Sicily Active, with a combination of three trekkings  creates the opportunity for those persons who are into hiking, or those active families, to enjoy a holiday during which, alongside qualified guides and instructor with good knowledge of the territory they will make you discover the most beautiful and unspoiled places in the est part of the island. The length and intensity of the trekkings you do during the week have been designed to make sure that any person with an average level of fitness can complete the trail without competing with who stands next to you, but rather enjoying the environment in a convivial way, creating a team's spirit.

What's Include

  • TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT AND TO ALL THE TREKKINGS
  • HOTEL, 7 NIGHT AT THE 4 STARS ARATHENA HOTEL
  • MEALS: 7 BREAKFAST, 2 DINNERS, 1 LUNCH
  • ACTIVITIES: 3 TREKKINGS
  • INSURANCES AND QUALIFIED GUIDE
  • TOURIST TAX
  • ENTRANCE FEE TO THE REGIONAL PARKS
  • WATER DURING THE TREKKINGS

Overview

The Eastern coast of Sicily, where you will spend the holiday week, offers a great biodiversity in a relatively small portion of territory. Giardini Naxos, a small seaside town, where Arathena Rocks Hotel is located overlooks a stretch of coast with clear waters and is home to the marine park of Isola Bella, one of the most beautiful bays of all Sicily. The imposing Mount Etna, an active volcano 10990 ft. high offers a multitude of hiking trails through lunar landscapes and dense forests of birches and oaks. The wild and lush Alcantara Valley that is famous for its basalt canyon and a crystal river flowing between carob trees, willows and migratory birds, this is where we will do the river trekking. The places where we will make our activities are all within easy reach. The only longer transfer is the one to Mountain Etna that takes about an hour, but along the way you will be able to see the landscape changes, which astonish all who observe it for the first time. A few kilometres from Giardini Naxos and easily accessible by bus is Taormina, a hill town rich in history and monuments including the Greek-Roman Theatre, on main street on the other hand there are countless shopping opportunities and in the evening the many restaurants in the cobbles streets create a romantic mediterranean atmosphere.

Accomodation

Arathena Rocks Hotel, is dislocated in a quiet part of Giardini Naxos just few hundred meters from the town centre. The hotel has a seaside swimming pool, a restaurant, a sea front outdoor space with tables to sip on your drink in the warm mediterranean nights and a quite reading room. Just one hundred meters from the hotel, there is a bus stop to Taormina. On request you can have single room or with sea view.

Agenda

Day 1

A staff member of Active Sicily will be waiting at Catania Fontanarossa airport to welcome and accompany you to the hotel. After ceck in you can soak in the sun by the pool or stroll along the seafront of Giardini Naxos. In the evening, a delicious welcome dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant, where you will be fully informed about the details of the holiday week and you will have the answers to any questions concerning the activities, logistics or whatever you wish to know.

Transfer time from the airport: 45 minutes

Welcome Dinner will be served around 8 p.m.

Day 2

After a breakfast in front of the sea, we will start the week of trekking along the banks of the river Alcantara and sometimes into the water for a river trek that will take us to the most spectacular part of the canyon. The path length is 3 km. but given the nature of the terrain, we will spend about two hours to get to the gorge. The altitude level is about 300 meters above sea level. A river overalls and boots will be distributed before departure. After the Trekking by car we will reach the pretty hill side village of Motta Camastra for a genuine lunch cooked by a local family Return to the hotel will be around three in the afternoon

Pick up time: 9.30 a.m

Transfer time: 20 minutes from your hotel

Activity time: 5 hours

Walking time: 2-3 hours

Lunch: indoor included in the holiday price

Day 3

Peace, relaxation and swimming pool. Today is your day off but if you are short of ideas speak to Ivano and Vera They will be happy to suggest how to spend organizing your day off.

