Sicily: From the Centre to the Sea

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for Sicily, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary. It can be cool in the mornings throughout the year with occasional cloud and rain, and warm on the coast. It
can be very cold in the mountains where you are over 3,000ft – come prepared at all times. Otherwise, expect the spring to be warm, June to September hot and thereafter, cooler. October sometimes has storms.

What sort of walking can I expect?

The fitness rating for this tour is Grade 3-4. The walking in Sicily is fairly demanding due to the varied terrain and length of walks. It is not technically challenging however. You cross high grassy uplands between 3,500 and 5,000 feet before descending to sub-tropical vegetation on the coast. There are rolling hills, scrub and grassy meadows with rocky outcrops and fairly dramatic mountain scenery.

The paths are mostly well made farm and mule tracks with the odd short rough section in the mountains. Sections of path can become quite overgrown by the mountain broom and holly, both rather prickly shrubs, and for this reason we recommend you allow for the option of walking these parts with protective clothing (eg, long trousers/long sleeved shirt). Your Route Manager will be able to advise you at your briefing on the current state of the paths as, when not transporting suitcases, he works hard to try
and keep the paths as clear as possible!

There is a small section of the route that could possibly be vertiginous but an alternative route can easily be taken.

This is an 8-day trip, with walks offered on 5 days. The walk lengths vary from 4 hours to a maximum of 7 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas.

On certain days the paths cross more rugged and exposed terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support and be sure to carry a compass in case of poor visibility on the day you are crossing the Madonie mountains.

What if I don't want to walk?

You don’t have to! You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the walks.

How do I get to the start of the route?

TRAVEL TO ITALY

The recommended airports for this route are Catania and Palermo with one option being to fly into Catania, which is nearer to your first hotel and depart from Palermo, which is closer to your last hotel. 

First Hotel

On arrival by bus in Enna:

There are two bus stops in Enna - Enna Bassa and Enna Alta. 

If your bus terminates in Enna Bassa: From here you can call a taxi to take you to your hotel. Tel: Tim Guzzo +39 333 6194562. The transfer costs from €15.

If your bus terminates in Enna Alta, tell the bus driver you wish to get off at the bus stop in Via Sant' Agata in front of the shop Coppola Viaggi & Turismo, from where it is a 1-minute walk to the hotel. 

Directions can be found in the route book. 

BY TAXI

We can book you a taxi to the first hotel. Taxis from Palermo to Enna cost from €180 (journey time 2 to 2.5 hrs)and from Catania to Enna the price will be approximately €100 (1 hour). Minivans cost extra.

Taxi bookings

Please place your booking with the ATG office at least two weeks before departure. The cost of the taxi will be confirmed to you once the booking is secured. Payment of the taxi fare should be made locally, not to ATG. The driver will have your flight details and will be waiting in Arrivals with a sign showing your name or ATG.

• If you change your flight please notify us  so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule the taxi for you.

• If, on the day of departure, your flight is cancelled or you miss or change it, please immediately contact the ATG emergency number (number is provided in trip documentation) so we can contact the taxi company to reschedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• If your flight is delayed and you have arranged for the taxi to meet you at the destination airport, your taxi driver will wait for you.

• If you are delayed and you have arranged for a taxi to meet you at a non airport location (e.g. train station) it is essential that you contact your Route Manager or call the ATG emergency
line to notify us at the earliest possible moment, so we can contact the taxi company to re-schedule or cancel the taxi for you.

• Please note that failure to advise ATG that you cannot meet the taxi booked for you, may result in the taxi costs being passed back to you.

Important: Taxi prices quoted apply to the local firm used regularly by ATG – and are guaranteed only if you book through the office in advance. If you get a taxi off a taxi rank please ask the driver to confirm the price for the journey before departing.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

Sicilian cuisine is one of contrasts, simple peasant cooking and the richer, more exotic styles of the invading civilisations. Its varied style is also characterised by the intense and pure flavour of the local ingredients. The mild winter climate and long summers mean that the fruit and vegetables are less seasonal than in northern Italy. Aubergines, artichokes and peppers are often roasted over charcoal fires and sprinkled with garlic, olive oil and chopped parsley.

The Sicilians readily admit to the influences of the past: pasta came to Sicily with the Arabs; the Greeks introduced wine, honey and olives; the Byzantines brought sharp, pungent cheeses and spicy biscuits; the Normans salt cod; the Spaniards the infamous
tomato sauce and sweet and sour flavours. Fish is one of the glories of Sicilian cooking, it is prepared in every possible way including exotic fish stews and soups.

On this trip there will be a chance to eat in a range of excellent
local restaurants; the Route Manager will be able to book these for you if required.

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘Continental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

Wine

Sicily (with Puglia) is the largest producer of wine in Italy, and the wines are improving: excellent Rosso del Conte red and Nozze d’Oro white. There is also the well-known dessert wine Marsala.

Several of our independent routes pass through well-known wine producing regions, including the famous Chianti hills, with opportunities for wine tasting along the route. If you are particularly interested in wine you may like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubéron

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Tuscany & Siena

• Tuscan Hills

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

• Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

Most eateries along this route are very casual. There is no need to dress up for most restaurants, but if you decide to treat yourself to a smart, expensive one (particularly if you extend in Palermo) , men may want to wear a jacket and  ladies, a skirt, dress or smart trousers

We recommend you bring a comfortable, practical pair of shoes, as there may well be a short distance to walk to dinner

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

Due to its remoteness, WIFI and mobile coverage on this route are patchy. The first and last hotels have WIFI, all but one have hairdryers and all but two offer laundry service.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

City Tax (Italy only)

In March 2011, the Italian legislature passed a decree that created a new tourism tax to be paid by visitors to Italy and collected by the accommodation where they are staying. The purpose is to raise revenue that municipalities can use to maintain local facilities and infrastructure and to help in the preservation of cultural and historical treasures, all of which benefits tourists. The roll-out of the tax has been gradual, with each council determining the way in which it should be implemented. First introduced in the big cities, since 2012
the tax has been introduced by many other town councils. The tax is charged by guest per night, with an upper limit to the number of nights that can be charged. The rate (usually €1-2 Euros per person per night) is determined by the rating of the accommodation. This tax is not included in the price of independent holidays but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here