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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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Page Text Content
EUROPE
Trekking on Etna/Jeremy Bartlett
SICILY
Greek Theatre, Taormina/John R Jones
SICILY
Classical Sicily
Ref CS
Sicilian Volcano Hike
TREKKING GRADE B/C
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SV
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
10 DAYS HOTELS DISCOVERING CLASSICAL SIGHTS AND TRADITIONAL VILLAGES
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
8 DAYS HOTELS ASCENDING MT ETNA & AEOLIAN ISLANDS
Our 'Classical Sicily' tour takes us to some of the most impressive and best preserved Graeco-Roman sights in the Mediterranean. It also allows us to discover the stunning mountainous interior of the island, where villages enjoy a traditional and relaxed way of life. An all-encompassing journey to the very best sights of Sicily.
Around Syracusa Our itinerary starts, appropriately, in a town that once rivalled Corinth as the most important and beautiful in the Greek world Syracusa. Equally outstanding in classical beauty is Noto, the jewel in the crown of Baroque Sicily; while the village of Piazza Armerina takes us back to a more ancient and even more influential - civilisation: the Roman Empire. Agrigento & Palermo Agrigento's Valley of the Temples is a testament to one of the most prosperous centres of old. Journeying west we arrive at the site of the Greek city of Selinunte and it's wonderful temples. We visit the old Phoenician island-town of Mozia before coming to beautiful mountain settlement of Erice, where alleyways thread between dramatic stone buildings. Travelling on we visit Segesta to see its unfinished Doric temple before finally arriving in Sicily's capital, Palermo, with its melting pot of historical influences from Byzantine and Norman to Spanish Baroque. Taormina & Etna Palermo is an ideal base from which to visit Monreale and we do so before heading along the spectacular coastline and up into the mountains on our way to Sicily's celebrated resort, Taormina. Here, we visit the Greek theatre and enjoy possibly the most famous view in Sicily - the snow-capped Mount Etna acting as a backdrop (often an active one, at
Classical Sicily Ref CS
Tyrrhenean Sea
Erice PALERMO Cefalù Mountain-top Cathedral town Monreale Segesta Castelbuono Mozia
This exciting one-weeker takes in north-east Sicily and the remote Aeolian Islands. We plan to climb three active volcanoes: Vulcano (500m), Stromboli (924m) and Mount Etna (3323m) the highest in Europe. Between climbs, well relax and enjoy the lively local scene.
TAORMINA
Sicilian Volcano Hike Ref SV
Tyrrhenean Sea
LIPARI
Vulcano 500m Novara Rocca Novara Etna 3300m
STROMBOLI
924m Milazzo I T A LY
MARSALA Catania Airport Selinunte Wonderful PIAZZA templesAGRIGENTO S I C I LY ARMERINA Valley of SYRACUSA the Temples Ortygia Ragusa km Noto 0 100
Ascent of Mount Etna Spending our first few days on the Sicilian mainland, on the northern slopes of Etna, we tackle this massif with 4WD vehicles and on foot. Exploring the rumbling craters and lava fields of this active volcano is an extraordinary experience; our summit traverse is quite a challenge, and subject to current volcanic activity and local conditions. On a clear day, the vistas extend across all of Sicily and beyond. Fiery Stromboli Sailing past the jagged cliffs of Panarea island, the mysterious cone of Stromboli looms in front of us. The islands active crater towers above the black volcanic beaches and tiny port. We zigzag up a broken path (3-4hrs) through the dense vegetation of the lower slopes, to peer into the crater. Stromboli is one of the worlds most active volcanoes it constantly rumbles and belches out fumes. Seeing the glow of incandescent lava at night is an experience that defies imagination! Lipari & Vulcano We make for the Aeolian island of Lipari. For our first climb we cross to Vulcano, famed for its rugged peaks which rise directly from the sea. We climb a steep path to the crater rim, enjoying the spectacular views of the other islands. Local hot sea-springs make for some great bathing! Finally we head back to the Sicilian mainland for a final night next to the Ionian Sea.
TAORMINA SANTALFIO
Catania Airport
S I C I LY
km 0 100
that!) to the columned stage. For those feeling energetic, there is the opportunity to walk on the mountain slopes.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Catania; drive Sant Alfio, on slopes on Mount Etna; afternoon walk over lava flows. 2 4WD to 2900m; walk to Etna craters; descend via Torre del Philosofo and Valle del Bove (5-7hrs). 3 Etna North: minibus to 1900m; walk through pine forests; visit 2002 eruption site and lava flows (5-6hrs). 4 Hydrofoil Stromboli; PM ascent on foot to the crater rim (total 5-7hrs). 5 Ferry Lipari; optional tour island and thermal baths. 6 Lipari; boat to Vulcano island; walk up to crater (1hr); visit beach and hot sea springs. 7 Hydrofoil to Milazzo; drive to Rocca Novara and Gola Alcantara for walks; continue to Giadini Naxos via Taormina. 8 Visit Taormina AM; drive Catania; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 3 dinners included See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Minibus/Ferry/Hydrofoil/4WD/ On foot. Comment: A short, adventurous tour with several days walking on some of Sicilys many volcanoes. Walking is graded as moderate to strenuous. Although some of the ascents are steep and quite demanding, the panoramic views and volcanic scenery are simply stunning. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader, plus driver and support crew. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Catania; drive Syracusa. 2 In Syracusa; walking tour of city. 3 Drive to Noto and visit Baroque churches; continue to Piazza Armerina via Ragusa. 4 Drive to Agrigento via Villa Imperiale; visit Valley of the Temples and Temple of Zeus. 5 Visit Archaeological Museum; drive via Selinunte to Marsala. 6 Drive/ferry to Mozia; continue to Erice, Segesta and Palermo. 7 Visit Monreale; sightseeing tour of Palermo. 8 Drive to Cefalu then head into mountains to Castelbuono; continue to Lettojanni. 9 Drive to Taormina; visit Greek Theatre; optional excursion to Mt Etna with optional walk 10 Drive to Catania airport; fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel; 9 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot. Comment: A comprehensive tour of the main classical sights of Sicily with some time in the mountainous interior to see something of traditional mountain village life which can still be seen in this region. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus local guides. Group Size: Approx. 15 to 20.
Views over the coastline of Sicily
Highlights of Stromboli/Mark Smith
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For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk
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