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Sicily Walk up SIGN ! ONLINE STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY Si c i ly Wa l k ISLAND CROSSROADS of the MEDITERRANEAN May 4 to 15, 2011 a program of the stanford alumni association EAR OF DIONYSUS If you’re an Italophile but have yet to visit Sicily, your enthusiasm is only half-realized! At the crossroads of Mediterranean trade routes, Sicily has been occupied time and again by waves of foreign invaders. From the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and Normans, each succeeding civilization has left its artistic and cultural legacy, resulting in a confluence of styles and traditions that persist to the present day. Traveling over land and on water with Travel/Study faculty leader Scott Pearson and historian Peter Watson, we explore the legacy of these past conquerors while savoring incredible Sicilian olive oils, wines and i dolci during our al fresco picnic lunches. Buon viaggio! Brett S. Thompson, ’83, Director, Stanford Travel/Study Highlights Test the impeccable Dine al fresco amid marvel at the frescoes acoustics in the cavern wildflowers in the shadow of Monreale, one of the known as the Ear of of the 2,500-year-old Doric greatest examples of Dionysus in Siracusa. temple at Segesta. Norman architecture in the world. STROMBOLI AEOLIAN Isola Isola Stromboli Panarea Tyrrhenian ISLANDS Sea Isola Lipari Isola Vulcano I TALY Milazzo Palermo Segesta Taormina Mount S t Etna r a S ICILY it Catania o Ionian f Sea Si ci ly Pantalica Siracusa M e d a Monti i t e r r a n e a n S e Iblei wonderful baroque buildings vulcanologist. Continue along Itinerary on the tiny offshore island of the coast this evening to the Ortygia, ancient Greece’s main famous city of Taormina. settlement in Sicily. Back on the HOTEL VILLA SANT’ANDREA (B,L,D) WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, Option I: approx. 3 hours of walking; MAY 4 & 5 mainland visit the Greek theatre, DEPART U.S. / CATANIA, Option II: approx. 5 hours of walking SICILY / SIRACUSA Roman altar and the Orecchio Depart on overnight flights di Dionìsio (Ear of Dionysus), an MONDAY, MAY 9 artificial limestone cave shaped TAORMINA / PANAREA, to Catania. Arrive at Catania AEOLIAN ISLANDS airport and transfer to our city like a human ear. DES ETRANGERS Drive north to the coast at center hotel in Siracusa where (B,D) City walking Milazzo and board a hydrofoil we spend our first three nights. to reach the superlative Aeolian This evening, gather at our hotel SATURDAY, MAY 7 Islands and in particular the for a welcome reception. SIRACUSA / PANTALICA island of Panarea. Upon DES ETRANGERS Travel inland for a hike through arrival at our hotel, walk along the ancient settlement and the coast to a Bronze Age FRIDAY, MAY 6 necropolis of Pantalica. Situated SIRACUSA settlement perched dramatically At the height of its power, in a river gorge on the Monti above the Mediterranean. Siracusa, the most important Iblei plateau, Pantalica was likely Originally settled by Mycenaean city of Magna Graecia, had the home of the Sicel settlers, inhabitants, Panarea was an an estimated population of who arrived in Sicily from the important maritime settlement 200,000 and according to Italian peninsula about 1200 for the Roman Empire. Cicero, was “the most beautiful BC. After a delectable picnic RAYA (B,L,D) [Greek city] of them all.” Spend lunch continue our walk before Option I: approx. 2 hours of walking; Option II: approx. 3.5 hours of walking the day meandering through returning to Siracusa. DES ETRANGERS (B,L) Siracusa and exploring Option I: approx. 3.5 hours of walking; TUESDAY, MAY 10 the stunning Option II: approx. 6 hours of walking PANAREA / VULCANO / LIPARI cathedral A private vessel takes us to the and SUNDAY, MAY 8 SIRACUSA / MOUNT ETNA / island of Vulcano for a full-day TAORMINA excursion. Ascend to the top Hike on the slopes of Mount of the eponymous volcano Etna as our full day’s walk takes and walk among sulphur us past smoking fumaroles fumaroles, taking in dramatic and steam vents. The eerie views of the surrounding world of lava and ash makes islands. In the afternoon visit for an extraordinary day as the neighboring island of Lipari, we walk with our experienced ETNA AEOLIAN Isola Isola Stromboli Panarea Tyrrhenian ISLANDS Sea Isola Lipari Isola Vulcano I TALY Milazzo Palermo Segesta Taormina Mount S t Etna r a S ICILY it Catania o Ionian f Sea Si ci ly Pantalica Siracusa M e d a Monti i t e r r a n e a n S e Iblei the largest island in the volcanic FRIDAY, MAY 13 PALERMO archipelago that sits between This morning tour Palermo, Walk Vesuvius and Etna. Visit the starting at the center of the archaeological museum, then city, the Quattro Canti. Our Options return to Panarea by boat. city walk also takes us to the RAYA (B,L,D) In order for you to fully Option I: approx. 