Overview

• Food & Accommodation

• Activities

• Travel Information

• Further Details

• Photo Gallery

• Printable Version

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Programmes

• Farmhouse Programme

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!”

“We had a great time, excellent hosts and great horses. The location and set up is very simple which some may not like but we thought it was ideal. We really liked the flexibility and relaxed atmosphere. Our hosts were good fun and very happy to change the itinerary to suit personal requirements. Accommodation was really good. Food for me was the highlight, meals and bbqs at the the house were good and meals out very good. Don't miss the cheese factory lunch! Good choice of horses for all abilities - we rode about 8 horses between the two of us- within two days you find your favourite.”

“We had a brilliant holiday, Mark and Andrea are lovely people and my daughter got on famously with their daughter! The holiday was very varied, both myself and my daughters riding has improved greatly. It is also in a beautiful spot where they live and Mark has discovered some excellent rides. ”

“Just writing to tell you what a lovely holiday John and I had in Sicily. The accomodation was beautiful as was the views, it was breath taking. Nothing was too much trouble for our hosts and we loved the way they welcomed us into their home. All the animals were obviously well loved and looked after, their welfare means a lot to them. This holiday was nothing like I have ever done before and I would truly recommend it in every way. Since coming home John has now got the bug for riding and it has given us a hobby we can both share together and for that I am grateful for. Thank you Far and Ride for helping John organise this brilliant 40th birthday suprise for me and thank you Mark for chauffeuring us around, giving us history lessons and for the riding out. You haven't got rid of us that easily, we will return. ”

“I had a marvelous holiday - the anticipations of visiting somewhere new to me lived up to and exceeded all expectations. (Favored memory) It is hard to select just one! The hospitality we were shown, the terrific views from the accommodation and the saddle, a great mixture of guests and the overall experience. (We stayed in) Cute little rooms, comfortable beds and good showers! The food was delicious and there was a good variety throughout the week, much of which was locally sourced - impressive! I rode two horses and enjoyed them both and felt I ahd been well matched. They were both calm and responsive to my aids. I was also happy with the tack. Our guide (Mark) was courteous and helpful with good knowledge of the pathways and tracks along which we rode, and set the pace according to our wishes. I felt that the holiday provided a well-rounded and more than satisfactory experience and can think of nothing which can be improved upon.”

“Our week in Sicily was fantastic. We were the only two people on the ride so were very well looked after by Mark and his daughter Pippa. The horses and riding were great especially the ride where we stopped for a midday meal in the middle of nowhere! Mark took us to some very good local restaurants which would have been impossible to find if one was in Sicily on ones own. He also made a very knowledgeable tour guide at the Mafia museum, the Catacombs and Palermo. We had plenty of time for relaxing in the afternoon with books and wine/beer. I would recommend the ride to anyone wanting a thoroughly relaxing quiet week in pleasant company sampling the local way of life. ”

“Great location, fab hosts, horses amazing. From start to finish had a brilliant time. Well looked after, Mark was attentive to every detail, a very caring and trustworthy man. (Favourite memory?) Riding through fields of spring flowers and going up trails to the top of the mountain; spectacular views. (Rooms and Food?) On (the) riding holiday you spend little time in your room, only for sleeping. Beds comfy. House open 24/7. Food; fantastic and plentiful. (Horses?) I rode two different horses during the week, both excellent. Tack was comfy and carefully fitted. Mark and Pippa are excellent and couldn't do enough for you. It would be hard to improve, it was an amazing holiday and hoping to return!”

“The holiday was great fun, exciting rides, beautiful landscape, friendly and helpful hosts. The meals were delicious and all the people were friendly. The hosts tried their best to satisfy all riders needs and we all had a good time. ”

“We had a lovely time, the riding was great and Mark was the perfect host. I ate too much, thought my poor horse would collapse when I got back home from the extra weight! It was a great combination of riding and, as it says, a taste of Sicily. I would be happy to recommend this holiday to anyone. ”

“Excellent. Very personal. Very warm and welcoming people. Well-trained and healthy horses. The excursions that are part of the programme are very nice. Mark went to a great length to make my holiday perfect. The knowledge he has of Sicily and the stories he tells about the places you visit make the history really come to life. During the rides your safety is his number one priority. ”

“Excellent - beautiful location, great food, wonderful horses. Accommodation is basic but comfortable and clean. Food was amazing - home-cooked or at amazing restaurants. Horses were wonderful, healthy and happy, a pleasure to ride. Mark is a very competent and gentle horseman. Always felt safe. ”

“I thought that the holiday was fantastic. Mark is a superb host. He made a lot of effort to make the days interesting and to include any specific requests. It was my birthday and the birthday of another of his guests, so he took us out for a wonderful meal but had phoned and asked them to make a cake with our names on it which was a very kind gesture. He has extensive knowledge of the history of the island and is a natural story-teller, so was able to make all of his stories very interesting. The riding was excellent and varied. The weather was beautiful, hot and sunny, all day, everyday. The accommodation was fine, clean, tidy and comfortable. The food was fantastic. The horses were all well looked after and although some of the tack was a bit old, it was all in good repair and more than adequate. ”

“Very different! Mark really does tailor it to your requirements, I had enough riding to suit me, and rode at a good pace. A good combination of learning about and exploring the country with a knowledgable guide, and seeing the countryside from horseback.”

