Trip Dossier for Sicily – Discover Sicily Trip Code: FISY Issue date: 06 November 2013
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Valid from: 1 April 2014
Enjoy walking through canyons and gorges, exploring ancient Roman ruins and discovering picturesque villages steeped in tradition. Go mountain biking through forest and meadows in the shadow of Mount Etna. Have fun walking and exploring crater rims and recent lava flows and visit the Mount Etna Volcano Museum. Take a dip in the crystal clear rivers, and enjoy fabulous Sicilian food and ice creams. Day 1 Join tour Catania; drive to Carlentini (approximately ½ hour) Please refer to Transfer Arrangements below for details on where and how to join the tour. Your tour leader will meet you at Catania airport and the group will transfer the short distance to your accommodation near Carlentini. Your base for the week is an “agriturismo”, a comfortable farmhouse within a 14-acre estate, with views of the Catania Gulf and majestic Mount Etna. The farmhouse produces preserves and liqueurs from its own orange trees, and the children will enjoy getting to know the various resident horses, sheep, goats and pigs! Farmhouse with swimming pool, 7 nights Day 2 Cassible Nature Reserve; pottery lesson Today is the first opportunity to stretch your legs on a half-day guided walk of Cassible Nature Reserve. Here a series of deep canyons that have been cut by the waters of the Cassible River, and created a complex system of small waterfalls. In the afternoon you can learn the techniques of turning the potter’s wheel – try making your own pot, painting and firing it, a perfect souvenir to take home. (breakfast) Day 3 Siracusa This morning it is a short transfer to the town of Siracusa (Syracuse), located on Sicily’s east coast. Most of the ancient sites are situated on the small island of Ortiga, and it is here that you can see the Apollo Temple – probably the oldest Greek temple outside Greece. You will also see the Aretusa Fountain, and Castillo di Maniace, a medieval ruin overlooking the port. The children can learn how papyrus is made in the museum. In the afternoon or evening there is a chance to visit the Theatre of Puppets in Siracusa (optional) – a traditional puppet show performed by the Opera dei Pupi. The theatre is located in the heart of the old town, Ortigia, near Piazza Duomo, in the famous quarter called Giudecca. (breakfast) Day 4 Alcantara Gorge and Taormina The Alcantara Gorge was formed by an eruption of Mount Etna, which sent lava flowing into the Alcantara River. The result of thousands of years of river erosion is an impressive canyon, 50 metres deep, with bizarre rock formations and prisms. You will hike through the gorge, following the river, and even paddling in its icy waters, all the while admiring the rocks as they tower overhead. In the afternoon, you will head to the ancient town of Taormina, founded in 358 BC during Greek times. There’s time to explore this atmospheric and historically important town – you may wish to visit the Greek theatre and Roman ruins at the edge of the town, or perhaps take a cable car ride from Taormina to its coastal counterpart Mazzaró for a well-deserved ice cream on the beach. (breakfast) Day 5 Mountain Biking Enjoy mountain biking through woods and meadows in the foothills of Mount Etna. You’ll cycle both on road and off-road in enjoying the views characteristic of this Sicilian territory and stopping for a picnic lunch (not included). The rest of the afternoon is free. (breakfast) Day 6 Trek up Mount Etna (3 hours, 200 metres ascent) Soon after breakfast you will depart for Mount Etna, and follow one of the several paths on the northern face, eventually reaching the old craters from the 2002 eruption. Rising to 3345 metres, Etna is the highest volcano in Europe, with three craters at its summit. During the walk you’ll cross ancient lava fields as well as enjoy fine views across the sea and further up Etna’s slopes to its summit. After
a stop for lunch, you’ll visit the Volcano and Lava Museum, an interactive museum that will capture children’s imagination, and enable them to learn how and why volcanoes erupt. (breakfast) Day 7 Pantalica Rocky Necropolis Today enjoy a visit to Pantalica, known in ancient times as Hybla, inhabited since the end of the Bronze Age and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 5,000 temples and caves dot the walls, forming five necropolis. Pantalica Nature Reserve is also a place of great natural beauty, a deep gorge teeming with a variety of flora and wildlife, and you have a couple of hours walking here to soak up the scenery. Following the walk, there is an opportunity to swim in the river, so don’t forget to bring your swim gear. Later you can choose to go horse riding or a donkey ride for children under 10 (both optional). (breakfast) Day 8 Tour ends Catania airport Depending on flight timings, you should have most of the day free to take it easy by the pool, take a walk through the botanical gardens, or visit the animals on the farm. (breakfast) Please refer to Transfer Arrangements below for details on transferring to Catania airport. Each itinerary is planned many months in advance and although it is our intention to operate the itinerary as printed in the brochure and detailed here, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of alterations to flight schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors which are beyond our control. As a consequence, the order or location of overnight stops may vary from those outlined but we will always endeavour to keep you informed of any such changes. Included meals are indicated in the daily itinerary. Please remember international flights and trip dates do occasionally change, so please always purchase flexible tickets.
