Sicily for the Senses. Explore the natural treasures of Sicilia TREASURES OF SICILY 2018 ITINERARY OUTLINE TRIP CONTACT. Trip Essence / Page 2

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1 Sicily for the Senses Explore the natural treasures of Sicilia If you seek to have your senses stirred, this immersion into Sicily s nature, culture and cuisine is simply perfecto! The bustling fish markets of Catania, Lipari s colorful pastry shops, the thermal springs of Stromboli, a sunset boat ride to Salinas and the ancient angles of Siracusa set the stage for your creative eye to wander. Nature calls as we explore the active volcanoes of Etna and Vulcano and practice capturing the magnificent light of each on this sensory journey of Sicily s most photogenic landscapes and cultures. ITINERARY OUTLINE Trip Essence / Page 2 Daily Itinerary / Page 3-5 Arrival & Departure / Page 6 Terms & Conditions / Page 7 Reserve Your Space! / Page 7 TRIP CONTACT Lauren Hefferon Lauren@ciclismoclassico.com Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 1

2 TRIP ESSENCE Taking pictures and trekking on the top of three active volcanoes: Vulcano, Stromboli and Etna Sulphureous yellow craters, black-sand beaches, molten red lava skies, and deep blue water Exploring the Aeolian Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site Mt. Etna, Europe s highest active volcano and also a UNESCO World Heritage site Sun, sea, relax and Mediterranean cuisine WHAT S INCLUDED All accommodations with breakfast All transfers by bus and ferries All breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners A bi-lingual and professional hiking and photography guide Excursion with Volcano guide at Stromboli Entrance fees to the Aeolian Islands and access to the volcanoes (taxes included) Private transfer from Catania Airport to the first hotel, and from the last hotel back to Catania Airport TRIP DETAILS 2018 Trip Dates Itinerary available as a private group departure, dates can be chosen based on your preferred time to travel and the best time to visit the location Ability Level Athletic Beginner: 3-5 hours walking each day, hilly to steep terrain. Prior hiking recommended Basic photography skills Trip Price Please contact us for pricing. Adjustments to the itinerary can be made upon request. EQUIPMENT For Hikes Good and solid trekking shoes Wind and waterproof jacket Hat and gloves Head lamp with batteries Bathing suit Sun glasses and sun screen Alpenstock and gators for volcanic ash path For Photography Body SLR or compact digital camera Wide-angle lens Laptop (for selecting images) Tripod Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 2

3 DAY 1 ARRIVAL Location: Catania Meals - D Benvenuti! Welcome to Sicily! Arrival in Catania airport. Welcome and private transfer to Catania s historical city center. Accommodation in our hotel and dinner in a local restaurant. DAY 2 CATANIA TO AEOLIAN ISLANDS Location: Vulcano DAY 3 VULCANO ISLAND AND THE FUMAROLES Distance - 3 hours walking Location: Vulcano In the morning we visit the colorful fish market of Catania for our first photo shooting. After we tour the historical city center of Catania, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, transfer to Milazzo harbour (1.5 hrs). Hydrofoil to Vulcano island. Check-in at our charming hotel in the island of Vulcano. Dinner and overnight stay in Vulcano. -1st photo walk at sunset: we ll go through the small Vulcano village toward the black sand beach (west bay), where you will have a splendid view of the primordial big caldera. -2nd photo walk at sunrise: we walk toward the white sand beach (east bay), where you can see the bubbling thermal springs, underwater fumaroles and the mud bath! These are signs of the constant activity of the volcano. We ll go back to the hotel for breakfast. Photo selection and common discussion. Then free time to enjoy a mud bath or relax at beach. -3rd photo walk at sunset: trekking on the Big Crater. You could enjoy this wonderful experience, walking through the steam. It looks like going back into the times, to the beginning of the earth. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Vulcano. Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 3

4 DAY 4 LIPARI AND STROMBOLI Location: Lipari, L DAY 5 STROMBOLI, THE VOLCANO Distance - 5 hours hiking Location: Stromboli This morning we will catch the hydrofoil to Lipari island (15min). Check-in at the hotel. We ll catch the public bus to the south coast and from there we start an easy hike toward Punta Caprazza and the volcano observatory from where you ll have an amazing view over Vulcano island and the faraglioni (volcanic rocks in the middle of the sea). From there we are starting our way home toward the little village of Marina Corta, a typical fisherman village that maintains a scenography square close to the sea, under the big ancient Lipari s Rock. For lunch we will stop in the colorful shop of Gilberto for a wine tasting with local Sicilian food. In the afternoon, free time to visit the historical center and the archaeological museum. Dinner and overnight stay in Lipari. Stromboli is a very particular island, fascinating and wild! It s one of the three active volcanoes in Italy and it has a quite regular activity. Named Iddu (him) from his habitants, the Volcano is the protagonist of village s life. In Stromboli we will have 2 photo shootings: - 4th photo walk in the afternoon: trekking on Stromboli volcano, to closely observe the spectacular lava fountains. It ll be an unforgettable experience. The climbing effort to the top will be rewarded by the beautiful scenery. (Picnic dinner). Back to the hotel and overnight stay in Stromboli. - 5th photo walk at sunset: walk through the small village streets of Ficogrande. The main characteristics of those two little villages are the white houses and the thin streets. It s really awesome to see them at sunset, while the sun paint the houses in orange colors meanwhile he is cash himself behind the big volcano. DAY 6 ETNA SOUTH Distance - 2 hours hiking Location: Etna South Today, in the early morning we will take a hydrofoil from Stromboli to Milazzo (2h), then a private transfer from Milazzo harbour to the medieval village of Taormina (1h), the pearl of the Sicily. In Taormina we have time to explore the charming historic town with its wonderful Greek theatre, enjoying the amazing view of mighty Mount Etna. We continue our transfer in the afternoon the southern side of Mt Etna (1h). This is the main active volcano in Europe! You will be amazed by its size and its charm! Check-in at the hotel at 1900 mt of altitude. - 6th photo walk at sunset: before dinner we ll make a short walk toward the Silvestri Craters, to have a first approach with the great volcano. Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 4

