Italy luxury walking & hiking tours, Sicily walking vacations, Italy walking tours

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Walking and hiking along pretty coastal paths, on ancient trails, and over lava landscapes
Many of the finest ruins of Greek and Roman civilization
Turquoise seas, lemon groves, and cliff top gardens
Exciting Mediterranean cuisine, fine wines, and charming accommodations

DETAILS

9-day trip begins in Palermo, Italy and ends Taormina, Italy
8-nights charming first-class hotels
All meals included except two dinners

TRIP RATING

Easy to moderate hiking and walking, 4-6 hours per day

Afloat in the center of the Mediterranean, for centuries Sicily has been the center of routes between north and south, and east and west. This parade of cultures has deposited fragments of language, architecture, art, cuisine, and religion that have made the island a reflection of Mediterranean history. This complexity of culture is only matched by the stunning natural beauty and a tremendous diversity of landscape. We discover Sicily on hikes through rolling hills and valleys covered in olive trees and grape vines, on fiery Mt. Etna with its steep volcanic flanks covered in citrus orchards, and along many miles of turquoise coastline.

Sicily Walking and Hiking Tour Overview

Day 1: Meet in Palermo, Italy for a walking tour of the historic city, orientation meeting and welcome dinner.

Days 2-3: Transfer to the medieval hilltop citadel of Erice. Visit the ancient Greek city of Segesta. Walk along wild coastline in the Zingaro nature reserve, and enjoy a gourmet picnic in one of its beautiful coves.

Days 4-5: Walking through the rural countryside of the Iato Valley, stopping in Piana degli Albanesi for its famous ricotta cannoli. Visit the mighty Norman cathedral of Monreale, known for its medieval mosaics.

Day 6: Explore more of the Iato Valley and its Greek orthodox churches before continuing to Castelbuono for a relaxing afternoon. Taste wines from the surrounding vineyards, and celebrate with fine cuisine.

Days 7-8: Walk to the captivating seaside town of Cefalù with its medieval streets, picturesque coastline, and dominating Norman cathedral. Transfer to Taormina, Sicily's best-known resort ,perched dramatically above the sea. Visit the outstanding remains of its classical Greek theatre. Explore the flanks of Mount Etna, hiking over a recent lava flow and through shady chestnut and pine groves. Enjoy a picnic of local gourmet treats.

Day 9: Say arrivederci in Taormina, Italy.

Step Away from the Ordinary ~ Sicily Walking & Hiking

Sicily is meant to be savored. Our nine-day walking journey of this ancient island allows sufficient time, and moves at the proper relaxed pace, to experience all that is Sicily - scenic Mediterranean views, fresh gourmet picnics, exceptional dinners, and fascinating ruins. If the Italians don’t settle for anything but the finest, why should we?