Saturday, April 5, 2025 - Saturday, April 19, 2025
Sicily,
International,
Italy
As the poet Goethe wrote, "To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything." Blessed with abundant sunshine and the dramatic juxtaposition of mountains and sea, its geographical situation, in the center of the Mediterranean, drives many of its unique qualities. Located midway between the Arabic world, Northern Africa and the European continent, it still shows the deep physical and cultural imprints of many ancient civilizations - Greek, Roman, Phoenician, Spanish, Arabic, and Norman. Our custom itinerary explores the uniqueness of Sicily in all its dimensions. Excellent hikes of moderate duration are combined with visits to sites of historical, archaeological, architectural and cultural significance. We visit both iconic destinations and little-known gems. We travel by private bus and stay in unique three- and four-star accommodations in beautiful, small towns. We will enjoy the tastes of Sicily that, as in ancient times, continue to rely on the bounty of the ocean and island-grown ingredients. The trip is packed with experiences but is never rushed. Below are the destination highlights: -Palermo, Erice and Sicily's north-west Sicily's capital city, Palermo, has been a cultural melting pot for millenia. Traces of the Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman empires can be seen in the city's architecture, culture and traditions. The small town of Erice is situated atop a high hill overlooking the coast. Surrounded by ancient defensive walls and crowned with a 12th-century castle, the town's medieval-era street layout is among the best-preserved in Europe. -Madonie and Nebrodi Regional Parks From their foothills near sea level to peaks over 5,500 feet high, these two neighboring parks provide habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna - the area is Sicily's richest in terms of biodiversity. Madonie and Nebrodi Regional Parks are home not only to wilderness and wildlife; within this rugged region are numerous centuries-old villages where the lifestyle is traditional, the sense of history palpable and the cuisine exceptional. -The Aeolian Islands Just off Sicily's north-east coast lie the seven islands of the Aeolian archipelago: Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. Sparsely-populated, naturally beautiful and geographically diverse, the Aeolian Islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. -Mt Etna More than 10,000 feet high, Etna is Italy's highest peak outside of the Alps, and the largest active volcano in Europe. -Ortigia/Siracusa, an ancient town on a tiny island, was in 500 BC among the largest cities of the Mediterranean world. Not far away is Villa Romana del Casale, a palace site which contains one of the finest collections of Roman mosaics.
