We’ll fly to Messina and transfer to Taormina, a beautiful small town high above the Mediterranean that serves as a stunning backdrop to the Roman amphitheatre. We’ll spend 3 nights there, stroll through its cobblestone streets, and enjoy the sights and the artifacts. The second day we’ll hike up “La Gola di Alcantara,” a narrowing valley leading up to a waterfall. On the third day in Taormina, we’ll transfer by bus to Mount Etna and explore this mighty (active) volcano. Next we’ll transfer to Piazza Armerina for three nights, a small town nestled in the central mountain range of inner Sicily. We’ll hike to the ruins of a splendid Roman villa just 5 kilometers outside town, and be enchanted by its unique mosaics. We’ll take a day trip to the “Valle dei Templi” (the Valley of the [Greek] Temples), an astonishing area of well-preserved temples, testimony to Sicily’s Greek and Roman past, most recently commemorated by Harris in his book Imperium. We’ll spend the next three nights in Erice, the site of many international conferences given its location and beauty. We can explore this medieval town and its surroundings on foot, or possibly rent bikes to ride along the coast with its “mulini” (windmills) used since antiquity in the production of this coast’s precious good: SALT. We may also visit Marsala, the town where the dessert wine of the same name is produced.

REGISTRATION, DEPOSITS, & PAYMENTS
Adults of any age are welcome, providing very good physical condition. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 84. Adaptability and a sense of adventure are more important than cycling experience. Formal registration must be accompanied by a NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT of $200. EARLY REGISTRATION IS ADVISED! A payment schedule will be sent on receipt of your application and deposit. Fees paid will be refunded, minus deposit, upon withdrawal up to 12 weeks before departure on written notice. After that, housing and airline
cancellation charges will be assessed.