A Journey From Sea to Sky

Transcription

1 Activity Level: Enthusiast Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights A Journey From Sea to Sky Experience Sicily Sicily has long extended a welcoming hand to visitors throughout the ages. It is a cultural crossroads where civilizations of Greeks and Romans, Phoenicians and Arabs, French and Spanish have all left their mark over the centuries artistically, architecturally and gastronomically. Your journey focuses on the eastern regions of the island, where you ll visit lively Baroque towns, walk seaside trails, and finish high in the Mediterranean sky on the upper slopes of Mount Etna. Between our explorations of history, reward your appetite with an incredible array of classic Sicilian cuisine, from farmhouse lunches to Michelin-starred dining. The entire experience is pure indulgence for the senses. WHY TRAVEL WITH B&R? B&R has been planning trips in Sicily for years and we are still making new friends! Every day you ll meet local personalities, such as our volcanologist friend who will join us for our day on Mount Etna, shedding light on the inner workings of this majestic peak. Call us at the journey p.2 view > / notes from the road p.7 view > / the details p.8 view > / next steps p.9 view >

2 The Journey 2 the journey Days 1 & 2 The Ioanian Coast & Baroque Noto AFTER OUR RENDEZ-VOUS IN SIRACUSA, HEAD OUT ON A 45-minute drive south to the coast for a day-long walk through the Vendicari Nature Reserve. Vendicari is a wildlife oasis offering some of eastern Sicily s most pristine beaches, separated by rocky cliffs over azure waters, old stone quarries, and former tuna production facilities known locally as tonnari. In this area there are also catacombs from the medieval Byzantine period dotted in the rocks. This fascinating pastiche of history and nature will be animated by your guides, who also will bring you to the best spot in the reserve for a special lunch. After lunch, continue walking along the coast passing one of the most beautiful coves (where you may be tempted to take a dip) before meeting with our shuttle. We ll take the quick transfer to Noto to greet the city in typical B&R fashion, with a sunset aperitif. From here, continue to dinner in town at Il Crocifisso, the pride of local chef, Marco Baglieri. highly prized by confectioners and other almond aficionados. (The Noto almond, as it is also known, constitutes one of the 480 worldwide Slow Food presidia, meaning a local committee has been appointed to oversee and ensure traditional, organic methods to remain in place for cultivation.) Witness up close the interesting process of almond milk extraction before settling down for a delicious lunch right on the farm. After our visit, we ll continue our walk into Noto to enjoy the wonders of this fascinating little town. Back in Noto this afternoon, after some free time, meet your group for an expert-led walking tour of the Old Town, where you ll hear the history about HOTEL SevenRooms Villadorata, Noto An intimate former royal home tucked into the streets of Noto, this delightful property puts B&R travellers right amidst the daily bustle in this UNESCO-protected city. THE WALKING Day 1: A 9.8 km (6 mi.) relatively flat walk through a seaside nature reserve. Van support will be limited. Day 2: A 8.3 km (5.1 mi.) gradual uphill walk starting in the historic center and heading through the countryside. Wake the next morning to the remarkable sight of the morning Mediterranean sun illuminating the white facades and towers of Noto s Baroque landmarks. After a satisfying breakfast, begin the day with a short drive to our beautiful morning walk, heading up into the pastoral hills to the west of the city. You ll walk to Concetto s farm, set in one of the island s most beautiful agricultural landscapes. Concetto, a long-time friend of B&R, will walk you around his almond orchards where he cultivates the exceptional Romana almond, unique to this area and

3 The Journey 3 southeastern Sicily s extensive Baroque architecture, a vestige of Spanish domination in the 17th and 18th centuries. Tonight, there is the opportunity to have dinner on your own among the city s restaurants. Choose a trattoria or pizzeria and be sure to sample a cannolo or the rich cassata, two of Sicily s most typical deserts made with ricotta. with a quick catnap. Arrive along the Ionian coast to enjoy the comforts of your room, a stroll through the hotel s plant nursery or simply relaxing in one of the lush corner with beautiful views of Mount Etna and the sea. Reconvene for dinner at the hotel restaurant where you ll dine at small tables in the simple elegance of the restaurant. Day 3 Anapo Valley & Necropolis of Pantalica Anapo Valley, a surprisingly lush area in typically sere Sicily. We ll meet with a local archeologist who will lead us through this intriguing UNESCO World Heritage site shedding light its prehistoric roots. Our walk follows a trail through the Necropolis of Pantalica, whose rock-hewn chamber tombs and cave dwellings attest to a flourishing local culture some 3,200 years ago before joining an abandoned railway path whose gentle grades even out the valley s ups and downs. We ll pause for a picnic lunch, where the sweeping panoramic views continue. After we ll carry on to ramble through the limestone gorge in the early afternoon. The high afternoon hours will be spent in transit to your next hotel a great opportunity to relax HOTEL Donna Carmela, Carruba di Riposto This renovated 19th Century mansion complements its 18 well-appointed rooms with agriturismo status, meaning its restaurant offers the freshest, most local ingredients possible. Guests can wander through the private horticultural garden before a dip in the gorgeous pool. THE WALKING Day 3: A moderate 13 km (8 mi.) walk on trails and a former railroad line through the Anapo Valley. Van support will only be available on our journey after lunch. Days 4 & 5 Mount Etna and Wine Country This morning, continue your journey northward, on the road pressed between the Ionian and Sicily s rumbling giant, Mount Etna. Make your way up the steep slope of this behemoth volcano (its summit tops out at just under 11,000 feet!) to your launching point at Piano Provenzano, the gateway to the picturesque northern face of the mountain. En route, as Etna looms above, prep for the walk with an informative introduction to volcanology from an expert in the field. The walk itself is the most strenuous of the week, but what rewards it reaps! Lunar landscapes of craters and black lava, fields of pumice and other volcanic effluvia, and further down, forests of pine, birch, and larch. Downhill-facing sections offer stupendous

