Wine, wind and white salt in Western Sicily
Discovering the mosaic of civilization and the nature of the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
Placed in the southernmost corner of Europe, in front of Tunisia, western Sicily offers an extraordinary mix of culture and a history. From the vibrant Palermo, the capital of Sicily, to the archeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the towns of Monreale and Erice, the nature reserve of "Zingaro" and to the Aegadian islands, our journey will lead you through a still unspoiled region. This is an area where the Arab, Greek and Phoeniciandominations left an inestimable inheritance and the colour of the sea really melts with the blue of the sky.
Highlights:
- The best Sicilian archaeological sites: Segesta, Selinunte and Agrigento
- Charming and full of historical towns: Motya, Palermo, Erice
- The Aegadian islands: crystal-like sea and Mediterranean charm
Highlights:
- The best Sicilian archaeological sites: Segesta, Selinunte and Agrigento
- Charming and full of historical towns: Motya, Palermo, Erice
- The Aegadian islands: crystal-like sea and Mediterranean charm
Day 1: Arrival
Arrival at Palermo. Transfer to the city centre and check in at the hotel. Dinner and at overnight in Palermo.
Day 2: Palermo(2hrs walking, +100 m - 100 m)
In the morning, spare time to discover the city of Palermo and its historic centre full of Norman, Arabic and Byzantine remains. Walk to Mount Pellegrino, from whose top you will enjoy a magnificent view of the whole of Palermo and its coast. In the afternoon, transfer to the city of Trapani. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 3: Motya island and Marsala(1hr 30min walking)
In the morning,boat transfer to the island of Motya, ancient Carthaginian colony. Loop walk around the island, discovering its archeological sites which date back to 600BC. In the afternoon, transfer to Marsala,world famous city renowned for the production of its unique wine. Visit toawinery cellar of Marsala wine. Transfer back to Trapani. Dinner overnight in Trapani. M
Day 4: Aegadian islands(4hrs walking, +150 m - 150 m)
Boat transfer to the island of Levanzo, the smallest and the most unspoilt island of the Aegadian archipelago. Walk along the coast until the "Grotta del Genovese" with its beautiful murals dating back to the Paleolithic age. Return to Levanzo village, then boat back to Trapani. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 5: Selinunte and Erice(3hrs walking, +50m - 50 m)
Transfer to Selinunte, one of the most important archaeological sitesin the Mediterranean region. Free visit of its vestiges of the numerous and colossal Greek temples in the middle of the countryside and overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, walk to the medieval village of Erice, (750m above the sea level), solitary and silent city, offering a magnificent view of Trapani and all the Aegadian islands. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 6: Mount Cofano and Segesta(3hrs walking, +250m - 250m)
After breakfast, transfer for Mount Cofano and walk around this big outcrop rock facing the Aegadian islands and placed between Trapani and Gulf of Bonagia. In the afternoon, transfer to Segesta and free visit of the archeological site, one of the best-preserved Greek temples and the amphitheatre. In the afternoon, bus ride to Scopello, charming village on the northwestern coast of the island. Check in at the hotel and dinner.
Day 7: Zingaro nature reserve(4hrs walking, +150m - 150m)
Beautiful walk in the Zingaro nature reserve, the first of its kind created in Sicily. Impressive mountains, deep creeks and tiny cove with smooth cliffs overlooking the sea and small little pebble stone beach after the other accompany us along our 7km journey by the seashore. Possibility of a dip in the sea. Dinner and at overnight in Scopello.
Day 8: Transfer to Palermo airport.
Arrival at Palermo. Transfer to the city centre and check in at the hotel. Dinner and at overnight in Palermo.
