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The Trip

Sicily, after 25 centuries of foreign domination by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Normans, is home to a diversity of architecture, art monuments, and archaeological parks. This cultural combination is enhanced by the island's incredible coastline, with more than 40 bird species that nest here, a variety of local plants, and beautiful volcanic features. Our outing starts in Palermo, Europe's grandest city of the 12th century, and ends in Catania, a city constructed from volcanic lava. We will walk through Lo Zingaro coastal reserve and the castle of Venus next to the Norman Gardens in Erice; both with panoramic views. Our hikes will be leisurely and cover 3-5 miles each day, with gains of 1,000 feet at the most -- a moderately easy trip. A boat ride will take us out around the Aeolian Islands of Lipari and Vulcano. During our trip we will behold the artistic stonework of Cefalu and the island's finest Norman Cathedral in Monreale. Our guides will entertain us with their friendly manner and engaging stories during our journey. We will stay one to three nights at each small hotel and enjoy delicious Sicilian food, including the incredible desserts of ricotta and cream and the famed "cous cous" of San Vito lo Capo. Perhaps as we explore the ancient history of the island and the fascinating mix of Islam and Christianity, we can find a way to create peace in the modern world.

Itinerary

Day 1: Our trip starts this morning at 10:00 a.m. in the heart of Palermo. After meeting and stowing our bags on our motorcoach, we'll explore the city: the amazing cathedral, the Palatine Chapel, Piazza Pretoria, its many narrow streets and alleys, and markets that are packed with all sorts of pan-Mediterranean merchandise. We will tour a famous produce market to learn about the spices used in Sicilian cuisine. Our lodging that night will be near Palermo.

Day 2: We will enjoy a five-mile hike in the Madonie Mountains with a 900-foot elevation gain. Fauna includes foxes, hares, numerous birds of prey, and even the occasional wildcat. Native flora includes giant holly trees (some more than 300 years old), the local variety of Sicilian fir, and the flowering Manna Ash. In the afternoon, we will behold the spectacular stonework of Norman and Arab masons at the cathedral and Arab baths of Cefalu along the seashore. Lodging near Palermo.

Day 3: Today we will walk up through the small hilltown of Monreale to see the mosaics of the Norman cathedral, which are among the most extraordinary in Italy. This amazing monument is a dazzling mixture of Arab, Byzantine, and Norman artistic styles all framed by traditional Romanesque architecture. Nowhere else on the planet can you find such a perfect blend of the Christian and Muslim artistic worlds of the 12th century. In the afternoon we will drive to Erice, a delightful medieval village nestled on a 2,200-foot mountain. Walking through its narrow streets, you can make your way to a traditional pastry shop, where you will sample some of the best almond pastries in Sicily. But you must also try the cannoli and the shop's famed cassata! These delicious treats will augment the breathtaking views over the Egadi Islands below, where the region's famed tuna harvest used to take place. Lodging will be near San Vito lo Capo.

Day 4: Today is our day to explore Lo Zingaro, Italy's first nature reserve. We will walk four miles of pristine Mediterranean coastline (with a 400-foot elevation gain), and enjoy many fish-filled coves and unusual indigenous plants (wild carob and bright yellow Euphorbia) on cliffs overlooking the sea. There are also more than 40 nesting bird species in this area, including the rare Bonelli's eagle. After lunch we will have the option of swimming in the turquoise waters of San Vito lo Capo. Lodging near San Vito lo Capo.

Day 5: Today we will make our way to breathtaking Selinunte, where we will enjoy one of Europe's largest archaeological parks set against amazing views of the sea. Founded in the 7th century B.C., Selinunte played a fundamental role in the spread of Greek culture, and viewing its glorious restored columns will transport you back to the ancient civilization. Tonight we will try the sweet and smooth Marsala wine while sampling some of the best desserts of the region. We'll sleep near Agrigento.

Day 6: This morning we will visit the Ancient Valley of the Temples World Heritage site in Agrigento, one of the richest archaeological areas of the world. A passionate and knowledgeable art historian will take us on a tour among the remains of several ancient temples constructed in the Doric style in the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. Now excavated and partially restored, they constitute some of the largest and best preserved ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece itself. In the afternoon we will transfer to our countryside villa. We'll sleep near Noto.

Day 7: We'll walk through a natural preserve along Golfo de Noto, and then we will explore the attractive Sicilian hilltown of Modica to enjoy its folklore and incredible chocolate-making traditions. In the late afternoon we will visit the baroque jewel of Noto, a sophisticated city built at the end of the 17th century after an earthquake almost entirely destroyed Old Noto. We'll sleep near Noto.

