ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES OF SICILY

Transcription

1 HOLIDAY CODE SVW Visit Sicily and its beautiful volcanic archipelago on this excellent Italian walking holiday to the Aeolian Islands. Walk on the UNESCO World Heritage islands of Vulcano, Salina and Lipari Enjoy a picnic dinner on fiery Stromboli and hike on the slopes of Mount Etna Visit a caper farm, enjoy a wine tasting and wander through ancient Catania Explore the medieval gem of Taormina and experience the very best of Sicily Italy, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 3 nights apartment, 4 nights hotel, 7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 1 dinners, max group size: 14, 6 days walking, wine tasting, max altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction Home to towering volcanoes, beautiful architecture, striking scenery, excellent cuisine, wonderful wines, fascinating history and whitewashed villages, the stunning island of Sicily offers unique walking trails whilst surrounded by sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily s UNESCO World Heritage Aeolian Islands rise out of azure seas and include Stromboli, Lipari, Salina and Vulcano which we ll visit on foot during the week. We ll also explore the bustling Baroque masterpiece of Catania and hill-top village of Taormina with its incredible Roman amphitheatre. Lipari, known as the gateway to the Aeolian Islands, complete with a pastel-coloured seafront and busy harbour is our island hopping base. From Lipari we ll head up to the crater rim of Vulcano before walking on the green gem of Salina. On Salina we ll learn the art of caper production and enjoy a spot of Sicilian wine tasting. Next it s fiery Stromboli for a picnic on the mountain as we watch one of the most explosive displays of nature on the planet. Finally we follow walking trails on the slopes of mighty Etna, which at 3350m is Europe s highest active volcano and a true giant. This Sicilian holiday offers the perfect mix of walking and sightseeing on an island known for its excellent food and wine plus welcoming hospitality. Is this holiday for you? This is an active island-hopping holiday with a reasonable amount of walking on most days, plus the right amount of sightseeing and time for relaxing. Each day you ll walk between 3 and 6 hours with between 400m and 900m of ascent / descent on good footpaths, however some parts of the trail takes you over scree, which shouldn t come as a surprise on a volcanic holiday! Hiking on Stromboli and the upper slopes of Etna offer the most challenge but you ll only need to carry a small day-sack during each day. During the week we travel by hydrofoil (fast ferry) which keeps the holiday at a price which is excellent value. Sicily and the Aeolian Islands are perfect for regular walkers looking for a destination with good food, coastal views and beautiful scenery. Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group hotel in Catania. Meet at the group hotel in Catania located just 7kms from the airport. With its striking baroque churches, stunning buildings and UNESCO World Heritage historic centre, Catania is a great start. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to head out and explore Catania's bustling streets which are over 2700 years old and overlooked by a striking black and white tower. The towering giant of Etna is the city's backdrop. Highlights include the Teatro Massimo Bellini (opera house), Fontana dell'elefante (elephant fountain) and Piazza del Duomo (central piazza). The elegant street of Via Crociferi and relaxing gardens of Giardino Bellini are perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle. Tonight we'll meet with the leader at 6.30pm before heading out for dinner with the leader who'll help us decide on a local restaurant or trattoria. A major part of Sicilian life is a love affair with food and Catania is known for its tasty cuisine. *Food for thought - the iconic pasta dish Pasta alla Norma is wonderfully simple (tomatoes, aubergine, ricotta cheese and basil) and a must try in Catania. The dish was created in Catania and named after the Puccini opera Norma. If you want to sample it anywhere, then Catania is the place. HOTEL Day 2: Explore the island of Vulcano, hike up the crater rim and optional visit to hot springs. After breakfast we leave Catania and take a scenic 2 hour drive along the coast towards the busy port of Milazzo. From here we take the hydrofoil (fast ferry) to the neighbouring island of Vulcano, the most southerly of the

