HIGHLIGHTS OF SICILY WALK

On this holiday you combine visiting Sicily’s classic ancient sites with a relaxed exploration of its beautiful countryside. Not be missed are Taormina’s cliff top Greek theatre with balcony views over Mt Etna, the Roman amphitheatre and Greek theatre standing side by side in ancient Siracusa (unique in the world), Cava d’Ispica - a honeycomb of Byzantine graves and a trip to the summit of mighty Mt Etna, Europe’s largest volcano to watch its craters belching out ash and smoke.

The walks are gentle and full of contrasts: coastal paths wind through juniper and wild asparagus to spot flamingoes in the Vendicari nature reserve; a descent past mulberry and wild pear trees takes us to Taormina, a path lined with carob and almond trees leads into the Cava Paradiso gorge where river crabs swim in the clear waters. Travelling in an air-conditioned minibus with our local guide, you’ll learn a lot about the local flora, fauna history and more important things besides, such as where to taste the best granita! Lunches will either be tasty picnics or we’ll stop in wayside trattoriefor real casalingacuisine.

For our first three nights we stay right on mighty Mt Etna’s flanks at Signora Angela’s charming agriturismo. Surrounded by vineyards, the panoramic pool is usually open from late spring to mid autumn. For the second half of the week home is a delightful baglio(fortified farmhouse), whose internal, courtyard is lined with palm and banana trees. (There’s also a large pool usually open Jul-Aug only.) Dinners at both hotels are a celebration of local cuisine – expect to taste fried courgette flowers or pasta alla norma (aubergine and tomato sauce served with grated ricotta) washed down with a rich red wine grown on the vine terraces of Etna’s fertile slopes.

For more infomation about this holiday, including hotel descriptions, travel options and full holiday itinerary, please see our new 'further details' section.