South Coast Walks & Historical Sites
Bring intriguing coastal trails and history alive in South Hampshire
The world's more beautiful on foot...
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Call us on 01707 331133
Or, email us at info@ramblersholidays.co.uk
Open a door to the ancient world of Sicily and step out onto a sun drenched island rich in history and awe-inspiring natural wonders.
Sicily
May
Sep
Oct
Nov
What does this mean?
Tour codes: 18600
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks.
The National Parks, beaches and rainforest of Sri Lanka are typical examples of places you will enjoy visiting in one holiday.
Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Overview
Open a door to the ancient world and step out onto a sun drenched island rich in history and natural wonders. Sicily is a cornucopia of cultural riches set amidst beautiful surroundings.
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has been of strategic importance for centuries. Walk in the footsteps of the ancients; Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Germans, French and Spanish have all left their mark. As Goethe said, “To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.”
Your journey begins in a remote corner of coastal south west Sicily where we visit the most impressive classical site on the island, Selinunte. It’s a quiet, peaceful place, where spring flowers grow and sheep graze amidst the ruins.
We soon gather pace to uncover many of the country’s highlights including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the Greek and Roman sites of Syracuse, which once rivalled Athens in the Greek world.
Our last stop is the exciting capital city of Palermo. There is so much to see, including a visit to Monreale Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture.
Click the button below for a detailed Holiday Information Sheet containing all the particulars about this trip.
NOTE: Itineraries and Holiday Information Sheets can vary by a specific date chosen
The mountains in northern Sardinia pre-date the Alps and Apennines and offer some gentle walking amongst some of the most remote scenery in Western Europe.
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Departure dates
Combine leisurely walks on the Sorrento Peninsula, Amalfi Coast and in the Lattari Mountains whilst enjoying visits to the myriad of local world class sites.
Full and half day walks at a moderate pace over hilly terrain.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing as well.
Half day walks will probably involve about 3 hours of walking, with full day walks having around 5 hours. Expect ascents and descents of up to 600m.
Departure dates
Explore the delightful Eternal City of Rome in autumn, winter, and spring...
Easy countryside walking with plenty of breaks, normally taking up the whole day.
Most of these holidays have an element of sightseeing.
You are unlikely to walk more than 6 miles and the cumulative ascents and descents will be gradual and range from minimal to 300m.
Departure dates
Magical, unique no words can fully do justice to Venice, the most serene of cities.
Mixes active sightseeing with short city or countryside walks.
The National Parks, beaches and rainforest of Sri Lanka are typical examples of places you will enjoy visiting in one holiday.
Any walks will take up to 2 hours and any ascents or descents will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Departure dates
Itinerary & Travel
Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the outlined itinerary and advertised programme, local conditions can change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. This may mean that routes and timings need to be amended or the order of days may change, sometimes at short notice.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we may unfortunately need to withdraw a tour that is currently confirmed to operate and we therefore reserve the right to cancel your booking. We would always do our utmost to give you plenty of notice should we have to do this. Selected elements of this tour, including local attractions and restaurants, may change at late notice. Please ensure you have valid insurance cover before you travel.
Accommodation
Below is the accommodation featured on this holiday across all departure dates. Please refer to the Itinerary for more detail about each night's accommodation for each departure date.
Selinunte is a quiet and peaceful town located on a high plain overlooking the glorious sea. It is the site of the Greek city of Selinus and has all of the facilities you will require including shops, banks, restaurants, bars, cafés, a post office and medical centre.
We stay in The Grande Hotel Selinunte, situated in a suburb of Selinunte and a 30-minute walk from the archaeological sites and city centre. The hotel is isolated but makes up for this with its wonderful views and surrounding picturesque olive groves. This modern hotel has a restaurant, swimming pool (open during high season), tennis courts, laundry facilities and room service.
We stay in twin and single bedded rooms with the following facilities:
Agrigento is a modern built up town with some old historic characteristics such as its narrow alleyways, historic churches and archaeological sites. It is a perfect location for our walks itinerary and has a variety of services in walking distance such as restaurants, cafes, bar, supermarkets and shops.
The four star Hotel Della Valle is situated in the main town of Agrigento, near to the Temple sites. The hotel has a restaurant, bar, spa and an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a lush Mediterranean garden (open during high season).
Room facilities include:
Syracuse is a large city originally founded by a Greek colony. It is perfect base for our walks itinerary and has shops, banks, restaurants, supermarkets, post office and medical facilities.