“The right balance of riding and sightseeing. Mark is an exceptionally good host. My favourite memory from the holiday was the relaxed, happy ambience with the true experience of everyday life in Sicily, as well as it's culture. ”

“It was great, very laid back with enough variety and a good insight into the way of life. The guest rooms were clean and had everything you needed, along with a "help yourself to whatever you need" from the kitchen. All of the tack and equipment used on the horses was good, and the health and wellbeing of the animals was paramount. ”

“Really enjoyed it. Beautiful countryside to ride in and visit. Charming accommodation and fantastic hosts. Really experienced the true Sicily, its culture, food, animals and scenery! Very comfortable accommodation. Very plentiful, lovely food and wine - very high standard, lovely restaurants. (Favourite memory?) Riding along the top of the hills and through lovely orchards.”

“Very nice trip, beautiful place, nice team. Food was great, accommodation good - not usually equipped to accommodate guests in winter, but the staff did everything to make it comfy for me. Great horse, very responding and not boring. Just the right horse for my level of experience! Equipment and tack were fine. I rode with Mark and Pippa, both were doing a great job.”

“Absolutely brilliant - much better than I could ever have imagined. Beautiful scenery, great food, lovely horses and brilliant hosts. Accommodation absolutely spot on, all meals were delicious and my room was lovely. Favourite memory riding through the wild flower meadows and galloping up the field. Superb and knowledgeable guides. Horses well cared for and it shows.”

“I loved seeing different aspects of Sicily. Mark is generous with his time and took trouble to give us varying experiences when not riding. Due to thunder and lighting and rain, we only rode four times but Mark always brought us somewhere instead.”

“Loved it overall - Mark, our host, was fantastic and did everything he could to make our holiday memorable. My favourite memory (hard to single one out!) is galloping flat out and extremely fast along one of the dirt tracks.”

“Really enjoyable and relaxed, a supreme effort to match horse and rider. An informal atmosphere and plenty of fun!”

Horses

Type of horses:

A mix of breeds including an Andalusian, some local warm bloods and some part breds.

Nature of horses:

Calm and experienced.

Height of horses:

14.3 - 15.3hh

Weight limit:

15 stone/210lbs or 95kgs

Tack type:

English

Travel Advice

Please ensure you read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice before you travel.

Ride Description

This lovely Sicilian farmhouse offers relaxed horse riding holidays, combining riding in the beautiful Sicilian hills with sightseeing, eating at local restaurants and exploring what Sicily has to offer. They cater for small groups and aim to provide a very personal service. They hope to share with their guests the different aspects of Sicily, including introducing them to the lesser known areas which are often the most beautiful. They are friendly, welcoming hosts and they have a small selection of excellent horses who offer you the perfect mode of transport for touring the farmhouse surroundings.

Sicily has a longer warm season than northern and central Italy and it is often possible to sunbathe and swim in the sea well into November. Spring also starts early with a carpet of wild flowers usually appearing at the end of February. This means that horse riding can be enjoyed throughout the year, the wonderful views and peaceful valleys offering an ideal escape. The rides lead to interesting destinations with something to see or do on every trip, such as having a tasty barbecue with the locals in the Gurfa valley or visiting typical Sicilian farms. You will enjoy excursions to spots of particular interest - Palermo is usually a "must" and you may also enjoy a night out in bustling Cefalu. Most evenings you will enjoy a visit to a traditional Sicilian restaurant after all, the food in this part of the world is of course one of the highlights! You should expect to sample tasty pasta and delicious pizzas, as well as good local wine.

The typical week package is aimed at riders of a confident novice standard and above, able to walk, trot and canter and comfortable riding for up to three hours at a time. There is a variety of trails and the rides can be catered to suit your ability and preferences. If you would prefer a shorter stay or you have something particular that you would like to see or do, please get in touch as the packages here are very flexible. Returning to the comfortable farmhouse each night, after a good day of riding and a delicious meal, means that this trip is a relaxed and easygoing holiday.

See Programmes.

Food & Accommodation

The farmhouse is situated at an altitude of 2500 feet above sea level in the Madonie mountains. It is to be found in one of the most fertile valleys of the region - the Gurfa valley, named after the prehistoric caves found there. At this altitude there are sometimes some spectacular views to be had of the mountain tops sticking up through the clouds below.

The accommodation is a restored farmhouse complex with the four grain barns becoming the guests living quarters. They all have ensuite bathrooms. The area surrounding the guest rooms has been enhanced by a large terrace which overlooks the picturesque valley with its ever changing seasonal colours. The terrace is ideal for BBQs and social events and is regularly used for these.