5 DAY 7 ETNA, TRANSFER TO SYRACUSE Distance - 4 hours hiking Location: Syracuse - 7th photo walk at sunrise : wake up early to enjoy the soft colors of the volcano at sunrise. Breakfast at the hotel. Then full day to discover Mt. Etna. Excursion till 2100 meters on the southern side of Etna. We ll discover the edge of the Bove Valley a huge caldera formed from a collapse of the ancient volcano. The rivers of black lava and the lunar landscape that slowly open to your eyes will amaze you. You will enjoy a wonderful panorama immersed in an ancestral landscape. Walk back to our hotel. Private transfer from Mt. Etna to the hotel in Syracuse. Overnight stay in Ortigya, the old city center of Syracuse. *Option central craters: depending on the weather conditions and the volcano activity it will be possible to climb to the summit of the central craters (3350 mt.), guided by a mountain escort with cableway and 4WD vehicle up to 2900 mt. then trek to the top. From there we walk back or by cableway to the hotel (price: 80 Euros per person). DAY 8 EXPLORE SYRACUSE Location: Syracuse, D Today we will explore Ortigya, the old historical centre of Syracuse, one of the most fascinating Sicilian city (UNESCO World Heritage site) rivaling in the past Athens as the most powerful city of the ancient world. 8th photo walk discovering the colorful open local food market of Ortigya, where we would find fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, fish, cheeses... In the afternoon, we will visit the Archaeological Park full of important Greek and Roman monuments. After, we will discover the islet of Ortigya: the Piazza del Duomo is acclaimed as one of Italy s most beautiful squares. In the past it was the acropolis of ancient Greek Syracuse, today it is an elegant square, ringed by extravagant Baroque buildings. We ll go back to the hotel. Photo selection and common discussion. Then free time for last minute shopping. Celebratory dinner in an inviting trattoria in town. - 9th photo walk through the islet of Ortigya and the great archaeological park. DAY 9 ARRIVEDERCI! After breakfast, transfer to Catania Airport (approximately 1 hour). Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 5

6 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE GETTING TO CATANIA Fly to Catania Airport (CTA) to meet our private group shuttle* on day 1. * Please inform the office if you plan on taking this scheduled group shuttle at least one month in advance via this form: DEPARTING FROM SYRACUSE After our last breakfast there will be a private group transfer back to CTA. This shuttle will take approximately 1 hour. OTHER INFORMATION For Flight Reservations Valerie Wilson Travel Call: or ciclismoair@vwti.com Travel Insurance MH Ross Call: Transportaion Rome2rio Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 6

7 INSURANCE, TERMS & CONDITIONS Insurance Ciclismo Classico will not assume responsibility or liability for any loss or damage of personal effects or for any injury or loss during the duration of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Information on travel insurance will be sent to you via once trip deposit is received. We recommend MH Ross, but travelers may choose the insurance carrier of their choice. Cancellations and Refunds All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing as soon as possible to Ciclismo Classico. Exceptions to their cancellation policy cannot be made for any reason, including weather or personal emergencies. There is no refund for unexpectedly leaving a trip early or arriving late. The purchase of short-term travel insurance policy is strongly recommended. Cancellation fees are determined as follows: Days before departure Cancellation fee 121+ days - 50% of the deposit* days - 100% of the deposit* days - 30% of the trip price days - 60% of the trip price 0-30 days - 100% of the trip price *You may transfer your trip deposit to another departure in the same tour season up to 90 days before your original departure with payment of a $100 per person transfer fee. Prices quoted are subject to adjustment without prior notification. OR your deposit (currently $600) may be carried forward to the following year as a credit toward the final balance of a tour. At the time of booking, we will ask for another $600 deposit to secure your spot. Carried-forward credits expire at the end of the year to which they are applied. Alterations to the tour itinerary Sometimes modifications may be made to the itinerary. We will notify you of any changes that may affect your arrival, departure or lodging. Any changes to the program are made in the best interest and safety of the group. To review our policies, please visit RESERVE YOUR SPACE! To reserve a space, call Ciclismo Classico at or Lauren Hefferon at Or, mail your deposit and contact information to: Ciclismo Classico attn: Rosa 30 Marathon St Arlington, MA At the time of registration, a deposit of $600 per person is due, payable by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or check, made payable to Ciclismo Classico, along with your full name, mailing address, phone number(s) and address. We cannot confirm reservations without a deposit. Final payment is due 90 days before departure payable by check, credit card, wire transfer or money order. All travelers must review and sign a terms and conditions statement and a waiver form. Travel Vision info@ciclismoclassico.com 7