Day 8: Today we will travel to Siracusa, birthplace of Archimedes and the most important colony of ancient Greece. You will explore the beautiful Piazza del Duomo and the poetic Fonte Arethusa in the morning, and in the afternoon you will enjoy the amazing archaeological park of Neapolis, with its incredible Greek theatre, limestone quarries, and the famous Ear of Dionysus. We'll sleep near Noto.

Day 9: Today we will travel back across the island to catch a boat that will take us to the Aeolian island of Lipari -- the most diverse of the islands -- where we will spend two nights. Streets wind from Lipari Town and past fortress walls to Castello, a site that was been continuously occupied since Neolithic times and has enabled archaeologists to date other Mediterranean cultures. We'll sleep in Lipari.

Day 10: After taking in the artistic and architectural wonders of Lipari, we will cruise to the island of Vulcano. Here we can hike to the top of a spent volcano and peer down into its smoking crater. This is a five-mile hike with a 1,200-foot elevation gain. Later, after our walk, we can enjoy a refreshing and therapeutic mud bath in Vulcano's sulphur hot springs and swim from its black sand beaches. We'll sleep in Lipari.

Day 11: We will cruise back to Sicily this morning and make our way to the village of Taormina, perched on a hillside overlooking the Ionian sea. Taormina is considered one of the pearls of the Mediterranean Sea. We'll walk Taormina's colorful cobblestone streets, which are lined with hanging gardens, to its historic Greek theatre. Shopping opportunities abound. We can end the day with a true Sicilian classic: iced coffee with cream. We'll sleep in Catania.

Day 12: After breakfast, we will make a morning transfer to Catania airport.

Getting There

We will meet at 10:00 a.m. at a meeting place in Palermo, and on our last day together we'll end mid-day at the airport in Catania. You can catch a flight back to the States or you can spend more time on your own in such lovely places as Syracusa and Ragusa. There are no direct flights from Catania to the U.S., so you may have to connect through Rome or another gateway.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in small inns and small hotels. The lodging is double-occupancy, with bathrooms in each room. Singles will be assigned roommates. If the accommodations have a single room available and you prefer a single room, it will be an extra charge of $400. All meals are included except one dinner, when you will have the choice of exploring various restaurants.

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderately easy trip with two relatively steep hikes. Daily hikes will be 3-5 miles, with elevation changes of up to 1,200 feet. As with all trips, the better shape you are in the more you will enjoy it.

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed equipment list will be sent to each participant. Plan to bring summer/fall clothes for hiking, a day pack (with water bottle, first aid kit, sunscreen), raingear, and perhaps walking sticks.

References

Books:

• Richards, Charles, The New Italians.
• Di Lampedusa, Giuseppe, The Leopard.
• Benjamin, Sandra, Sicily: 3,000 Years of Human History.
• Guido, Margaret, Sicily: An Archaeological Guide.

Conservation

We will visit an organic farm with a chance to taste some of the delicious food created with the organic ingredients. At another stop, an ornithologist will tell us about raptors and the migratory patterns of the birds that fly from Africa to the Alps. Sicily is an important Mediterranean stopover for a wide variety of birds, including the Black Stork. The guides for our trip are ardent conservationists and cultural preservationists in Italy. They are eager to talk with Sierra Club members about their efforts to develop sustainable eco-tourism and educate the locals in the value of preserving both the natural and cultural heritage.

Trip Price

This trip requires a $200 per-person deposit. An additional payment of $300 per person is due six months prior to trip departure. International trip prices are subject to change and are based on double-occupancy or group accommodations as described above. Single rooms may not be available or may cost more than the listed price. If you have any questions regarding double occupancy, please contact the trip leader.

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

The Sierra Club accurately and fairly budgets and prices our trips. However, unforeseen costs such as devaluation of the dollar compared to other currencies and fuel surcharges assessed by our international providers may necessitate adjustment in trip price. We will make every effort to mitigate and absorb these fees. If a price increase is necessary, however, you will have 14 days after announcement to cancel without penalty.

Staff

An outdoor enthusiast all of her adult life, Kathie Fowler has traveled extensively in the Himalayas, both privately and with the Sierra Club, and has also led trips in California's Sierra Nevada, Costa Rica, and Ireland. Kathie's travel opportunities increased after her retirement as Director of Communications from a Napa Valley winery, and she was excited to be given a trainee position on the Sicily trip in 2012. She fell in love with the beautiful, ancient island and very much looks forward to leading the trip in 2013.

E-mail: katfowler4@aol.com

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