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The Treasure of Western Sicily

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Artistic masterpieces and excellent food
When wanting to learn about the History of the Mediterranean area, you must go to Western Sicily!
Driving through Sicily, you will retrace the steps of Phoenician and Greek settlers on Sicily's western coast, and their excellent taste when choosing where to build their temples and cities. You'll visit the vibrant Palermo that seems to be complete chaos but is not, explore the maritime preserved, beautiful coastline. You'll soak up the Byzantine splendour of Monreale and the Greek engineering feat of Selinunte. And last but not least, you'll discover the outstanding Sicilian culinary heritage, taste delicious food specialties and meet local wine makers.

Highlights:
- Discover the colourful street of Palermo
- Delicious Sicilian culinary specialties
- Archaeological Sites and Natural Reserve

Daily itinerary

1 Palermo Cathedral Marianne LopezDay 1: Arrival in Palermo
On arrival in Palermo airport you'll be transferred to Palermo city centre (about 1h) where you'll be staying for the next 2 nights. This is Sicily's capital. It's almost 1 million inhabitants but feels like it's made of small villages. The cultural heritage is impressive, start visiting right over!! No matter how long you stay, you'll leave Palermo with the feeling you've missed something and will be wanting to come back. Overnight in Palermo Meals (-/-/-)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
2 Palermo Marianne LopezDay 2: Palermo, and Mount Pellegrino (3h walk; +300m -300m ; 6 km)
Entire day dedicated to this wonderful city. Start the day by a nice pilgrimage... You climb up on Mount Pellegrino following the path of the pilgrims who walk up to Santa Rosalia's sanctuary. The rest of the day, you go and explore the town. The churches, the theatres, the markets, the Normand Palace, the Cathedral... Don't forget to taste Palermo famous street food: "pane e panelle', a sandwich filled with gram flour fritters. Overnight in Palermo Meals (B/-/-)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
Segesta segestawelcome.comDay 3: Monreale's Cathedral and cloister and Archeological Segesta
This morning, you'll leave Palermo, after picking up your rental car in the city centre. Your first Sicilian drive will take you quite close, to Monreale, to admire the Byzantine church of Monreale. The Pantocrator mosaics are spectacular. You'll then go towards Segesta and the famous Greek Temple that looks like it could still be used by for Greek ceremonies. A nice walk up will take you to the Roman Theatre. In the afternoon, you'll drive towards Castellammare and check in into your 'agriturismo' (farm house), for a tasty dinner and a good night sleep. Overnight close to Castellammare. Meals (B/-/D)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
4 Zingaro Natural Reserve Marianne LopezDay 4: Natural Reserve of Zingaro (5h trek, +500 mt - 530 mt, 11,50 km)
It's the first natural reserve created in Sicily, and when you get there, you'll understand why people have fought to preserve this area. From Scopello, the southern entrance to the Reserve, you'll hike through the wild countryside above the crystalline inlets calling out for you to go for a swim!! Relax on the small beaches or visit the small museum of the Reserve. In the afternoon, way back to your Agriturismo. Meals (B/-/D)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
5 Mozia Marianne LopezDay 5: Medieval Erice & Enogastronomic Marsala
Your tour of western Sicily takes you to the extreme point of Sicily. In the morning, you'll drive to Erice, the splendid city built on top of a small mountain, at 700 aslm. You'll then go to Marsala the westernmost point of the island. While you're in Marsala, famous for the wine, you should taste some Marsala! Wine tasting at Donna Fugata. After the tasting, you'll go on to Menfi, on the south-western part of Sicily. Overnight in a farmhouse near Menfi. Meals (B/-/D)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
6 Selinunte Marianne LopezDay 6: Selinunte and the Cave di Cusa
This morning, you'll explore the quarry, where the stone used to build the town of Selinunte's sacred temple were excavated. While you wander through this small quarry, you can imagine the workers dropping their tools to flee away from the imminent danger of the invasion of Hannibal's Carthaginian army (409BC). Drive then to Selinunte, where you'll discover not only the Greek Temples, but the Acropolis, the ancient city with the narrow streets and the defensive walls. In the afternoon, drive back to Menfi. Overnight in Menfi. Meals (B/-/D)structure-separateur-horizontal-dot
7 Temple Valley Agrigento Marianne LopezDay 7: Agrigento and wine tasting
Another day, another Greek Temple. Today, you'll discover the very famous Valle dei Templi. The 7 temples, some of them almost intact, are all lined up on the top of a hill that looks above the Mediterranean Sea. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the archaeological area to learn about the Greek civilization in Sicily. After the visit, you'll drive towards Cefalù, and on your way stop at the Tenuta Tasca in the centre of Sicily, for a wine tasting with some local food. In the afternoon, you'll reach Cefalù for the final 2 nights. Meals (B/-/-)

