SUGGESTED ITINERARY - GET IN TOUCH FOR A COSTUMIZED TOUR!

Day 1: Arrival in Sicily and overnight in Giardini Naxos

Day 2: Mount Etna
Today we take a trip to Mount Etna, and get up very close to Europe’s highest active volcano. Starting at the Belvedere viewpoint (1.472 m) our hike takes us through orchards, chestnut groves and the volcanic desert to Monte Zoccolaro (1.739 m). Our effort is rewarded by the wonderful view we have on the Bove Valley below. We then continue our walk to the Silvestri craters to admire the impressive lava flows dating back to 1983 and 2001. The day ends with a wine tasting with typical products on the famous Etna Wine Road

Effective walking time: 3 hours
Vertical height difference: 350m
Degree of difficulty: easy to moderate

Day 3: Taormina and Montevenere
The excursion starts in the quaint village of Castelmola with its beautiful view on the Gulf of Taormina and the coast. This small village is well worth a visit and takes us back to the Middle Age.
We climb up through unspoiled Mediterranean vegetation to Monte Venere and enjoy the breath-taking view on the east coast, from the Straits of Messina to Syracuse and from Mount Etna to the Alcantara Valley
In the afternoon we visit Taormina, in its overwhelming setting surrounded by rocks, gardens and the sea. Taormina’s most famous structure is the stunning Greek-Roman theatre, from which one has a spectacular view of the sea and Mt. Etna. The town is now a chic holiday resort, but D.H. Lawrence was also astounded by its beauty and lived here for three years in the 1920s

Effective walking time: 3 hours
Vertical height difference: 350m
Degree of difficulty: moderate

Day 4: Valley of the Temples and Kolymbetra Gardens
We drive to the southern part of the island and our first of the day is to the impressive Valley of the Temples. The sight of these huge monuments in a Mediterranean setting with the special light effects is most impressive.
The enormous expansion of the area and the magnificent temples still give an idea of the importance of this ancient city. The perfectly preserved Concordia Temple is particularly striking.
On our a hike through the Archaeological Park, we stop in the Kolymbetra Gardens for a picnic. The gardens are a rural and archaeological paradise, almost an open-air museum. During our hike we see orange, lemon, almond and mulberry trees and breathe in their fresh scents.
Late in the afternoon we arrive at our next hotel in the charming fishing village of Castellammare del Golfo

Effective walking time: 3 hours
Vertical height difference: 200m
Degree of difficulty: easy

Day 5: Zingaro Nature Reserve and Scopello
We make a photo-stop en route to the Nature Reserve above the famous faraglioni, rock towers in the sea, in front of the tonnara tuna fishery (entrance to the tonnara with guided tour of approx. 1,5 hours, 6 euro per person). This tuna fishery was used as a set for the award-winning film Ocean’s Twelve starring George Clooney and Matt Damon.
We enter the Nature Riserve from the side of Scopello and start our hike along the beautiful coast with its pocket-sized pristine beaches overlooked by rugged cliff faces and windswept mountainsides with spectacular sea views. We follow the main trail, which takes us to the opposite side of the Reserve, to the peninsula of San Vito Lo Capo. This route allows us to enjoy panoramic views of the coast and also approach the wonderful small bays. This is probably Sicily’s most beautiful natural area, and offers a great variety of flora (the most peculiar aspect of the reserve is the dwarf palm grove which can reach up to three metres in height) and fauna and a suggestive rocky landscape.
Early in the afternoon we make a stop in the pretty hamlet of Scopello to taste the local speciality, the pane cunzato, with is freshly baked bread filled with tomatoes, anchovies, cheese, and olive oil.

Effective walking time: 3,5 hours
Vertical height difference: 300m
Degree of difficulty: easy

Day 6: Monte Cofano, Erice and Marsala Wine
Today the focus is once again on nature. We head off by bus to Monte Cofano, which rises impressively 659 m from the sea. On our hike around the summit, we enjoy the view and discover beautiful plants such as orchids, cacti and rare marigolds.
The second part of the day is dedicated to visiting Erice, an unforgettable medieval hilltown which lies at an altitude of 750 m. The historic old town is surrounded by defensive walls, crowned by a castle which dominates the surrounding area. We are rewarded for our short climb through the picturesque alleys with a wonderful view of the Salt Flats of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. In Erice we stop to taste typical almond biscuits in a renowned antique pastry shop.

Effective walking time: 2,5 hours
Vertical height difference: 250m
Degree of difficulty: easy

Day 7: Urban trekking in Palermo and Cefalù
We start with a walking tour in Palermo, the capital of Sicily and a lively harbour city, voted the Italian Capital of Culture in 2018. Sumptuous palaces are set among typically Mediterranean street scenes. The guided tour ends with a stop at the “Del Capo” street-market to experience everyday life and taste freshly cooked authentic street food in a rustic location. The typical street food of the local markets in Palermo are fried specialties served on plastic plates, accompanied by beer or wine (and water).
In the afternoon we head to the beautiful seaside resort of Cefalù and check-in at the final hotel of our tour.

Time at leisure to explore the picturesque old town.
Effective walking time: 2,5 hours
Vertical height difference: minimal
Degree of difficulty: easy

Day 8: Departure