Sicily Sizzles !
Whether it be the weather, its unique food, the stunning scenery and superb architecture or the temperament of its peoples it indeed sizzles and you are invited to come discover this amazing island for yourself - the biggest in the Mediterranean in fact - and go with the flow !
Famously located just off the " toe " of Italy's " boot " Sicily and its small islands sit at the foot of volcanoes including Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano.
It's rich history is reflected in sites like the Valley of the Temple, the well preserved ruins of 7 monumental Doric-style Greek temples and in the Byzantine mosaics at the Capella Palatina, a former royal chapel.
Its strategic location has made the island a crossroads of history, a pawn of conquest and empire and a melting pot for a dozen or more ethnic groups whose warriors or merchants sought its shores.
We shall be staying in Messina - handily best placed for all the walks - so please make your bookings for 5 nights possibly with booking.com within the next month or two. Once booked please place a comment to that effect on the event page.
We shall be booking return flights with Easyjet to Catania as soon as they become available as follows :
Monday morning - either from Gatwick at around 6am or Luton at around 8am
Saturday evening - flights to Gatwick at around 8.30pm
Proposed Itinerary :
***
Monday afternoon
Messina
Meet 4.45pm for 5pm at train station :
A gentle stroll taking in all the sights
***
Tuesday
Cefalu
Either take the train at 7.55am ( have the chance to explore town of Cefalu and its beautiful beach before the walk ) or train at 10.40am
We shall scale the imposing Rock of Cefalu - walk 1.30pm to 3.30pm - ticket is €5 per person
A chance to explore this wondrous town's medieval streets, its Norman cathedral and even its glorious sandy beaches
Train back at 5.10pm ( or if you fancy also at 7.21pm and 7.36pm )
***
Wednesday
Tindari and the Path Volpe - magnificent all day trip first exploring Tindari with the most wondrous uphill walk and then the option at 1.30pm to then walk to Marinello encompassing the small lakes of Marinello Nature Reserve
Train 9.05am to Oliveri Tindari
Train back at 2.56pm or at 5.48pm as you choose
----------------------------‐---------------------------------------------
Thursday
Free day : You may wish to visit :
Mount Etna ( book at tourist office, hotel or online )
Taormina ( train at either 9.15am or 10.25am - trains back at either 53pm or 5.58pm )
Catania by train ( train at either 8.58am or 9.28am - trains back at either 5.05pm or 5.35pm )
***
Friday
An all day adventure either scaling a volcano - Lipari Town / San Salvatore / Monte Guardia or a coastal walk on Lipari, one of the nearby 7 Aeolian islands which are all volcanic in origin.
bus at 8am to Milazzo
ferry at 10.30am
ferry back at 4.55pm
bus at 6.50pm
return ferry is around £25
You will all be put in groups of 5 in advance of Friday to facilitate the return bus payment which will be €32 per group of 5 payable in cash
***
Saturday
Meet train station 9.15am to meet the coach 9.30am :
We shall be travelling with our cases by private coach ( cost per person £15 ) to the amazing Alcantara Gorge for a most unforgettable hike.
Please be aware that for some of this hike we shall be wading through some low level water so please bring on the trip appropriate footwear to wear when in the water and also best wear shorts.
There are several different options available to us and Emanuela will detail them on Tuesday or Wednesday in person.
Public entrance ticket is €2 per person
There will also be an opportunity to swim so make sure you are suitably prepared
The coach shall then at 4pm transfer everyone to the airport for the return flight home.
***
Meetup fee £40 payable in advance ( season ticket holders: £30 ) plus non refundable deposit £40 ( £25 ferry plus £15 coach ) payable by 1st November.
If you can no longer attend you can sell your place to someone on the wait list.
You should be able to walk 2.5 miles per hour and have adequate and appropriate insurance for this type of activity.
Walking in the Great Outdoors presents certain low level risks and by rsvping to this trip you agree to undertake such risks.
If this trip has to be cancelled for whatever reason then in that eventuality it cannot be guaranteed that coach monies will be refunded.
You must stay with the group at all times during the walks and not wander off as this puts too much pressure on the group for timings etc
If you make arrangements with others for restaurants or taxis you should honour it.
Please only post photos of others with their consent.
My no 07714250849.