As winter starts to bite, what better than to imagine walking in sun-kissed Italy in the spring?
Strolling amid the seductive landscapes of Sicily and Puglia is the chance to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Experience the warmth of Southern Italian hospitality, relish regional delicacies, and embrace the slow pace of life. Each step unveils a mosaic of traditions, from Sicily’s ancient cultural influences to Puglia’s distinctive architecture, blending fun, relaxation and cultural discovery in these Mediterranean havens.
And savor that wonderful cuisine of the south, paired with delicious local wines to sip over leisurely dinners in amazing locations!
The Mediterranean’s largest island is Italian, but with a twist! Sicily, the sun-baked isle off the toe of Italy’s “boot” has seen centuries of warring by Greeks, Arabs, Romans and Bourbons, which have put an indelible stamp on this crossroads of cultures.
One Walk isn’t enough to discover this wonderful melting pot of history and antiquity so we are offering two – and they sit perfectly together for a true Sicilian experience!
Our Western Sicily tour starts in Palermo and takes us from a remote and peaceful nature reserve to great ancient cities, a Phoenician settlement on a tiny island and the enormous, ruined, temples at Agrigento.
Wildflowers and plants such as orchids, poppies, broom, corn marigold, mimosa and wild fennel abound and the delightful isle of Mozia promises to be blanketed in yellows, blues, pinks and white.
Our Walk in Eastern Sicily takes us from the smoldering flanks of Mount Etna to the streets and alleys of Siracusa where St Paul preached, and the baroque magnificence of Noto. We end on a real high note at the extraordinary Greek theater at Taormina.
Contrast the wonderful Baroque architecture created by man with the silence – apart from birdsong – in the wilderness that is the protected Vendicari Nature Reserve, a complex of coastal marshlands, and home to large populations of migratory birds. Bring your field glasses along with your camera!
Generation after generation of invaders and adventurers from the east and from the north passed through Puglia and left a wonderful legacy.
Dubbed the “Florence of the South”, the city of Lecce is resplendent with ornate Baroque, cherub-strewn architecture and is the perfect starting point to our idyll in this relatively undiscovered gem that forms Italy’s “heel”.
Walking through ancient olive trees, orchards, brushing past fragrant Mediterranean shrubs, and along small seaside cliffs is unforgettable.
To experience Puglia on foot really is to hike through history.
We stroll through the old “trulli” village of Alberobello, with its 1,500 strange, conical dwellings, unique to the area.
And in Matera, experience the extraordinary. Cave dwellings and subterranean rooms in a place hewn out of rock are evidence that humans have lived here for more than 9,000 years.
Stay in the unique Sant’Angelo Hotel and dine by the light of candles in a space carved from the stone. Or enjoy an aperitivo on the terrace and watch the changing light bathe the city as it seems to emerge from the rock face.
Not for nothing is this region nicknamed the breadbasket of Italy. The hot, dry Mediterranean climate and the fertile soil make it one of the leading producers of wheat in the country. As a result, delicious breads and wonderful pasta dishes are sure to be on the menu. There is nothing better to eat with the fresh bread of the region than Puglia’s other famous product, the gold-green olive oil, all washed down with the excellent local wines.