Optional Extras These excursions can be arranged, subject to availability, through your tour leader: Archaeological Museum of Siracusa €10 per adult, children free Papyrus Museum Siracusa free Taormina Greek/Roman Theatre €8 per adult or child Taormina cable car €3 each way Horse or donkey ride at Pantalica Reserve €20 per hour Horse walking at Agriturismo Tenuta di Roccadia €20 adult / experienced child + taxi transfers or pony for child €15 + taxi transfers Puppet show €10 per adult, €5 per child Prices are per person; they are a guideline only and are subject to change. Prices given may also be subject to a minimum number of participants.
Is this right for your family? The trip offers a combination of activity, culture and nature. Walks are on gentle terrain, apart from the trek up Mt Etna which is a little uneven underfoot – suitable for children over 6 years of age. Distances by vehicle are around 40 – 60 minutes. Accommodation You will be staying at a lovely hotel in the close to Noto; a beautiful baroque town with magnificent piazzas, palaces, gardens and a fountain of Hercules. At the end of May Noto celebrates the marvels of spring and the approach of summer in a colourful fiesta known as “Infiorita” – here flower artists create amazing mosaics made out of flowers. Your hotel has great views of the Iblei Mountains, a short walk from the canyon of Cava Grande del Cassibile. The hotel complex, consisting of three units divided into eight comfortable rooms, inspired by architecture and the charm of the old houses of the past. The decor, reflects the style of the houses of the late nineteenth century in Sicily. All rooms are equipped with bathroom, air conditioning, TV, minibar and safety deposit boxes. The restaurant serves typical dishes of regional and Mediterranean using locally grown
ingredients. There is also a panoramic swimming pool. Please note the swimming pool may be closed during the winter months. Lone Parents Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries, including the UK, require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel Climate Sicily has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The island is volcanic, and the mountainous terrain gives rise to great regional variations. In the south east, it is generally drier and warmer than other parts of the island. Temperatures range from a pleasant 20-22°C in spring/autumn, to 28-29°C in July/August with plenty of sunshine. Average monthly temperatures for Catania: MAR APR MAY JUN Max °C 15 18 22 25 Min °C 9 11 14 18 Rainfall (mm) 10 9 6 2 Local Costs: A small bottle of mineral water (500ml) A large bottle of mineral water (1 litre) A can of coke (soft drinks) A carton or bottle of fruit juice A bottle of beer A light lunch time snack – sandwich for example A two course meal* - excluding drinks A three course meal* - excluding drinks *Based on a mid range tourist restaurant.
JUL 29 21 1
AUG 29 22 3
SEP 26 19 6
OCT 22 16 9
€ 1.00 € 1.50 € 1.50 € 1.50 € 2.50 € 5.00 € 15.00 € 20.00
Currency The unit of currency in Sicily is the Euro € and the current exchange rate at the time of writing (Nov 2013) is €1.15 = UK£1. We recommend you exchange money before you travel or you can obtain cash with your debit Maestro / Cirrus card from ATM’s (bank cash dispensers). Credit cards are accepted in many restaurants and souvenir shops. Passports and Visas British passport holders do not require a visa to visit Sicily. Please ensure you have 6 months’ validity on your passport. Tipping is a recognised part of life and although at your discretion you will be expected to reward service. Tips should be a way for individuals to thank staff for good service. We recommend £2 per person per day. It is often a good idea to nominate one person in the group to distribute the tips on behalf of the group. Language Italian is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Security Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don’t wear jewellery, never leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and mobile phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend or
relative too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash. We recommend you deposit valuable items and important documents in the hotel safe, where practicable. Travel Insurance Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory when joining a trip with Families Worldwide. To arrange cover for single or annual multi-trip, please contact one of our family travel consultants.
Clothing & Equipment List for Discover Sicily Light weight comfortable casual cotton clothing is recommended, but also bring some warm clothing for the evenings (especially if travelling outside of summer) The following list of clothing and equipment is intended to be fairly comprehensive and experienced travellers may well take a good deal less luggage than we recommend.
Clothing Walking boots or sturdy walking shoes Trainers or strong sandals (all purpose wear) T-shirts Long sleeved shirt Long casual trousers Shorts/short trousers Fleece or sweatshirt Lightweight windproof/waterproof jacket Swimwear (optional) Sunhat (styled to cover face, ears and neck) Plastic shoes suitable to use in sea/rivers – there are some very sharp stones so take care.
Equipment Soft-sided bag (50-80 litres) Lightweight daypack Sunglasses Camera Passport Cash, credit/debit cards Money security belt/pouch Insurance documents Trip information and itinerary European travel adapter Personal first aid kit Insect repellent Sunscreen Towel Washing kit (wet wipes and dry anti-bacterial handwash are useful) Water bottle For details regarding hand luggage restrictions please visit www.baa.com
