SPECIALRESA – KENTAURS LÄSARE SICILIEN 3-10/5-2014

Möt Siciliens varma, vänliga leenden på en resa genom sagolika landskap en bit från de upptrampade turiststråken. Våra resor sträcker sig genom ett mäktigt och betagande landskap av de skogar, dramatiska bergspartier, ängsmarker med porlande bäckar och underbara mjuka ridstigar som Etnas sluttningar och Madoniebergen erbjuder. Vårt urval av förtjusande små lantgårdar, vingårdar, tavernor och pensionat ligger väl inbäddade i det här storslagna landskapet och väntar på att upplevas. Precis som vi gjort, kommer Ni att återvända hem med många nyfunna vänner och en stor kärlek till det utsökta sicilianska köket. Närheten till naturen, delikatesserna som skördas och tillagas i de olika regionerna och de vänliga människorna förhöjer värdet av den underbara ridningen.

En underbar resa för Er som vill njuta av fantastisk miljö, god mat och dryck samt otroligt fin ridning. Den högklassiga gården där resan börjar och slutar, ligger i en böljande dalgång på den norra sidan av ön, inte långt från kuststaden Cefalu. Det ligger ca 100 km från Palermos flygplats och ca 180 km från Trapani. Härifrån är Madoniebergens sluttningar lättillgängliga och utgör också en magnifik utsikt från gården. Inkvarteringen sker i dubbelrum för två eller enkelrum mot tillägg. I såväl sällskapsrummen som i flera andra rum finns välkomnande öppna eldstäder. Allt är mycket smakfullt inrett. På gården finns en pool som är öppen från mitten av maj till mitten av oktober.

Ridning Här finns ett 25-tal välskötta och välridna hästar med olika temperament. Anläggningen använder sig uteslutande av inhemska sicilianska raser. I resans program ingår 7 övernattningar och 6 dagars ridning med 5-7 timmar till häst per dag (ca 3 timmar första riddagen). Varje dag är helt olik den andra med sagolika naturupplevelser. Luncherna äter Ni i regel på charmiga tavernor eller i form av picknick längs rittens väg (hästarna fodras, vattnas och vilar under tiden). Det blir också tid att vila efter maten för ryttarna.

Inkvartering och måltider Boendet är charmigt personligt och mycket trevligt. Små ”agritursm” gårdar och hotell längs vägen bjuder på den underbara gästfriheten såväl som det utsökta köket. Maten är typisk för Sicilien och innehåller väldigt mycket av vad som produceras på ön (ostar, grönsaker, frukt och kött, spannmål och naturligtvis fisk & skaldjur). Vitlök, olivolja, örter och svamp är också rikligt förekommande, precis som den givna komponenten pasta. Smaklökarna får garanterat sitt! Vin, mineralvatten och läsk ingår under hela resan! Inkvartering i dubbelrum med eget badrum. Ett av hotellen har ett härligt spa på denna resa!

Flyg Reguljärflyg till Palermo på norra Sicilien, inkl flygskatter från ca 3.900:- Flyg med Ryan Air till Trapani kan bokas för några hundralappar med god framförhållning, men de går fredagar och måndagar (2 extranätter i så fall). Hör med oss innan du bokar flyget så att vi kan säkerställa att alla kommer någorlunda samtidigt. Helst ankomst mellan 15.00-18.00. Hemresa från 12.00-16.00

Transfers Transfer ingår i resans pris t/r Palermo förutsatt att gruppen kommer och åker samma dagar och tider (ankomst på eftermiddagen och hemresa efter kl 12.00 på dagen). Hör med oss innan flyget bokas. Transfer från Trapani ingår ej men kan bokas till en extra kostnad.

PRIS Resa inkl transfers, alla måltider, inkvartering 7 nätter, all ridning, guide och utfärd enligt beskrivning. Vin, mineralvatten och läsk ingår under hela resan! Pris per person: 12.895:- (ordinarie pris 13.395:-) Enkelrumstillägg 7 nätter: 2.345:- Mer som ingår på denna resa: Slottsbesök, frukost med herdarna, provsmakningar ost och lokala delikatesser mm. En CD med bilder från resan till alla deltagare efter resans slut! Antal deltagare: Minimum 6- max 12 Greenways Travel reserverar sig mot oförutsedda pris- och valutakursjusteringar som kan komma att påverka resans pris och i så fall görs ca 25 dagar innan avresa. Ingen justering görs om kursen mot Euro ligger mellan 8.30-9.30 sek. Ligger växelkursen däremot på över 9.30 sek mot Euron tillkommer valutakurshöjning på mellanskillnaden för det som betalas i Euro.