4 The Journey 4 views over the foothills and towns of Etna s sizeable footprint, while in the distance the Strait of Messina is in clear view, connecting the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas through a thin funnel of Cerulean blue. Along the way, enjoy a picnic lunch in a picturesque spot. At day s end, catch a ride to your next hotel at the mountain s base, a drive barely noticeable for the continuing natural spectacle all around you! Once ensconced in your Etnean home, you may opt for a water bed treatment, whirlpool or sauna in the spa before sitting down to dinner in the hotel s excellent Twelve Fountains restaurant. The rich volcanic soil of Etna creates a fertile environment for a variety of agriculture. The plains to the south abound with groves of lemon, orange, and olive trees, as well as artichokes and other produce. In contrast, the north side is dedicated to wine production. Michelin-starred Shalai, accompanied of course by the very best of the local vintages. HOTEL Villa Neri, Linguaglossa Villa Neri is a stunning five-star hotel tucked into the lower slopes of Etna, amid pristine natural surroundings. The décor is sleek and modern, while the spa offers excellent wellness options to unwind after a volcanic hike. THE WALKING Day 4: A 9 km (5.5 mi.) of walking at 1800 m above sea level on Mount Etna. The trails are well-marked but exposed, and often involve loose surfaces such as gravel. No van support as we are on the volcano. Day 5: A 10 km (6 mi.) of rolling walking across a mix of terrain, including vineyards. On your final day walk, we ll journey through the vineyards that blanket the landscape to make up the Etna D.O.C. appellation. Our walk is on quiet country roads lined with wild herbs along which black lava stone intermingle with Nerello-Mascalese vines (among other varietals) to create award-winning vintages. Traditional stone wineries known as palmenti dot the area. Most are now abandoned, but one in particular has been rehabilitated to house Graci, a fine boutique wine house that will host you for lunch and a firsthand look at the complex and curious viticultural techniques required on the volcano s slopes. Among its features of note: a massive wooden lever press, of the kind that was once commonplace in the region. After lunch, we ll shuttle back to the hotel to enjoy the grounds, spa and freshen up before we regroup for our final night event. This evening, a short walk through town brings us to a special setting for cocktails and toasts, and then move on for a memorable evening of food and celebration at Day 6 Homeward Bound After breakfast together, your guide will arrange a drop off at either the historic centre of Taormina, or at Catania airport. Arrivederci!

5 Notes From the Road 5 Sicilian Hospitality By Marya Valli My first sight of Sicily, known to the Romans as Trinacria crossing the Strait of Messina on a warm August dawn made me tingle with anticipation. Right here, between those two points of land stretching toward each other from Italy s toe to Sicily s top corner, is where the Greeks saw Scylla and Charybdis. It was a place of risk and of great reward for the sailors who navigated its currents and sped north to other towns in Magna Graecia. And it was Etna s enormous cone, dominating the distant horizon, that first gave us granita when its snows met Arab sugar cane. Mmmm, granita. Even as my mouth watered at the thought of a cold, tartly slushy strawberry granita, those two ideas lingered. Sicily is just across a strait from Italy, so close that even expert sailors had to watch out for those monsters and yet it is different from Italy in a thousand little ways. You could never forget that you re on that island. And like the Arabian sugar cane in its happy union with Etna snow, each wave of people drawn here, settlers or conquerors, arrived on Sicily s shore with their own culinary and artistic baggage, adding their own ingredient to Sicily s unique flavour, a rich palimpsest of cultures that is a thrill to explore. Everything that makes Italy loveable is magnified on Sicily: myriad dialects; dozens of different pasta shapes; scenery from dry-stone fields of thick, twist trunked carob trees to sparkling salt pans beside blue lagoons or sweeping vistas of grain and vine below high hills. It has more standing Greek temples than any site in Greece; a rare Phoenician cothon; Roman mosaics; Norman-Arab chapels; Arab quarters closer to Tunis than to Rome. And the food? The vegetables never get a chance to travel north; the celery is plucked wild and the Ragusano DOP cheese tastes of the sweet wild herbs its cows savour. The wines are wonderful: the dry and complex Marsalas make you think (and sip) twice and Nero D Avola swells to its fullest fruity red potential. But more than all those riches, what makes Sicily unforgettable is the warmth of the welcome. Maybe it s because they have had millennia of practice. Sicilians are naturals, instantly warm and human in their friendliness to guests. That tingle of anticipation is back. And it just gets better. B&R REGIONAL DIRECTOR Marya Valli A native Seattleite, Marya traded in her rainy days, big lattes and a career with Microsoft to explore the world as a B&R guide. An avid cyclist and master of four languages, she has led over 140 trips for us around the globe and is a whiz at joie de vivre and rare wine varietals (often found together in one smiling glass!) Between planning trips in the corners of Europe, her heart and bookshelves have finally settled in long-beloved Corsica..