3 PAGE 3 Aeolian Islands. Famed for its visibly smoking crater and black lava beaches, we'll hike 400m up to its crater. Here we're rewarded with excellent views over Sicily and across the neighbouring Aeolian islands. After the crater rim we'll explore the famous black beaches and there will be time for an optional visit to some hot springs for a spot of relaxing. Late afternoon we leave the island and take the hydrofoil (10mins) to neighbouring Lipari where we stay for 3 nights. After checking-in to our apartments we'll head out for dinner. *Food for thought - look out for arancine which are bite-sized succulent rice balls coated in bread crumbs. With a rich variety of different fillings, these tasty snacks are absolutely delicious and not to be missed as is Pasta con le Sarde (pasta with sardines) or Scoglio (fresh prawns, clams and mussels). APARTMENT ASCENT 390M MEALS B DESCENT 390M TIME 3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 3: Explore Salina, visit a caper farm and enjoy a wine tasting. Today we start the day by jumping on the hydrofoil and travelling a few kilometres north-west of Lipari to the green island of Salina. After arriving at the port of Rinella, we'll take a bus to the small village of Pollara on the opposite side of the island. From here we'll enjoy a short walk to a local caper farm to learnt art of production. Tangy and aromatic, capers are a major ingredient in Italian cuisine and native to the Mediterranean. Starting life as un-ripened flower buds on bushes, they are picked and dried in the sun before pickling. Next we head for a wine tasting and sample Malvasia, the local Sicilian wine. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Salina before we return to Lipari. After arriving back on Lipari there will be time to freshen up before we head out for dinner. *Food for thought - a popular ingredient in Italian cooking is aubergine or egg-plant. Why not try Caponata - a sweet and savoury salad of chopped, fried eggplant mixed with balsamic vinegar and capers. Or the mouthwatering Parmigiana di melanzane (succulent layers of aubergine, cheese and tomato) baked in the oven - perfect with a glass of chilled Malvasia! APARTMENT MEALS BL TIME 4 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 4: Walk, explore and relax on the island of Lipari. Today we'll take an easy hike out to the southernmost point of the Island and explore the rugged southwest coast. From here we'll enjoy a wonderful panorama over Lipari and across the neighbouring islands. This afternoon there will be time to visit Lipari's Archaeological Museum which is fascinating. The museum is lcated in a natural fortress which was used by past settlers to defend themselves from attacks and invasions. Spread over various rooms the museum is one of the main historical and cultural attractions on the island and divided into six large areas. In the evening we can meet up and head out out for dinner. *Food for thought - any visit to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands wouldn't be complete without sampling the mouth-watering desert of cannoli (rich pastry cones filled with creamy ricotta) or a spot of Italian gelato. APARTMENT ASCENT 200M MEALS B DESCENT 200M TIME 3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 5: Hike up the fiery slopes of Stromboli for a picnic dinner. Today we star with the morning hydrofoil to Stromboli where after checking in at the group hotel, there will be time to take a stroll on the island's black volcanic beaches. However the main highlight of today is the ascent of

