Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There was a good variety of experiences, from visits to the archeological sites, to free time exploring towns and sampling ice cream in gelaterias, to an amazing walk on the slopes of Etna - and even a wine-tasting afternoon!  The landscape was beautiful, and very varied, and towns and villages were a delight with their cobbled streets and beautiful buildings.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Fabio was first class - all the information we could want, and a great sense of humour as well! 

Most Inspirational Moment

Highlight I would say is Monreale Cathedral, simply awesome inside. We also enjoyed 2 walks around Etna, included in the trip, at different points of South Etna while it puffed away above us. In the old towns it was great to have enough free time to wander around and soak up the atmosphere whilst enjoying the views. The hilltop towns of Ragusa and Erica were particular favourites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabio, was a very personable and knowledgable local guide. If you like food he's the man to guide you on local treats and good eateries. Fabios timings can be a little out. Its best to ask specifically "What time will we arrive at....." rather than how long it takes.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I know it says it in the itinerary, but you do need closed shoes for the Etna walk due to the fine lava granuals, and snow whilst we were there. I wore trainers which were fine. If you walk up around one of the cones, a walking pole is useful, but it will be the only time you use it.In most of the towns you aren't guided, but have free time to explore, normally 2 hours, so may be worth reading up on the towns before you go. If not, they are easily navigable and Fabio provided maps for each one anyway.If you are not on the group flight transfer from Taormina there is a good bus service (ETNA Buses) costing 7.50 Euros and takes 90 minutes to Catania airport. The hotel is below Taormina so you'll either have to drag your cases and use cable car or catch a taxi to the bus station which costs 15 Euros. At Monreale the local guide will offer you a 6 euro, 10 minute tour, of the cloisters. We decided to go to the public loo instead (50 cents). However next to the loos is a grill with an open view of the cloisters. So you maybe happy with this option instead!

Suggestions

We had 15 people on the trip and used 2 minibuses. They were very comfortable and ideal for Sicilys winding roads. Fabio always made sure information was relayed to you if you weren't in his bus. Aircon was no problem either.The villas in San Lito Lo Capo are superb. Out of the way but in a beautiful location. Wished we could have had more time to relax here.We had the pleasure of having Sue Bishop, photographer, on our trip. If you are interested in photography and Sue is on another trip, then I'd recommend going on that date. The trip is still run by the local guide but Sue is always on hand to give advice and discuss anything you wanted to know about photography. She encouraged your questions and prompted great in bus discussions and sharing ideas. Perfect combination.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many! Walking on Etna (especially as rain had been forecast and it turned out to be a beautiful day); visiting the lovely town of Cefalu; the beautiful towns of Ragusa with its stunning baroque architecture, and Erice with its great views; the walk in Zingaro Nature Reserve; seeing the Valley of Temples at Agrigento in the late afternoon sun; picnicing by the sea at Selinute after visting the temples there; and of course delicious Sicilian cakes!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fabio was our leader and he was assisted by Salvo. They also drove the minibuses and did so very well indeed. They also looked after us well and were friendly and helpful throughout the trip. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

It was a fantastic trip but very exhausting as well. Great days but very long after early starts so though not requiring a high level of fitness you need to have a good deal of stamina. Some people may feel there is too much packed into each day but I wouldn't have wanted to miss anything I saw and certainly did allow me to see a great deal of this beautiful island. Take a good guide book. At a number of places our guides gave us a town map and we were free to explore on our own which was nice but with often limited time you need to be organized if you want to do a place justice!

Suggestions

I would certainly recommend this trip. I certainly felt I'd 'done' Sicily and did it with a fun group of people and of course that does make a big contribution to the trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on Etna.The mosaics at Monreale.Enjoying the everyday life in the towns and villages.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the Sicilian way of life, history, geology and natural history. Mario worked very hard to show us as much as he could.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring good walking boots or shoes.It was cold and wet at times - pack with this in mind if you go in October.Take a good guide book and carry it with you at all times as locally available books are heavy and not always easy to find.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights for me were the walk around the old craters of Mt Etna - (the whizz bangs we heard on the first morning were fireworks in the village and not a new eruption!) and the coastal walk in Zingaro Nature Reserve.  The week we travelled was unusually hot, about 35C, but there was still time for swimming in the sea, wandering the winding streets of medieval towns and sampling the local food and wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders/drivers, both very thoughtful and a fund of interesting information.  Good fun too and very tolerant of my attempts to speak Italian.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like to be active, informed and kept busy then go for it and don't forget to try the granita with a brioche.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking on the slopes of Mt Etna in cloud.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent.  Knowledgeable, communicative and good company

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go before they build the Messina bridge and make Sicily more accessible!!

Suggestions

Treasures of SicilyReview/Comments on Trip Code ADZ - 10th -18th Sicily 2011  John Dougill     I have travelled a lot outside the UK but never before in a group or with Exodus.  I had good reports on Exodus from my partner and others.  I was not disappointed.  The Sicily tour was a great experience.  The group size was fine with two leaders who were both knowledgeable on the country and the people.  They were also excellent company.  The programme was maybe a bit ambitious but was varied and stimulating so that one saw something of all the country and was brought to terms with its archaeology, history and architecture with specialist expert guides in the main towns and sites.     There were high spots – an atmospheric walk on the slopes of Etna, the views ever changing in drifting cloud - having the history of Sicily spelt out through the transitions in architecture of the Cathedral in Palermo –a walk through the Zingaro nature reserve with the opportunity to bathe in the pure, clear, Med and lots more.  On details, the accommodation was good with the ‘bed ad breakfast’ stays near Etna and the Zingaro reserve outstanding.  Travel in the two mini-buses was comfortable enough and meant we could use minor roads rather than always sticking to the major highways.  Sicily is large, so the distances travelled each day were appreciable.  This might not suit the elderly or those looking for luxury   I understand that this was only the second time Exodus had run the Treasures of Sicily tour.  If change is needed, it is no more than fine tuning.  As it is, I found the experience enjoyable, stimulating and very good value  JWD October 2011 

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlights for me were the walk around the old craters of Mt Etna - (the whizz bangs we heard on the first morning were fireworks in the village and not a new eruption!) and the coastal walk in Zingaro Nature Reserve.  The week we travelled was unusually hot, about 35C, but there was still time for swimming in the sea, wandering the winding streets of medieval towns and sampling the local food and wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had two leaders/drivers, both very thoughtful and a fund of interesting information.  Good fun too and very tolerant of my attempts to speak Italian.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like to be active, informed and kept busy then go for it and don't forget to try the granita with a brioche.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the cliffs in the beautiful nature reserve with the sparkling sea below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

A delightful person but perhaps a little opaque at times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Recommended but check to see if Exodus have improved the programme and found the money to hire a coach.

Suggestions

We have very much enjoyed Exodus holidays in the past and this one was fun.  However, it had its issues.  I hope it is just teething problems, not a sign that Exodus is moving down market.