BOKA RESAN: [email protected] Tel: 08-58176336

Dag för dag program: (Med reservation för ändringar)

Day 1 saturday: From Airport to Terravecchia Country House. Arrival at Palermo airport and transfer to Terravecchia country house. Briefing about the trip. Top Dinner and Night at Terravecchia.

Day 2. From Terravecchia to Masseria Gonato. This is a fast morning ride with lots of gallop in the second part of the day. Will ne used a realy beautiful trail that cut the side of the southern part of the park passing close to a peregrine falcon nesting site overlooking he villages of Petralia Soprana and Petralia Sottana nested on the other side of the valley. After the picnic lunch, for 1 km will be followed an asphalt road to get back in wilderness into the canyon under Pizzo Canna, King eagle nesting site. After the river crossing will be reached the Masseria di Gonato with his wonderful facilities: swimming pool and spa. Dinner and night at Masseria Gonato.

Day 3 . From Masseria Gonato to Villa Letizia. Going up along shepherd trails will be reached Piano Pomo, site of the oldest and widest Holly trees wood of Europe. Then the “Tre Croci” (Three crosses) pass with his unforgettable views offered along the very old and narrow trail used by generations of shepherds to reach the upper mountain. Lunch will be in Monticelli area, close to an Arabic building survived at the demolitions made by the normands after their conquer of the ancient village existing in the area. Then will be visited on horseback the historical center of Castelbuono to reach the site where to accommodate horses for the night. With a 5 minutes transfer by minibus will be reached the B&B for the night. Pizza Dinner in top pizza house nearby.

Day 4. From Villa Letizia To Casale Drinzi. This day allow to move from the Carbonara Complex to the Pizzo di Pilo mountain complex with a day of riding that will cut the typical Madonie countryside, crossing fields of Manna, olive and almond trees. Then will be cross the Gibilmanna oak wood to reach the medieval village of Gratteri for picnic. Then will be followed the medieval trail that was connecting Gratteri with Collesano village to reach casale Drinzi for dinner and night.

Day 5. From Casale Drinzi to Marini hotel. It is time to reach the heart of the Park going uphill to Piano Battaglia (the Plain of the Battle) named for a very important battle won by the Bizantinian with the Arabians. It is a continue crossing of ancient woods of oaks and beeches mostly at walk till the gallop in Piano Battaglia. Picnicn lunch will be in a opening in Piano Zucchi. Night and dinner in the newly restored Marini Hotel Refuge.

Day 6. From Marini hotel Refuge to Pomieri Hotel. If the weather conditions will allow, will be reach the top of carbonara Mount at 1979 meters to look at a landscape on all Sicily with Etna volcano, Eolien islands, Palermo and the Sicani mountains. Going down on the same narrow and winding trail will be reach the wood of Pomieri where is nested the Hotel Pomieri, surrounded by pristine nature for the night and dnner. Picnic lunch will be on top of Carbonara with sandwiches or at bottom of trail depending weather conditions.

Day 7. From Pomieri Hotel to Terravecchia. Horses will follow a trail that goes up a narrow wooden valley that became a canyon. It is barely marked and looks like is continuing to disappear in the woods so “ going blind”. Suddenly will be reach the wide trail that goes to Madonna dell’Alto Monastery at 1800 meters. Weather permitting (wind) will be reach the summit. If bud weather will be followed a different trail at lower altitude to reach Terravecchia country house to end the trip. Picnic lunch will be along the way.

Day 8. From Terravecchia Country house to Airport. After breakfast, depending first airplane departure, transfer to Palermo airport. End of services

Price and benefits: A free guided visit inside Castelbuono castle and in the painted Cripta under the church, 1 breakfast with shepherds with hot ricotta cheese just made there for them and local cheeses tasting. 1 tasting of Granita with brioche or ice cream with brioche at breakfast (classic Sicilian spring/summer breakfast ). A little souvenir for each rider to remember the trip done . Free CD with photos of trip made by me International photographer: www.francobarbagallo.com . No other riders from other country: this trip is only for the readers of magazine.