4 PAGE 4 Stromboli's volcano (924m). Active for over 2000 years Stromboli cannot be climbed if a major eruption is happening. During the ascent we'll be accompanied by an official volcano guide as we start out crossing open grassland before reaching the upper slopes of lava and ash scree. As we approach the crater viewpoint we should be subjected to Stromboli's eruptions accompanied by rumbles from within the mountain which is very impressive. Tonight's dinner will be picnic style enjoyed on the mountain before descending in the dark with head torches. HOTEL ASCENT 920M MEALS BD DESCENT 920M TIME 6 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 6: Return to Sicily's mainland and visit the hill-top gem of Taormina. A relaxing start and leisurely breakfast today before we take the hydrofoil back to Sicily. On arrival we take a private transfer to Taormina, considered one of the most beautiful hill top villages in Italy. Spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain there will be time to visit the historical centre and wonderful Greek amphitheatre (optional). The horse-shoe shaped amphitheatre appears to sit suspended between the sky and sea, whilst Etna looms on the horizon. Built in the 3rd Century BC, the theatre is considered the most dramatically built Greek theatre in the world. The town has entertained many fans including D H Lawrence who lived here between 1920 and In the afternoon we'll transfer to our hotel in Catania where we spend the next two nights and get to sample the city's excellent restaurants. *Food for thought - Italy is proud of its aperitifs and after dinner digestives. Limoncello is wonderful and the second most popular liqueur in the country after Campari. It is served chilled, often in chilled glasses and worth a try. Grappa is an after dinner digestive made from grapes. With so many varieties on offer you'll definitely find one that you enjoy. Grappa is an Italian institution! HOTEL MEALS B Day 7: Hike across the slopes of Mount Etna before a final night in Catania. Today we leave Catania and transfer (1hr) to the south slopes of Etna. Dominating the Sicilian landscape, Etna is a giant (3329m) and the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Since 1987 the volcano and its slopes have been part of the Parco dell'etna, a lunar landscape of black lava and beech woods. Approaching 2000m we'll be rewarded with a fantastic panorama of the Sicilian coast and Etna's craters. There will be plenty of time for photos before descending and transferring back to Catania for our final night. After freshening up we'll regroup for dinner and if you haven't sampled Italy's famous after dinner grappa, then maybe tonight celebrate with one. *Food for thought - Sicily has its own type of pizza which is topped with onions, anchovies, tomatoes, herbs and strong cheeses. If you've a sweet tooth, try Catania's cassatelle, little almond cookie parcels filled with ricotta and covered with almond paste. Last but not least granita is an Italian icy treat with flavours of almond (mandorle), pistachio (pistacchio), strawberry (fragola) and mulberry (gelsi). (Today, weather dependant, there is the opportunity to hike up to the summit area of Etna at 3350m. This optional extra is guided by a specialised volcano guide, lasts 5 hours and includes a 4WD vehicle up to 2900m. The leader will discuss this in more detail during the holiday and the cost is 85 Euros per person paid directly on site). HOTEL ASCENT 450M MEALS B DESCENT 450M TIME 4 HOURS WALKING HOURS

5 PAGE 5 Day 8: Departure day. Depending on your departure time you may wish to have a final stroll through Catania. The leader can assist with a taxi transfer or advise you on the regular public bus service to the airport. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included An experienced local guide Additional expert guide on Stromboli All land transport involved in the itinerary All ferry transport between the islands All accommodation as described Meals as per the Meal Plan A wine tasting What's Not Included Travel insurance Tips for local staff Some meals as per the Meal Plan Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc. Meal Plan All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included. Food Part of the experience of any visit to Sicily and Italy is the opportunity to taste its wonderful cuisine. Breakfasts are continental in style - bread, pastries or cakes, yoghurt, jam and honey served with tea or coffee. For lunch, there will be time each day to visit local supermarkets and buy picnic items for the day or visit a snack bar, small restaurant. Typical local produce such as bread, cheeses, olives, fruits and vegetables, dried meats and biscuits can all be bought for a reasonable price in local supermarkets and shops. Dinner will be taken at small local restaurants, which gives us a chance to try traditional Sicilian food and get a real taste of Italy. Alongside food, Sicilian wine is excellent and an important part of any meal lunch and dinner! The country is also famous for its aperitifs, from chilled prosecco served pre-dinner to campari, vermouth and cinzano all served over ice. Italians love their late afternoon aperitifs and don't forget the zesty local limoncello and the famous after dinner fiery grappas. Joining Arrangements & Transfers Due to the closeness of the airport, frequency of flights and excellent public transport links, we've not included airport transfers on days 1 and 8. This gives you more flexibility on your arrival and departure day, especially if you're extending your time in Catania pre or post tour. It's very easy to get a taxi to the group hotel. Taxis are available at the airport and take 15mins to the centre of Catania (cost approximately 20 Euro). Alternatively AMT

