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Exploring the Mediterranean island’s mercurial landscape

Sicily Walk

An active tour of the dramatic ruins and sweeping coastal vistas of an island as mysterious and shifting as its infamous volcanoes.

Overview

A colorful and memorable active adventure

This walk gives insight into the interactions of the major Mediterranean powers throughout the classical and modern historical periods and explorations of some of the grandest, most violent scenery on Earth. Climb to the top of the crater on Vulcano Island to walk among giant sulphur fumaroles and marvel at expansive views. On Stromboli, we watch the eponymous volcano’s gentle eruptions from the comfort of a sunset cruise.

In the town of Siracusa, we spend a day in Sicily’s past, exploring Baroque architecture, a Greek temple, and Roman altar. As we walk, we investigate the histories and relationships between this unique jewel and the rest of Italy, Europe, and the world. Each day, return to sumptuous accommodations.

Dates

April 26–May 5, 2027

Duration

10 days

Price

From $11,395 per person

Trip size

32 participants
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Faculty leader

A different kind of classroom

With renowned Stanford faculty and scholars leading the way, every Travel/Study trip is a one-of-a-kind educational experience.

Ayla Pamukçu

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Professor Pamukçu works on unlocking the history of volcanoes through observations and data spanning a wide range of scales and perspectives.

Learn more about Ayla

Ayala has a clear passion for her area of expertise. She is knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic. She welcomes and responds to questions, choosing language and giving a depth of information that is appropriate to her audience.”

—Patricia Bashaw

Meet our walking guide

Peter Watson has led the way for Stanford travelers across Western Europe since 1996. His carefully crafted itineraries reflect his passion for the culture and history of the regions we visit. A graduate of Oxford University in French and Spanish literature, Peter provides insightful commentary along our walks, adding to the trip’s educational experience.

Itinerary

Chart your course of discovery

Walk through Sicily’s extraordinary history and landscapes, staying in luxury hotels in Palermo, Vulcano Island, and Siracusa. Trek to Segesta’s ancient temple, hike volcanic craters in the Aeolian Islands, and watch Stromboli erupt at sunset. Explore Norman cathedrals, baroque Noto, Greek theaters, and coastal nature reserves.

  • Palermo, Italy

    Arrive at Palermo airport and transfer together to our hotel in the heart of the city where we spend our first three nights. This evening, join fellow travelers for a reception in the hotel’s historic restaurant.

    Accommodations:

    Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

  • Palermo

    This morning, set out on a walking tour of Quattro Canti, Palermo’s baroque square, to see the Palermo Cathedral, built by the Normans in the 12th century, and the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio. In the afternoon, we visit the stunning Monreale Cathedral. These three religious structures, together with additional structures, form a UNESCO World Heritage site honoring the intersection of Western, Islamic, and Byzantine cultures.

    Accommodations:

    Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Calatafimi

    Travel outside the city to the town of Calatafimi, the starting point for Garibaldi’s march on Rome. Walk through vineyards to the magnificent Temple of Segesta, considered the best surviving example of Doric architecture in Europe. Enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking the temple. After visiting the site, return to Palermo by road.

    Accommodations:

    Grand Hotel et Des Palmes

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Palermo / Cefalù / Vulcano, Aeolian Islands

    Depart Palermo and drive east along the coast, stopping to see the magnificent Cefalù Cathedral. Arrive in Milazzo and board a hydrofoil to reach Vulcano Island, where we spend three nights. Enjoy free time to explore the island before dinner.

    Accommodations:

    Therasia Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vulcano and Lipari

    We concentrate today on the two adjacent and most important islands of the archipelago, Vulcano and Lipari. On Vulcano, climb to the top of the eponymous volcano to walk amongst the sulphur fumaroles and take in the dramatic views. Continue to the neighboring island of Lipari for lunch in a local trattoria. Spend time in the main town with its remarkable museum of ancient history before returning to Vulcano by boat.

