Hiking in Sicily
magnificent Greek and Roman Ruins, Coastal and Mountain Hikes
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $4695 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 10 days |
| Arrive: | Palermo, Italy |
| Depart: | Catania, Italy |
| Lodging: | 9 nights small inns and hotels describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners |
| Activity: | Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
A mix of moderate walks and hikes, some steep trails, 2-4 hours a day, altitudes up to 10,000 feet, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders
|
Highlights
- The spectacular coastal trails and rare plants of the Mt. Cofano reserve, the mountain gorge of Pantalica, fiery Mt. Etna
- Neolithic rock tombs, Roman villas, Norman cathedrals, Greek temples
- Seaside Cefalú, picturesque Taormina, the World Heritage Site of Piazza Armerina
- Wine tastings, dinner in a family home
Terrific throughout. Our guides were the absolute best. Bravissimi!Edy and Michael D.—Portland, OR
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
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The sun-drenched island of Sicily offers fascinating layers of history and some of the most renowned cuisine in all Italy. Our intriguing journey explores the extraordinary heritage and vibrant cultures of this storied isle. Exhilarating hikes bring us through Sicily’s wild inland mountains—a pastoral world of tiny villages and farms where the old ways truly thrive, up the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna, and along coastal trails above the turquoise sea. Our explorations include the cultural and culinary heart of Sicily, with wine tasting and dinner with a baron, the ethereal Greek temples and theaters of Segesta and Taormina, medieval Erice, and the unforgettable Roman imperial villa of Piazza Armerina, with its elaborate mosaics still intact after nearly 2,000 years.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
Days 1-2
Palermo / Segesta / Erice / Monte Cofane Nature Reserve
From Palermo, we visit the remarkable 5th century BC Greek temple at Segesta en route to Erice, a walled medieval citadel overlooking the sea. The next day in Monte Cofano Nature Reserve, we hike cove-to-cove on coastal trails above some of Sicily’s most isolated and enchanting beaches.
Days 3-4
Monreale / Cefalú
Our walk through the vineyards of Trapani, Sicily’s main wine district, is followed by wine tasting and lunch on a prince’s estate. After visiting Monreale’s 12th century cathedral, with its dazzling collection of golden Greek and Byzantine mosaics, we head to seaside Cefalú, whose atmospheric Old Town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets. Our hike in the Madonie Mountains among farms and charming villages reveals Sicily’s deeply rustic culture, where age-old traditions still thrive.
Days 5-7
Piazza Armerina / Pantalica Gorge / Siracusa
After exploring the lavish mosaics of the Roman imperial villa at Piazza Armerina, we hike in the Pantalica Gorge, where thousands of rock-hewn Neolithic tombs adorn the canyon walls. In Siracusa, whose 2,700-year-old heart, Ortygia, is set on an island, we explore fabulous Greek, Roman, and Christian ruins and enjoy wine tasting and dinner in the home of a local wine baron.
Days 8-10
Mt. Etna / Taormina / Catania
Our hike on the slopes of Mt. Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, brings us across breathtaking lava landscapes. Heading to the entrancing town of Taormina, perched high above two sweeping bays, we explore its palazzi-lined streets and 3rd century BC Greek theater before departing on Day 10 from Catania.
For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 3, or Moderate, according to our trip grading system, and is designed for those who have at least some hiking experience. It features day walks and hikes of 3-8 miles. While the mountains of this beautiful island are not high, the trails can be steep and a bit rugged in places. Please also note that the hiking can feel more demanding at times because the weather can occasionally be hot, even in the lovely spring and early fall periods when we make our journeys. We will carry just a daypack with water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and anything else you want with you while on the trail. Luggage is transported for us by van, so it is always possible to ride in the van if you wish to opt out of a day’s hiking.
We recommended good hiking boots and hiking poles for all the walks. For your own enjoyment, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. Sturdy, well-broken-in hiking boots are essential for the rural trails of this area.
The meals included in the itinerary will be taken at the hotels where we are staying or at restaurants in the towns, with the occasional picnic lunch of local breads, cheeses, fruits, and wines. For lunches and dinners “on your own,” the Trip Leader will be happy to advise you on, or accompany you, to local restaurants and trattorias. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 pm.
