Culture And Nature: Sicily On Horse Back.What we want to offer are tailor made tours that can match our client wishes and needs. Following there are two our proposals that want just give an idea how can be organized a tour in Sicily that as a double thread: the wonderful nature of our island, that will be discovered on horseback, and the long history and rich culture, that will be discovered with the help of a licensed tour guide who (with all his/her knowledge and love for the country where he/she is born and where he/she lives) will help travellers to understand this fascinating and complex country.

Overnights will be in Agriturismi (farmhouses) in the Sicilian countryside. Simple structures, but equipped with all facilities and comfort (WI-FI not always available). Here it will be possible to taste the most typical dishes of the areas visited.
The agriturismi will be also the starting place for our horse riding excursions.
The accommodation is in double room (single room has an extra), in half board.
When there are full day horseback excursions a picnic with local products will be offered.

10 DAYS -9 NIGHTS

1° DAY: PALAZZOLO ACREIDE
Arrival in Catania, meeting with your guide and departure to Palazzolo Acreide to visit the arhaeological area and of the city center. Akrai , settled in 664-663 BC by Syracuse on a high hill with tall, rocky walls it was a bastion for the expansion of Syracuse in the territory of Siculi. Continue to Palazzolo Acreide , characterized by Baroque architecture , the result of the reconstruction after the earthquake of 1693 that earned him the inclusion, by UNESCO, between the " Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto ".
Lunch (not included). In the afternoon transfer to the agriturismo in the area. Check in and meeting with the horse riding guide for the first ride (circa 2 hours)
Back at the agriturismo, dinner and overnight.
Meals included: dinner.

2° DAY: NOTO
Afther breakfast departure for a horse back exscursion, circa 6/7 hours, to discover the territory of the Vallo di Noto. A picnic will be served during the excursion. Back at the agriturismo and transfer by car to Noto to see " the capital of Sicilian baroque". Perched on a hill, today Noto is included in the Unesco World Heritage. Tour in the historic centre with its majestic palaces built in the local limestone. (palazzo Nicolaci € 4,00 p.p., palazzo Ducezio €2,00 p.p. teatro comunale € 2,00 p.p.)
Dinner and overnight in agriturismo
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner

3° DAY: RAGUSA - MODICA
After breakfast departure to Ragusa (Unesco World Heritage), one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. It was rebuilt after the great earthquake in 1693 in the Baroque style, with rich palaces and elegant churches. The grandest building in Ragusa Ibla is the the Duomo di San Giorgio, but the best activity in the town is wandering: Ibla's lanes contain many charms, from elaborately-sculpted balconies to views over the narrow valleys below town. One of the UNESCO-listed Baroque towns of south-eastern Sicily, Ragusa is also one of the principal filming locations for the TV series Il Commissario Montalbano (Inspector Montalbano).
After lunch (not included) depature to Modica (Unesco World Heritage), like the other towns in the Val di Noto, was badly damaged in the 1693 earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. The old town is divided into two parts, “higher Modica" and “lower Modica", which are connected by numerous flights of steps. Palazzi and houses rise from the bottom of the gorge seemingly stacked one on top of the other. Magnificent churches, with their inspiring domes, bell towers and intricate facades, punctuate the red-tiled roofs and one is struck by the uniform beauty of the whole. But the town is famous also for an extraordinary and unique product: the chocolate of Modica, produced with an ancient and original Aztec recipe

Dinner and overnight in agriturismo
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

4° DAY: SIRACUSA
After a horseback ride of circa 3 hours, back to the agriturismo, for lunch. In the afternoon departure to Siracusa. (Unesco World Heritage), the richest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily . Visit of the Archaeological Park (entrance fee € 10), where are some of the major monuments of the Greek and Roman city: the Greek theatre, the Roman amphitheatre, Dyonisus ear (whit a extraordinary acoustic and the Latomie (stone quarry).
Then continuation to Ortigia , a small island on which was settled the first city in the Greek era , today historic centre of Syracuse. Boat tor to admire the town from the sea and then back to the port to visit the town. Free time for a walk and for dinner.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch

5° DAY: CATANIA - RIVIERA DEI CICLOPI
Departure to Catania. Settled by Greeks in the shade of Mount Etna, nowadays Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. It still preserve many archaeological evidence of the Roman period, but today it is famous for its city centre (World Heritage Site Unesco), rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, with its characteristic Baroque architecture, its large, wide open squares and avenues and the black and white palaces (built in lava and lime stone). Tour of the old town and of the most vibrant fish markets on the island (only in the morning, not on sunday).
After lunch departure to the Ciclops' coast, so called because according with Greek mitology it was here that Ulysses met Polyphemus
Stop in Acicastello to admire the Norman castle that gives the name to the small town and in Acitrezza, which landscape is dominated by the Cyclops islands, witness of the first eraptions of Mount Etna .
In the evening arrival at another agriturismo on the slopes of Mount Etna (area of Castiglione di Sicilia), that will be your accommodation for the rest of your stay in Sicily.
Check in, dinner and overnight
Meals included: breakfast, dinner

6° DAY: ETNA
Full day horseback excursion (7/8 hours) discovering mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active volcano in the world.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

7° DAY: TAORMINA
Horseback excursion (circa 3 hours). Lunch in agriturismo and departure to Taormina
The most famous Sicilian town, settled by Greeks on a hill it offers a breathtaking and memorable view on the sea and on the volcano, and as soon as you arrive you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Guided tour of the town and of the theatre (€10 p.p.). Time at leisure for a walk and for dinner (not included).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch.

8° DAY: BETWEEN MOUNT ETNA AND ALCANTARA VALLEY
Full day horseback excursion (7/8 hours)
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

9° DAY: CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA - RANDAZZO
In the morning last horseback excursion (circa 3 hours) Lunch in Castiglione di Sicilia and walk in the small twon or wine tasting in a vinery (€ 25p.p).
In the afternoon visit of Randazzo, perched at 765 meters above sea level, it is a charming middle age town.
Dinner at the agriturismo
Meals included: breakfast, dinner.

10° DAY: transfer to Catania airport, end of our services
Meals included: breakfast