Stationary Madonie
1st DAY: Transfer from the airport to “Terravecchia”, Castellana Sicula
Transfer from the airport to the Agriturismo “Terravecchia”, near the village of Castellana Sicula. The drive will take about one and half hour. Once there, our guests will have the chance, depending on time, season and weather conditions, to spend some time at the swimming pool: time to relax, take a bath, enjoy the view of the countryside, and the friendly atmosphere that characterizes this place.
A reach dinner will be the best welcome to Sicily and a good way to wish a wonderful week to our guests, who will have the chance to enjoy the local cuisine and taste km0 products. Please notice that our trips in Madonie are very flexible and there could be the chance to adapt the program to guests’ needs, with a previous talk to the guides. During the week there could be the chance to visit some villages, it can be required in advance or it will be planned with the guides once there according to the group’s wishes.
2nd DAY: “Terravecchia”, Castellana Sicula
On the first morning, after breakfast, we will give our guests some info about our horses and the training method we use with them. It’s based on natural horsemanship and there are a couple of suggestions that we can give to the riders to help them in building a good relationship with their horses. Terravecchia used to be a riding school, so we’ll take advantage of the arena and the riders will have the possibility to practice our tips and suggestions, to start to build a good team with their four-legged friends. After that we will go for a short and easy ride in the surrounding of Castellana Sicula. A light lunch will follow, and after a short siesta we’ll ride back to Terravecchia. Then dinner will be served.
3rd DAY: “Terravecchia”, Castellana Sicula
After breakfast we’ll start the ride up to Mt. Alto (1819 mt on the sea level), which is the mountain above the land of Petralia Soprana and Sottana. Once we’ll reach the top of the mountain, we’ll stop at the old Sanctuary of “Madonna dell’Alto” for our lunch break. Today is the packed lunch day, because the minibus can’t go up there. Then we’ll take the way that will bring us down to the other side of the mountain and then back to Terravecchia. A reach dinner will be served.
4th DAY: “Terravecchia”, Castellana Sicula
Today we’ll ride to the ancient villages of Petralia Soprana and Petralia Sottana: two roman villages, so close one to each other, with almost the same name, but separated. The root we’ll take in the morning will be faster than the other days, and will bring us through a pine and chestnut forest. After a light lunch we’ll ride back to Terravecchia. Dinner will be served after some time for relax.
5th DAY: “Castelbuono”
Today our horses will bring us down to the valley of Castelbuono, on the other side of Madonie Mountains. Castelbuono is a very nice village full of history and culture. The path will lead us crossing some rocky parts until we’ll reach a magic place called Piano Pomo. Here we’ll stop to admire the wonders of nature. The ride will end at a friend’s stable, higher than the town, and a short drive will bring us to the B&B in town. We’ll have dinner in a restaurant in Castelbuono, so our guests will have the chance to meet some local people and enjoy the nightlife of the town.
6th DAY: “Petralia Soprana”
After breakfast we’ll spend some time to visit the great Castle that gives the name to the town, and some other wonderful places. Then, after lunch, we’ll reach the horses and start to ride up to the mountain again. Our daily ride will end in a place that seems to be stuck in the past: an old shepherd’s mountain house. This place is called Piano Farina and it’s where we’ll leave the horses for the night. A short drive with the minibus will bring us to our hotel in Petralia Soprana. Dinner in town and overnight.
7th DAY: “Casale Drinzi”, Collesano
After a quick breakfast we’ll drive back to Piano Farina, to spend some time with the shepherd. We’ll watch and help him with the cheese production. Then we’ll ride down the valley on the other side of Madonie. After a quick stop at Piano Zucchi for lunch, we’ll ride following a path through a big and ancient wood, that will bring us to “Casale Drinzi”. Here we’ll spend the last night of the week, enjoying the wonderful dinner served at the Agriturismo restaurant.
8th DAY: Airport
Depending on flight times, we’ll plan the transfer back to the airport.
