Compare Walking in Eastern Sicily by Esplora vs Sicily in Depth - Small Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 9 days |
| Price From | Check price | $ 3,250 |
| Price Per Day | Check price | $ 361 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Our Eastern Sicily walking holiday combines some light walking with some of the most interesting sights of the Eastern side of the island of Sicily. The walking is not strenuous and we typically cover distances of 5-10 kilometres, on a gentle gradient, per day. It is therefore suitable to travellers who like to keep active while they are holidaying, but may not want the full rigours of an full walking tour. |
See every slice of Sicily during this 8-day guided tour. Take off to Paradise Quarry in Syracuse with a Local Expert, who will show you its Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped limestone grotto: call out to your fellow travelers here, and your voice may echo as many as 16 times. Visit the Palermo Cathedral, a blend of architecture styles that combine for a stunning sight. Sample fresh olive oil at a lunch made of local produce from a farm near Trapani. Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu, where you will stroll to the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the harbor. In Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea, join a Local Expert at the city’s cliffside Greek theatre, from which you can see Mount Etna, the island’s active stratovolcano. |
Day 1: Arrival and onward to Milazzo
We rendezvous at Catania airport in the afternoon and transfer by minibus on a short drive (2 hours) to our hotel in Milazzo.
We eat a fine sea-food dinner in one of Milazzo’s more intriguing trattorie.
Day 2: Walking in The Peloritani Mountains
The Peloritani Mountains are the spine of the triangle of land which makes up the North East corner of Sicily. They are thickly wooded and sparsely inhabited, with deep gorges and pine and oak forests.
We drive via Messina to Dinnammare, the highest point of the Peloritani accessible by vehicle, with its stunning views north over the Tyrrhenian sea and the Aeolian islands and south over the Straits of Messina and the Aspromonte mountains in Calabria.
From there we walk along a well-marked track with some stunning views as far as Etna and the Capo Milazzo. In the Spring and Autumn, we often get fabulous views of large flocks of migrating birds – particularly Honey Buzzards as they cross over the Straits of Messina.
In the late afternoon we return to Milazzo and there is time to visit the castle before supper before we head out to eat in a nearby trattoria.
Day 3: Lipari and the Aeolian islands
We get up early to catch the hydrofoil to Lipari. We make a short walk on the island with some spectacular views over to Vulcano and Salina. There will be time to visit the archaeological museum (one of the best in Sicily) in Lipari town before we catch the return hydrofoil to Milazzo.
On return to Milazzo we transfer to Castelmola for evening meal and overnight.
Day 4: Monte Santa Venere and Savoca – in the steps of the Godfather
Overnight and evening meal in Castelmola.
In the morning we walk to the top of Monte Venere with beautiful views over Etna.
After lunch we drive a short distance to Savoca. This small hilltop town, close to Taormina, provided the locations for some of the Sicilian scenes in the Godfather movies. Although ostensibly set in Corleone, Corleone was considered too developed by the time Coppola was filming for them to be considered as locations for his films. Both towns have remained almost untouched and are a stirring location even for someone left otherwise unmoved by the iconic seventies mafia movies.
We make sure too, that we stop for a granita at the famouse “Bar Vitelli”.
Day 5: Mt. Etna – the largest Volcano in Europe
Evening meal and overnight in Siracusa.
This morning we drive to Etna (1 hour). There will be a chance to see the Chestnut tree “of the hundred horses” – reputedly 3000 years old and the oldest tree in Sicily – after which we take a walk on the slopes of Etna to Pietracannone overlooking the Valle del Bove).
After a picnic lunch we transfer to our hotel in Siracusa (about 1.5 hours).
There will be free time in the afternoon to relax and enjoy Ortygia.
Day 6: Siracusa
Evening meal and overnight in Siracusa.
We start the day with a walking tour of historic Ortygia, strolling through the streets enjoying the stunning Baroque and Renaissance architecture and rubbing shoulders with Greek Mythology. We stop by the cathedral, which can lay claim to being the oldest Christian building in the world (it was converted from the enormous Doric temple of Athena).
