Sicilian Saunter
Hiking
Sicily's western shores
There are two sides to Sicily's raw beauty: One is its rocky coastline,
and the other is its mountainous interior. Explore both as you hike
along seaside trails and over craggy ridges where traces of ancient
civilizations stimulate the imagination. Each afternoon features a
line-up of stellar Sicilian wines, from native Nero d'Avola to new
Cabernet to eye-opening Marsala.
Highlights:
• Hiking: 3-4 hours on rocky trails, gravel
roads, and seaside and inland paths. Hilly terrain. Intermittent van support.
LEVEL: Intermediate
• Wine estates: Planeta, Donnafugata, De Bartoli & more
• Greek ruins at the archaeological parks of Segesta
• Byzantine mosaics at the Cathedral of Monreale
• Sea-salt produced the ancient way, at the saline of Marsala
2011 dates:
September 11-17
Cost: $3,195 [7 days/6
nights]. Single supplement $350.
Meet: Palermo city center
Depart:
Palermo airport
 Day 1 - The Byzantine Mosaics of
Monreale
When Palermo was the richest city in Europe in the 1100s, its outskirts provided hunting grounds for royalty. In 1166 the
Norman King William II built a magnificent cathedral overlooking this fertile valley. Today the Cathedral of Monreale
remains one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art, with floor-to-ceiling mosaics. We begin with a visit to this spectacular
church and cloisters. Then we drive to a countryside agriturismo for our complementary welcome lunch. From here, we take an
easy hike along back roads towards the sea. After checking into our first hotel, in the beautiful port town of Castellammare
del Golfo, we have an Introduction to Sicilian Wine, featuring the wines of Planeta, an estate that put Sicilian wine on the
international map. Dinner features fish fresh from the Mediterranean. L, D
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Day 2 - Hike Around Mt. Cofano
Today we explore Monte Cofano, a promontory lush with Mediterranean flora and fauna. This was a
Phoenician base several centuries before Christ and its settlements endured into the new millennium. Our hike goes around
the promontory, partially on the sea and past some old settlements. Post-hike, we'll have a tour and tasting at the boutique
winery Ceuso, a superb example of Sicily's New Wave. Dinner is at a cozy restaurant in Castellammare featuring such dishes
as risotto di frutti di mare and grilled fish, followed by cannoli or another of Sicily's famed desserts. B, D
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Day 3 - The Greeks at Segesta
Segesta is a vast archaeological park that features the remains of a once-powerful Greek colony, including a well-preserved
Greek temple and theater. We'll hike through Segesta, marvel at the ancients' engineering skills, and ponder the ephemeral
nature of world powers before asking the eternal question, "What's for lunch?" Our afternoon tasting is at Spadafora, an
award-winning, family-owned winery. Our tasting presents a panorama of Nero d'Avola, Syrah, and some wonderful Cabernet
blends. Return to Castellammare for dinner on your own. B
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Day 4 -
Marsala and the Salt Ponds
This is a transfer day, so we take it easy. We shuttle to the top of Mount Erice for a spectacular view of the coast. The
afternoon takes us to the port town of Marsala, where we'll have a tour and tasting at Donnafugata. Named after a character
in Gattopardo (The Leopard), this top-notch winery is consistently among the Tre Bicchieri winners for its international
blends and nectar-like passito, Ben Rye. After settling into our hotel in Baroque port town of Marsala, we'll have a
private dinner at the Baglio Hopps winery. As the courses keep coming, we'll taste their portfolio of wines, from
refreshing white Grillo to nutty dry Marsala Riserva. B, D
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Day 5 - The Island of Marettimo
Off the western coast of Sicily are three small islands. Today's hike is on the
most scenic, Marettimo. We'll take a ferry from Trapani to Marettino's single, white-washed town. From there, we hike to an
ancient Norman fortress at the tip of the island, following a path that weaves in and out of the rocky sea cliffs, always in
view of the turquoise sea. We'll hike back to town for lunch, then return on a late-afternoon ferry. If time allows, our
return will include a detour to a tuna fishing museum on the island of Favignana. B, D
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Day 6 -
Marsala & Sea Salt
A steady sea breeze and protected coves have made western Sicily an ideal spot for havesting sea salt.
Since ancient times, Sicilians have used evaporation ponds and windmills to crystallize salt from the sea. We'll visit the
saline, then take a boat to a nearby island, Isola Lunga, for an easy hike. After lunch, we'll return to Marsala for free
time in town. Marsala is a lovely little city with Sicilian baroque architecture, an archaeological museum, and good
shopping. Then it's on to De Bartoli, the winery that has reinvented and resurrected marsala as a praise-worthy meditation
wine. We'll see how marsala is made using the solera system, then sample De Bartoli's array of dry wines, marsalas, and
passito from Pantelleria Our farewell dinner in Marsala. B, D
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Day 6 - Arrivederci!
A shuttle to the Palermo airport and assistance with your travel plans. B B
For more tour photos, click here
For GoogleMap, click here | |
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