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| Italy's Best Kept Secret | ||||||||||||
Moderate Hiking & Cultural Adventure |
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| To cross the sea to Sicily is to leave Italy, in a sense, because this sun-drenched, palm-fringed island derives its rich culture not from the mainland but from the impressive parade of Mediterranean powers that have ruled its shores for the last two millennia. Sicily has its own hybrid language, still widely spoken, its own cuisine, tangy with spices of Africa, and the glorious monuments of many epochs, from dramatic Greek temples to grand cathedral adorned with Arab-Norman facades. We discover Sicily on foot, heading into the interior Madonie mountains for hikes that reveal a deeply rustic culture, meandering along coastal trails, and walking the slopes of fiery Etna, known to the Greeks as Vulcan's forge. Sicily's cuisine alone is reason for a journey: fresh-caught fish, from swordfish to sardines, appears on every menu, and spicy Arab-influenced cous-cous dishes are as common as pasta. |
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1 - 2: Palermo, Italy / Erice
We meet in Palermo and drive to Erice, a medieval citadel on a mountaintop overlooking the sea. The next day we hike in the Zinagaro Nature Reserve, following a trail from cove to cove above a turquoise sea.
3 - 4: Segesta / Monreale
We hike to the inspiring ruins of Segesta, a dramatic, isolated Greek temple set against emerald hills and azure sky. The next day we enjoy a country walk, stopping to visit a shepherd who makes fresh ricotta, and indulging in a farm lunch rich with the flavors of Sicily.
5 - 6: Madonie Mountains
Interior Sicily is a completely different world, as we see on our two days of hiking in the Madonie Mountains. We spend our nights in the medieval town of Gangi.
7: Piazza Armerina
We explore Piazza Armerina's sprawling Roman Villa Imperiale, its interior richly textured with elaborate 4th century mosaics depicting hunting scenes and African animals. In the afternoon we hike to the ruins of Akrai, where a well-preserved Greek temple remains.
8: Pantalica Gorge / Taormina
We hike in the Pantalica Gorge with its fascinating Neolithic rock tombs, then drive up the scenic coast to Taormina.
9-10: Taormina / Mt. Etna
With its weather-beaten palazzi now converted into shops and its panoramas of sea and sky, Taormina charms its visitors. Our last day is free to enjoy town, or take a beautiful coastal hike.
11: Return to US
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