We stay in the elegant four-star Grand Albergo Alfeo in the heart of Syracuse. The hotel has recently been renovated and is now modern and luxurious. It has a stylish restaurant, a bar, a reading room and an interior courtyard.
Room facilities include:
Palermo is a lively and busy city decorated with modern and historic buildings. There are markets, shops, banks, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, a post office and medical facilities.
We stay in the four star modern Hotel Palazzo Sitano, built in the 18th century but inside has a contemporary feel. It is centrally located in downtown Palermo, close to the station and within walking distance of all the major city sights. The hotel has a lounge, terrace area and wellness centre. The spa offers health and beauty treatments, plus a sauna and a Turkish bath. There's also an upscale cocktail bar. It is characterised by the loggia with lofty ceilings. Glass-topped arcades define interior corridors while the windows of the Franciscan Library can be seen from below.
Room facilities include:
Syracuse is a large city originally founded by a Greek colony. It is a perfect base for our walking itinerary and has a variety of amenities including shops, banks, restaurants, supermarkets, a post office and medical facilities.
We stay in the four star Grand Hotel Villa Politi located in northern Syracuse in the ancient Sicilian quarries known as the Latomie dei Cappuccini. The hotel was designed and built in 1862 by Salvatore Politi, a painter from Syracuse. It has recently been refurbished to emphasise its original 19th century liberty style décor and neoclassical architecture, and its wonderful frescoed ceilings. There is a sun terrace and outdoor swimming pool (open April – October) surrounded by private parkland and shrubbery, and incredible panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea. You may find yourself enjoying an evening beverage in one of the bars or one of the hotels highly rated restaurants.
We stay in standard twin and single bedded rooms. Rooms are characterful and decorated with a liberty style design. Room facilities include:
Trip Information
This is a Grade 2 leisurely holiday which mixes active sightseeing with short countryside walks. Most of our walking will be visiting some of the finest archaeological sites in Europe. The pace will be slow with plenty of stops but some of the sites, notably at Agrigento, are built on hill sides so paths are not level. In various sites we have local guides so we will stop to take in all that we are told. The maximum altitude reached on this holiday is 931m.
The walking on this holiday will mostly be in conjunction with the sightseeing programme. Sightseeing will be on foot in the towns, cities or immediate surroundings including archaeological sites and will be taken at a leisurely pace.
Local Transport Costs
All local transport costs in conjunction with the advertised activity programme are included in the holiday cost. There may be occasions where additional visits or excursions are added to enrich your experience, these will be paid for locally by you if you choose to participate. Local transport can be a mix of private hire coaches, taxis, local buses and ferries depending on the itinerary.
Optional Excursions
A range of local excursions and activities may be available to book at your destination through a local operator. We have no involvement in such activities or excursions which are not run, supervised or controlled in any way by us. Your contract will be with the local activity supplier and we accept no responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Holiday Budgeting
When budgeting for your holiday, you will need to consider drinks, any meals not included in the holiday price, non-included entrance fees, optional excursions you may choose to participate in locally and any souvenirs or additional services such as laundry. A general guideline for lunches and drinks is £10-£20 per person per day.
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are not included and you will need to pay these locally.
An example of some of the approximate entrance fee costs (based on Spring 2021) are as follows:
Currency in Italy
The currency in Italy is the Euro.
Holiday Currency
There are banks with ATM machines in all four centres. All hotels accept most major credit cards.
Tipping
Although entirely at your own discretion, tipping is an important aspect of tourism and hospitality life and expectations are fairly high. In order to simplify tipping, we strongly recommend that you allow your leader to take care of making sure tips are given to hotel and restaurant staff and to local guides and drivers. This will be done using some funds provided by us together with, if you wish, a contribution from you, which he/she will collect during the holiday.
Tour Leaders
Your tour leader makes the world of difference to your holiday and ours are as passionate about discovering the world on foot as you are. They're resourceful, organised and widely travelled. They will handle all the local administration and other needs that might arise to ensure that you don't have to worry about planning your days and you can enjoy your holiday. Although leading group holidays, they won't forget that every group is made up of individuals. Each tour leader has their own individual style, talents and professional backgrounds and all are trained, qualified, experienced and dedicated to making your holiday as enjoyable, interesting and inspiring as possible.
Leader's Evening Briefing
Each evening, your tour leader will discuss with you the programme for the following day. This will be your opportunity to discuss the details and ensure the planned activities suit your walking ability. If you have concerns on clothing or equipment, this can be discussed then also. If you do not wish to join the organised group programme, please let the leader know.