In an effort to capture the spirit of old Europe, the hotels we use are often family-run converted villas or inns, full of ambiance and colorful local history. Although the rooms are not always of uniform or international size, our leaders try their best to assign rooms in a fair way so that all participants experience an equal advantage throughout the trip as a whole.
Departures & Leaders
Sep 15-24, 2013
Apr 11-20, 2014
May 10-19, 2014
Sep 12-21, 2014
Oct 5-14, 2014
Trip Cost
Prices are for 2013
$4695 (11-15 members)
$5095 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $590
Forced single supplement: $390
more on pricing
Trip Cost Includes:
- Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- Accommodations in hotels and small comfortable inns
- All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners
- Ground transportation throughout the trip
Trip Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, wine at dinners (except at welcome and farewell dinners), independent hotel/airport transfers, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).Hotel Elimo
Days 1 to 2 (2 nights), Erice, Italy
Located in the historic center of the picturesque mountain town of Erice, the small family-run Hotel Elimo is a perfectly restored, quiet hotel with ...
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Hotel in Cefalú
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Cefalú, Italy
In Cefalú we stay at one of the following properties:
Agriturismo Gigliotto
Day 5 (1 night), Piazza Armerina, Italy
Set on 700 acres in the heart of the Sicilian countryside on a hilltop with spectacular views, the Agriturismo Gigliotto is a stylishly renovated ...
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Siracusa Hotel
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Siracusa, Italy
In Siracusa we stay at one of the following properties:
Hotel in Taormina
Days 8 to 9 (2 nights), Taormina, Italy
In Taormina we stay at one of the following properties:
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Our Trip Leaders
Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).
Annie Hawkins, born and raised in a small village in Burgundy, is a passionate world traveler and one of our most enchanting Trip Leaders. After studying art history in Provence, Annie moved to California, where she led adventure tours in the American Southwest and realized that leading adventure ...
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Sebastiano Leone is a native of the charming town of Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, and a graduate of the University of Catania, with a degree in geology and a specialty in environmental restoration. He has done volunteer work on environmental projects in Italy’s national parks and is also an ...
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Francesco Selvaggio, born and raised in Palermo, has a degree in architecture with a concentration on historic restoration and a thesis dedicated to the Sicilian landscape. Francesco loves the life of a Trip Leader because it allows him to pursue passions such as hiking in the Sicilian countryside ...
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Client Comments
Terrific throughout. Our guides were the absolute best. Bravissimi!Edy and Michael D., Portland, OR
I must say this was the best vacation that I have ever experienced.Tray B., Chadds Ford PA
A wonderful trip with interesting, capable, and kind leaders. We had a great time!Susan W., Portland, OR
Best trip ever! I loved the small group size with two trip leaders—it allowed for great flexibility.Gail B., Larchmont, NY
We enjoyed every minute!Heidi M., Brevard, NC
We had a wonderful time. I felt I had been able to see and experience the “real” Sicily.Diane C., Manchester, MO
It was magical—the beauty of Sicily and hiking through the countryside.Barbara Q., Oakdale, NY
Well designed and well run. I especially loved the hikes, and the enthusiasm of the guides was very contagious.John R., Baltimore, MD
This was a fantastic trip for both of us. We loved the blend of experiences that could only be possible on a WT trip, such as sit-down meals, picnics, a walk followed by a superb lunch at a winery, tour and dinner with a baron in Siracuse, wading in the sea, touring ancient sites. Each trip we have been on with Wilderness Travel has exceeded our expectations. This trip stands out even more so.Bob and Shirley B., Ennis, MT
This was a wonderful trip. The places visited were terrific, and the leaders, in particular, made everything worthwhile by their knowledge of the place, their flexibility, and their great sense of humor.Bettina R., Santa Clara, CA
I had high hopes for Sicily, though unsure how it would compare to previous Italian trips. It exceeded all expectations by far. One of my most favorite trips.Larry E., Chicago, IL
Fantastic trip. Good itinerary, wonderful guides, generous with extras such as espressos at every stop.Joselyn B., Caspar, CA
I loved the trip, and the balance of city/cultural activities with outdoor/hiking activities was exactly what I expected.Eleanor S., Kingstone, ON
We really felt we saw Sicily and learned a lot about its very rich history. The local guides were excellent, the restaurants were wonderful, and Sebastiano and Francesco obviously cared deeply that we had a fun and memorable trip.Edie L., Dallas, TX