Day 4

Today our Trekking ground wiil be in the stunning Natural Reserve of Pantalica a place of archeological importance but nevertheless off great natural beauty. We will walk along the white walls of an ancient buriel ground dating back to the bronze age, once at the bottom of the valley the lush vegetation and the presence of few streams and some natural pools makes become the landscape allmost tropical. The Walking time will be around 4 hours. We should be back at the hotel around 6 p.m.

Pick up Time: 8.30 a.m

Transfer time:2 hours

Activity time: 8 hours

Walking time: 4 hours

Lunch: outdoor, not included in the holiday price

Day 5

No walking, no early allarm clock today but another day off to enjoy the warm mediterranean climate by the pool or discover one of the many pretty villages close to Giardini Naxos among which Taormina sticks out for the beautifull architetture, the many shops and the top quality gelateria.

Day 6

A long, intense and adventurous day await us. Today is Etna day. We will go at an altitude of 3350 meters on the roof of Sicily between the fumaroles of the highest volcano on the European continent, right on the central crater. A special 4wd van will take us from an altitude of 2000 meters up to 2900; from here, we will walk in the lava desert for 50 minutes before reaching the summit. After stopping for twenty minutes to admire the view and the wild beauty of the crater, we walk back to the van that will take us to square one. Next thing? Down underground equipped with helmets and head lights to see a lava cave and find out how they form. On the way back, we stop at the "Clan dei ragazzi"  for a tasty lunch. We will be back at the hotel around 3 p.m.

Pick up time: 9 a.m

Transfer time: 45 minutes

Activity Time: 6 hours

Walking time: 2-3 hours

Lunch. Indoor, not included in the holiday price. cost of lunch €10 it includes: bruschetta, pasta, one drink and a coffe

Last day in Sicily will be off, why not visiting the beautifull Syracuse a 3000 years old town rich with Greek history and good restaurant. 

Day 8

After breakfast, a member of Active Sicily will take you to the airport, and assist you with the ceck in before saying goodbye.

Pick up time: according to your flight schedule

Transfer time: 45 minutes from your hotel.

Date

Week Period Availability Price
Week 1 04/07/2020 to 04/14/2020 Available €925.00
Week 2 05/08/2020 to 05/15/2020 Available €925.00
Week 3 09/25/2020 to 10/02/2020 Available €925.00
Week 1 10/16/2020 to 10/23/2020 Available €925.00

Important Notes

Catania Airport

In order to be picked up from a staff member of Sicily Active arrival and departure must take place from Catania Fontanarossa Airport.

Trekking Insurance

Sicily Active is aware that during any activity, there is the risk of accident or injuries that is why all our participants are covered from day one with a sport insurance, included in the holiday price.

Minimum age

The minimum age to take part in the multi-Trekking week is 13.

Physical rating

This multi Trekking trip requires a medium level of fitness and health for the activities. Some of the walks involve hills and steps that you will need to be able to climb. Walking times vary between two and four hours a day, but the rewards are worth every step. There are some more difficult sections during the river trekking. April to May and September to October Sicily deliver the nicest weather and the most beautifull landscape due to the blossoming of flowers.Make sure you work out for at least 3 weeks prior to your trip. As with all of our trips, it is important that you are well prepared. 

Volcano activity

Please note that Etna is an active volcano last eruption was in September 2020. This means that if you are lucky you can have a once in a life time opportunity to see the eruption from a close distance while being safe, but other times, even though there are remote possibility, the trekking trail due to the volcano activity can be closed for days or weeks. If such a case should arise your leader, will update you and offer alternative walks.

No hidden cost

We are clear about prices, we do not use phrases such as “prices start from…” or “the cost my change if” you pay what stands at the top of the page, as simple as that, this is it. We include all the entrance to the national parks when required, transportation are included, tourist tax. Etc. If you have doubts about what is included in your chosen vacation you can refer to the list “what is included” just call us or email us we will clarified everything.

We are a family business

Sicily Active is a small family business so you will talk to human in flesh and bone, no answer machine telling you: “to press one if you want to trek in Sicily,” press two for Infos about river trekking press nine if you want to trek up on the moon. Once in Sicily you will be with local guides who knows local people with whom you might end up having lunch in their home with their family. WE ARE REAL PERSONS.

