A Taste of Sicily, Sicily
Reviews
“The holiday was fantastic fun! As well as great riding that catered for, my husbands 'get on the horse and see how fast we can go style' and my 'I am a novice that does not want to fall off style', we had the very best time. The family are really lovely people who really go out of their way to make you feel welcome. As well as making it their priority that you have a wonderful holiday they are great fun to be around. The accommodation was excellent. The centre is surrounded by wonderful views, especially at sunset, I think it would be hard to beat. So, if you want great riding, great scenery and wonderful company I would highly recommend a visit, we will be back!”
Horses
Type of horses:
Andalusian, some local warm bloods and part breds.
Nature of horses:
First class, calm and experienced.
Height of horses:
14.3 - 15.3hh
Weight limit:
15 stone/210lbs or 95kgs
Tack type:
English
Weather
Current Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, 25 C
Forecast:
Fri - Sunny. High: 29 Low: 23
Sat - Sunny. High: 27 Low: 23
Full Forecast at Yahoo! Weather
(provided by The Weather Channel)
Pricing
Farmhouse Programme
2010: Includes full board accommodation and riding (dinner on first day not included). Free transfers are included from and to the local train station which takes you to Palermo airport (5 mins from the check in desk). (prices do not include flights or travel insurance).
Prices per person:
Adult rider: £774
Single supplement: £96
Return transfers:
Palermo: £59
Catania: £75
Trapani: £109
Availability/Booking Form
Ride Description
Your hosts are a British family who run a small business which caters mostly for small groups and provide a very personal service. They aim to give their guests as full a view of the incredibly different faces of Sicily as possible, especially the lesser known areas which are often also the most beautiful. Working with the family is a professional and expert horseman who has trained Olympic teams in two countries, and a Sicilian farrier who is a keen horseman and knowledgeable in all the local ways of horsemanship. An excellent team!
There are a number of packages catering for all levels. including a one week package caters for novice riders who are able to walk, trot and canter and be comfortable in the saddle for three hours at a time. Guests will enjoy exploring the many beautiful Sicilian hill trails on horseback combined with a package of sight seeing and wining and dining. A particularly attractive twist to this package are evening meals in different traditional Sicilian restaurants every night.
The rides lead to interesting destinations with something to see or do on every trip, including having barbecues with the locals in the beautiful Gurfa valley, or visiting typical Sicilian farms. There are at least two excursions to special Sicilian beauty spots or places of interest - Palermo is usually a "must" and perhaps a night out in bustling Cefalu. Holidays will include excursions to other towns, nights out and a special destination or place to visit on almost every ride.
Accommodation is in either a villa or farmhouse with evening meals taken in local restaurants, making the holiday a whole lot more fun.
See Programmes.
Food & Accommodation
Accommodation is provided in a traditional family four bedroom bed and breakfast in central Palermo, then in a tastefully decorated six-bedroom farmhouse or in a four-bedroom summerhouse situated on the mountainside.
Traditional, fresh and tasty Sicilian food is available in the excellent local restaurants which are used for evening meals. Breakfast is usually taken at the farmhouse or summerhouse and packed lunches might be provided when out riding.
Activities
A self drive car hire is available for those wishing to explore the beautiful countryside. All major beauty spots are no more than a 2 hour drive away. Your hosts can help you plan your stay, giving you tips on where to go and what to expect, answer your questions and make your holiday as near perfect as they can.
Further Details
Languages: English and Italian.
Health requirements: Fit and healthy, able to withstand at least 3 hours in the saddle.
Age limit: 11 years upward
Tuition: No
Included: Accommodation, all excursions and outings transport, meals, drinks.
Not included: Cost of transfers, car hire, travel insurance. For your safety and comfort it is suggested that you bring along your own riding hat although a small selection is available should you forget it or prefer not to.
Travel Information
Ryanair flies twice daily to Palermo Airport (Punta Raisi) - 1.5 hours drive to your destination.
Easyjet flies to Catania Airport from London Gatwick (June - November only).