The buildings are surrounding by fields where the horses graze. The stables are situated on the premises.

Breakfast is usually taken at the farmhouse and is simple fare. Toast with butter and jam, cereals, yoghurts, croissants, jam tarts, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Lunches are often served at home and typically light (pasta plates, salads, desserts, wine, fruit, liqueurs and coffee). Dinners are often substantial so generally lunches are lighter. Dinners are mostly eaten out in different restaurants in different towns and villages. This is due to the fact that you will always go out in the afternoon touring and viewing many parts of beautiful Sicily. Mark has chosen the best restaurants in these areas and so you can experience the variety of traditional Sicilian meals available. Wines, drinks and liqueurs are included in all meals out and at the ranch.

Your hosts make their own olive oil using olives from the trees surrounding the farmhouse!

Activities

Your hosts at this destination specialise in arranging sightseeing holidays as well as riding holidays and so they can help you plan your stay, giving you tips on where to go and what to expect. They can 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: Flights, travel insurance, transfers or car hire.

Travel Information

- easyJet flies to Catania and Palermo Airport.
- British Airways flies to Catania from London Heathrow or Bristol.
- Ryanair also flies into Palermo from Stansted.

Transfers are available from all airport.

Palermo Airport (Punta Raisi) is a 1.5 hour drive. Return transfer is 75 euros (up to 3 persons). Alternatively it is possible to take a train to Palermo central station and take a train so you will arrive locally (around 8 euros).

Catania Airport (Fontarossa) is a 2 hour drive. Return transfer is 95 euros (up to 3 persons)

Trapani Airport (Birgi) is a 2.5 hour drive away. Return transfer is 95 euros (up to 3 persons). Alternatively it is possible to reach the farmhouse by bus and train.

Airport: Palermo

Alternative Airport: Catania

Farmhouse Programme

Please note this itinerary is flexible and will often change from the following example programme depending on local weather conditions, the avaialbility of certain activities and the preferences of the group.  A typical week long stay offers a combination of horse riding and sightseeing, as well as eating in local restaurants and exploring areas of interest. Throughout the summer months there are village feasts, horse shows, marches, special fairs and a multitude of other events going on all throughout Sicily. Your hosts try to plan the days activities around this, driving to the nearby town and taking in what the special events have to offer in order to make the most of your Sicilian experience.  Please note that the below is a sample itinerary, subject to change due to weather, riding ability and preferences or simply to make the most of interesting things which might be going on at the time of your travel. It is designed to give you a taste of the sorts of things to expect on your trip. A typical day is to ride out on the trail after breakfast for approximately 2-3 hours in the morning. On most afternoons Mark will take you on a small adventure and you will enjoy a delicious Sicilian dinner in the vicinity of wherever you have chosen to explore. On one of the days, you may ride to a friend's country house which takes c. 3.5 hours to get to. You will enjoy a lovely four course meal, cooked in a traditional Sicilian way. You will have a couple of hours to relax and then will ride back in the late afternoon in time for dinner. The return ride is c. 1.5 hours.  On another day you might not ride at all but instead choose to take a day off to explore the beautiful Sicilian capital of Palermo where there is so much to see - street markets, catacombs, theatres, mountain caves and beaches - as much as you can cram into the day! You may go for lunch in interesting local restaurants and will perhaps eat out again in the evening to sample the Palermitan nightlife. There are many interesting excursions available, including a visit to a lovely medieval town high up in the mountains where you can enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. You may visit Corleone, the infamous town of Godfather fame, where the Mafia bosses came from. You will be taken to a photo museum showing the rise of the Mafia in Sicily, you will visit another lovely little town called Palazzo Adriano where you will stop for dinner. Another trip may take you to an ancient Arab fortified town (2500 years old) high up in the mountains of central Sicily. This is a minute little town, still inhabited and living in the old traditional way. No one seems to visit the town which seems to have been left behind in time. It's a very interesting story which will unfold. Afterwards, you will have a sumptuous 8 course home cooked meal at a local agriturismo. You will enjoy several little stops in cafes, bars and a highlight is one of Mark's special barbecue on the terrace, overlooking the Gurfa valley.
Minimum group size:	1
Maximum group size:	6
Ability description:	Riders are expected to be of at least a 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 and perhaps some short rides out later in the week.
Type of ride:	Centre-based
Total riding time:	Flexible - typically no more than 3 hours per day.
Departure dates:	All year round with flexible arrival and departure days.
Pricing:	2020: Adult rider: £985 Non Rider : £886 Single supplement: £135 Short Break £715 5 nights Price includes full-board accommodation based on sharing rooms, as well as riding and sightseeing activities each day. Free transfers are available from and to the local train station which has a direct service to Palermo airport (5 mins from the check-in desk). 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.

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