Sicily, 2026
We are booked for the Sicilian Odyssey trip next October. We just returned from Tauck/Croatia and found the pace, steps and stairs pretty exhausting. Both Sicily and Croatia are level 3s. What's been the experience of recent travelers to Sicily?
0
Comments
If it’s a 3, then it’s going to be the same. I don’t think comparing with other people is very helpful as everyone has a different idea of their fitness level. I’ve taken tours of Croatia and Sicily with different companies. There was a lot of walking over cobbled and uneven streets and hills. I didn’t find it a problem but then I generally walk a great deal and do exercise class and weights and stretch bands. I’m 72.
Tours are exhausting, but for me, it’s coping with jet lag at the beginning of the tours, not the actual physical demands of the tour. In addition, it depends on the time of year when you go because it is very hot in the summer. Example, we went to Sicily in an April and it was very warm, which I find more difficult. Some people find the early starts difficult too.
I’m sure others will have had different experiences.
I notice you have asked questions before but never acknowledge when a lot of people have ‘ helped ‘ you. Is ir a waste of time?
If you are talking about the Adriatic Treasures trip, I went on that in 2019 and Sicilian Odyssey in 2023, and I would say Sicily is at least as or more rugged than the Croatia trip. It is, after all, a volcanic island. In Sicily, we had 3 individuals with canes and a 4th who should have used hiking poles (he fell twice). Tauck tried to make it work for them as well as possible, but please do look at pictures or Youtube videos before you go, especially the town of Ragusa Ibla, which is an afternoon stop on the tour. Not to say that you shouldn't go, because it is a fantastic trip. But I would say the rating is accurate.
In addition to looking at pictures and videos, many places have been covered by Google Maps street view. I virtually "walked" my hikes to the Monastery and the High Place of Sacrifice in Petra several times before our trip from the comfort of my recliner, using my laptop. As you "walk" you can stop and rotate to get a 360° view of your surroundings.
The light blue lines show the streets you can "walk" in Ragusa Ibla, Sicily using Google Maps Street View!!! (just zoom in a bit and drag the yellow walking man in the lower right, to where you want to start your stroll. Try it with your neighborhood and house.