Treasures of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, Italy

The Trip

Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, was dominated for centuries by a succession of ancient peoples including Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. Later, the Normans vied with Arab forces for control of the island until a great kingdom was born in Palermo. Today Sicily boasts diverse art, architecture, and archaeology that make it a globally unique destination. This cultural diversity is enhanced by the island's incredible coastline with its wildflower displays, ocean vistas, and the timeless volcanic beauty of the Aeolian Islands and Mt. Etna.

Our outing starts in Palermo, one of Europe's grandest cities in the 12th century, and ends in Catania, a city constructed from volcanic lava. We will hike through Lo Zingaro coastal reserve and visit the Aeolian Islands Lipari and Vulcano, all with panoramic ocean views. Our hikes range from three to five miles, allowing us time to explore Sicilian towns and archaeological parks. We will travel by private bus, and by boat to the Aeolian Islands.

We will visit six of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Arab-Norman Architecture of Palermo, Cefalù and Monreale, the Valley of the Temples, the Greek city of Syracuse, the mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale, the Baroque town of Noto, and the volcanic Aeolian Islands. We will be accompanied throughout the trip by expert local guides. Our accommodations will be in small hotels and rural villas. Our delicious Sicilian meals will include fresh seafood, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and incredible desserts. Perhaps as we explore Sicily's long history and its fascinating mix of cultures we will gain insights to better understand our world today.

Please note: This outing starts in Palermo and ends in Catania.

While the following is our planned itinerary, all activities are subject to change, depending on trail conditions, weather, and other factors beyond the leader's control.

Day 1: Our trip starts this morning at our hotel in Palermo. After a group orientation, we'll walk together through Palermo’s narrow streets and alleys to a market packed with produce, fish, and merchandise from all parts of the Mediterranean, and beyond. Then we visit Palermo's great cathedral and the magnificent Palatine Chapel with its luminous mosaics. After lunch, we stroll to the Piazza Pretoria, where an unforgettable fountain awaits us. We return to our hotel in central Palermo, our home for the next two nights. We'll enjoy our welcome dinner together this evening.

Day 2: After breakfast at our hotel, we drive to the Madonie Mountains, where we set off for a five-mile hike with a 900-foot elevation gain. These mountains are well-known for their giant holly trees, some of which are more than 300 years old, and the flowering Manna Ash. In the afternoon, we visit Cefalu Cathedral to appreciate some of the best-preserved Byzantine mosaics in the world, as well as the spectacular stonework of Norman and Arab masons. Medieval baron Roger II brought master craftsmen from Constantinople who combined traditional Byzantine decorative art with Northern European cathedral-building techniques for a stunning cultural combination. After dinner in Cefalu, we return to our Palermo hotel for the night.

Day 3: Following breakfast, we travel to the small hill town of Monreale to behold the mosaics of its Norman cathedral, among the most extraordinary in Italy. This amazing monument is a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine, and Norman artistic styles, a perfect blend of Christian and Muslim art and architecture from the 12th century CE. In the afternoon we drive to Erice, a delightful medieval village perched on a mountaintop. Walking its narrow streets, we enjoy breathtaking views of the Egadi Islands below, where the region's once-famed tuna harvest took place. Our small hotel in the coastal town of San Vito lo Capo will be our home for two nights.

Day 4: Today we explore Lo Zingaro, Sicily’s first nature reserve, established in 1981. We hike four miles of Mediterranean coastline (gaining 400 feet of elevation), perched high above the sea and delight in wonderful views and carpets of wildflowers. More than 40 bird species nest in this area, including the rare Bonelli's eagle. Following our hike we return to our hotel and enjoy dinner together in San Vito lo Capo.

Day 5: In the morning our bus takes us to breathtaking Selinunte, where we enjoy one of Europe's largest archaeological parks set against amazing views of the sea. Founded in the 7th century BCE, Selinunte played a fundamental role in the spread of Greek culture. After lunch we will sample Marsala wine made in this region. We have dinner at our hotel near Agrigento.

Day 6: Today we visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The first is the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, one of the richest archaeological areas of the world. A passionate and knowledgeable art historian will take us on a tour among the remains of several ancient temples constructed in the Doric style in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, followed by a visit to the site museum. Now excavated and partially restored, they constitute some of the largest and best-preserved ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece. In the afternoon (en route to our beautiful rural villa near Noto) we visit our second World Heritage site, Villa Romana del Casale. Our expert guide will lead us through this Roman imperial villa, which dates from the early 4^th century AD, to view one of the richest and largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world, which are considered the best preserved of their kind. We then arrive at our home for the next three nights, a beautiful rural villa near Noto.

