Travel Tip

Before the tour starts, stay at least 2 nights in the incredible historic Arabo-Norman old-town of Palermo. Walk around and marvel at the abundance of palaces and churches; don't miss the Norman Palace, Palatine chapel and Martorana church mosaics, the cathedral, Teatro Massimo opera house and Zisa castle. There are also catacombs.

Hotel NH Palermo is very practical and convenient among many choices available.

Arriving the night before? You can stay 5 minutes from the airport at Magaggiari hotel resort. hotelmagaggiari.com.

Pick up at 11.00 at Palermo airport. We travel west to enjoy lunch at a farm. From here we walk along a forest track with a panoramic view of a Greek temple (IV century BC). We explore the secluded hilltop site of Segesta, its well-preserved Temple and a monolithic Theatre at the top of Monte Barbaro with a stunning view of the surrounding countryside and sea. We now continue to the mountain top town of Erice that is one of the oldest settlements in Sicily with its sweeping views of the valley below. Try its tasty almond pastries as you wander through its charming, cobbled streets and meditate on its ancient Trojan - Greek roots.

Walk: 2-3 hrs / 6 km

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Stay in Erice: 2 nights

From Trapani we take a hydrofoil to Levanzo and walk across the hinterland to a hidden cave, the Grotta del Genovese (Cave of Genovese). Through an enlarged rabbit warren, we enter the cave to admire a beautiful example of ancient art: the graffiti date back to 11-12 thousand years ago and they represent a treasure of Palaeolithic and Neolithic drawings. We continue around the island with views of Favignana and Marettimo, the other two islands of this archipelago, set in crystal clear blue waters. We return mid afternoon to explore the charming town of Erice.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 3.5hrs / 11km; Elev. +/- 400ft

A spectacular morning drive through an indescribable panorama leads to the Zingaro Nature Reserve where we take a walk in its untamed and scented Mediterranean scrub that stretches along the coast over the emerald green and cobalt blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Here the enormous Bluefin Tuna come to lay their eggs. Enjoy the rugged, Sicilian coastline and learn how locals used to make a living from tuna fishing and basket weaving. If lucky, we may spot a peregrine falcon. After a delicious lunch in a tiny nearby village, we continue south to our next destination, the UNESCO heritage Valley of the Temples in Agrigento.

Walk: 4 hrs / 10 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay in Agrigento: 2 nights

A pleasant morning beach walk takes us to the unusual Scala dei Turchi promontory (2hrs/6.5km). In the afternoon we visit the museum of Agrigento with a local guide. Inside is an excellent collection of artefacts, temple decorations, a giant statue from the temple of Zeus, votive offerings and a model of the largest temple in Magna Graecia. We then walk through the Valley of the Temples, UNESCO world heritage site, discussing Greek civilisation and why Pindar described Akragas as ‘most beautiful of mortal cities’.

FOCUS: The ancient city of Agrigento, 600 B.C., one of the greatest Mediterranean centres of antiquity. The remains of the Doric Temples which dominate the city and known as the Valley of the Temples are well preserved and are Testimony to one of the most prominent periods of Greek art and culture. They testify to the magnificence and supremacy of the ancient Greek culture.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 5hrs / 8km

We drive to Piazza Armerina, located in the heart of Sicily known as ‘the bread basket of Rome’. Here we visit the very fine Roman Imperial Villa Casale, another beautiful UNESCO heritage site, with over forty pictorial mosaic floors life of the rich roman citizens. A pleasant walk takes us over a hill, past fresh water fountains and enters the medieval town of Piazza Armerina where we stop for a delicious gelato. We end the day in Siracusa on Ortygia Island.

FOCUS: The Villa Romana, 300-400 A.D., a great example of luxury Roman living in Sicily. It is located far from the sea in the centre of the island at the foot of Mount Mangone. The exceptional beauty and quality of mosaic floors which decorate the villa illustrate its greatness and underline the importance of the island of Sicily in imperial Roman times.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: gentle walking in the archaeological ruins

Enjoy a leisurely morning to explore the historic quarters of Ortigia. Don’t forget to stroll around the lively fish market and also admire the colourful fruit and vegetables on display – a great place to pick up something tasty for lunch!

