3. Southern Italy: Sicily 2, Western Sicily and the Egadi islands

Day 1

The tour starts with a private transfer from Palermo to Trapani (approximately 2 hrs) and then a hydrofoil from Trapani to the largest of the Egadi islands (approximately 15 minutes).  Accommodation is in an excellent, family-run 3-star hotel in the centre of town, a short walk from the port.

Day 2

Today you take a ferry to explore the smallest and most remote of the three islands of the archipelago (30 minutes away).  This is an usual walk as it is shaded a lot of the way, climbing slowly on a paved path through conifer woods to Casa Romana, then through woodlands to Semaforo at 270m before descending into a lovely valley with dense vegetation of rock roses, heather, lentisco and rosemary bushes, finally returning to along the coast to Marettimo.  (3.5 hrs; 9 kms; min: 4 mts, max: 463 mts)

Day 3

A day exploring your base.  Today’s walk does a complete circuit of the island, passing a number of lovely beaches and lookout points.  Although quite long the island flat and walking very easy on unsealed country lanes and bikes are also available for hire).  (3.5 hrs; 14.5 kms; min: 2 mts, max: 35 mts).

The little medieval port had its heyday in the 19th century when the tuna fisheries off the islands thrived.  There is a very interesting local museum and the very unusual ‘underground gardens’, botanical gardens which have been established in the deep sandstone quarries and tunnels on the north of the island.

Day 4

Take another ferry to the third of the archipelago’s islands, which holds the Egadis’ greatest treasure: a gallery of prehistoric frescos painted between 10,000 and 6000 BC, which were discovered in a grotto in 1949 (please note that we are able to book the visit but not pay for the entrance, which must be done in situ - 10 euro pp).  The walk today is a beautiful walk across the island to the grotto and then wrap around the other side of the island on its way back to the port (2 hrs; 8 kms; min: min: 3 mts, max: 170 mts).

Day 5

Today you take the hydrofoil back to Trapani, where you’ll be met and taken to the beautiful town of Erice, which sits on a hill high above Trapani.  You’ll be able to explore this remarkable town (with time for a light lunch) before being taken to a gorgeous hamlet on the edge of Sicily’s first national park, which stretches along the Gulf of Castellamare.  

Day 6

As the finale to your visit, the fourth walk is a beautiful coastal walk following a well-marked trail under majestic limestone mountains, through sub-tropical vegetation overlooking gorgeous turquoise-blue bays. There are plenty of opportunities for swims on the way back.  (5 hrs; 15 kms,  394 mts up). 

If you aren't up for the big climb, this walk can be shortened by simply sticking to the lower coastal track, again with plenty of opportunity for swims along the way.  (10 kms, 3 hrs).  

Day 7

Private transfer to Palermo airport or Palermo city.