Musicians jam at Osteria dei Poeti, a tavern at Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. The restaurant holds musical events every weekend and on some weekdays. ()
Musicians jam at Osteria dei Poeti, a tavern at Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. The restaurant holds musical events every weekend and on some weekdays. ()
A sign posting the operating hours at Agriturismo al Ranch i sits a few meters away from the entrance to the saloon. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
American Indian and western decor line the walls at Osteria dei Poeti, a tavern located at agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Italians and Americans share a Thanksgiving meal Nov. 28, 2013, at Osteria dei Poeti, a tavern at Agriturismo al Ranch. Courtesy photo ()
Animal skulls hang on a tree near a tepee at the camp grounds of Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. A one-night stay at the campsite costs 15 euros. Rooms cost 50 euros per person a night. Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
An Appaloosa takes a short break from the sun under the shade of an awning at Agriturismo al Ranch. Riders may be given a pre-prepped horse for the trail or, if they are experienced, may choose one of their own. Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A quarter horse waits in its stall at Agriturismo al Ranch. The ranch in Budoia, Italy, has two riding trails and a restaurant featuring dishes made from locally grown ingredients. Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Childern take riding lessons from Ivan Ceolin in an indoor ring at Agriturismo al Ranch. Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
Riding instructor Ivan Ceolin shows how a stirrup should be positioned with the help of one of his students during a lesson at Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A goat enjoys the cool ground on a cloudy day at Agriturismo al Ranch. Other animals in the ranch's menagerie include chickens, donkeys, yaks and a lama. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A quarter horse stands at the edge of a tree's shade at Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
A weary lama rests on the ground at Agriturismo al Ranch in Budoia, Italy. The ranch offers visitors two horseback trails and array of other activities. (Jason Duhr/Stars and Stripes)
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This story has been corrected.
Agriturismo al Ranch, along a mountain highway near Aviano Air Base, offers visitors the chance to ride horses and partake in what feels like a real cowboy experience.
The ranch is home to more than 30 horses, including white Arabians, chocolate-brown quarter horses and the distinctly spotted Appaloosa.
At the entrance, an inviting sign greets visitors: “Horses are angels with invisible wings.”
Horses can be found all around the ranch, some being groomed while others roam the surrounding green hills.
There are two riding trails, each covering three miles, enough for about an hour of riding.
Whether beginners or experts, riders start their hour of horseback riding in the indoor arena, where they get instructions and guidelines on how to follow the trail. You can get a pre-prepped horse or, if you’re more experienced, choose one of your own liking.
Guides will accompany each group taken out on a trail — unless you own or lease a horse on the ranch. Rides must be booked in advance because the number of visitors varies from week to week.
If you work up a thirst after your ride, you might want to quench it with a drink called elderflower water.
When I arrived at the ranch, Mauro Giannelli, the ranch’s manager and maker of the nonalcoholic drink, introduced me to it. It’s made from the heavily scented elderberry plant, which can be seen on nature walks throughout Italy. I was immediately seduced by the sweet flavors of the flower as I enjoyed the blue sky from a table outside the tavern while talking to Giannelli.
Giannelli, who speaks better English than I sometimes do, is at the ranch every day and more than happy to chat with and assist American visitors.
Making drinks is only one of his jobs. Another is creating pizzas in a stone oven.
An hour of horseback riding can also make you hungry. Fortunately, a western-themed tavern — Osteria Dei Poeti, or Tavern of Poets — offers many dishes prepared from foods grown right there. Oregano, parsley, peppers, green beans, lettuce and tomatoes are just a few of the home-grown ingredients used by the cooks. Freshly made buffalo mozzarella is delivered daily.
If none of those foods appeal to you, the tavern serves a nice cut of grilled buffalo, accompanied by a medley of seasonal vegetables. The restaurant’s menu changes daily.
And what would a ranch be without country music? Every Thursday is country music night; Texan Don Ried, who first arrived in the region some 20 years ago, is a Thursday regular.
The ranch has been open about 20 years and has many other attractions, including a camping area near the tavern. If camping isn’t your style, 10 simple rooms are available, each with air conditioning and a private bathroom.
duhr.jason@stripes.comCorrection The cost per night of staying at the ranch is 25 euros. Also, the phone number for the ranch is: (+39) 0434653047. The original version of this story also misspelled the name of art director Mauro Giannelli.
Agriturismo al Ranch DIRECTIONS The address of Agriturismo al Ranch (also listed on the Internet as Agriturismo Piancavallo) is Via Pedemontana Occidentale 40, 33070 Budoia (Pordenone), Italy.
TIMES The ranch is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 7-10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. It also will schedule rides on Mondays and Tuesdays upon request. Hours for those who book rides may vary.
Its tavern opens for lunch at noon and for dinner at 6:30 p.m.
COSTS A one-hour ride costs 15 euros (about $20.25) per person or 140 euros for 10 one-hour sessions. For children younger than 8, a 10-minute ride is available for 5 euros from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
Campsites rent for 15 euros per night. Rooms cost 50 euros per person a night.
FOOD A western-themed tavern, Osteria Dei Poeti (Tavern of Poets), changes its menu daily. In addition to pizza, it serves grilled buffalo and many dishes prepared from foods grown on the ranch.
INFORMATION Horseback rides must be booked in advance at (+39) 3292-175777 or (+39) 3343-425980. Ranch telephone: (+39) 0434-653047. Website: www.agriturismoalranch.it/index.htm (in Italian only); Facebook: www.facebook.com/OsteriaDeiPoetiAlRanch; program for upcoming bands and events: www.ciampore.it (some English).