We meet early in the afternoon to join a local guide in the archaeological park and explore the ruins including a Greek quarry, theatre & sacrificial altar and a Roman amphitheatre. We learn how Siracusa, as the arch-enemy of ancient Athens, became the capital of Magna Graecia and the most powerful city of the ancient Greek world.

The rest of the day is for free exploration and relaxation.

FOCUS: Greek Siracusa in 800 B.C. – the birthplace of Archimedes, the remains of Greek temples under the town hall and inside the Cathedral which has also been a mosque! and most amazing of all, a Greek theatre carved out of a single stone hillside.

Meals: Breakfast

Walk: 2hrs walking tour of exploring the archeological ruins

We head out for a vigorous, stunning walk in the Unesco World Heritage site, Pantalica, a marvel of archaeology and nature immersed in the breath-taking and silent gorges of the Iblei Mountains. This mysterious place is a deep limestone ravine that has been carved out over time by the Anapo river. At the top is a unique archeological testimony from the Prehistoric to the Byzantines ages; there are thousands of rock-cut tombs of various shapes and sizes on the steep cliffs of the canyon making it look like a giant honeycomb!

As we reach the bottom, we find lush vegetation and a plethora of flourishing flora and walk the old tunnels and trails of a disused railway with the river running by and the high walls of the canyon dominating the sky above. We now continue to our hotel in Castelmola, walking distance from Taormina.

FOCUS: the Necropolis of Pantalica containing more than 5,000 rock-tombs.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 3hrs/9.5km; Elev. +/- 200m

Free day to explore the charming streets of Taormina, Sicily’s most famous resort town. Visit the Greco-Roman amphitheater, do a little shopping, sit in a street café and watch the world go by. Optional guided walk along ancient mule tracks down into Taormina.

FOCUS: Mount Etna Views– the most active and highest volcano in Europe is of geological, scientific and cultural value; with intense and persistent volcanic activity. Mount Etna dominates the skyline in Taormina and is visible from everywhere.

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

We drive to Milazzo and catch a hydrofoil to Vulcano for the unforgettable experience of walking up and down a volcano*, going around the rim and looking into the smoldering, sulphureous crater (1280ft). Afternoon boat excursion to reach our accommodations in Panarea (transportation by hydrofoil and private boat).

* Vulcano crater walk is occasionally inaccessible.

FOCUS: the Aeolian Islands, a 7-island archipelago (Panarea, Stromboli, Vulcano, Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari and Salina) located north of the coast of Sicily have volcanic origins and separated from the land of Sicily by 200 m deep waters. The two different kinds of eruption (Vulcanian and Strombolian) have given the science of volcanology a chance to enrich and improve their knowledge.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 4 hrs / 9km / ascent +500 m 

Scenic circular walk around the island of Panarea and onto the ancient crater wall where a Bronze Age village has been discovered at the south-west end of the island. These islands are inspirational to film makers. Take an afternoon stroll around the village and an aperitif by the port watch the world go by.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 3 hrs. / 8km

We travel by hydrofoil back to mainland Sicily. Today we visit Cefalu’s charming old quarters, the Norman Cathedral with free time in the bustling fishing town. If you are feeling sprightly you can walk with up to the Rocca promontory with walls and castle ruins offering magnificent views of the harbour, town and emerald blue sea. (hydrofoil; strolling day).

FOCUS: the Arab-Norman architecture, 1130-1194, dates from the time of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. An architectural circuit winds its way through the civil and religious monuments of the city of Palermo and the cathedrals of Monreale and Cefalu. This is a unique historical example of social and cultural syncretism (amalgamation of different religions and cultures) and testimony to the fruitful coexistence of different religions and cultures, Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: strolling around Cefalù

A walk in the heart of the Madonie mountains, an area seldom visited and of ancient traditions. We stroll through the cobbled streets of Geraci Siculo where time seems to have stood still. Our hiking trail climbs through pine forests to Pizzo Corvo where we emerge and cross mountain pastures through awe-inspiring scenery with occasional views of Mt. Etna, the sleeping giant which looms at a distance of over 50 miles as we approach Petralia Soprana. (4hrs/13km) (Elev. +/-300m)

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Walk: 4hrs/13km; Elev. +/-300m

Departure from our hotel at 9.00 to transfer to Palermo Airport. We recommend you book flights departing after 14.00; we allow 2.5 hours to reach the airport. If you wish, we can help you make other independent departure arrangements such as early taxis to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast