Highlights

• Self-Guided 10 Days
• Choice Lower of Higher Mt. Etna Walk
• Cultivated plains, Vineyards and Olive Groves
• Agriturismo (farm stay) experience
• On request the tour can be shortened by 1 or 2 days.
• Time to visit on your own Greek-Roman Theatre in Toarmina
• Tour Code: SIE121

• Practical Information - click for more

  The walks are easy to moderate level, however there are two days  of slightly more demanding paths. Paths and tracks aren’t always marked, but can be easily followed.  Only a few short sections of steep uphill, with mostly gentle ascents on wide tracks.  The walks are balanced so that after a more strenuous day, a shorter  easier day usually follows.  A moderate level of fitness is required.

  The accommodation: You experience different type of accommodation to what the region offers and gives you a unique and varied experience to understand better location and history.

  The food – Authentic and unique dining experiences, using fresh local produce.
  The Nebrodi mountains are famous for farming animals. The cured meats and cheeses typical only of this area.

• Itinerary - click for more

  Day 1: Arrival transfer from Catania airport to a medieval town  known as one of the ‘Most Beautiful towns in Italy Montalbano Elicona. Arrival briefing and receive information booklet on your self-guided tour. Overnight in a charming medieval residence.

  Day 2:  After breakfast a short drive where your walk will start.  Walk past historical dwellings known as ‘Tolos’a dating 2000 BC.  Walk on a forest track leading past  past ancient oak trees and landscapes with fantastic views. Continue on a country road to an Agriturismo. Here meet your driver transfer back to Montalbano Elicona. Overnight.
  Today you will travel: Distance: 10.6kms; ascent: 318m; descent: 318m.
  Included Breakfast and packed lunch.

  Day 3: Leaving Montalbano for Elicona, follow an ancient path to the river Elicona, and a steady walk uphill on a track passing hazelnut groves and open farmland to reach Floresta, at 1,275m above sea level. Admire spectacular view of Etna. Overnight: Small family run hotel.
  Today you will travel: Distance 14.7kms; ascent: 738m; descent: 343m.
  Included packed lunch and dinner (with house wine).

  Day 4: Today’s walk is not difficult but the longest in distance. Gradual descent from Floresta travel along the river and woodlands. Half way through  there’s a lovely picnic area. Suggest stopping to have lunch. Arrive Randazzo,the ‘Black Town’, built mostly of volcanic lava. Overnight local B&B
  Today you will travel: Distance 17.1kms; ascent: 230m; descent: 757m
  Included Breakfast and packed lunch.

  Day 5: This morning, time to visit Randazzo. Afternoon you are driven to the beginning of the walk. A leisruly walk you reach the nearby town of Mojo. The walk continues to follow the Alcantara river, with a detour to the ‘Cuba Bizantina’ (Byzantine chapel). You may wish to stop for a swim in a shady spot. Continue the last section which is uphill. This final part of your walk is once again on an ancient path, taking you into the town of Castiglione di Sicilia, where the Greeks built a fortress in the 5th century BC. Overnight: Local Guest House
  Today you will travel: Distance 7.3kms; ascent: 260m; descent: 178m
  Included Breakfast and dinner included (excluding wine).

  Day 6: Weather permitting, today you walk on Mt Etna. Choose from one of the two routes. The low or high route, the difference being distance and level of activity. You are driven to the start of the walk and collected at the end for your return to Castiglione di Sicilia. Both walks are set in a dramatic landscape and walking over petrified lava flows.  An  experience which is sure to amaze you. Along the way you will discover the various phenomena created by the eruptions of 1981 and 2002. You can request additional service of a personal English speaking guide to accompany you on this walk.
  Overnight: Local Guest House
  Higher route – Distance: 13kms; ascent: 267m; descent: 631m
  Lower route – Distance: 10kms; ascent: 310m; descent: 310m
  Included Breakfast.

  Day 7: Descending from the town of Castiglione di Sicilia, you arrive at the fertile plains of Alcantara river. Surrounded by beautifully cultivated vineyards and olive groves. First stop is at ‘Le Gurne’ which are small pools in the river of the nearby town of Francavilla. Time to enjoy a swim. Overnight: Agriturismo (farm stay)
  Today you will travel: Distance: 10.4kms; ascent: 51m; descent: 512m
  Included Breakfast and dinner 1/2 lt water / 1/4lt wine p.p.

  Day 8: A 5-minute drive and you reach town of Graniti to start your walk. The path winds gently uphill through olive and almond groves. Half way up, you can view the coastline of Giardini Naxos. Reach the top and meet breathtaking views of Castelmola and Taormina.
  Overnight:4* Hotel in Castelmola district of Taormina.
  Today you will travel: Distance: 11.8kms; ascent: 766m; descent: 434m
  Included: Breakfast.

  Day 9: Day at leisure day for you to visit Taormina. Walk through the elegant medieval streets lined with bougainvillea, once a haven for the world-famous writers, poets, musicians and painters who were inspired by her beauty. A visit to the magnificent Greek/Roman theatre, with Mt Etna in the background, is not to be missed.
  Overnight: 4* Hotel in Castelmola.
  Included: Breakfast.

  Day 10: Arrivederci and transfer to Catania airport.
  Breakfast included.

Included

• Arrival and departure Catania Airport transfers
• Accommodation as specified
• Meal as specified
• Transfers are outlined in itinerary during the walks
• Maps, photos, gps coordinates, and walking notes
• Historical and cultural information
• Transfer of luggage between accommodation
• The services of our local representative
• Vat Taxes

Not Included

• Air Travel
• Items of personal nature and Items not listed in the inclusions
• Travel Insurance is a requirement of the trip

Dates & Rates On Request

The CAD ($) rate is indicative of Euro price and subject to change.
Price per person in CAD $ Dollars.