Day 1.

Arrive in Catania airport and transfer to our hotel located in the heart of the island of Ortygia, in Siracusa. Overnight Siracusa.

Day 2.

We drive West to the Iblei mountains where our walk introduces us to the extraordinary ancient necropolis of Pantalica. This beautiful gorge is studded with 5000 rock tombs from the earliest civilization to inhabit the island. Return to Siracusa by road. Morning 2 hrs. Afternoon 1.5 hrs.

Day 3.

A full day's drive takes us first to the Roman Villa at Casale to see the extraordinary mosaics. Later we continue across the centre of the island to the little town of Gangi where we spend the next three nights in a charming converted wing of a monastery, now home to a world famous restaurant.

Day 4.

A full day's walk leads along an open ridge to the town of Sperlinga where we will visit the famous cave dwellings and dramatic castle hewn out of the rock. Return to Gangi by road. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 1.5 hrs.

Day 5.

We head north to the little village of Geraci Siculo from where our walk leads high up into the Madonie mountains. In the afternoon we continue to the little village of Petralia Sottana from where we return to Gangi by road. Morning 2.5 hrs. Afternoon 2 hrs.

Day 6.

Our walk today concentrates on the highest part of the Madonie range as we explore the great wilderness of the central part of the mountains. In the afternoon we descend to the coast from where we drive to Palermo, the capital of the island and our base for the next two nights. Morning 3 hrs. Afternoon 1 hr.

Day 7.

We drive west to begin our walk from near the old Arab town of Calatafimi which leads through vineyards to perhaps the most beautiful ancient site on the island at Segesta where a lone temple sits in glorious isolation. In the afternoon we return to Palermo by road where we visit the great cathedral of Monreale before returning to our hotel. Morning 2 hrs.

Day 8.

Depart Palermo airport.

The altitude varies from about sea level to over 5000ft.

Excellent accommodation and food throughout.

Siracusa - 4 star hotel - Gangi - Agriturismo - Palermo 4 star hotel

Maximum number of walkers 16.

Average hours walked per day 4.5.

Average miles walked per day 9.