Adventure Advisor:

Tuscany is prime territory for hikers and horses. Just fill your canteen with Chianti and head for the hills. You can start by wandering among the olive groves and cobbled medieval towns. And when you're ready for something more rugged, turn toward Monte Oliveto Maggiore. From Siena, you'll climb past vineyards and pastures on your way to the heavily frescoed 14th-century hideaway, which is surrounded by bizarre clay dunes. Consult Ciclismo Classico (www.ciclismoclassico.com, 800-866-7314) for tips. They run multi-day hiking and biking trips all over the region.

For horseback riding, try Rifugio Prategiano in Follonica (prategiano.heimatseite.com). Their half- to full-day rides include a hot springs trip in the Cecina valley. Horses that weren't trained in the region would be spooked at the sight of the bubbling geysers, so riding here is a pretty unique experience.

A word on snakes: Theoretically, you could come across a viper or two while wandering in the Maremma. But unless you start poking your hands in dark holes and shouting, "Here, snakey snakey," you shouldn't have a problem. Standard reptile protocol applies -- don't bother them and they won't bother you.

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