Secrets of Sicily Walk

• Majestic coastal and mountain scenery; interest-packed routes
• Mediaeval churches, ancient hill villages, marvellously preserved 2,500 year old temple at Segesta
• Turquoise seas, coral-lined grottoes, unspoilt sandy beaches
• Exceptionally friendly, family-run hotels; swimming possibilities most days
• Exotic Mediterranean flora and fauna: Bonelli's eagles, red kites, orange groves, olive trees and vines

This triple-centre independent walking holiday uncovers the secrets of Sicily's western coast and favourite off-shore islands.

You'll start your holiday in the Moorish village of Scopello, on Sicily's north coastline, that lies adjacent to one of Italy's most pristine coastal nature reserves, the Riserva dello Zingaro. It's an undulating mix of orange groves, twisted olive trees, swaying vines and hidden bays lapped by azure seas. You then move on by private transfer / ferry to Marettimo, the most mountainous of the three so-called Egadi islands just off the western coast. This is a walker's paradise: cliff paths wind through Spanish broom and purple cistus to Saracen fortresses, Roman villas and coral lined sea grottoes. And boat trips to neighbouring islands are easily arranged.

For your final two days, you return to the mainland at San Vito Lo Capo. Highlights here include exploring the mediaeval hilltop town of Erice and hiking on Monte Cofano - stunning coastal vistas as far as Palermo.

All your hotels are special in their own contrasting ways. In Scopello you stay at Cinzia's baglio style hotel where, weather permitting, dinner is taken in the lovely courtyard; on Marettimo, your host, Fausto meets you at the jetty with a luggage trolley (there are no roads!) and takes you to his charming sea front residence (with pool and jacuzzi) just by the harbour where you are free to dine in the evenings; near San Vito you stay at Daniela's cosy 5 bedroom B+B hotel and enjoy great sea views from the luxuriant Mediterranean garden.