Sicily Walking

The transfer time from Catania Airport to Hotel Palazzo Durante is approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on weather and traffic.

One full day, and two half day guided walks are included in the programme as well as half day guided city tour. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Easy to Medium and you can expect to walk between 5 to 9 km per day, with some ascents/descents.  Terrain varies from rocky underfoot to compacted volcanic materials.

• Etna: Length approx. 5 km; Height altitude 2000-2100 meters; journey time  3-4 hours; path on volcanic ash; flora made of endemic bushes. Challenging walk.
• Alcantara George : Length approx. 4.7 km. Moderate walk.
• Valle del Fiume Argo’: Length approx. 7 km; journey time 3 hours. Moderate walk.
• Catania City half day tour

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.

You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.

It is important that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive.

The weather, even in summer, is unpredictable – particularly in mountainous areas. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:

• Walking boots with good ankle support
• Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
• Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
• Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
• Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
• Walking socks – several pairs
• Lightweight fleece or jumper
• Hat & gloves
• Daysack/rucksack for walking
• Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
• Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
• Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
• Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.

We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.

Passport validity requirements
If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Passport stamping At Italian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if visiting your own property (for example, a second home)
• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay. The minimum amount required depends on your accommodation
• follow procedures if you are hosting a guest at your property in Italy

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit. You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets.

Visa requirements

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Compulsory vaccinations:

None.

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. We recommend that you check with your doctor prior to departure as this information can change. You can also visit the travel health website for more information; Italy

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Italy, including the Alps and the Dolomites. More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

Euro

A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required.

The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change.

The airport transfer is unable to stop outside the hotel so it will be necessary to walk the final 5 minutes to the hotel entrance (your luggage will be transferred by hotel minibus) 

Please note the hotel does not allow food and drink purchased from outside of the hotel to be consumed within the hotel.