Guided Walking Tours Tours in italy

Highlights of Sicily Walk

*  Gentle walks full of contrasts, fully guided

*  Greek theatres, Roman odeons, Byzantine tombs

*  Exotic flora: strawberry trees, pomegranate, Chinese persimmon

*  Mighty Mt Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano

*  Coastal paths, vineyards trails, olive and almond groves

Crucible of European, Eastern and African cultures, Sicily combines outstanding natural beauty with a rich cultural heritage and exuberant, friendly people.  On this holiday you combine visiting Sicily's classic ancient sites with a relaxed exploration of its relatively unknown countryside. Not to be missed are Taormina's Greek theatre perched above Naxos Bay, the Roman amphitheatre and Greek theatre standing side by side in ancient Siracusa (unique in the world), and Cava d'ispica - a honeycomb of Byzantine graves and a trip to Mt Etna, Europe's largest active volcano to watch its craters belching out ash and smoke.

The walks are gentle and full of contrasts: coastal paths wind through juniper trees and wild asparagus to spot flamingoes in the Vendicari nature reserve, a descent past mulberry and wild pear trees takes us to Taormina, a path lined with carob and almond trees takes us into the Cava Paradiso gorge where river crabs and cray fish swim in the clear waters.  Travelling in an air conditioned minibus with our expert local guide, you'll learn all about the local flora, fauna, history and more important things besides, such as where to taste the best granite (crushed lemon zest and ice)! Lunches will either be tasty picnics or we'll stop in wayside trattorie for some real casalinga cuisine.

For our first three nights we stay right on mighty Mt Etna's flanks at Sig. Romeo's charming little stone-walled agriturismo surrounded by verdant gardens.  Dinners here are often taken in the old stable, or outside on the geranium-decked terrace.  For the second half of the week home is a delightful baglio (fortified farmhouse), whose internal courtyard is lined with palm and banana trees.  (There's also a large pool usually open Jul-Aug only.).  Dinners at both hotels are a celebration of local cuisine - expect to taste fried courgette flowers or pasta alla norma (aubergine and tomato sauce served with grated ricotta) washed down with a rich red wine grown on the wine terraces of Etna's fertile slopes.

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