Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at Catania Airport and transfer to your accommodation. Tonight we will all sit down to a traditional Sicilian welcome dinner.
Day 2 (hours of riding: 6)
We will set off from Le Terre di Castel Leone, on the banks of the Alcantara River, at about 8.30 in the morning, and ride along small country lanes and paths, which pass through vineyards, hazelnut trees, forests of chestnut, oak and broom, and lava flows dating back to various eruptions. After about three and a half hours, we will arrive at the Pista Altomontana, where we will stop for a light packed lunch near the Grotta dei Lamponi, which we will visit. We will then ride on towards the Pineta Ragabo, an enchanting larch pine forest, below which sits the Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi, where we will enjoy a rich dinner prepared using typical local produce and spend the night.
Day 3 (hours of riding: 6)
After breakfast, we will set off through the pine forest to reach the lava flow from the last great lateral eruption of 2002, before arriving in the area of the Piano Provenzana, a well-known ski station which was partially destroyed during the eruption. We will cross the Piano Provenzana and ride on in the direction of the impressive Monte Nero area and the famous bottoniera (a series of craters created during the last great lateral eruption of 2002). We will stop to enjoy a light packed lunch at the Rifugio di Timpa Rossa, and then begin the descent through forests of beech, then pine, oak, chestnut and broom, before arriving back at our starting point, Le Terre di Castel Leone, in the late afternoon.
Day 4
After breakfast transfer back to Catania Airport.
Prices
3 nights, 2 days riding £630 per person
Single person £725
This trail is available at any time on request for two or more riders from April to December, but the dates need to avoid our week long tour dates.
Additional Info
Level: Comfortable at all three paces (walk, trot and canter), with experience of hacking out in the open.
Group size: Ten people maximum.
Key information/requirements: Between six and eight hours in the saddle per day. You must be comfortable at all three paces (walk, trot and canter) and physically fit. This programme is aimed at intermediate and advanced riders and it is not suitable for beginners or riders with only limited experience. The terrain is varied and there may be long trots and gallops along the way.
Equipment: It is possible to hire riding hats and chaps on site. The following items are essential: waterproofs, layers (it can be cold at altitude), boots and chaps, and sun cream.
Accommodation: Agriturismi, B&B or good quality hotels.
Meals: Evening meals consist of authentic Sicilian cuisine prepared with local produce. A typical evening meal will include: a variety of starters, a pasta course, a meat/main course, dessert, wine, water and a digestif. Picnic lunches are provided by support vehicle (together with tables, chairs and cutlery) and include: fresh bread, salads, cheeses, olives, charcuterie, Sicilian specialities, wine or other drinks on request, coffee or tea.
Tack: Comfortable English saddles, with a sheepskin cover, or Western saddles on request. Guests are not required to groom or tack up the horses.
Languages spoken: English, French, Italian, Sicilian.
Airport: Arrive Catania - Depart Catania
We inspect all the horses and ponies on our horse riding holidays on a regular basis to ensure the best quality riding holiday for you.
We have a great range of horse riding holidays as well as riding breaks in Cheshire offering tuition in all disciplines and hacking out on well trained horses into Delamere Forest. Please have a browse through our full range of equestrian holidays.
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We have a large range of holidays to suit a range of riding abilities. Please see here for more information.
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