Day 2: Palermo(2hrs walking, +100 m - 100 m)
In the morning, spare time to discover the city of Palermo and its historic centre full of Norman, Arabic and Byzantine remains. Walk to Mount Pellegrino, from whose top you will enjoy a magnificent view of the whole of Palermo and its coast. In the afternoon, transfer to the city of Trapani. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 3: Motya island and Marsala(1hr 30min walking)
In the morning,boat transfer to the island of Motya, ancient Carthaginian colony. Loop walk around the island, discovering its archeological sites which date back to 600BC. In the afternoon, transfer to Marsala,world famous city renowned for the production of its unique wine. Visit toawinery cellar of Marsala wine. Transfer back to Trapani. Dinner overnight in Trapani. M
Day 4: Aegadian islands(4hrs walking, +150 m - 150 m)
Boat transfer to the island of Levanzo, the smallest and the most unspoilt island of the Aegadian archipelago. Walk along the coast until the "Grotta del Genovese" with its beautiful murals dating back to the Paleolithic age. Return to Levanzo village, then boat back to Trapani. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 5: Selinunte and Erice(3hrs walking, +50m - 50 m)
Transfer to Selinunte, one of the most important archaeological sitesin the Mediterranean region. Free visit of its vestiges of the numerous and colossal Greek temples in the middle of the countryside and overlooking the sea. In the afternoon, walk to the medieval village of Erice, (750m above the sea level), solitary and silent city, offering a magnificent view of Trapani and all the Aegadian islands. Dinner and overnight in Trapani.
Day 6: Mount Cofano and Segesta(3hrs walking, +250m - 250m)
After breakfast, transfer for Mount Cofano and walk around this big outcrop rock facing the Aegadian islands and placed between Trapani and Gulf of Bonagia. In the afternoon, transfer to Segesta and free visit of the archeological site, one of the best-preserved Greek temples and the amphitheatre. In the afternoon, bus ride to Scopello, charming village on the northwestern coast of the island. Check in at the hotel and dinner.
Day 7: Zingaro nature reserve(4hrs walking, +150m - 150m)
Beautiful walk in the Zingaro nature reserve, the first of its kind created in Sicily. Impressive mountains, deep creeks and tiny cove with smooth cliffs overlooking the sea and small little pebble stone beach after the other accompany us along our 7km journey by the seashore. Possibility of a dip in the sea. Dinner and at overnight in Scopello.
Day 8: Transfer to Palermo airport.
Grade: easy, suitable for most people in good health and generally fit, these trips include short walking days, predominantly on good paths and at low altitude. No experience is required.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in hotel*** at Palermo
- 4 nights in hotel*** at Trapani
- 2 nights in hotel ***at Scopello
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: The destination airport is Palermo. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Palermo airport for the transfers on day 1. We cannot guarantee a transfer for clients not arriving at the set meeting time. In this instance clients have to make their own way to the first hotel, at their own expense (taxi costs about €45 from Palermo airport to the hotel). At the end of the trip,only one transfer is guaranteed from the hotel to airport according to the flight schedule.
Included:
- All transfers by public bus, private minibuses and boats
- 7 nights accommodation in hotel*** and B&B on half board basis
- All dinners
- Lunches as written in the program
- English speaking tour leader
Not included:
- All beverages
- Lunches on day 1, day 2 and day 5
- Entrance tickets to archaeological sites on day 5 and day 6, allow about€30
- All not mentioned in the "included" section
Accommodation:
- 1 night in hotel*** at Palermo
- 4 nights in hotel*** at Trapani
- 2 nights in hotel ***at Scopello
Equipment: trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: The destination airport is Palermo. We will set a meeting time with the guide at Palermo airport for the transfers on day 1. We cannot guarantee a transfer for clients not arriving at the set meeting time. In this instance clients have to make their own way to the first hotel, at their own expense (taxi costs about €45 from Palermo airport to the hotel). At the end of the trip,only one transfer is guaranteed from the hotel to airport according to the flight schedule.
Included:
- All transfers by public bus, private minibuses and boats
- 7 nights accommodation in hotel*** and B&B on half board basis
- All dinners
- Lunches as written in the program
- English speaking tour leader
Not included:
- All beverages
- Lunches on day 1, day 2 and day 5
- Entrance tickets to archaeological sites on day 5 and day 6, allow about€30
- All not mentioned in the "included" section
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: Guided walking holiday
Interest: Sea &Coastal hiking, Winter Sun
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: J Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct
Group size: from 4 to 15 people
Airport: Palermo