structure-separateur-horizontal-dotCefalu Cathedral Mariane Lopez
Day 8:
Cefalù and La Rocca (2h trek, + 100 – 100 mt, 5 km)

In the morning, nice hike up to the top of La Rocca, the hill Cefalù leans against. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll about the city centre or a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Meals (B/-/-)

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9 Sicilian Landscape Marianne Lopez
Day 9:
Departure
You'll drive back to Palermo airport where you'll drop off the rental car. End of services Meals (B/-/-)

Note: (B: Breakfast included; L: Lunch included; D: Dinner included)


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Grade:
Easy, 2 to 5 hours walking, on easy terrain. A prior hiking experience is recommended.

Accommodations:
-2 nights in Hotel *** in Palermo
-2 nights in charming farmhouse near Castellammare
-2 nights in charming farmhouse near Menfi
2 nights in hotel *** in Cefalù

Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking trousers and shorts, wind and water proof jacket, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, multitask knife, trekking poles. A rucksack (30 litres) for your trekking.

Getting there: The closest airport for this trip is Palermo Punta Raisi. You'll get a private transfer from the airport to your hotel.
Trapani airport can be used as well but there'll be an extra fee. (See prices below)

Price per person
1 person traveling alone 1890€
2 persons in double room 1445€
3 persons in triple room 145€
4 persons in 2 double rooms 1315€

Single room supplement 190€
Departure from 28.06.2016 to 24.07.2016 90€
Departure from 25.07.2016 to 31.08.2016 150€

Supplement for arrival in Trapani airport
70€ for all the passengers from 1 to 4 persons

Included:
- Accommodations in hotels***, farmhouses and B&B, ensuite rooms with breakfast included
- Guided tour of the historical Cantina and tasting of 4 of the most representative wines of Donna Fugata (60mn).
- 4 dinners (drinks and water excluded)
- Guided tour of the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento
- Wine tasting in Tenuta Tasca
- Rental cars from day 3 to day 9 (CDW and T P included)
- Private transfer on day 1 from Palermo airport to Palermo city centre
- Local phone assistance 24/24h
- Information booklet

Not included:
- Meals (except 4 dinner and breakfasts)
- Entrance fees (Cappella Palatina and Palazzo dei Normanni; Segesta; Agrigento; Selinunte; Rocca di Cefalù 4€...)
- Tourist taxes (about 30€ per person)
- All the cost related to the rental car (gas, car parks, tolls, excess...)
- Everything not listed in the 'price includes' paragraph
- Personal items
- All not mentioned under the heading " Included"
- Tourist Taxes
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Location Sicily

italia Sicilia

Map tour MOTSICW3TI

Trips note: MOTSICW3TI

Destination: Sicily
Travel style: Self-guided walking holidays
Interest : Drive & Hike; History & Culture
Comfort: Charming
Grade: Moderate
Duration : 9 days / 8 nights
Departures: J F M A M J J A S O N D
Group size : From 1 persons
Airport : Palermo Punta Raisi
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