The Best of the West

DAY 1 – WELCOME TO SICILY

We will be pleased to welcome you at the airport and transferring. privately, to your first accommodation in Palermo. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 2 – THE GEMS OF THE GOLDEN VALLEY

Today’s walk takes you along the main tourist attractions of Palermo and the charming hilltop town of Monreale. The stroll in Palermo city center includes the Arab-Normann style Cathedral, the Quattro Canti (four corners), known as the city theatre, Piazza Pretoria with its beautiful mannerist fountain, the Royal Chapel , inside the Royal Palace and the Vucciria, the iconic outdoor market. Monreale itself is a nice town with a great view of the Golden Valley, so named for the numerous citrus orchards that dot the valley. In Monreale we can admire the sumptuous cathedral already listed among the Unesco sites. You end the day at the Morish village of Scopello, an hour’s drive from Palermo, the south gateway to the Zingaro Reserve. The old “Tonnara” (the place where tuna fish used to be brought for canning)  and the “Faraglioni” (huge outcrops of rock), are the most picturesque spots of this place.  Overnight in this pleasant tiny village perched on a plateau of rock coastline.

DAY 3 –  ZINGARO RESERVE

Very close to what you can find in a postcard, the Zingaro Reserve is undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful spots on the Sicilian coast and the beautiful setting of your today’s walking trip. It’s very hard to describe the emotions you can feel in this magic place where a luxuriant vegetation grows wildly and spontaneously. Extending slightly more than four miles, along the coast that connects Scopello with San Vito Lo Capo, the reserve has a large variety of rare endemic plants, a rich fauna and almost forty species of birds find here their ideal habitat. A large network of walking paths traverse the reserve on different levels, interspersed with impressive rocky outcrops, steep cliffs overlooking crystal clear waters, a number of unspoilt beaches  and grottoes in a turquoise seas. Be ready in your swimsuit before leaving: swimming around here is an unmissable experience!

DAY 4 –MONTE COFANO NATURE RESERVE

This morning’s walk takes you to the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve. The area of the reserve extends over a massive limestone promontory stretching out into the sea, just on the west side of the Zingaro Nature Reserve and at the extreme south of the Cape St. Vito gulf. Nice views, caves and archaeological sites, a medieval defensive tower and an old votive small chapel, overlooking a beautiful blue sea on one side and an impressive rock wall on the other side, are some landmarks and stopover points that  you can meet on the way. One of the most interesting spot in the area is a prehistoric cave named “Grotta Mangiapane”, a deep cavern where archaeologists found utensils and cave paintings dated back upper Paleolithic era. At the end of the route, right before San Vito LO Capo, the trail opens out into an amazing bay lined with a wonderful beach lapped by a turquoise sea. This is a sight not to be missed and the place from where you can see one of the best sunset of the whole Sicily. Follows a short transfer to Erice where you will spend the night.

DAY 5 – ERICE

Today, a walking itinerary runs through the narrow streets of Erice, many of which are so narrow you have to walk one person at a time, to discover the major landmarks of this charming village and its hidden corners. Perched on top of a hill 750 meters high the town offers breathtaking panoramic views, 360 degrees, over the Egadi Islands and Monte Cofano. Erice is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily and you will love the unique old atmosphere of its cobbled streets full of typical little shops, restaurants and cafes where tasting the delicious local specialties like mandorla pastry and cookies. Keep your camera always handy, since after the city tour, you continue downhill to Trapani along a panoramic pathway on the western slope of Mount San Giuliano with stunning views on the Egadi archipelago and the unusual landscape, but truly unique, of the salt marshes and majestic windmills that dot the horizon. Overnight in Trapani.

DAY 6 –FAVIGNANA

Today, a 20-minute ferry ride takes you to  Favignana, the largest and most important of the three Egadi islands just off the coast of Trapani with which has frequent ferry connections. Shaped like a butterfly and so also known as “la farfalla”,  Favignana such as the other Egadi Islands has somehow remained largely unchanged over the years, simply authentic compared with other crowded tourist islands of the Mediterranean sea. West of the town, of the same name, there’s a large network of pathways, most of which can be ride on bike, with options to stop and discover small inlets, pristine small beaches, caves, blue emerald sea, wind and peace. About the food, lovers of fresh seafood will be in heaven. Tuna fishing was the island’s only industry before tourism discovery and every restaurant serves its own version of “insalata favignanese” on tuna basis; a mix of tuna fish, olives, tomatoes, lettuce and extra virgin olive oil. Overnight in Trapani

DAY 7 – HOMEWARD BOUND

We help you with a private transfer to the closest airport of Trapani Birgi. With a surcharge, you can opt for transferring to Palermo airport, 60-minute away.

PRICE

It is calculated per person according to the number of participants, as follows:

– 2 people:
– 3 people:
– 4 people:
– 5 people:
– 6/8 people:
– 9+ people:

With more participants than two people the price lowers gradually.
Over 14 years old, same price as adults. (it is applied a 20% off to guys aged 12-14, who travel with at least two full paying adults and whether they be able to cover the daily distances).

PRICE INQUIRY

We are Sicily specialist based ‘on the site’. Our prices are more affordable tha others offered by operators outside Sicily. For exact price calculation please, send us inquiry via e-mail

INCLUSIONS

• six nights accommodation with en-suite facilities
• five days of walk
• breakfast each day
• private round trip transfer, airport-tour area
• inn-to-inn luggage transportation
• detailed maps and route descriptions
• a descriptive guide of the various sites to see
• a cell phone for emergiences
• a tour rep to oversee the tour
• travel guidance pre/post tour activities

EXCLUSIONS

• airfare
• insurance*
• meals
• tips and personal purchases as laundry, phone calls, frigobar items, etc..
• anything not specifically included in “INCLUSIONS”

INSURANCE*

We strongly recommend you to be covered by a good travel insurance. Customers should be in possession of own their travel insurance, with protection for the full duration of the vacation, in respect of medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation as well as cancellation and curtailment.

This is mandatory for all clients who travel with us, except the case you sign a declaration which releases Easy Sicily of any responsibility.