Day 7: This morning we visit the Vendicari Nature Reserve, Europe’s southernmost wetland, where a naturalist will introduce us to the local flora and fauna. This is a resting place for numerous birds on their migratory journey southward to Africa. We eat lunch in the town of Noto and have time on our own to explore this baroque jewel, built late in the 17th century CE after an earthquake destroyed most of Old Noto. Overnight in villa near Noto.

Day 8: We travel to Syracuse, one of modern Sicily’s most beautiful cities, an important colony of ancient Greece, and the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes. We explore the picturesque Piazza del Duomo and the poetic Fonte Aretusa in the morning, and in the afternoon we enjoy the amazing Neapolis Archaeological Park, with its incredible Greek theatre, limestone quarries, and the famous Ear of Dionysus. Overnight in villa near Noto.

Day 9: Today we travel north to Milazzo to catch our boat to Lipari -- the most diverse of the Aeolian Islands. Quaint streets wind past fortress walls to Castello, a site that was been continuously occupied since Neolithic times and has enabled archaeologists to date other Mediterranean cultures. After lunch, you'll have free time to explore the fortress and archaeological museum, wander the town's labyrinth of streets, shop, or simply enjoy the view from the main square and harbor. A charming local hotel in Lipari will be our home for the next two nights.

Day 10: In the morning we catch a boat to the dramatic island of Vulcano, where we hike to the top of the dormant volcano and peer down into its crater (five miles, +/-1,600 feet elevation gain). Views from the top are fantastic! After lunch, you'll have time to swim on the black volcanic sand beach or explore the shops before returning to Lipari in the late afternoon.

Day 11: We cruise back to mainland Sicily this morning and drive to the village of Taormina, perched on a hillside overlooking the Ionian Sea. We walk Taormina's colorful cobblestone streets to its historic Greek theatre with outstanding views of Mt. Aetna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Shopping opportunities abound, and you can refresh yourself with granita, a Sicilian semi-frozen, fruit-based dessert. We then travel to Catania, where we have our farewell dinner and spend the night. 

Day 12: After breakfast, we will say our goodbyes. Our hotel is close to bus transportation to Palermo and a short taxi ride to the Catania airport. You may wish to stay in Catania a little longer to explore the old Baroque section, or take a day tour to Mt. Etna on your own.

Getting There

Please note that the trip begins at our hotel in Palermo and ends at our hotel in Catania. You can travel home from either Catania or Palermo, but more flights may be available from Palermo. From either city, you will probably have to connect to your international flight in Rome or another gateway city. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by your leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in small hotels and rural villas. The lodging is double-occupancy, with a private bathroom in each room or apartment. Solo travelers will be provided a roommate. A limited number of single rooms may be available for an extra charge.

We will have buffet-style breakfasts in our hotels with a range of juices, fruit, cheeses, bread, meat, cereals, and sometimes eggs. Lunches will typically be in restaurants or picnics on our hikes. Dinners are later in the evening in restaurants or at our lodgings. The emphasis will be on fresh, local produce and seafood, regional wines and cheeses, and locally made Sicilian specialties. All meals are included except two dinners, which participants have on their own. Vegetarian diets may be accommodated with prior discussion with leader, but other dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for fit adults with good balance. Our hikes are 3-5 miles, with elevation changes of up to 1,600 feet. The forest and volcano trails are steep, and some of the coastal trails have steep drop-offs. We will also have steep cobblestone streets in towns, and rocky, uneven footing at archaeological sites. As with all trips, the better shape you are in, the more you will enjoy yourself!

Equipment and Clothing

Hiking poles are recommended for this trip. You will also need a day pack, two one-liter water bottles, a personal first-aid kit, rain gear, and other items. A detailed packing list will be sent by the leader well in advance of the trip. Average temperatures in April range from daytime highs in the mid-60s to nighttime lows in the mid-50s. We can expect some spring rains and windy days.

References

Books:

• Richards, Charles, The New Italians.
• Di Lampedusa, Giuseppe, The Leopard.
• Benjamin, Sandra, Sicily: 3,000 Years of Human History.
• Guido, Margaret, Sicily: An Archaeological Guide.
• Steves, Rick, Sicily (First Edition).
  

Movies:

• The Sicilian Girl, 2008
• Bread and Tulips (Pane e Tulipani), 2000
• The Leopard, 1963

Conservation

Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, used to be covered with forests, but since ancient times its wood has been used for ships and other building. In the Madonie Mountains we will visit one of the few forests left on the island. Sicily is an important transit and wintering land for many bird species, including flamingos and the black stork, and we will visit areas where migratory birds rest and feed.

Although Sicily has seen environmental destruction since ancient times, today almost 9% of Sicily is protected natural area. Organic agriculture and renewable energy are increasing. In support of sustainable tourism in Sicily, we will stay in small, locally owned hotels and rural villas, and most of our food will come from local suppliers. 

The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff, encouraging grassroots involvement. Our outings seek to empower participants toward environmentally understanding parallel concerns at home and abroad.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.