Transfers to and from Catania airport, port, train station or any hotel in Catania city area can be agreed, but no later than 6.30pm.
We suggest to book a flight which lands early in the afternoon and departs around noon.

DAY 1 SATURDAY: ARRIVAL
We meet you at Catania Airport and transfer to Frutteto D’Efesto, 1400 m. above sea level, a lovely little farm in the Etna Park territory, set amidst a wooded area, with magnificent views of the mountain that seems now within an arm's reach. Once settled, our hosts will present a dinner of delicious home-cooked food. Then we climb the wooden stairs to bed, from where we can stargaze through the skylight windows.

Note:  At the higher elevations on and around Mount Etna the temperatures during the summer months can be very pleasant and maybe 10 degrees cooler than in the lower elevations of the island.

January: in the deep midwinter the average temperatures on the coast should still be hovering around the 10 deg.C mark, though on sunny days it can be warm enough in the sun to walk around in a tee-shirt. It is cooler at night and much cooler in the higher mountains. Skiers will be hoping for some serious snowfalls on the slopes at Piano Battaglia and on Mount Etna. The citrus harvests are continuing apace.

February: The days are starting to get warmer, although conditions in the mountains are still very wintery. Ski touring, snowshoeing and horse trekking on the snow are unforgettable experiences. The almond trees are in blossom and are at their finest in the valley of the temples.

March: on the coast the winter is truly over, with wild flowers starting in abundance, the days lengthening and the average temperatures making warm clothes decidedly uncomfortable. Inland the farmers start preparing the land, tending the vines and planting the grain.

April: the wild flowers begin to truly explode all over Sicily and on the coast the first bathers start taking to the waters (though the water is still bracing). The interior is now warming up fast and the array of colours is spectacular. It’s well worth making a trip just to experience the Easter processions, bringing together folklore and tradition in an incredibly mystic way.

May: The interior is spectacular, with the mountain slopes exploding in colour and the temperatures ideal for walking. The temperatures on the coast and in the islands will now be extremely comfortable. If you’re lucky, you might get to witness the “mattanza” or tuna harvest in the fishing towns all over the western part of the island.

June: The first smells of summer waft through the island as the strong colours on the coast and the lower plains succumb to the bleaching rays of the sun. This is probably the perfect time for walking in the higher mountains. The temperatures everywhere are generally agreeable, though the Sirocco wind can send them soaring for a few days. The sea is warm but the beaches are still deserted, except at weekends when the first Sicilians start to brave the waters. The fruit trees are laden with cherries, plums and the local speciality "gelsi".

July: The sea becomes the focus for most Sicilians (and visitors) and the major resorts testify to the glorious temperatures and sea conditions. Do not shy from the interior though, where the walking is wonderful and the upper slopes cool and still luxuriantly green. Peaches and water melon are in season.

August: the sometimes stifling heat of the cities and the general holiday feel pushes almost everyone to the coasts, which are almost invariably crowded. The beautiful areas of the interior (and a few “undiscovered” parts of the coast) are however relatively unfrequented. Towards the end of the month begins the spectacle of the salt harvest in the salt pans around Trapani and the grape harvest or “vendemmia” all over the islands. The fig trees are laden with their welcoming fruit.

September: The vendemmia continues in earnest and all hands move to the fields. The summer is often interrupted by coastal storms, which can be accompanied by high winds. Temperatures remain very comfortable everywhere, and the coast and islands retain that summer feeling, but without the crowds. The olive harvest is also well under way. Hazel nuts are plentiful and many small villages celebrate their arrival with traditional "feste".

October: The abandoned vines turn to reds and oranges giving the vast areas of vineyards a spectacular range of hues and making this one of the most beautiful periods for country walking. Seasonal rainfalls help develop an astonishing variety of mushrooms. The prickly pears are at their best.

November: Autumn is well and truly here, though the temperatures can stay in the high twenties during the day to produce a surprisingly balmy Sicilian “Indian summer”. This is generally the month with the highest rainfall, though the big storms that often sweep the Italian peninsula generally pass safely to the north of Sicily. The orange and mandarin season is starting.

December: One can still have extremely agreeable temperatures during the days, though the sunlight hours are clearly at their lowest of the year. Still, Christmas is an important festival here and many small towns light up the night with their traditional processions.

All accommodation along the riding route are rustic but comfortable. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms except the Brunek Chalet Hotel and obviously, the Saletti mountain refuge. The last night accommodation is at a 3 star standard hotel in Taormina city center. The Cirasella Farm  and Brunek Chalet are not air-conditioned but their rooms are cool even in Summer. There are televisions in the rooms except the Brunek and Frutteto di Efesto farms.

One night is spent in a mountain hut on sleeping kots. All mats and sleeping bags are supplied. All meals with table wine are included, except in Taormina. The selected hotel is very close to the city center and to a lot of restaurants, pizzeria and pubs.

Usually we cater a traditional Italian breakfast added with home- made cake and jams. Lunches are prepared by the staff. Mostly are taken as picnic outside but they are always hot. There is usually a lunch at a restaurant along the route on day 6th.

Lunch and dinners  make a large use of Sicilian typical products. Sicily has delicious gourmet cuisine known and appreciated all over the world and our selected farm and hotels serve superb Sicilian food and wines.Selected Wines are included with dinner. If clients choose a label from the wine list they may pay locally.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.