Cannella Pilgrimage
DAY 1 – CATANIA AIRPORT – MASSERIA MONTE SOPRANO
Transfer organized with a minibus, not later than 3 p.m. Customers will find one of the guides holding a sign with “Sicily on horseback” written on it. After a drive of about 2 hours, we will reach the Agriturismo “Masseria Monte Soprano”, a farm run by a family, whose hospitality has always been their main characteristic, thing that led them to choose to open this Agriturismo. About 8 p.m. We will go to the main church of the village, where during the opening ceremony of the pilgrimage we will immerse ourselves into the magic and captivating atmosphere that will make us experiencing strong emotions. Accompanied by the engaging music of the local musical band, typical clothes and wonderful colours, we will watch the pagan part of the festival. Then we will go back to the Agriturismo.
DAY 2 – MASSERIA MONTE SOPRANO – MASSERIA MONTE SOPRANO
Around 5 a.m., after saddling the horses, we will ride towards the village. Here we’ll take part tothe pilgrimage and, riding through ancient amazing woods, the huge group will reach the “Piano Cannella”. Here the short religious ceremony and the blessing of animals will take place. Lunch will follow. We will find a rich buffet and will take part to it, together with all the pilgrims. After lunch we will have the chance to attend ancient rites that families have been handing down for centuries. After a short siesta we will get on our horses again and restart the ride up to the village of Capizzi. Here we’ll find Saint Antony’s banner that will guide the entrance of the riders into the town. Then we will leave the horses and we’ll go back to Masseria Monte Soprano for dinner.
DAY 3 – MASSERIA MONTE SOPRANO – VILLA MIRAGLIA
Breakfast. Then we ride to Capizzi, an ancient village at the gates of Nebrodi Park. We will stop for a short break in the town and then we will continue the climb till the road known as “Dorsale dei Nebrodi”, a large trail that winds on the top of the mounts and through majestic forests. This trail will be followed for the next two days. We will have packed lunch. Among ancient Beechwood, amazing landscapes and breathtaking views of Etna Volcano and AEolian Islands, we get to Villa Miraglia Resort. This place can be considered an island of comfort in the middle of nowhere on top of Nebrodi Mountains. We will taste a gourmet dinner cooked by the chef Gianluca Barbagallo, with his reinterpretation of local cuisine, based on seasonal products.
DAY 4 – VILLA MIRAGLIA RESORT (Cesarò) – FUCINA DI VULCANO (Maletto)
During this day riders will be completely immersed in the mystical beauty of the park, with its forests and mountains. Staying at altitude, we go across the second part of the “Dorsale” and we meet four lakes: “Maulazzo”, “Biviere”, “Cartolari” and “Trearie”. Crossing woods there is also the possibility to meet some of the “Sanfratellani”: mighty horses predominantly black that lives in Nebrodi area. As the previous day there will be packed lunch, for the same reasons. During the afternoon we’ll cross some places where one has the feeling of being able to touch the Etna with a finger. Then we cross the “Masseria dell’Azienda Foreste Demaniali”, then we get to the place where horses will pass the night. Customers will be moved with a short transfer to the hotel Fucina di Vulcano.
DAY 5 FUCINA DI VULCANO (Maletto) – FUCINA DI VULCANO (Maletto)
After breakfast will drive back to the place where we left the horses. It’s a shorter day compared to the others, and it’s also a bit faster. We go down to the valley of Flascio River, and we cross galopping the “Natural Reserve of Gurrida Lake”. Then we start to go up to the slopes of the Volcano through the typical agricultural landscape, until we reach the A area of Etna Park. Here we stop in the “Natural Reserve of Monte la Nave”, where we have the possibility to leave the horses free in a huge paddock. After lunch there will be a short transfer with the minibus to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Gourmet dinner with light recipes of the chef Sandro Chiù. This will be the last dinner together with the guides.
DAY 6 – FUCINA DI VULCANO (Maletto) – HOTEL RAGABO
This is the last day of the riding trip. As soon as we will reach the large track that goes all around Etna, we will start the climb. Here riders have the chance to admire the typical landscape of the volcano, always changing.Packed lunch for the picnic. Among more or less recent lava flows, and coniferous and beech woods, we will reach one of the lateral craters. The climb of the Volcano, and also the trail we take, depend on weather conditions. Then we will come down until we reach the meeting point for the horse track that will bring them home. With a short transfer, our guests will reach their last accommodation. Here, during a short break at the bar together with the guides, there will be time to say goodbye before the departure. Then guides will start their trip back home, together with our horses.
DAY 7 – HOTEL RAGABO – AIRPORT
Transfer with the minibus to the airport. The time of departure will be set according to the first flight. There is the possibility to ask for a private transfer at a different time, but it has to be paid extra.
