your own room throughout the tour. Our villa is spacious and peaceful, with gardens and a pool, and plenty of room to relax after full days of riding and exploring.

Getting There and Home

Once you have an idea of your travel plans, please let me know so I can organise picking you up.