6 The Details 6 SWITZERLAND Linguaglossa FRANCE ITALY CROATIA SICILY Catania Carruba di Riposto Rome Siracusa Palermo Mediterranean Sea Noto 2017 Price: From $4,995 ($400 single supplement) Single supplement is based on the most affordable rooms within B&R s allocation. Upgrades often available. Duration 6 Days / 5 Nights Please see our website for list of departures. Start Siracusa Algila Ortigia Charme 9:00 am Finish Taormina or Catania City centre or airport 10:00 am the details HOTEL TYPE Signature Hotels Hotels on our Signature trips are unique expressions of the region. Oftentimes that means they ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case it means they offer both an exceptionally comfortable stay and a taste of the region s culture. Best of all, we re friends with our hoteliers. (Translation? Preferential treatment for you.) LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast Our walking is somewhat hilly with a few steep sections, and a few flat ones. For the most part, we stay on the dirt paths that run through the vineyards, countryside and along the coast, but we occasionally take quiet asphalt roads. The walking on Etna is exposed with some loose gravel. The daily distances range from 7 to 13.5 km (4.3 to 8.3 mi.) with van support or shorter options for when you re ready to relax back at the hotel.. MORE INFO How do I get to Siracusa? To reach Siracusa ( Syracuse in English), you must arrive by air to Catania and then take overland transport either taxi, private car, or train one hour south. Catania is well-connected with major hub cities, with flights arriving throughout the day. For more information on logistics, feel free to contact us. WHAT S INCLUDED All hotel accommodation All breakfasts, all lunches and four dinners, including wine Services of B&R guide(s) and support van All special events, private tours, guest experts and entrance fees Use of two lightweight, telescoping walking sticks Detailed maps, route suggestions and water bottle All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off All baggage transportation All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service HOTEL ALGILA ORTIGIA CHARME, SIRACUSA An elegant boutique hotel, the Algila Charme is located in the heart of Siracusa, on the island of Ortigia, a UNESCO Heritage area, where the city was first founded by the ancient Greeks. Its excellent location provides a great base for exploration in the free time before your B&R trip begins. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.

7 Your Next Steps 7 your next steps Weather: Siracusa month high low Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec At Butterfield & Robinson, the guiding starts while you re still at home. We make sure you know everything you need to know before you ve even left your living room. READY TO BOOK? Call or a Travel Advisor (or your travel agent) with any remaining questions, and to reserve your space / Reserve your flights to and from the region. Book your hotel accommodation for the night before your B&R trip. Make sure your passport is up to date. Enquire after travel insurance. Once you are confirmed on a B&R trip, you will receive a Confirmation that links to tons of information to help you prepare for your trip. Then, about a month before you leave, we will send you a list of your fellow travellers, final rendezvous instructions and your hotel contact numbers. FIND US ON FACEBOOK Like B&R on Facebook and get the latest news and photos from the road, updates from guides and more. EXTENDING YOUR TRIP Enrich your vacation with an extra day or two in Taormina, the famous ancient town overlooking the Ionian Sea. Farther afield, western Sicily (Palermo, Agrigento, and Cefalú) are cultural destinations, while the marvelous Aeolian archipelago offers stunning landscapes and gorgeous waters for the nature-oriented. STAY IN TOUCH! Sign up to receive The Slow Road our newsletter that is full of travel news, unique offers and B&R insider info. In the meantime, if you have any questions about your B&R experience big, small or downright quirky please call a Travel Advisor, or contact your travel professional. We are always happy to help. The itinerary information may vary slightly for your specific departure as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather may also necessitate minor alterations. Prices are per person and in USD Butterfield & Robinson Inc.