Walking Sicily’s Mountains & Islands
May 12-26, 2008
Leader: Judith Dortz
Co-Leader: Jan Taylor
Volcanoes! Earthquakes! Conquerors! have all left their indelible mark on this amazing
island. Daily walks through national parks, active volcanoes, and villages, will reveal the
diversity of Sicily’s unique landscape and culture. Hikes will range from a walk along
the coastal trail of Zingaro nature preserve, to two days guided walking in the Madonie
Mountains, to a vulcanologist-guide around Mt. Etna, and to a night-time viewing of the
fiery explosions of Strombli on the Aeolian Island. This adventure highlights key points
of this fascinating island. Transportation will be on public buses/train and private mini
buses. All breakfasts will be at our hotel. We will enjoy typical Sicilian dinners at our
hotel and in local restaurants. Lunches, not included, will be en route.
Mountains and Islands
Our hikes begin in the northwest section of Sicily and the Zingaro Nature Preserve,
among the most beautiful coastlines in Sicily. This varied five-mile route offers dramatic
scenery, with limestone cliffs and white sand and pebble coves. Linking this trail are the
villages of San Vito Lo Capo, our starting point on the northern end, to Scopello, a quaint
two street village, on the southern end.
The Madonie Mountains are rambling mountains in Central Sicily, which still retail old
townships and farming communities. This 48 km area contains a variety of plants,
meadows, forests, flowers, birds, and sheer limestone cliffs. Typical of mountain areas,
weather extremes exist year round. In 1989, most of this area became a national park
and is the only reserve where people continue to live in small towns throughout the hills.
Aeolian Islands
These seven islands of volcanic origin, so very different from each other, are reached via
ferry from the port of Milazzo. Stomboli, the most remote of the islands, is known for its
fiery volcano. A guided nighttime hike of the mountain is the best time to view this
unforgettable active volcano, with its red-hot spurs of molten rock against the night sky.
Lipari, the most popular island, and Vulcano, offer other dramatic walks.
Mt. Etna
Mt. Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, last erupted in 2002. It is a national park
which boasts a fascinating and varied natural environment, from lava deserts to alpine
forests. There are many paths and routes around and up near the summit, with varying
degrees of difficulty.
Day-by-day
May 12 – fly from U.S. to Palermo
May 13 – Arrive Palermo. Travel via private mini bus to Erice, a medieval town with a
panoramic hilltop position, our base for the next two days. Dinner at the hotel.
May 14 –Walking tour around the hilltop town of Erice, with stunning views over
Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Medieval in appearance with hidden alley and secret
courtyards; castles and defensive walls. Erice is known for it’s pastry-making to be
enjoyed in many cafes and patisseries. Lunch on our own. Dinner at a local restaurant
May 15 – Mini bus transport to San Vito Lo Capo and the entrance to Zingaro Natural
Reserve. Our five-mile walk is along a clearly marked coastal path atop limestone cliffs.
overlooking white sand and pebble coves. The end is the town of Scopello where our bus
picks us up, and we continue to the Madonie Mountains with a stop in Cefalu along the
way. Lodging at a Madonie farmhouse in Castelbuono for the next 3 nights.
May 16 – Guided day hike in the Madonie Mountains. Dinner at a local restaurant.
May 17 – Hike another region in the Madonie Mountains. Minibus transport allows us to
explore other small towns in the region. Dinner at hotel.
May 18 – Early morning private bus transfer to port of Milazzo to catch ferry to
Stromboli, a permanently active volcano and most remote of the Aeolian Islands. This
will be the first night of our 3-night stay on the Aeolian Islands. A guided four-hour night
hike close to the summit of Stromboli to view its spewing molten lava. For those not
wanting to hike, a walk along the waterfront to the observatory provide good views of the
eruption.
May 19 – Ferry from Stromboli to Lipari for the next two nights. Day walks around the
island. Possible visits include archeological museum, active pumice mines, the citadel,
popular beaches, and the observatory. Dinner at hotel
May 20 – More exploration of Lipari, with possible day trip to the island of Volcano,
known for its mud baths and hot springs. Dinner at restaurant.
May 21 –Early ferry from Lipari to Milazzo and then a public bus to Taormina for a two
night stay. Taormina is a well-preserved medieval town and resort area with a variety of
activities. Dinner at restaurant.
May 22 – Today is a chance to exploreTaormina on your own: swimming, shopping, site
seeing. beaching, relaxing, walking. Dinner at restaurant.
May 23 –Transfer to hotel in south Mt Etna for two nights. Guided walk on the north
side of Mt. Etna along the way. Dinner in restaurant.
May 24 – Day hike up the south side of Mt. Etna. You may choose from one of many
walks and hikes, from a more strenuous lengthy walk approaching the summit or ride in 4
wheel drive jeeps. Dinner in restaurant.
May 25- Drive to Siracusa for a day of sightseeing in the archeological park and in
Ortygia, the oldest part of the city. Our farewell dinner and overnight in Catania.
May 26 – Very early morning transfer to Catania airport for flight to U.S.
Leaders
Judith has been leading major excursions for over 20 years. They include many hiking
trips to Italy: Tuscany, the Dolomites, Cinque Terre; as well as, High Sierras and Nepal.
For 20+ years, she has been a group leader for Elderhostel study tours throughout the
Scandinavian countries and central Europe.
Jan has led over 50 trips to various parts of the world including recent day hiking in
Cinque Terre, Austria, Alaska, New Zealand, Sedona and Greece.
Both are CPR and Wilderness First Aid certified. This is their first visit to Sicily.
Trip Cost and Cancellation Policy
The price of $2595 covers land travel, based on double occupancy, and all breakfasts,
most dinners, all lodging and transportation within Sicily, all tickets and entrances that
are part of the group prospectus, and AMC overhead and emergency evacuation
insurance. It does not cover tips, beverages and optional activities. The current budget
anticipated a devaluation of the dollar in relation to the Euro. However, the value of the
dollar has dropped beyond our projection so it may be necessary to make small
adjustments to the total cost or include fewer dinners. Pricing for flights will be available
soon. Let us know if you wish to fly outside of the trip travel dates. As a group rate will
depend on 10 people flying from the same city, it is very important to let us know as
soon as possible about your participation on the trip so we can obtain the most
advantageous airfares. We are also looking into consolidator fares. As we need to place
deposits on hotels very soon, please do not delay in reserving your place.
A $1000 deposit is due with your application. If you cancel after being accepted for the
trip, $100 is non-refundable. If you cancel after March 1, 2008, a $300 cancellation fee is
non-refundable. If another person replaces you, you will be charged only the $300
cancellation fee. We will establish a waiting list. However, your cancellation shall not
raise the cost of the trip to any of the participants or the leaders. So, if you cancel and are
not replaced, you will forfeit $300 plus the per capita expenses already incurred and any
other unpaid per capita expenses for which the trip cannot obtain a refund. We strongly
recommend that you purchase travel insurance; information on several companies will be
sent to you after you apply.
Regarding flights: Depending on best price and flight connections, departure will be
either Sunday May 11, 2008 or Monday, May 12, 2008.
Payment of flight costs will be determined at the time of the purchase.
Deposit: $1,000 with application
Final payment: March 1, 2008: $1,595
Leader Contact Information
Judith Dortz, 36 Ash St, Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-876-8516) jdortz@aol.com
Jan Taylor, 4 Trotting Horse Drive, Lexington, MA 02421 (781-862-1897)
jliztaylor@rcn.com
We hope you will join us on this adventure. Feel free to contact either of us for more
details and questions.