Egadi Islands - Erice

Walking Western Sicily & the Egadi Islands

Destination
Egadi Islands - Erice
Dates From
01/01/2023
Duration
6 nights
7 days
Price From
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SELF GUIDED WALKING TOUR

Please note this is an independent walking tour, and can depart on any day requested.

Explore the ‘other’ Sicily: the remarkable west, which contains some of the most ancient and celebrated sites, some of the most dramatic landscapes and some of the best food on the island.

Once a neglected region renowned more for its Mafia strongholds than its tourist destinations, western Sicily has been reborn over the last 10 years and has much to offer, including its history, natural beauty, national parks and its food and wines.

Starting with a private transfer from Palermo, this tour takes you to the Egadi islands off the western tip of Sicily.  You’ll spend the next four days exploring this fascinating and beautiful archipelago.  From here you’ll be taken to Sicily’s first national park for the last two nights, a spectacular piece of coastline stretching along the Castellamare Gulf, which you’ll walk along on the last day.

On the way to the park, you’ll visit Erice, an ancient village perched high on a mountain.  The tour finishes with a private transfer back to Palermo (you’ll have the option of adding a guided tour to the ruins of Segesta, one of the most important ancient Greek cities in Sicily).

The walks on the Sicily 2 self-guided walking tour follow well marked trails along good paths over generally undulating countryside.  They are a combination of coastal and island walks and range from 9 kilometres to 14 kilometres, taking 2.5 to 5 hours, not including breaks.  In some cases, it is possible to shorten the walk or to opt out and join the walkers for lunch.  This is a Grade 2 walk.

The accommodation is in very comfortable, family-run 3-star hotels.  The superior rooms have en suite bathrooms, terraces and ample breakfasts are included.

The first hotel is in the centre of the main town of the Egadi Islands, only 50 metres from the seaside and a short walk from the port.  It is in an historical building that has been recently restored.  You’ll spend four nights here.  The second hotel is in the centre of a small fortified hamlet a short walk from the seashore.  You’ll spend two nights here.  Both hotel’s have excellent restaurants.

As far as Sicilians’ are concerned the best things in life include good company, family life, sunny days and above all, good food.  Sicily’s cuisine is as rich and diverse as its history: olive oil and wines from ancient Greece; elaborate dishes such as maccu di san giuseppe from Roman times (a delicious soup based on fava beans and fennel); citrus, saffron, cinnamon, couscous and gelato from the Arabic occupation; tomatoes, turkey and maize from the Spanish New World.  Eating and drinking in Sicily is synonymous with a delicious journey back in time!

Highlights & Inclusions

  • Six nights’ accommodation in family-run 3-star hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Private transfers: Palermo/Trapani; Trapani/national park; national park/Palermo.
  • All ferry tickets required
  • Reading lists and historical and cultural notes
  • Maps and detailed walking instructions
  • 24 hour backup from local manager

Itinerary

Day 1

The tour starts with a private transfer from Palermo to Trapani (approximately 2 hrs) and then a hydrofoil from Trapani to the largest of the Egadi islands (approximately 15 minutes). Accommodation is in an excellent, family-run 3-star hotel in the centre of town, a short walk from the port.

Day 2

Today you take a ferry to explore the smallest and most remote of the three islands of the archipelago
(30 minutes away). The recommended walk climbs up to the central ridge of the island (574 mts) to the
ruins of a lighthouse with extraordinary views over the islands (Grade 2, 9 kms, 3.5 hrs). You will also
have two less demanding options: a walk along the coast to the south-eastern corner of the island on
unsealed roads (Grade 1, 2.5 hrs) and another to the northern tip of the island to the ruins of a castle.
Otherwise, you could take a boat ride around the island. You’ll be able to have a drink at one of the
bars on the port; and/or a swim in the blue Mediterranean Sea. Return by ferry.

Day 3

A day exploring your base. Today’s walk does a complete circuit of the island, passing a number of
lovely beaches and lookout points (Grade 2, 14.5 kms, 4 hrs). Although quite long the island flat and
walking very easy on unsealed country lanes (bikes are also available for hire). The little medieval port
had its heyday in the 19th century when the tuna fisheries off the islands thrived. There is a very
interesting local museum and the very unusual ‘underground gardens’, botanical gardens which have
been established in the deep sandstone quarries and tunnels on the north of the island.

Day 4

Take another ferry to the third of the archipelago’s islands, which holds the Egadis’ greatest treasure:
a gallery of prehistoric frescos painted between 10,000 and 6000 BC, which were discovered in a grotto in 1949 (we will book the visit but the entrance fee of 10 euro per person must be paid in situ)). The walk today is a beautiful walk across the island to the grotto and then wrap around the other side of the island on its way back to the port (Grade 2, 8 kms, 3 hrs).

Day 5

Today you take the hydrofoil back to Trapani, where you’ll be met and taken to the beautiful town of
Erice, which sits on a hill high above Trapani. You’ll visit this remarkable town (with time for a light
lunch) before being taken to a gorgeous hamlet on the edge of Sicily’s first national park, which stretches along the Gulf of Castellamare.

Day 6

As the finale to your visit, the fourth walk is a beautiful coastal walk following a well-marked trail under
majestic limestone mountains, through sub-tropical vegetation overlooking gorgeous turquoise-blue
bays. You can have a picnic lunch along the way and plenty of opportunities to swim in the crystal clear
water. (Grade 2, 15kms, 5 hrs). The walk is long but can be shortened (Grade 1, 10 kms, 3 hrs).

Day 7

Private transfer to Palermo or Palermo airport.

DATES & PRICES

Starts Ends Price Status Book
01/01/202331/12/2023On RequestOn Request
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Exclusions

Single supplement (is available if required)
Optional excursions/sightseeing
City Tax: some City Councils may introduce a tourist tax that has to be paid directly at the hotel
Meals and beverages other than those specified
Tips/Gratuities
Everything which is not clearly specified under inclusions

* Please note, price is subject to fluctuation and availability is subject to change until booked and confirmed *