ITINERARY | HIGHLIGHTS | WEATHER | ACCOMMODATION & ADDITIONAL INFO THE COASTLINE AND TEMPLES NEAR PALERMO 2010
A SELF-GUIDED WALK ON SICILY'S NORTHWEST COAST
Just west of Palermo's markets is a beautiful and rugged coastline, and the wild Egadi islands in a crystalline sea. Inland, ancient Greek temples in a wonderfully luminous valley: this is Sicily in all its glorious contrasts. Art and nature combine to present a magnificent easy to moderate self-guided walking holiday.
PRICE
£565 per person based on two people sharing. Supplement of £50 per person at Easter and in July. Single supplement £100.
INCLUDED
7 nights accommodation, 7 continental breakfasts,
maps and route descriptions;
Transfers where mentioned in programme,
luggage transfers between accommodations.
NOT INCLUDED
International flights, hydrofoil tickets, drinks, gratuities, optional excursions, anything not mentioned in the programme. Transfers to/from airport can be arranged on request (approx. cost €95 per transfer).
Departure dates:
Daily April to November (except August)
To book email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353
8 days / 7 nights
Day 1: Arrive Scopello for overnight.
Day 2: Riserva dello Zingaro: Your excursion will begin from the south of the Zingaro Natural Reserve where a beautiful and suggestive walk awaits you. After a series of coves and panoramic view over the Golfo del Castellamare there will be the chance for a bathe. Continue to the area of San Vito lo Capo, and then return via the Tower of Impiso overlooking the sea, one of several throughout Sicily, erected by the Spanish to defend the territory from invasion by the Saracens. Accommodation in Scopello.
16 kms. 5 hours approx.
Day 3: Scopello-Segesta-Marettimo Island: Today has an archaeology theme - visit Segesta, the Greek temple and theatre (partly hewn out of the rock and partly constructed and supported by a limestone-block wall) on the north slopes of Monte Barbaro. Downhill from the theatre, immediately beyond the urban area, stands the magnificent Temple, whose majestic appearance and position stand out against the landscape. Later transfer to Trapani, to take the'aliscafi' to the island of Marettimo. Visit in the afternoon to Punta Troia. The path goes along a narrow road, full of heather, rosemary and myrtle, towards the Scoglio del Cammello. Then down towards to reach the peak of Punta Troia and its Castle, where you can see the isles of Favignana and Levanzo. Accommodation on the island.
7 kms. 3 hours approx.
Day 4: Marettimo-Levanzo: Free day on the beautiful beach of Marettimo. Optional visit to the island of Levanzo. A short crossing where a coastal path bright with lilac scabious leads past deserted stone farm houses and olive trees to the Grotta del Genovese, and its marvellously well preserved cave paintings and engravings dating from 11c BC lining the cavern walls. The bay here is a good picnic spot. In the afternoon, walk to the harbour, returning to Marettimo in time for dinner.
7 kms. 3.5 hours approx.
Day 5: Marettimo: Today you can make an excursion to Pizzo Falcone. You will walk for about two hours along the path that starts from the village before reaching the fortress known as the Case Romane and in front of it a charming little Byzantine church (X c.). Those who want to go on discovering the island, can arrange a tour around the island by boat with a local fisherman to see the inaccessible coast. 11 kms. 5 hours approx.
Day 6: Marettimo-Trapani: In the morning, depart for Trapani where you will continue your discovery of unusual Sicily. Optional excursion to the medieval town of Erice with the public bus or with the “funivia” in the afternoon. Accommodation in Trapani. 4 kms. 2 hours approx.
Day 7: Monte Cofano: Today walk in the “Cofano Natural Reserve”. Mount Cofano, 659 m high, separates two gulfs, Cofano and Bonagia. One of the main characteristics of this walk is the number of coves that we meet along the path. At the Mangiapane cove in Scurati, Paleolitic tools and graffiti have been found. Follow a route lined with palms along the“Sea Path”, meeting the San Giovanni and Tonnara towers. A little path will take you up a hill with breathtaking view before returning to the valley. Accommodation in Trapani. 11 kms. 4 hours approx.
Day 8: End of tour after breakfast.
DIFFICULTY OF WALK
Easy overall
GROUP SIZE
This self-guided walking holiday can be operated for 2 or more people.
This is an area of great natural beauty and with a culture that is European with strong influences from Greek and Arab cultures.
If you have done this walk before, we would like to hear of your personal highlights.
Mail Us
ACCOMMODATION
The following are examples of the type of accommodation we use for this holiday in order to give you a flavour of what to expect:
SCOPELLO. The Agriturismo da Vito is located at 100 metres from the ancient Baglio di Scopello and at a kilometre from the entrance to the Zingaro reserve, immersed in greenery among plants and fruit trees, hung about with hammocks.
MARETTIMO. The Residence Isola del Miele rises in a panoramic position, very close to the two small harbours of the island, the so-called Old Port and New Port. The Residence offers two single rooms, four double rooms and two suites, all with air conditioning, panoramic patios and Internet Wi-Fi connection.
TRAPANI. The Albergo Macotta is right in the heart of the historic centre of Trapani, in Via degli Argentieri, close to the port and station. Recently modernised, it has 20 rooms, all air-conditioned, each with private bathrooms. The owners are the Maccotta brothers, who have been hoteliers for 40 years.
LUGGAGE/LUGGAGE TRANSFERSAll transfers are made by car. Sometimes you will have to carry luggage for short distances (eg when you catch the hydrofoil).
GETTING THERE
Palermo Airport is served by charter and scheduled flights.
WHAT TO TAKE:
Sturdy walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), trekking trousers and shorts, rucksack/day pack, 1 x water bottle per person with 1 litre capacity, insect repellent, sun glasses, sun hat, gloves, sun block/cream, compass, torch and batteries, first-aid kit, mobile phone, swimming costume and a fleece.
WHEN TO GO
April to November (excluding August)
INSURANCE
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.
To book, contact
worldwalks at:
email:
walking@star.co.uk T: (44)
(0)1242 254353