You might, like me, quiver at the idea of riding a horse through the brambles and brush of the Maremman countryside, but don’t worry.

The Maremma is known for its horses and the horseback riding tours here cater for beginners all the way to experts.

If you need a few lessons before you head off into the sunset, that’s okay. All the best tours include an introductory lesson for those who aren’t particularly steady on horseback.

And it’s definitely worth the effort.

I’m constantly going on about the hidden beauty of the Maremma. The best natural and manmade sights can’t be see with a car.

You need to wander through the gorgeous, but vast Maremman countryside to get a glimpse of the breathtaking coastline or take in a hidden Etruscan city or medieval monastery in the middle of the forest.

Sure you can do all of this on foot with a walking tour, but it’s pretty evocative and unforgettable on horseback.

Riding across the rolling hills of the Maremma with an expert guide, so you don’t get lost, soaking up the incredible countryside firsthand- sounds pretty close to paradise to me!

The tourist information centres in the main cities have brochures on half day or full day horseback riding tours. Otherwise ask at your accommodation and they should be able to set something up.