ITALY - WESTERN SICILY ITINERARY:
DAY 1: Arrival - Cefalù. La Rocca; 3 miles, moderate,
900-ft elevation gain
Setting out from medieval Cefalù—a beachside resort on the
Tyrrhenian coast—you ease into your adventure by strolling the
town’s well-preserved streets and visiting such historic sites
as a magnificent cathedral from the Norman era. An afternoon
walk yields a stunning introduction to the area as you ascend La
Rocca, a massive crag towering at 912 feet. The climb is steep
but short (approximately 30 minutes). After enjoying a
magnificent coastal vista, you descend to Tempio di Diana
(Temple of Diana), built between the 4th and 5th centuries B.C.
Below the temple, fortified walls of the Byzantine period are
still standing.
On this first evening, you dine on regional delicacies of fish
and seafood at your seaside lodging. Hotel Riva del Sole,
Cefalù
DAY 2: Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie; 4-8
miles, moderate to challenging
You spend most of the day in the lush natural reserve of
Madonie (Parco Naturale Regionale delle Madonie). This roughly
100-acre sanctuary inland from Cefalù encompasses the Madonie
mountain range and Sicily’s second highest peak after Mt. Etna,
Pizzo Carbonara (6,492 feet). The tranquil habitat also includes
quaint villages, farms, and vineyards, providing opportunities
to enjoy the region’s unspoiled nature and to experience its
unique character. A ski resort in the winter, the area has an
Alpine appearance, thanks to distinctive chalet architecture.
Following a full day of exploring the Madonie mountains, you
return to your seaside home. In the evening you gather for a
casual meal in town before an optional stroll on the beach.
Hotel Riva del Sole, Cefalù
DAY 3: Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro; 4-8 miles,
moderate. Transfer to Erice
Today’s walk in the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro traverses
several miles of unspoiled coastline flanked by steep mountains.
Created in 1980 after a successful protest halted a road
construction project, the reserve features several
well-maintained paths, six beaches, and diverse flora and fauna.
The setting is perfect for a picnic lunch of savoury local
cheeses and olives and fresh fruit.
Later today, you travel one hour to medieval Erice. Settled by
the ancient Elymians, this enchanting hill town boasts a
fascinating cultural history and an important historic site
associated with fertility goddesses—the Carthaginians’ Astarte,
Greek Aphrodite, and Roman Venus.
This evening you dine on Sicilian specialties such as panelle
(chickpea fritters cooked in olive oil and flavored with
parsley), fish-based couscous, freshly caught oven-baked tuna,
or roasted lamb. Hotel Elimo, Erice
DAY 4: Segesta; 2 miles, easy. Island of Mozia; 3
miles, easy
In Segesta, also founded by the Elymians, you walk on and
around Mt. Barbaro. The route leads to a remarkable Hellenistic
theater high on the mountain, where you explore a Doric temple
dating to 430 B.C. and bask in splendid views of the hills and
Castellammare del Golfo.
After lunch, you move on to Mozia—an island famous for salt
production. Mozia is also one of the most important Phoenician
settlements in the Mediterranean region. In the afternoon,
weather permitting, you can go by boat or kayak to the island of
San Pantaleo, where in the lagoon portion of the Riserva
Naturale dello Stagnone you are in close proximity to a large
population of aquatic bird species.
This evening, you reunite in Erice for a dinner featuring a
bounty of regional dishes.
Hotel Elimo, Erice
DAY 5: Island of Levanzo; 4 miles, moderate. Optional
visit to the island of Favignana.
Today you discover the Egadi islands, with specific
activities dependent upon on weather and boat schedules. You
travel by sea to the island of Levanzo, where the walk leads to
fascinating caves adorned with rock engravings dating back
15,000 years and rock paintings some 8,000 years old—many of
them still in remarkably good condition.
Lunch features a sampling of the island’s specialties and a dash
of Sicily’s culinary diversity—with signature offerings of
Middle Eastern-style bread and cheese.
This afternoon you may have the opportunity to continue
island-hopping and proceed to Favignana. This island has
amazingly diverse terrain with dramatic tufa quarries, serene
coves, and the brilliant Cala Rossa bay, where the Romans
defeated the Carthaginians in 290 B.C.
Dinner this evening is on your own in Erice, where there is a
wide variety of trattorias, pizzerias, and restaurants from
which to choose. Hotel Elimo, Erice
DAY 6: Erice - Trapani; 3 miles, 2,000-ft elevation
loss. Cave di Cusa visit. Transfer to Selinunte
Following a breakfast of traditional Sicilian pasticcerie,
such as cuccia (an Arab cake of grain, honey, and ricotta), you
have a walk around Erice. Home to the Ettore Majorana Scientific
and Cultural Institute, the town invites exploration of such
sites as the hilltop Castello di Venere (Castle of Venus), which
offers spectacular views, and the 14th-century Chiesa Madre
church and bell tower. You then follow a path down the hill to
Trapani, absorbing spectacular views all along the way.
Later today, you transfer to your home for the last night of the
tour. The Cave di Cusa is a stop en route, the centuries-old
stone quarry used to build the ancient city of Selinunte. It is
still possible to see how stones and columns used to build the
temples were cut out of the rock.
There is time to relax before your farewell feast, during which
you indulge in authentic fare and toast the week’s discoveries.
Hotel Admeto, Selinunte
DAY 7: Selinunte Archaeological Site; 3-5 miles, easy.
Transfer to Palermo. Farewell
A walk in Selinunte introduces you to one of Italy’s most
important archaeological sites. With its name drawn from the
Greek word for celery, selinus, which grows in abundance here,
this site includes the acropolis, ancient city, eastern temples,
and sanctuary of ancient Malophorus.
You depart for Palermo later today and bid farewell at the
airport or central train station.
Note: The above is a 2008 itinerary. The 2009 itinerary
will be available soon - please call for details
Itinerary Changes: Please bear in mind that this is
a typical itinerary, and the actual walks and sites may vary due
to season, special events, or weather. We reserve the right to
alter the itinerary since tour arrangements are made up to a
year in advance, and unforeseen circumstances that mandate
change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve the tour
and your experience.
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