Sicily – Active Volcanoes & Islands 8 Days

DISTANCE - BELOW AVERAGE

Distance is not a major consideration in your training program. However, you should still incorporate some long walks as it will increase your cardiovascular fitness.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs. If you do not have access to hills, it it essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible via a treadmill or stair climber. Prioritizing resistance training assumes heightened significance in this context, emphasizing the incorporation of stair climbing whenever feasible. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels ( this may not be possible). Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

TERRAIN - UNEVEN

UNEVEN TERRAIN:

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a nuanced blend of physical and mental readiness. Commence your regimen with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a foundational groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is pivotal, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups to enhance both stability and power. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement. The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

MOUNTAINOUS / UNDULATING TERRAIN

As terrain associated with mountain climbs is often somewhat uneven and rocky, balancing and core exercises are vital. Try to also include some form of elevation in more than 50% of your walking and prioritise resistance training, whilst incorporating stairs anytime you can. Walking up mountains or hills, up and down stairs at work, or up and down at a local oval with a grandstand is incredibly useful. Elevation is often where walkers encounter problems not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles to everyday flat walking. Concentrate on doing lots of squats and lunges to build your glute muscles.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

The best airport to fly into is Catania Airport “Fontanarossa”. Your flight must arrive in Catania by 4:15 p.m. From here, you can take a bus directly to Milazzo or a local bus to the railway station, which will then take you to Milazzo or Messina.
Then you take the hydrofoil/boat from Milazzo or Messina to Lipari. For Hydrofoil/boat timetable check the Ustica Lines company www.usticalines.it/en/ustica-lines_navigazione-veloce-oraristagionali.asp or the Siremar one www.siremar.it

To Milazzo
There are 2 bus companies going to Milazzo from Catania airport: for the first one you can find timetable and information on the website www.eoliebooking.com/navetta/indexeng.asp

ATTENTION!!! Reservations must be made before 13:00 hrs. on the day before the intended journey.
The second direct bus service is Giunta Bus, there are a few rides so please visit the website www.giuntabus.com or call 0039.090.673.782.

As an alternative, you can take one of the several rides of the AMT “457 ALIBUS” coach to go from Catania Airport to Catania Train Station. Please visit www.amt.ct.it/percorsieorari.php or call 0039.095.751.91.11
At Catania railway station, take a local train to Milazzo, check the website www.trenitalia.it

To Messina
To reach Messina, you can take the local bus AMT “457 ALIBUS” from Catania airport to Catania Train Station and then take a train to Messina. For information, websites and phone numbers are indicated above.
You can also take a bus called SAIS Autolinee from Catania to Messina and back, visit the website www.saisautolinee.it/ricerca/index.asp

LUGGAGE TRANSFERS

Luggage transfer is inclusive and arranged by the accommodation or a local taxi company.

Please use our bag tag to mark all your belongings clearly with your name. Labelling your belongings prevents mix-ups, delays, and the risk of losing items. Ask the accommodation owner where you should leave your bags in the morning.

Bags should be ready and at the reception area or storage room by 9:00 AM.

When you travel by public transport, please always take your luggage with you.

A note on our self-guided adventures

Self-guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem-solving skills, be adaptable, and detail-oriented. You should be comfortable in following route notes and have a good sense of direction (or be willing to develop this!).

Like any other trip, self-guided trips require a certain level of tolerance for the unexpected; however, a well-planned and methodical approach helps avert potential problems.

AVAILABILITY

We offer this walk from April to October, as it can get quite cold in the depths of winter, and many accommodations close their doors at this time as well.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance to cover potential losses, damage, or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

You must have purchased travel insurance for all trips that require international travel, including coverage for medical evacuation.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For more than 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks before departure outlining all the fine details and much more.