British Airways flies to Catania from London Heathrow or Bristol.
Transfers are available from both airports (to be paid locally)
Airport: Palermo
Alternative Airport: Catania
Programmes
Farmhouse Programme
|
This programme may change from time to time. All throughout the summer months there are village feasts, horse shows, marches, special fairs and a multitude of other events going on all throughout Sicily. We try to plan riding around this, driving to the nearby town and taking in what the special events have to offer. Day 1 - Sunday 21:00 Arrival at Palermo airport. Pick up and transfer to Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Piazza Politeama, possibly the hub of Palermo night life. Guests can rest after their flight and then go out for a meal and some night life. Around the area are many restaurants, cafes and bars offering a wide choice of food and beverages. The vibrant Piazza and the surrounding streets buzz with activity until the early hours of the morning. (Evening meal not included in price). Day 2 - Monday Breakfast at the B&B. Pick-up at 09:00 and travel to Alia (expected arrival around 10.15). Settle in to the farmhouse accommodation, time for a drink, and then off to a local family run Sicilian restaurant in the centre of the village for lunch. In the afternoon riders will be assessed for their ability and introduced to the horses in the school. you will then ride out for a short one and a half hour ride to the famous archeological Gurfa Caves carved out by prehistoric man over 7000 years ago. This will be followed by a BBQ with lots of food and free wine and beverages on a large terrace overlooking the Gurfa valley. Day 3 - Tuesday After breakfast you will embark on a long ride up the valley and across into another valley towards a town called Valledolmo. On the way back you will stop for a delicious BBQ lunch on top of the mountain and you will enjoy a visit to a local Sicilian farm. In the evening you will dine at Casa Sagona. Day 4 - Wednesday Today you have a break from horse riding take an all day tour of Palermo, visiting some of the many beautiful and fascinating places of Sicily's capital. You visit some markets for shopping, view places of interest, taste some typical local specialities and generally take in the heart and soul of all that is Sicilian in this vibrant and exciting city. In the evening you return to dine at "Chaplins" where Giacomino our host takes extreme pride in his cuisine and especially in sea food. We guarantee you will not be able to finish with a clean plate! Day 5 - Thursday After breakfast you take a ride up the mountain. You stop at a typical Sicilian farm for some refreshments and a look around, and proceed along the trail to a nearby village. The ride is around 4 hours long. Lunch is at the restaurant "Sotto l'Archi" and the afternoon is free. For the evening meal you will be taken to another nearby village called Roccapalumba ("Rock of the Doves"). Before dining at the local pizzeria (itself a very interesting converted 16th century mill), you will visit a planetarium and star observation centre. The clear Mediterranean night sky provides a lovely appetiser! Day 6 - Friday After breakfast, you ride to Mercato Bianco, a village across the valley. This minute village of about 500 inhabitants is one of those places where the proverbial phrase "time has stood still" springs to mind. Except for the odd car, nothing can have changed here for at least a hundred years. You will visit a local cheese factory-turned restaurant and stay for lunch, riding back in the afternoon. In the evening we dine at a typical small family run Sicilian restaurant in the hear of Alia. Day 7- Saturday As usual you will breakfast at the farmhouse. You again take a long ride crossing into the nearby valley. You will enjoy a tasty picnic on the way which will be delivered by friends in the 4WD vehicles. Your last evening will be spent wining and dining at another BBQ on the terrace overlooking the Gurfa valley. Day 8 - Sunday After an early breakfast (and bags packed) you can enjoy one last short ride on one of the mountain trails. After lunch at Casa Sagona you will be transferred to the Alia train station to return to the airport for the return flight. |
|
| Minimum group size: | 1 |
| Maximum group size: | 8 |
| Ability description: |
Riders are expected to be of novice level, able to walk, trot and canter. For absolute beginners we suggest you opt for a non-riding holiday and you can then have some riding lessons in the school and perhaps some short walks out. |
| Type of ride: | Trails |
| Total riding time: | As per itinerary. |
| Departure dates: | All Year around |
| Pricing: | See Pricing |