2.5 hours of walking; Norman cathedral and the enjoy this remarkable Option II: approx. 3.5 hours of walking famous Martorana church. In region of Italy, we’re offering the afternoon visit the stunning two options for many of WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 cathedral at Monreale, one of the PANAREA / STROMBOLI the countryside walking greatest examples of Norman Enjoy a leisurely morning on the days. All walks are led by architecture in the world. island of Panarea before visiting experienced leaders. CENTRALE PALACE (B,L) the nearby island of Stromboli, City walking whose volcano erupts Option I is a relatively easy approximately every 20 minutes. SATURDAY, MAY 14 walk of between three and six Upon our arrival in Stromboli, PALERMO / SEGESTA miles over gentle terrain that Drive west out of Palermo to the enjoy a stroll around parts of allows you time to enjoy the the island to view the volcano. town of Calatafimi, the starting scenery at a more leisurely Enjoy dinner aboard our boat point for Garibaldi’s conquest of pace. before taking a night-time cruise Sicily. Walk through vineyards around the island. Witness to the magnificent temple of Option II is a longer, Stromboli’s eruptions as the sun Segesta, one of the finest Doric more strenuous walk, or sets, an incredible symphony of temples and monuments of hike, of between five and colors unmatched anywhere. the ancient world still standing. 12 miles that allows more Retreat to our hotel in Panarea Savor a picnic lunch overlooking adventurous walkers to for the evening. RAYA (B,L,D) the temple before exploring the explore the higher areas and Approx. 2.5 hours of walking site. Gather this evening for a to see the wilder parts of the farewell reception before dinner. countryside. These walking THURSDAY, MAY 12 CENTRALE PALACE (B,L,D) trails can be rugged, rocky PANAREA / PALERMO Option I: approx. 2.5 hours of walking; Return to the main island by Option II: approx. 4 hours of walking and steep, and provide an hydrofoil and continue by road altitude gain and/or loss of to the capital of Sicily, Palermo, SUNDAY, MAY 15 between 1,000 and 3,000 PALERMO / U.S. feet. On some days Option and check in to our centrally After breakfast, transfer to the II walkers may be asked located hotel. Enjoy leisure airport for return flights to the to carry their own water, time before dinner to explore U.S. (B) supplies and packed lunch. this extraordinary city. CENTRALE PALACE (B,L,D) PRETORIA FOUNTAIN, CATHEDRAL AT PALERMO MONREALE baggage insurance Excess-baggage charges Information Personal items such as email, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup DATES services May 4 to 15, 2011 (12 days) SIZE This program is limited to 32 participants. What to Expect COST* We consider this to be a moderately strenuous $7,795 per person, double occupancy and physically demanding program, depending $8,995 per person, single occupancy in part on your choice of the two walk options *Association nonmembers add $200 per person offered on most days. Walks range from approximately three to 12 miles in length. You INCLUDED need to be physically fit, used to moderate 10 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations 10 exercise and ready to join in daily activities breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners Welcome that require mobility and agility. The weather in and farewell receptions Bottled water on this region may be overcast at times, and rain excursions Gratuities to porters, guides and showers are a possibility. drivers for all group activities All tours and excursions as described in the itinerary Several of our daily excursions might be considered Transfers and baggage handling on program by some participants to be hikes rather than arrival and departure days Minimal medical, walks, but we make every effort not to schedule accident and evacuation insurance Educational any hikes that are beyond the ability of regular program with lecture series and pre-departure walkers. Walking routes in Sicily are rugged and materials, including recommended reading list, steep with elevations reaching approximately a selected book, map and travel information 3,000 feet. Sturdy and broken-in walking boots Services of our professional tour manager to that fit well and provide ankle support are assist you throughout the program essential for all walkers. NOT INCLUDED To get the most out of this Walk, you should International and U.S. domestic airfare be intellectually curious, ready to participate Passport and visa fees Immunization in an intense academic experience and costs Meals and beverages other than those comfortable traveling as part of a group. We specified as included Independent and private welcome travelers 15 years of age and above transfers Trip-cancellation/interruption and on this program.
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