    Accommodations:

    Therasia Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Panarea and Stromboli

    After a free morning on Vulcano, travel by hydrofoil to Panarea. Stop for lunch, then walk along the coast to a Bronze Age settlement perched dramatically above the blue waters of the Mediterranean. Later this afternoon, climb aboard our private chartered vessel to visit the nearby island of Stromboli. Take a short walk to view the volcano before returning to the boat to dine al fresco. Continue around the island by boat, watching the sun set and taking in the glorious display of Stromboli, which erupts every 20 minutes.

    Accommodations:

    Therasia Resort

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vulcano / Taormina / Siracusa

    Return by hydrofoil to Milazzo. From there, continue by road on to Taormina. After a walking tour of the town, stop for lunch overlooking the cathedral square. Next, drive south to our final stop at the most beautiful city on the island, Siracusa.

    Accommodations:

    Ortea Palace Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • Vendicari Nature Reserve and Noto

    Venture to the coast at Noto for a morning walk in the Vendicari Nature Reserve through coastal scrub punctuated by some of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily. This afternoon, we visit the nearby town of Noto. Wander the streets of this enchanting city lined in beautiful buildings, all built in the 17th-century Baroque style. Later, return to Siracusa by road.

    Accommodations:

    Ortea Palace Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast and lunch

  • Siracusa

    Spend today in the heart of Sicily’s past. Begin our tour of Siracusa in Ortygia, the main Greek settlement on Sicily and home to a stunning cathedral and wonderful Baroque buildings. Enjoy an independent lunch and time to explore on our own. Later, drive to the Archaeological Park of Syracuse to visit the Greek Theatre of Syracuse and the Altar of Hieron II. Tonight, gather and toast our journey at a reception and dinner overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea.

    Accommodations:

    Ortea Palace Hotel

    Included meals: Breakfast and dinner

  • Siracusa / Catania / Home

    Transfer to Catania airport for our flights home.

    Included meal: Breakfast

Trip details

Start preparing for the trip of a lifetime

From top to bottom, we’ve taken care of all the details, so you can enjoy a no-stress, worry-free travel experience.

Activity level

This program offers a mix of walking in the beautiful Sicilian countryside and visits to historic towns, stunning architecture, and classical remains. On the days we walk in the countryside, the terrain is varied and includes open farmland, coastal paths, and small roads as well as wild mountain landscapes with rough paths and rocky trails. The trails undulate over varied and sometimes muddy and uneven terrain. Our walks range from 3 to 5 miles, or approximately 2 to 3 hours of walking each day. The walks have altitude gains and losses of up to 1,000 feet. All walks are led by experienced leaders. We aim to walk at a pace of a minimum of 2 miles per hour including short rest stops.

Participants must be physically fit, active, and in good health. Travelers should be able to walk carrying a light daypack with rain gear (we walk rain or shine), extra clothing, and personal water supply. Participants must commit to walking with the group for the entire day as there is often no support vehicle or opportunity to otherwise deviate from the excursion. One must be comfortable sitting on a blanket on the ground for picnic lunches. Additionally, travelers must be comfortable making use of a bush, tree, rock, or whatever else the terrain might provide when “nature” is the only restroom available.

Pricing

Secure your spot today

The price of your trip covers a comprehensive educational program in addition to meals, accommodations, tours, and excursions. Continue reading for a full list of what’s included.

Price

Double occupancy:
$11,395 per person

Single occupancy:
$14,495 per person

Stanford Alumni Association nonmembers add $450 per person.

What’s included?

  • Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including an education resource list and travel information

  • Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program

  • Meals, tours, and excursions as described in the itinerary

  • Gratuities to guides and drivers for all group activities

  • 9 nights of deluxe hotel accommodations

  • Group transfers and baggage handling on program arrival and departure days

  • Minimal medical, accident, and evacuation coverage 

You are responsible for your personal travel expenses, including flights to and from the program.

Deposits, payments, and cancellations

A $2,500-per-person deposit is required to reserve space on this program. Final payment is due 150 days prior to program start. Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee, until 150 days prior to program start. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and we resell your place(s), in which case a $2,500-per-person cancellation fee will apply.

Join us in Sicily

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