Madonie park Customer Riding Experience: Riders must be able to go independently at walk, trot, canters and short gallops without problems also with curves, sometimes sharp. Riders must be able to ride for 6 hours a day. Grooming and saddling is done by guides, riders may help if they wish. It is not a trip for people with vertigos problems due high mountains trails for 2 days.

Equipment: We will be crossing mountain areas at heights of up to 1990 meters. It is mandatory for all participants to have the following personal equipment: - Serious, Good and Complete rain gear consisting of a long waterproof coat, waterproof over pants, rubber over shoes, water proof gloves. Waterproof helmet. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. IN THE MOUNTAINS IT CAN RAIN with sun at low levels. -Dress in layers. Temperature during the day that can be anything from very hot to cold depending on the conditions, wind and the season. Clothing requirements vary from a thin shirt all the way up to a wind jacket with pile and warm socks. It is also suggested to have thermal underwear in fall /winter season. -Gloves (very important) -We suggest NOT wearing any kind of long riding boots. We DO suggest short riding shoes, short or long chaps. No running shoes or sneakers. -Sun glasses. -Anti UV solar cream at least factor 20 (30 or 50 for north European people) -Protective cap is mandatory: anyone not bringing one will rent one from us for 20 €. Who do not want to wear a cap must write and sign by hands a declaration that gives on himself all responsibilities in case of incident . -Spurs are not allowed -We use only very comfortable and new trekking saddles good for English and western riders with grouper and front strap. -Our horses wear only English tack with a snaffle bit (no bits) -Each saddle has its own capable waterproof saddle bag. -who wants can bring his own water bottle (suggested). We will give to anyone else a plastic water bottle. -Personal baggage will be moved by car.

Mer (på Engelska) om området och turen:

Madonie Natural park, The Dolomites of Sicily. Madonie Park General introduction. Geology . Madonie mountains are called the” Dolomites of Sicily “ for their unique carbonate limestone rock formations. First mountains to come up from the very ancient ocean existing before the formation of Sicily, Madonie are very rich on fossils of ancient sea creatures. Madonie are divided in three main mountain complexes: Mount Carbonara, Mount Cervi, Mount Pizzo di Pilo. The highest mountain is Carbonara with his 1879 meters. This mount is characterized by very many depressions (doline) formed by the action of snow with limestone which is slowly dissolved in spring when snow became water. Looking at the Carbonara from an helicopter it looks as was bombed by war planes for the hundreds of these natural depressions existing. On the bottom of “doline” there is a very particular micro-clima that permit the life of many species of endemic plants. All water collected by doline goes inside the mountain and it is saved by a complicate system of underwater lakes and channels that give water in hundreds of springs at lower altitudes. That’s why in the Madonie villages there is always plenty of source water all year round.

Botany. Madonie host an enormous amount of botanic species (5500 of the 6500 of all Italy) with many of them endemic of the place (35). There are also very many species of wild orchids that attract scientists and foreign orchids lovers. Madonie host the most wide botanical biodiversity of Italy. In Piano Pomo there is the most ancient and wide wood of holly trees of Europe, not far away there are some of the oldest oaks of Europe. Till 1500 meters, mountains are mainly covered by mixed woods from five different species of oaks, higher starts huge woods of beeches. By the heavy cutting made by the Romans especially during the Punic wars, it was almost extinct the Abies Nebrodensis (fir of Nebrodi), a fir tall 50 meters and more that was used to build the must tree of the war ships of the roman’s war navy. Only 22 trees survived at these cuttings in the canyon called “Vallone Madonna degli Angeli” which was unreachable at that times. The Abies nebrodensis it is now replanted in Madonie by the Sicilian forest service. Before the arrival of the romans 92 % of Sicily was covered by primary forests of oaks! All the hills to day occupied by fields of hey and wheat, for example, were covered by oak forests with secular trees. Sicily became the “granary of Rome” from the second century B.C. and homes of Rome were build mainly with wood coming from Sicily and Calabria.

