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If you’re looking for a riding holiday that combines exceptional horses, breath-taking scenery, authentic cuisine and genuine Sicilian hospitality, then the Taste of Sicily ride delivers on all of these and more. Caron travelled at the end of June and can highly recommend it. Having been lucky enough to travel with In the Saddle many times she tells us that this ride comes out very near the top on her ‘all time favourite list’!

Read on for her report.

Nestled in the heart of Sicily’s beautiful Madonie Mountains, this week long riding trip is a chance to immerse yourself in the real Sicily, travelling through landscapes that few tourists see, guided by people whose passion for the island shines through in everything they do.

Horses That Truly Make the Holiday

For most riders, the horses are the most important part of any riding holiday. At Ride Sicily, they are undoubtedly the stars of the show.

The ride hosts, Alex and Lizzie, have built a remarkable herd of Sicilian horses; a number of them home-bred. They are forward-going, responsive and enjoyable to ride whilst remaining sensible and reliable. Whether navigating steep mountain trails, passing through villages, splashing into the sea or even riding after dark, the horses consistently demonstrated their exceptional temperament.

Perhaps their most impressive feature is their sure-footedness. Living out year-round in the rugged Sicilian landscape has produced horses that tackle rocky mountain paths, steep cobbled streets, narrow forest trails and challenging terrain with confidence and ease. They are also pretty unflappable. Throughout the week we encountered loose livestock, scooters, dogs, village activity and beachgoers and they took it all in their stride.

As Lizzie proudly explained, these horses embody the unique heritage of Sicily itself. They are descendants of indigenous Sicilian horses, wild mountain horses and oriental bloodlines that have developed into a distinctive breed found nowhere else in the world.

Horses are never allocated before guests arrive. Alex and Lizzie prefer to meet their guests and chat to them first. They will then carefully match each rider with the horse that best suits their riding style, experience and personality! We were all very happily matched.

Welfare is clearly at the heart of the operation. Every horse is known as an individual, carefully managed, and clearly adored by the team. Watching them relax and play in the paddocks after the ride was a joy and the fact that they still had enough energy to trot and canter around after a full day was a testament to their stamina.

A Peaceful Mountain Retreat

Casa Il Bosco, a lovingly converted farmhouse located high in the mountains, is Alex and Lizzie’s home.  It offers a wonderfully peaceful setting where there is no sound of traffic, only crickets, frogs, birdsong and the occasional contented snort from the horses grazing nearby.

Many rooms enjoy views directly over the horses’ turnout, creating the kind of atmosphere horse lovers dream about. You can wake to mountain views, enjoy morning coffee on the terrace, and spend quiet moments simply watching the herd in their natural surroundings.

The rooms are comfortable and carefully presented. Rather than being a luxury hotel, the farmhouse feels like staying in the home of good friends. Lizzie’s welcome invitation to “treat the house as your own” perfectly sums up the relaxed, informal atmosphere.

There is time in the itinerary to unwind between rides. The pace of life naturally slows to match the Sicilian rhythm, with leisurely lunches, afternoon siestas and evenings spent enjoying good conversation sharing the stories of the day.

The Riding

The Taste of Sicily itinerary offers a great balance of riding, sightseeing and relaxation, making it ideal for those who want to experience Sicily both in and out of the saddle. To enjoy this ride you should be competent at all paces and secure in the saddle over rough and steep terrain. You should have experience of trail riding in a group and be riding fit for up to six hours in the saddle (so less than the up to eight hours you might do on the longer trails that Ride Sicily also offer).

During the week we rode through the spectacular Madonie Mountains, along ancient tracks, forest trails, rocky mule paths and through traditional Sicilian villages. The terrain is varied and often quite adventurous. There were opportunities for faster riding where the terrain allowed and I looked forward to when Alex would raise his hand and say ‘a little trot’ and we would pick up the pace for some long trots and canters.

A typical day is split between a morning ride and a later afternoon ride, with long, leisurely lunches and time to relax during the hottest part of the day. Some days we had three hours in the saddle but it can be up to six hours.

Our week included:

• Riding through the remote mountains of the Madonie National Park with panoramic views stretching from rugged peaks to the Mediterranean Sea.
• Climbing and descending steep mountain tracks where the sure-footedness of the horses was constantly impressive.
• Canters along forest tracks and mountain paths.
• Visits to spectacular viewpoints overlooking Cefalù and the surrounding coastline.
• Riding through traditional Sicilian villages, including navigating ancient cobbled streets and stone steps.
• A memorable evening ride returning by the light of the moon through the mountains after attending a local village festival (this doesn’t happen every week)
• A lovely ride down to the beach in the village where Alex grew up, including riding beside the waves and taking the horses into the sea.

One of the most striking aspects of the riding was just how quiet the region was. During entire days in the saddle we encountered very few people, vehicles or signs of modern life. Instead, we passed grazing cattle, donkeys with foals, wildflowers, forests and endless mountain scenery. Just perfect!

Food Worth Travelling For

Aside from the horses what I am still missing the most is the food!

Lizzie prepares almost everything herself on the centre-based ride, showcasing the incredible flavours and traditions of Sicilian cooking. Every meal celebrates fresh local ingredients, many sourced from nearby villages and producers.

Dinner quickly became a highlight of each day. An example 4 course menu that we enjoyed:

• Antipasti – Ricotta cheese, baked cherry tomatoes, grilled aubergine and a Sicilian fennel, orange and caper salad
• Spaghetti with ricotta and courgette
• Seabass cooked Sicilian-style with olives and capers and green salad
• Traditional dessert featuring local fruit and sweet ricotta

The picnics served during the rides were equally memorable. A table set out with local cheeses, freshly baked bread, sun-dried tomatoes, olive pâtés, salads and seasonal fruit is a very welcome sight after the morning ride.

Why I Loved This Ride so Much

The horses are outstanding, the riding is adventurous and rewarding, the accommodation is welcoming and full of character, and the food is genuinely exceptional. When not riding we also had a tour of the beautiful and historic seaside town of Cefalù and a private speedboat trip with the chance to swim off the boat in the clear, refreshing water of the Mediterranean.

In the Taste of Sicily, Alex and Lizzie have created an itinerary that reflects their love of their country and their horses, and they are genuinely happy to share it all with you.

Guests return to them multiple times to complete the many different trail rides that they also offer and I can see why. You can read about Becky’s experiences when she rode the Wild Sicily in 2020.

Riding in Sicily with Alex and Lizzie is an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home – it certainly has in my case and I very much hope to return.

If you would like more information about riding in Sicily please do contact me on 01299 272 997 (extension 2244) or email caron@inthesaddle.com