Local Guides
To enhance your experience, as well as your tour leader, each holiday will be accompanied in some centres by a well qualified and knowledgeable English-speaking local guide.
We fly from London to Palermo and return.
A private coach transfers us Selinunte, taking approximately 2 hours. Travel during your holiday in Sicily will be by coach.
If you intend joining and leaving the party in Sicily, we assume, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at the firsthotel. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure.
Booking Your Own Travel Arrangements?
If you wish to organise your own flights from a non-UK or provincial airport or travel by rail or car to your holiday destination, 'land only' reductions are often available. Please contact us for details.
Before finalising any independent travel arrangements, please check with us first - especially if doing so 12 weeks or more before your intended date of travel. If you do intend to join your holiday locally please do tell us at least 14 weeks in advance.
If you are joining and leaving your holiday overseas we assume, unless you advise us otherwise, that you will join and leave the holiday at your hotel.
Although airport transfers are not included for those making their own independent travel arrangements, if you wish to join the group at the overseas airport, depending on your flight arrival time, you may be able to be included on the group's transfer. Please contact us at least 5 weeks before departure for more details.
Please note that your flight must arrive within 30 minutes of the group flight to be able to join the group transfer. We also need your flight number, arrival time and departure point so that the group leader is able to meet up with you.
Luggage Allowance & Travel Documents
For all those booking a flight or rail inclusive holiday, details of your travel arrangements and baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days prior to departure.
Personal Details Check
To ensure that we can accurately administer your holiday arrangements, please confirm that the personal details we hold for you are up to date and that you have provided the information we need to secure your holiday travel and accommodation arrangements. Please check your passport details, date of birth and any other important details necessary for us to properly manage your holiday booking. You can view and update information already provided, and add details not yet asked for, by using the Manage My Booking facility on our website www.ramblersholidays.co.uk, or by calling our Sales and Reservations team on +44 (0)1707 331133. When you receive your booking confirmation please check the details as soon as possible.
General Passport Advice
It is a good idea to carry photocopies of the personal details pages of your passport. Should you lose your passport, this may assist with the issue of replacement documents and your return to your home country.
Passport and visa requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements.
General passport advice for UK nationals on the UK Government website.
You must ensure you check all entry requirements in good time by reviewing the official FCDO advice for your destination. Please take time to read and regularly check this website for changes to the entry requirements and any local restrictions.
You may be required to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated when travelling or in your destination. Proof of vaccination can either be digital via the NHS app or a printed copy via NHS Hard Copy. We recommend allowing seven working days for your printed copy to arrive. Please note both the NHS app and printed copy are only valid for 30 days.
We anticipate that all travellers will need to be fully vaccinated including the booster jab and to carry proof of this with them at all times. Some indoor venues require, and may ask for proof of vaccination, as well as masks becoming mandatory for indoor public spaces, and we ask you to be prepared for this.
Some airlines or destinations are requiring the wearing of FFP2, FFP3, KN95 or N95 masks without a valve. You should check the FCDO advice for your destination and with your airline before you travel, although you may wish to have one of these masks on hand just in case.
Brexit Passport Advice
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must meet the Schengen area rules.
Your passport must meet 2 requirements. It must be:
The guidance for Schengen border guards may not be updated until the spring of 2022. Until then, for some Schengen countries your passport may need to be less than 10 years old during your whole visit, and the 3 months at the end of your visit may need to be within 10 years of your passport’s issue date.
Check both the issue date and the expiry date in your passport. If you renewed your passport early, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. This could affect the requirement for your passport to be less than 10 years old.
Non British Passport holders should consult the host country’s embassy for applicable passport and visa entry requirements.
Breakfasts and dinners are included. Breakfasts are taken at our hotels and are usually continental buffet style with a hot and cold selection.
We will dine in the hotel throughout our stay in Selinunte due to the hotels isolated location. Dinners here will usually be buffet style serving both traditional and international cuisine. During the rest of the holiday, we will have a mixture of dinners in hotels and restaurants. Usually we can expect a variety of international and local delicacies such as pasta, risotto, meat and fish! We can fully immerse ourselves in the culture and enjoy the delicious Italian cuisine.
In Italy, traditional meals usually have four courses, antipasto or antipasti, primo, il secondo, and dolce; but this varies depending on restaurants and the regions of Italy.
