DAILY PROGRAM
ROTTA SICANA
(8 days, 7 nights)
Arrival and welcome
Transfer and arrival at the Azienda Agricola Traina in Prizzi. Here the horses and ponies that we will use for our trek are raised and trained. Historically owned and managed by a local family, the company is a good marriage between agriculture and horse breeding with experience in hospitality and rural tourism. Welcome, accommodation in the room and presentation of the staff, the horses and the program.
Dinner and overnight
Prizzi – Ficuzza (7 hours)
After a good breakfast we will be ready for the first day of our journey. Our destination is the Riserva Naturale del bosco della Ficuzza, the historic hunting reserve of King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, during the Spanish domination of Sicily. Skirting the Raja lake, an artificial basin under prizzi source of a power plant, we will head towards Rocca Busambra, the highest mountain of the Sicani (1650m). After a relaxing picnic by our staff, we will continue the climb until we reach the holm oak and downy oak forest, crossing parts of the reserve with beautiful single treks.
Arrive at a local farmhouse. Relax and visit the Royal Palace, the Real Casina di Caccia, in the small village of Ficuzza.
Dinner and overnight at the farmhouse.
Ficuzza – Corleone (5 hours)
After a good breakfast we leave calmly along the old railway line that connected the various internal territories.
Crossing fields of farmers who cultivate local products, we will reach the gates of the city of Corleone until we arrive at Masseria Ridocco, a suggestive place managed by 2 brothers, horse and cat lovers, belonging to a historic local family.
After arranging the horses and having refreshed ourselves, a particular experience will be planned: Visit of ancient Corleone, with a walking tour together with Marilena Bagarella, who will tell about her life experience in one of the symbolic cities of the Sicilian mafia. Today she deals with courses on legality and civic education for schools and for various types of guests.
Dinner and overnight.
Corleone – Abbey of Santa Maria del Bosco – Sambuca si Sicily (6 hours)
Crossing the countryside fields we will arrive at the Monte Genoardo nature reserve. Inside the wood is the magnificent ancient Abbazia di Santa Maria del Bosco(medieval period) managed by the “Inglesi” family. Today it is a place where it is possible to dine and stay overnight.
Guided tour of the abbey and packed lunch organized by the owners.
Continuing the trek inside the wood towards Mamaterra, next to the village of Sambuca di Sicilia, a sweet little farm run by Mauro and Marcella, a nice couple dedicated to agriculture and educational activities. They also produce their own pasta and bread with ancient grains.
Dinner and overnight.
Sambuca – Sosio river and valley – Burgio (6 hours)
From Mamaterra we will move to reach the Riserva Naturale Valle del Sosio and Monti di Palazzo Adriano, until we arrive near a wooded area for a particular picnic lunch prepared by our staff with a swim in the Sosio river, an ancient stream that crosses the Monti Sicani up to the western coast between the cities of Sciacca and Ribera, forming deep gorges between wild and uncontaminated nature.
Our Trek will continue inside the river for a few km and with a suggestive single trek inside the Lecco forest and downy oaks typical of the Sican landscape, the last of our journey.
Arrive at a local farmhouse.
Relax and visit the village of Burgio, famous for its local ceramics and bell foundry.
Dinner and overnight.
Burgio – Sciacca (5 hours)
From the farmhouse we will move through the many fields and hills towards the sea on the south-western coast of Sicily.
Arriving near the town of Sciacca, in the western part of Sicily</strong >, famous for its fresh local fish and old pottery typical.
Tonight we will stay in a residence near the sea.
Afternoon tour to Sciacca for a relaxing visit and dinner based on delicious local fish.
SCIACCA-ERACLEA MINOA (4 hours)
This day we will be near the sea most of the time, moving to the beach. Possibility to swim in the sea (with or without horses) enjoying this perfect harmony on this last day with our horses! After we will pass through a small seaside village for a picnic of local street foods.
Arrival in Eracle Minoa in a typical tourist village. The horses will then return home by van.
After a moment of relaxation we will move on to visit the splendid archaeological area of Eracle Minoa on a white promontory reaching out towards a splendid marine landscape, within the Riserva Naturale della Foce del Fiume Platani..
Here are the remains of the ancient Cattolica Eraclea (Greek period), today it is a site of notable historical importance and great charm.
Our final dinner will be in a wonderful place for local food and wine.
BACK HOME
Breakfast and transfer to the airport/Palermo for the return home.