Sicily walking vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

We advise customers to take reusable water bottles with them on tour. Our local leaders actively do not distribute single-use plastic water bottles. Tap water in Sicily is safe to drink and they encourage customers to refill their bottles from either the tap or, if they prefer, from the filtered water supplier near our hotel in Recanati which charges 4 cents per litre. We advise customers to bring lunch boxes and cutlery for the picnic lunches they need to purchase so plastic waste is minimised.

As a travel company we're acutely aware of our impact on the environment. Each one of our tours displays a carbon footprint, and we're working to reduce our emissions by regularly reviewing our itineraries and embracing lower-impact styles of travel such as trains, public buses or walking – which aren't just better for the planet, but we believe offer a more enjoyable and authentic travel experience too. We're a Certified B Corp that's committed to creating unforgettable adventures while protecting our planet for future generations.

Walking is arguably the greenest from of travel with no carbon footprint. On this walking vacation we hike in a variety of different protected environments including the unspoilt and wild Nebrodi Mountains National Park, the Aeolian islands of Vulcano and Mount Etna Rejional Park regional park. Our hikes allow us to explore with minimal impact on the natural world.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

We advise customers to bring lunch boxes and cutlery for the picnic lunches they need to purchase so plastic waste is minimised. The ancient past of Sicily is one of its most prominent features, and ensuring that historical sites are well maintained is important economically as well as culturally. On this trip customers can visit the Greek Theatre in Taormina and the ancient archaeological sites in Syracusa and one of our walks takes us to the necropolis of Pantalica. The entry fees from these visits helps the conservation and maintenance of these iconic sites.

We strive to support nature and biodiversity through protection and regeneration projects, and for every customer that travels with us we make a donation to Rewilding Britain and Cool Earth.

We encourage customers to avoid single-use plastic on tour, and our leaders give advice on refill points each day. Where tap water isn't safe to drink we recommend Water-to-Go bottles, a filtration bottle allowing you to drink water from any source.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

This center-based trip stays in a small locally-owned and family-run hotel in the Recanati area of Giardini Naxos, a typical Sicilian seaside resort. This helps ensure that our trips benefits the economy directly where we stay. In addition to this we have chosen to offer the trip on a bed and breakfast basis so that, with the assistance of our local tour leaders knowledge, you can dine out in evenings and help support some of the many restaurants close by the hotel where typical local fare is served. Through our partnership you can be sure that financial benefit from this trip will be going directly into the local economy of the places in which you will travel.

The two dinners included are in a restaurant owned by a couple of young brothers that use only local fish, vegetables from the area and meat from local butcher. Wines from Sicilian production.

Our leaders are the heart of tours. They bring passion and unrivalled knowledge of the destinations and communities that we visit. Their guidance ensures we observe the cultural norms in a destination, they act as a bridge between travelers and the local community and ensure that tourism is a positive experience for both host and guest. We believe in supporting local; staying in locally-run hotels, exploring markets, buying snacks from street vendors, and by doing this we add money to the local economy and enhance our connection with the local community.


EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

Our local partner, whom we have worked with for over 25 years are themselves based in Linguaglossa, a town on the slopes of Mount Etna and employ only local drivers and tour leaders. Through our partnership you can be sure that financial benefit from this trip will be going directly into the local economy of the places in which you will travel.

This trip LGBTQ+ friendly.

We believe that diversity is to be celebrated and as a Certified B Corp we're committed to championing equity and inclusion throughout our entire supply chain. We believe that an inclusive approach is essential, and that the best results occur when contributors have different opinions, experiences and backgrounds to bring to the table.