What to expect
Unique Experiences
Witness Mount Etna's epic lava fields
Breathtaking Panoramas
Marvel at Sicily's stunning landscapes
Spectacular Sights
Explore villages & archaeological sites
Sicilian Cuisine
Savor dishes like Arancini & Cannoli
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About this trip...
What's Included
Airport transfers
Twin/Double for Sole Use room
Breakfast & dinner daily
Welcome drink and information meeting
Guided tour of Catania-
3 Guided Walks - 1 Full Day & 2 Half Day
-
Wine tasting with traditional lunch
Accompanying Solo's Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals not included in the itinerary
- Activities not included in the itinerary
- Tourist City Tax – EUR 1.00 per night payable to the hotel locally at the end of your stay (amount subject to change)
Itinerary
- Arrive Sicily
- Etna
- Catania
- La valle d'Agrò
- Day at leisure
- Alcantara Gorge
- Day at leisure
- Depart Sicily
What you will be doing...
Day One: Arrive Sicily
We arrive on the island of Sicily. We will transfer from Catania Airport to the town of Latojanni, our base for the week. Situated on the eastern coast of the island, its easy pace of life offers visitors a relaxing beach getaway with stunning sea views and easy access to nearby natural, historical and cultural attractions.
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Explore Mount Etna
We then return to our hotel to relax and freshen up before enjoying dinner there.
Height altitude 2000-2100 meters; journey time 3-4 hours; path on volcanic ash; flora made of endemic bushes. Challenging walk.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Three: Catania
Today we enjoy a half day guided tour of Catania, the second largest city on Sicily after Palermo.
We begin at the Piazza Alcalá through the streets of the World Heritage listed city centre, taking in the Piazza Duomo, in the heart of the city with its Baroque palaces and the central Elephant Fountain. From there, we will walk along the Via Etnea and visit Piazza Stesicoro to see the remains of the ancient Roman city of Catania and its impressive amphitheatre. We will also visit the monument to Vincenzo Bellini, the famous opera composer, and an open-air fish market, famous for its vibrant colours.
We spend the remainder of the day at our own pace.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Four: La Valle d'Agrò
We take a more rural walk today, passing through the tranquil rolling countryside around Forza d’Agrò, a medieval town north of Taormina, made famous when scenes for the The Godfather movie were shot there. We make our way through the beautiful flora of the region, along paths through ancient rural landscapes with panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian coast, Calabria and the peaks of the nearby Nebrodi Mountains. This walk takes a circular route.
Once back at our hotel, we have the rest of the day as free time to relax as we please before dinner that evening in our hotel.
Height altitude starting at 400 meters and varying between 200 to 250m. Total trail length 7km taking about 3-4 hours.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Five: Day at leisure
Today can be spent however we wish! Latojanni offers a relaxed slice of the Sicilian coast with its picturesque winding streets, great local restaurants and a long, sandy beach with azure blue lapping waves to laze on.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Six: Alcantara Gorge
Today, we explore the Alcantara Gorge - a stunning canyon with towering basalt walls sculpted by the river and lava flows from Etna. We’ll follow a 4.7 km trail offering varied views, gradually ascending 70 meters for a panoramic perspective. Descending into the gorge, we’ll witness millennia-old basalt formations, feeling immersed in the Earth's ancient story. After exploring, it’s time to ascend back to enjoy views of Mount Etna and the Peloritani Mountains, with the picturesque village of Motta Camastra nestled in the landscape.
After the walk, we’ll transfer to a local winery and enjoy a spot of wine & olive oil tasting and local produce lunch: fresh pecorino cheese, Provola cheese, Nebrodi black salami and coppa, Sun-dried tomatoes, Olives, Cappers, Omelette with wild herbs, Peppers, Caprese salad.
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Day Seven: Day at leisure
Another day of free time, which can be spent relaxing around Latojani or exploring further afield to one of the many beautiful parts of the region.
Upmarket Taormina – dubbed the Monte Carlo of Sicily – is right on our doorstep and there is a local bus stop a three minute walk from our hotel for a bus that can take you there in 20 minutes.
In Taormina town, there are numerous landmarks to visit such as the Ancient Theatre, strolling along the Corso Umberto and admiring its many fountains and churches. Or why not stop to take in the many splendid views around the town. Your Tour Leader will be happy to assist you with any arrangements you wish to make.
- Breakfast & Dinner Included
Day Eight: Depart Sicily
It’s time to say “Arrivederci”! After breakfast, we will transfer back to the airport to take our onward flight.
Breakfast Included
Accommodation
Hotel Palazzo Durante Three-star
Our base for this week is Hotel Palazzo Duarante, located at the central piazza of Letojanni town, along the boulevard and directly in front of the pebble beach of Letojanni. With shops, restaurants, gelaterias and coffee shops out the front steps.
Facilities include
Room includes
Non smoking rooms have a private bathroom, flat screen tv, hairdryer, mini fridge and air conditioning.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
One full day, and two half day guided walks are included in the programme as well as half day guided city tour. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Easy to Medium and you can expect to walk between 5 to 9 km per day, with some ascents/descents. Terrain varies from rocky underfoot to compacted volcanic materials.
- Etna: Length approx. 5 km; Height altitude 2000-2100 meters; journey time 3-4 hours; path on volcanic ash; flora made of endemic bushes. Challenging walk.
- Alcantara George : Length approx. 4.7 km. Moderate walk.
- Valle del Fiume Argo’: Length approx. 7 km; journey time 3 hours. Moderate walk.
- Catania City half day tour
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
It is important that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive.
The weather, even in summer, is unpredictable – particularly in mountainous areas. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required.
The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change.
The airport transfer is unable to stop outside the hotel so it will be necessary to walk the final 5 minutes to the hotel entrance (your luggage will be transferred by hotel minibus)
Please note the hotel does not allow food and drink purchased from outside of the hotel to be consumed within the hotel.