After lunch we pay a visit to the Archaeological sites of Siracusa: one of the largest and best preserved of all Greek theatres in the whole of the Hellenic world and a remarkable cavern known as L’Orecchio di Dionisio – which, according to legend, was used as a prison by the tyrant Dionysius and allowed him to eavesdrop on his captives.
Day 7: Walking in Pantalica
Evening meal and overnight in Siracusa.
The valley of Pantalica is home to a fascinating necropolis with over 5000 tombs dating from the 13th to the 7th centuries BC.
We spend the morning walking along an old railway track and through a beautiful hidden valley before a short climb to a picnic lunch among the rock tombs. After lunch, there is time to explore the famous “Anaktaron” (the supposed house of the one-time ruler of Pantalica) before returning to Siracsua in the late afternoon.
Day 8: Departure
Departure from Catania airport.
Day 1: Welcome to Sicily
On arrival at Catania airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30. Relax and settle in before meeting your Travel Director at 17:30, for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
NH Catania Centro.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Ancient Syracuse
Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to Syracuse’s Paradise Quarry with its unusual Ear of Dionysius, an ear-shaped grotto with an unusual echo. Continue to the superb Greek theatre, carved out of solid rock, one of the largest of the ancient world. There is time to explore the atmospheric Old City, a maze of narrow streets lined with palaces, sprawling over the island of Ortygia. It was here that the famous geometrician Archimedes ran naked through the streets, crying ‘Eureka!' Continue around the southeastern corner of Sicily to Ragusa.
Mediterraneo Palace, Ragusa.
Breakfast
Day 3: Explore the Valley of the Temples and on to Palermo
Journey along the southern coast of the island, past the oil producing town of Gela to Agrigento. Explore the Valley of the Temples with a Local Expert. See the massive Temple of Concordia and the clifftop Temple of Juno overlooking the sea. Your travels continue to the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4: Palermo & the Golden Age of the Normans
Explore Palermo with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the spectacular Arab-Norman Monreale Cathedral with a Local Expert. Alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walk through the lively market. This afternoon, visit Palermo Cathedral which has been altered many times over the years and observe its unique blend of architectural styles. For your dining pleasure, you are offered a selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening, each with their own ambience and cuisine.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 5: Exploring Erice
Venture to the charming hilltop walled town of Erice and explore the labyrinth of quiet alleyways. Pause to enjoy the sea views from the gardens alongside the Castle of Venus. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the enchanting Villa Immacolatella near Trapani, enjoy a light lunch and a tasting of some of the island's freshest olive oil and Sicilian wines. The estate employs innovative farming techniques that favour the productive rhythm of the olive grove, including organic pest control and natural decantation of the oil. Back in Palermo the evening is at your leisure.
NH Palermo.
Breakfast, Lunch with Wine
Day 6: Cefalu and the Taormina Riviera
Travel to the quaint fishing town of Cefalu. The town's imposing cathedral was erected to fulfil a vow made by the Norman King Roger II. Stroll down to the medieval stone fountain and seek out the Gothic arch of the Porta Marina for a picture-perfect view of the little harbour.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast
Day 7: Taormina and the Dawn Coast of Europe Relaxed Start
Your hotel faces east, so early risers may experience why D.H. Lawrence christened this 'The Dawn Coast of Europe.' After breakfast, perhaps take an Optional Experience through the vineyards to Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. Travel to the old town of Taormina, which clings to the side of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna. With your Local Expert, visit the Greek theatre set on a cliff and open to the sky. Take a moment to sit in this ancient theatre and absorb the view through the crumbling arches to Mount Etna. Stroll on to the tiny courtyard of the Palazzo Corvaja, Taormina’s grandest building and further along the elegant Corso Umberto, the Piazza IX Aprile offers panoramic views. At a local restaurant, rejoice with your new-found friends over your Celebration Dinner of delicious, freshly prepared Farm-to-Table cuisine, accompanied with exquisite Italian wines.
RG Naxos Hotel, Taormina.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 8: Depart Catania
Appreciate the vistas of Mount Etna one last time on your departure transfer to Catania Airport. Transfers arrive at the airport at 06:30 and 08:30.
Breakfast