Antipasto and Antipasti are a traditional course in formal Italian meals and translate as 'before the meal' as they are usually before the primo course. Antipasto refers to one portion and Antipasti refers to more than one portion. This usually includes cured meats such as salami, pepperoni, prosciutto or mortadella. Rich cheeses such as fresh mozzarella, gouda, provolone or Parmigiana-Reggiano are also included. Seafood like shrimp, anchovies and salmon are sometimes included too.
The first course, known as primo, is served as an appetiser and usually consists of rich pasta, soup or risotto. The main course is called il secondo and usually includes meat, fish or vegetarian. The dolce refers to the dessert and ends a traditional Italian meal. Coffee usually follows too.
Lunches are not included and are usually taken as picnics or in local cafés.
Depending on late flight arrival times, dinner at the hotel on day 1 may be a light meal consisting of a cold platter selection.
Footwear
Good quality waterproof walking shoes or trail shoes with a thick, moulded sole with a good tread and a low heel are likely to be all that is required for these holidays. If you are a frequent walker and are comfortable in good quality hiking sandals, these may be adequate for some walks. You can wear lightweight walking boots if you prefer.
General Kit List
Outdoor activities are always safer and more enjoyable if you are prepared.
If you have not travelled with us before the following list might be of use:
This list is not exhaustive and every walker is different and may have their own preference.
Traveling Light
You should be able to lift and carry and handle your own luggage. At some hotels, the coach may have to stop some distance short of the hotel entrance. Also, within some of the hotels themselves, there may be some long walks between the rooms and entrance area which could include some steps.
Travel Documents Checklist
Documents and Information to take with you:
Electricity in Italy
Electricity in Italy is supplied at 220 Volts. If you wish to use electrical equipment you will need a European two pin adaptor with round pins. More information can be found at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/
Water To Go
An alternative to bottled water from single-use sealed water bottles is filtered water from a refillable bottle containing its own water filter such as a Water-to-go bottle available from www.watertogo.eu. Just fill up from any water source and save the environment from disposable plastic bottles.
We have negotiated an exclusive 15% discount with our partners Water-to-Go for you as a thank you for helping the environment. Please go to their website at www.watertogo.eu and enter the code RWH17 when ordering. In addition, Water-to-Go will match the discount with a donation to our charity, Heart & Sole, which will allow us to continue to make a difference in the countries you visit on our holidays.
Maps, Guidebooks & More
Many local libraries stock a selection of travel guides and books which may offer you more information. Apart from any books available in local libraries, the internet is now an excellent resource for information about holiday destinations. You may find the below websites, books and programmes useful.
Maps of the areas we visit (1:200 000 scale) are available locally and at specialist map shops in the UK.
Visit Sicily includes pictures and information about various areas of Sicily.
In literature and film Sicily is closely associated with The Godfather books and films. Various locations were used in the filming of the original Godfather film.
Lonely Planet Sicily Travel Guide.
The Rough Guide to Sicily.
Sicily: The Wonder of the Mediterranean on BBC2 player. Follow Michael Scott on his historical journey through Sicily.
Gino D'Acampo visits Sicily on Gino's Italian Escapes, available on ITV player.
The Map Shop
If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend:
The Map Shop
5 High Street
Upton upon Severn, Worcs
WR8 0HJ
England
Tel: 01684 593 146
Website: www.themapshop.co.uk
E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube, you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area.
Weather
Visit the following websites for an idea of the climate in your destination:
Health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements at least 6 to 8 weeks before departure. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP.
Health Advice for Italy
No compulsory immunisations are required for visits to Italy.
You should be up to date with the usual immunisations recommended in the UK.
You may wish to consider immunisations against Tetanus and Tick-borne Encephalitis.
Further Travel Advice
For further advice please visit:
You might wish to take a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel with you for times when you're unable to wash your hands.
It is a condition of booking with Ramblers Walking Holidays that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the trip, including all optional activities.
Your travel insurance policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation. Please ensure your policy covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are walking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. Medical and repatriation insurance cover are not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Whoever you insure with, please ensure that you take full details, and ideally the policy itself, with you on holiday and provide our tour leader with your insurer's name, the policy number and emergency assistance contact numbers.
Please note that it is very difficult to obtain travel insurance once your holiday arrangements have started.
Covid-19 Cover
If you should have symptoms and test positive for Covid-19 whilst abroad, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative and you may have to seek treatment. We strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy that covers you for this eventuality.
Looking for travel insurance?
If you have not already arranged cover, please visit SunWorld who offer travel insurance.
