Day 1 - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
Transfer from Cagliari airport to your hotel in Sant'Antioco (I Colori or similar). Have a locally produced dinner with the group at the restaurant Agrifoglio before retiring to bed.
Day 2 - Views in front of Saint Pietro island
Riding: 5 hours
This morning you will meet the horses and there will be a brief test ride in the menage including walk, trot and canter.
From the stables, ride to the ancient fishing village of Is Loccis Santus and alongside some Domus de Janas - some are over 8000 years old - and head towards the sea. You will ride from the Punta e'Trettu through Corongiuali to arrive at Brunca e Teula where you walk along the seashore. You will ride along the little beaches and sandy shores and head inland for amazing views of the Saint Pietro island which is close by. Savour the scent of the sea's fresh breeze as you return to the stables for dinner at restaurant Da Silvana.
Day 3 - Shades of blue between lake and sea
Riding: 5 hours
After breakfast today you will meet the horses and set off riding in the direction of the sea and towards Saint Antioco's salt works. Follow the riverbed to the small village of Palmas Vecchio where you can admire the church built 1000 years ago. Continue riding to the artificial lake of Tratalias from where there is an amazing panoramic view with the lake in the foreground and the coast in the distance.
You will return to the stables through the Middle Age village of Tratalias Vecchia. A lovely scenic ride between native vegetation and the blue notes of the lake and sea. You may wish to have a few euros on you as sometimes you can buy handmade soaps or other souvenirs along the way today.
Dinner at the restaurant Da Silvana which specialises in fish and seafood before returning to your hotel to overnight.
Day 4 - Eastern coast of S.Antioco Island
Riding: 5 hours
The horses will be transferred to the area of the ex quarries of Palmas where you unload the horses and mount up. Ride to the beautiful beach of Maladroxia through the mediterranean vegetation until reaching the wild beach of Coe' Cuaddus in the south of the island. Continue to Turri with its majestic 700 year old tower which dominates the headland and the numerous bays - some sandy and some rocky.
Leave this beautiful view behind you and turn inland to reach the valley of Cannai before heading back to your starting point.
Dinner is in the Agriturismo 'Is Concais' a typical Sardinian kitchen.
Day 5 - South Coast of Sardinia
Riding: 5 hours
Set off from the stables and follow a local river towards the sea and the windy inlet of Porto Botte which is particularly loved by kite surfers. Continue to Is Solinas, another lovely beach before riding further to the romantic bay of Su Portu e Su Trigu. Finally arrive on the well known beach of Porto Pino characterised by white sands and dunes that have UNESCO heritage status. You may see flamingoes here as you ride between the coastal vineyards, green junipers and Aleppo pines before returning to the stables.
Dinner at Agrofoglio in San Giovanni Suergiu which uses all its own produce.
Day 6 - Monte Suergiu and the islands of Sulcis
Riding: 5 hours
Today you ride on the mountain of Suergiu which offers priceless views of the Sulcis archipelago. Stop near the Domus de Janas - ancient tombs carved into the rock - on Crobu's mountain and climb onto the summit of Suergiu (400m above sealevel). From the green paths on this hill you have breathtaking views over the sea, S. Antioco and S. Pietro islands and the private island of Piana along with other islets in the archipelago.
Return to have dinner in the Pizzeria di Renzo e Rita.
Day 7 - West coast of S.Antioco island
Riding: 5 hours
Today your trail on the island of S. Antioco starts at the fountain of Cannai which is an ancient animal drinking trough in the valley of Cannai. You will ride past the ruins of Su Semafuru, a historic lighthouse above the bay of Palmas, from where you can enjoy unique panoramic views across the sea. Continue riding across mediterranean vegetation to Portu Sciusciau on the coast with a beautiful view of the cavern of Sirene. You can visit the village of Grutti'e Acqua and the grave of the giant placed in Su Niu'e su Crobu. Return through the beautiful bay of Calasapone with a cliff that overhangs the sea and draw it into a charming cove from where it's possible to view multicoloured sunsets.
Dinner in a local restaurant with fresh fish.
Day 8 - Departure
Riding: No riding.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport in Cagliari.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