Fauna. Wildlife is also rich despite were extinct all the big games like elk (during the XVII century), bear (Neolithic), wolf (1959), linx (late Neolithic). Deer were extinct during XVIII century but reintroduced around 10 years ago. It is easy to see from horseback deer, wild boars, Sicilian partridges (and endemic specie called Alectoris grecae whitacheri) a nesting couple of King eagles, many species of day and night bird of prey. It was reintroduced around 5 years ago the vulture (Gypsus gypsus) that is easy to be seen in the sky exploring the territory looking for carcasses of cows and sheep. Very elusive and difficult to see are wild cats and martens.

People and traditions. Madonie were used by the men from the Paleolithic times. There are some grottoes that shows signs of their use as home by the men from that times. They were reaching the mountains in spring to hunt and collect wild plants. From the Neolithic started the activity of breeding sheep for milking and meat. Before the huge emigrations to Americas and Australia after the world wars, were bred on Madonie more than 100.000 sheeps! The life style of the shepherds did not changed too much from the Neolithic times. The same was the hut used (pagghiaru) made by a circle or a square of stones 1 meter high, then a roof made with trunks of oaks and branches. The same was the organizations of the shepherd work place (marcatu) constituted by some huts, then the corrals for the sheep, the corral for the lambs, the working area to make milk. Before the arrival of 4x4 cars the shepherds were living in summer up in the mountains for long periods, going home a couple of days every some weeks. To day the breeding of cows, sheep and goats to make meat and cheese it is still very important in the local economy. Tourism became more and more important in the last 15 years. The principal traditional cheeses made are: pecorino (with sheep milk), caciocavallo (with cow and goat or only cow), ricotta (from cow, sheep or goat), goat cheese. The method it is the same from Neolithic times, using the dried and cured interior of intestine of a lamb as “cheese maker” and traditional tools of special woods. Madonie people is very gentle, hospitable and hard workers used to live traditionally, especially in the less touristic villages as Isnello, Polizzi, Petralia Soprana and Sottana, Gangi.

History. Madonie area saw Sicani and Siculi people living mostly on the coast interacting with Phoenician and then Greeks for commerce. The Rock of Cefalù was always a very important strategic and sacred point with his megalithic remain dated from the IX century B.C. . The location was then enlarged by Greeks and conquered by Romans which started the exploitation of the forests of Madonie. Petra Lileum (Petralia Soprana) was founded by the Romans as main center in the interior to control the cultivations after deforestation. In the IX century A.C. Moors coming from to day Tunisia Libya Algeria conquered Sicily and Madonie saw the presence of many Arabic villages (to day San Guglielmo, Monte d’Oro) destroyed by the normands in the XII century A.C. when they liberated all Sicily from Muslims. The golden age of Madonie was under Frederic II Emperor of Sacred Roman Empire. He choose Palermo as capital of the Emperor and he developed there all arts and culture of the time. Madonie were domain of one very important family with Normand heritage: The Ventimiglia. They had a sort of kingdom inside the Empire. They were the only one to have permission from Emperor to make their own coins (In Castelbuono still exist the Money factory in the central square). After the conquer (XII century) initially they were living in the Castle in Geraci. In the XIV century they preferred to move at a lower altitude with a better clima building a Manor around an ancient Arabian Tower. Around this new castle was born Castelbuono (which mean: Good Castle). In each village of Madonie there was a castle of Ventimiglia family to host them during their temporary visits. Many years before naples and Versailles, in the XV century, in Castelbuono castle, was founded by the Ventimiglia the first Horse riding academy of history: The Academy of the Star. The best horses and trainer of that times were concentrated there to do carousel on horseback with hundreds of riders and even theatre representations on horseback.