We do not sell to or for third party

We run our own activities and trekking, we do sell somebody else products, we do not recharge somebody else package holiday. We sell Just Sicily because we are Sicilian who know the island.

Trip Notes

Equipment provided

The nature of the terrain and the mild mediterranean climate does not required special equipment but in those activities such as the river Trekking the participants will be provided with all the necessary gear, while to go down inside a lava cave on mountain Etna an helmet and an head light will be available. Walking sticks are available free of charge on any trekking

Group leader

Sicily Active group trips are accompanied by one or two of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. Sicily Active aim to support local guides. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it has deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

Dietary requirements

Provided we are advised in advance of your departure, we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen trip. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We strongly encourage that travellers with life-threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self-administering these medications.

About your group

You will be joining a group with a mix of participants from different countries, speaking different languages including English, German and French. Your tour leader will be guiding in English primarily to cater to all participants.

About Sicily

The region known as Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea, but without the shadow of a doubt offers the most biodiversity in the region. With this trip, you will be visiting the est coast of the island, home to an astonishing number of natural and cultural variety. Etna is the highest active volcano in the all of the European continent (10990 ft. last eruption may 2016). Two other mountain regions the Nebrodi and Peloritani lip over each other in this side of the island and they both offer a mix of alpine landscape at higher altitude with lakes, thick forest and wild animals while at lower level display a typical mediterranean vegetation with olives groove, citrus, prickly pear etc. The lush Alcantara Valley is home to a geological marvel; a black basaltic canyon with walls up to 30 meters, where a river flowing through has contributed to create an astonishing landscape. Moving southwards along the coast the terrain became flat and we find the natural reserve of Vendicari 3756,002 acres of trails between white and gold sandy beaches, emerald’s sea, marshes where migratory birds on route to Africa stop and remain of old tuna factory used since the 17th century. The marine park of Isola bella with this rocks that plunge into the turquois water surmounted by cappers, figs and another multitude of mediterranean vegetation add another touch of biodiversity to this slice of the island. Another thick chapter is the one related to the countless civilization (Phoenician, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, French and Spanish) have all conquered the island in the past 3000 years, each one living an unique trace that blended together with the others has forged a complex and fascinating history. All throughout the island there are countless archaeological and historical sites, enough to keep busy even the most experienced historian.

Travel insurance

We suggest a travel insurance for our trips. We recommend that the policy covers , cancellation, loss of luggage and personal effects.

Visas

Visas for Italy are not required for passport holders of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. All other nationalities should check with the relevant authorities.

Climate

Sicilian summers are hot. From beginning of May to September, highs of 30 degrees Celsius are common but record temperature above 40 degrees have been recorded. Spring and autumn are the nicest times of year, specifically, April to early June and September to October are the most pleasant months to do physical activity. Average daytime highs are around 20-25

Group size

From a minimum of 4 to Max 12 persons.

What to Bring

Wet weather gear, sunscreen, good walking boots / shoes and sun hat, small rucksack, insect repellent, a warm sweater or fleece, walking poles optional but recommended. This packing List should be used as a guide only and is not intended to be a complete packing list.

Cancellation Policy

The operation of this trip requires a minimum number of participants. Departures can be cancelled up to 6 weeks prior to the trip start date. While the vast majority of departures operate during the season, if there are too few people the trip will be cancelled and we will provide a refund. For further details, please review our conditions of contract.

Tipping

We cannot and do not want to force anybody to leave tips, but remember you are traveling in one of the less wealthy region of Europe. An average waiter, receptionist, driver etc. earns no more than 1000 euro a month, and most probably does not go on vacation, so if you feel that they have done a good job, or they have took good care of you a small tip will make them happy

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. It allows us to make improvements for future travellers. Your opinion can be sent to vera@sicilyactive.com

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