SunWorld policies include cover for COVID-19, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
EHIC & GHIC Cards
From January 1st, 2021 UK travellers can continue to use their European Heath Insurance Card (EHIC) – which can last up to five years, until its expiry date, to gain access to medical assistance during your holiday. However, you will no longer be covered in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Travellers without a valid EHIC can apply for a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which will replaces the EHIC once it has been phased out. Please note however that the EHIC/GHIC should not be considered a substitute for medical or travel insurance.
For more information, please visit www.nhs.uk/ehic
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office provides up to date information on security and local laws for travellers, together with current passport and visa information, at www.gov.uk/travelaware. Please take a few minutes to look at the current advice on your planned destination.
Please be aware of what's going on around you, take sensible precautions with your credit cards and passport and avoid displays of wealth such as wearing expensive jewellery or watches. Do not carry more cash on you than you will need for each day, and we recommend that a money belt is used.
Italian Laws & Customs
In some Italian towns and cities you may be fined for dropping litter and in some towns or cities it’s an offence to sit on monument steps or to eat and drink in the immediate vicinity of main churches, historic monuments and public buildings. It’s also an offence to enter or bathe in public fountains.
In May 2019, the Municipality of Capri introduced a law forbidding the use of any disposable plastic objects such as bags, cutlery, plates, cups, food packaging, trays, straws on the island of Capri. Violations can incur a fine of up to 500 euros.
Illegal traders operate on the streets of all major Italian cities, particularly tourist cities like Florence, Venice and Rome. Don’t buy from illegal street traders. You could be stopped by the local police and fined.
It is illegal to remove sand, shells or pebbles from coastal areas in Italy. Doing so may result in heavy fines. It’s also forbidden to collect various species of flowers, plants and herbs from mountain and wooded areas. For more information, check with the regional authorities of the area you’re visiting.
Responsible Travel
We're committed to ethical tourism in all our destinations. Our holidays are designed for you to discover the essence of the country you are visiting. Travelling in small groups not only gives you an up close and personal experience of your destination, but minimises your impact on the immediate environment. We feel that the most important starting point to protect the environment is to be out in it. For more details visit our website.
The Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust
Unlike many tour operators we have our own trust through which RWH Travel’s profits are channelled back into a variety of outdoor, walking-related or environmental conservation projects in the UK. The focus of the Trust’s financial support is Britain’s leading walking charity, The Ramblers, and their role in promoting the benefits and importance of walking to the British public. In addition the Trust welcomes applications for small grants from local organisations in the UK who need support for walking-orientated activities. This includes the establishment of footpaths and bridleways, funding for rebuilding bridges and renovating huts, as well as bursary funding for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for children who could not otherwise afford to do it. Please visit the ‘About Us’ section of our website and click on the Charitable Trust link for more details.
Heart and Sole
We appreciate that we are in a fortunate position to be able to use our profits to help make a difference to people's lives. Heart & Sole is a venture managed by our office staff, whose aim is to reach the heart of the communities in the countries we visit. Through Heart & Sole, we hope to make more of a long term, direct impact to these communities, particularly in less developed countries where even a small amount goes a long way. See our website for more information and details of some of the projects we support.
Litter in Sicily
It is important to stress that Sicily is still in many ways a developing society and standards can vary throughout the island. Refuse bags and litter are a common sight in most towns and cities and some areas are visibly poorer than others. This does not, however, detract from the beauty of the island, its fascinating history or the warm hospitality of the Sicilians.
Mobile Phones
Please do provide us with a mobile phone contact number. We will only use this to contact you with important information relating to your holiday arrangements.
Do keep your mobile phones switched on and readily available when travelling to the airport or if delayed in transit so that we can contact you with any last minute information relating to your travel arrangements.
As a matter of courtesy, please switch off your mobile phone during walks, or endeavour to minimise its use. Please also try to minimise the use of mobile devices during group meals.
Reviews
Useful Information
Capital
Currency
Language
Time Difference
Flight duration
Visas and Passports
January
Avg. Rain: 67mm
February
Avg. Rain: 62mm
March
Avg. Rain: 63mm
April
Avg. Rain: 61mm
May
Avg. Rain: 56mm
June
Avg. Rain: 47mm
July
Avg. Rain: 35mm
August
Avg. Rain: 48mm
September
Avg. Rain: 64mm
October
Avg. Rain: 89mm
November
Avg. Rain: 96mm
December
Avg. Rain: 82mm
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