The ancient Sicilian horse culture and the 3 Sicilian horses. During the Greeks Olympic games, the majority of equestrian games were won by the Horses of Syracuse. Greeks were the first to import in Sicily high quality horses. They were all Orientals from Mesopotamia, Lebanon and Syria regions. In Sicily these horses found a very good environment very similar to their original but with a better soil and grass. So they fortified their bones becoming stronger and bigger. The oldest horse race known was done every year in Sicily in Agira (in center of Sicily) along the road that was going from the village to the Agorà on top an hill. This race it is held every year from that times till nowadays. The romans imported and breed in Sicily many eques italicus, the breed developed by them for their cavalry and they mixed with local oriental forming a quicker and most endurance horse. When moors invaded and conquered Sicily for three centuries they imported more then 10.000 berber and Arabian horses on their own followed by the normand battle horses arrived with the normand domination. Again new horses came with a group of celtic speaking language immigrants from the north Italy that had permission to settle in the nowadays Nebrodi mountains. They took with them their black, strong horses that nowdays are the “Sanfratellano” Sicilian horses, mostly living free in the mountains. A very important moment of the Sicilian horse culture was when Ferninand II King of Two Sicilies Reign moved to Palermo from Napoli after a revolution. He was loving only two things in life: women and horses. So in Sicily opened another huge horse breeding farm after the one opened in Naples: Ficuzza. In this facility the local Sicilian horses mares were breed with Andalusia stallions to form a new light cavalry horse: smaller, faster, endurable and overall really beautiful also to parade. When the English build the English thorough bred they came to Palermo to buy 100 mares of this “Sicilian indigenous horse” that was developed there. Unfotunatelly when Ferdinand the second died, his brother was not interested at all in horses and so closed naples and Ficuzza breeding farms and sold all horses ! An enormous genetic patrimony was going to be disrupoted. Few noble Sicilian families, luckily bought some of these stallions and mares maintaining that blood lines but the most of the Sicilian indigenous were sold to anybody and they were mixed with any kind of horses. One of these family that bought the Sicilian indigenous and still is breeding that blood lines is the Salomone family from Tusa. Nowdays they have the best samples of what was the Sicilian indigenous. 12 years ago was formed the Association of the Sicilian indigenous to reestablish the guidelines to have again alive the breed. Our horses are mostly Sicilina indigenous. The third Sicilian horse is the Sicilian pure oriental. In 1876 was established the stud book of these horses imported by the Italian cavalry in Catania after a trip of a Colonnel to buy top stallions and mares from the area od Syria/Lebanon. This horse was used to meliorate the cavalry horses and to be breed in purity, After so many generations breed in purity, this horse became a specific Sicilian specie. There are now only around 190 horses which are under the Unesco protection. Comparing the forms of oriental horses imported by the Greeks and draw on vases and coins we can see that head and proportions are exactly the same. Genetical studies found that the DNA of Sicilian pure breed it is coming from one only aplotype so without the “crazy” mix of different Arabians bloods that there are in many Arabian horses of to day made to enhance “necks and noses” as the actual fashion want.

About Food. We like to affirm that our trip is also a culinary horseback trip. All dinners menus and restaurants were studied and choose to give to riders a real top Sicilian food experience. All recepies are made with “Zero kilometers” products coming from the area. So very fresh local products for vegetables, meats, cheese, wines. Even mineral water mostly comes from the Madonie mountains. All dinners has 4 courses: entry, pasta dish, main course, dessert and /or fruit.Red wine is included. Breakfast: continental breakfast, juice, croissant and cakes (where available). Those who prefer a savoury breakfast with boiled eggs, ham and cheese have just to advise in advance. Lunch. All lunches are cold with local fresh bread, local cut meats, cheeses, typical Sicilian products like olives, dried tomatoes, mushrooms and greens with olive oil, fresh tomatoes and salad, fruit, menu change almost every day. Dinner: all dinners in country houses with four courses typical Sicilian dinners.

Beverages. Drinks included at picnic lunches: water, red wine and Diet Coke. Drinks included at dinner: water, red wine. Other drinks: If customers will like to find at lunch /dinner cold beer or other special beverages this will be provided paying their costs. The list of beverages available and their prices will be shown before departure to customers and they can sign up for their choose beverage. At end of trip they will pay the bill.

Those with particular food requirements (vegetarian, allergies, various) must advise at booking to have individually personalised food.

General information on the riding trip. Madonie natural park trip it is shorter of 1 days of Transiciliana . It is with 5 maximum 6 hours a day of riding. It is cheaper then Transiciliana because logistically more easy to run and riders need to be less fit then Transiciliana because riding days are shorter. It is a technical itinerary with some short little bit difficult passages (difficult for other horses for ours are just normal passages of everyday life). It reaches 1.990 meters of altitude of Mount Carbonara if good weather conditions permits. There are anyway lots of trots and canter. It is a very scenic real mountain trek with astonishing views and a mixture of nature and culture with visit on horseback of Castelbuono and Gratteri villages, visit of Ventimiglia Castle. Day 6 and 7 depend always by the weather forecasts and effective day conditions of the weather. The itinerary can change depending situations along trails or park new regulations that can be issued at any time or by the weather conditions of that specific day.