6 PAGE 6 Alibus Service runs a frequent public bus service every 20mins between the airport and the centre (05.00 to midnight). Tickets cost 4 Euro and the journey time takes only 20 minutes to the main square (Duomo) or 30 minutes to the train station. The departure and arrival point is at a bus station just outside the terminal building only 50m from the entrance to the airport. Accommodation During this trip the group will spend 7 nights in small local hotels and holiday apartments. The accommodation will be based on twin or triple room sharing. If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request. Group Leader & Support Staff An experienced, professional, local guide will lead the holiday. There will be an additional, specialist volcano guide on Stromboli and on Mount Etna. Altitude This holiday involves going to moderately high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 2500 metres. Most people will have no difficulty with this level of altitude but before coming on the holiday, we recommend you read the advice on trekking at altitude on our website which can be viewed via the link below. You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude. Spending Money Approximately should be allowed for meals not included and soft drinks (including bottled water) and 10 Euro entrance for the Greek amphitheatre in Taormina. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash (euros) and travel with a credit or debit card that be used in local ATMs. If you are intending to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly. Credit cards can be used in restaurants and shops in Catania. Guidance On Tipping Tips do not form part of the wages of local staff but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. It is best if the tip is given at the end of the trip by the group as a whole. We recommend that each group member contributes around and distributed between the leader and any support staff. It is a good idea to carry some small change for other tips such as in restaurants etc. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for Delivery outside of the UK will be charged.

7 PAGE 7 Baggage Allowance For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Luggage with wheels is useful for this holiday. For international flights please check your baggage allowance with your airline. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Visa Europe UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday Getting some additional exercise before coming on an active holiday makes a lot of sense. The fitter you are, after all, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. You should be aerobically fit and comfortable with walking 3 to 6 hours for consecutive days. Hill walking, with a good amount of ascent and descent, is the best training. Running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing cardio vascular fitness and stamina. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will

8 PAGE 8 contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate Sicily and the Aeolian Islands have a typically Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters. April to July and September to October are when temperatures are the most pleasant. At these times of year, daytime temperatures will vary between 20 and 30 degrees centigrade, falling to between 10 and 20 degrees centigrade at night. Books Lonely Planet Sicily. The Rough Guide to Sicily A House in Sicily - Daphne Phelps Sweet Honey and Bitter Lemons Travels in Sicily on a Vespa - Matthew Fort Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Land Only Notes We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Catania Airport (Sicily) which is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to Joining Arrangements and Transfers for further details. Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines offering flights to Catania. These include Easyjet who have flights from London & Manchester and Thomson Airways who have flights from London, Manchester & Birmingham. Other airports may be available. If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection. Flight Options From The US For help and advice with booking your flights, we recommend you consult our friends at Exito Travel, airfare specialists since The air team at Exito are familiar with our destinations and know the airports, best airlines and potential pitfalls. If there is ever a flight change, cancellation or air-related issue before or during your travels, it's nice to know you have someone on the Exito air team looking after you. Visit their website at: or contact the team on: keadventure@exitotravel.com &/or via phone at: ext

9 PAGE 9 Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 31 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too!

10 PAGE 10 Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

11 PAGE 11 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. You Should Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots or shoes Trainers or sandals Socks Underwear Walking trousers Waterproof jacket Waterproof overtrousers T-shirts and/or casual shirts Fleece jacket or warm jumper Sunhat Warm hat Sunglasses Daypack 30 litres Headtorch and spare batteries Sun protection (including for lips) Water bottles 1 litre Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Swimwear Small towel Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multivitamin tablets. The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles Shorts Insect repellant Camera

12 PAGE 12 You will need to carry your own bags for short distances to when transferring on hydrofoils, so a bag with wheels is useful. Please note: This document was downloaded on 25 Nov 2017, and the trip is subject to change.