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HORSEBACK |
  
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| Tourism on horseback has now spread throughout the island, to the extent that Sardinia aims to become the Ireland of the Mediterranean. Today there are some sixty stables where one can easily hire a horse for a lesson in the riding-school or a fascinating ride in the mountains or along the enchanting beaches. There at least five centres which provide first-class hotel facilities, restaurant and riding-school, numerous horses for both beginners and expert riders, instructors and qualified guides. Over thirty small centres (with four or five horses) in the interior and along the coast provide excursions on horseback for one-day visitors. The best organised centre is undoubtedly "Alabirdi" at Arborea in the gulf of Oristano which provides some fifty horses and even an indoor riding-school. One can follow various itineraries from here through the countryside around Oristano, in a particularly varied landscape where pine woods, ponds, hills, beaches and steep cliffs alternate with one another. A few hours' ride takes one onto the Giara highland where the famous wild horses graze. To visit the heart of Barbagia it is advisable to stop at "Su Gologone" at Oliena: from here one can set out on excursions on the Talana and Gennargentu massifs. Going downhill to the east we find the two riding centres at Arbatax ("Cala Moresca" and "Telis") which were among the first stables to develop tourism on horseback. From the coast one can quickly climb the mountain of Villagrande with their Wild West panoramas and return along the Flumendosa river at the foot of Mt Gennargentu. There are numerous riding centres in the north and south of the island. To find out more, one just has to contact "Ante sardo" (the association of Sardinian riding centres) at the following address: via Ravenna 24, 09100 Cagliari (Tel. 070-304610). On the saddle of a sturdy, goodnatured Anglo-Arab Sardinian horse you will experience unforgettable moments as you explore a wild and solitary landascape. You will get to know the true spirit of the Sardinians, their hospitality and sincere friendschip. And between one ride and another, you will be able to taste the genuine food offered by shepherds and farmers.
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