Blind and Partially Sighted Package Holiday in Sicily

Experience an amazing activity-filled holiday to Sicily for blind and partially sighted guests. Explore this incredible island with your own personal chaperone on hand to help you every step of the way. Climb Mt Etna, delight in delicious ice cream and wine tastings, discover unique sensorial attractions, become a culinary master in a Sicilian cooking class, and much more!

Destination

Sicily has long been one of the most fascinating and historically diverse places in Europe. Its position at the southernmost tip of Italy reaches out to the Mediterranean Sea, linking Western Europe to Africa, Greece and the wider Mediterranean. This has given the island an incredibly diverse and rich history, which, when combined with the warm climate and beautiful environment, makes it a perfect holiday location.

Sicily provides incredible activities for all. It’s a great choice for first-time travellers as well as the more experienced. Sports, history, culture, music, food and wine – it really does have it all!

Assistance

If required, we can arrange airport assistance when booking flights (please let us know in advance, as this service needs to be pre-booked). Special assistance staff will meet you at check-in, before guiding you through the airport and helping you onto the aircraft. Some airports include help points outside the terminal – we can check this before booking.

Once you have boarded, the aircraft staff will be able to help assist you during your flight.

The special assistance service will continue when you arrive at your destination, helping you through baggage reclaim, passport control and the arrivals hall, where your holiday guide/chaperone will be waiting with a name card.

On your return journey, your guide will take you to the airport and help you check in. If you have requested special assistance from the airport, you will receive the same assistance as on your outward journey.

Please note: Your holiday guide will stay with you for 10 hours per day during your holiday (not 24) and will accompany you on excursions. On arrival at the hotel, your guide will also familiarise you with the facilities and room. No personal care is included.

Chaperone service

A local chaperone is available to assist you during your entire holiday. They will be informed of your specific needs to ensure your holiday is stress free during excursions, and they will assist you during meals (when requested).

One guide/chaperone is provided to every two to three blind holidaymakers. If you need more/fewer people to help you during your holiday, simply ask us when booking.

The guide/chaperone is always a local tour manager. They will give you the best advice on what to eat, the hidden secrets of the destinations and tips to avoid the tourist traps.

What’s included

• Seven nights / eight days
• 4☆ accommodation
• Four excursions/activities of your choice
• Local guide with a car for the entire holiday

Great accommodation

You will stay only in accommodation where the staff have been informed of your requirements to ensure they understand your needs as a visually impaired traveller.

Food and drinks

We always suggest paying for your meals as you go, as it is cheaper locally. Your guide will help with ordering and translating menus. They won’t stay for the meal unless you need them to. If this is the case, their meal must be covered at your expense.

Accessible excursions and activities

We offer a fantastic selection of excursions, sports, food- and wine-tasting sessions and sensorial experiences suitable for both blind and sighted travellers.

Transport and guiding

From your arrival, the guide will be responsible for your transfer to and from the accommodation, as well as taking you to your activities and restaurants. It will be like having a personal chauffer for a week!

Sample itinerary

DAY 1: Arrival day

Your guide will be waiting at arrivals to take you to your accommodation. Check in and have some relaxing time. Little briefing about the weekly plan.

DAY 2: Catania, Tactile museum and markets

Twenty minutes’ short drive to the Tactile Museum and tour of Catania centre. Walk to the local markets, enjoy lunch with Sicilian tapas and an award-winning ice cream tasting session.

DAY 3: Aci Castello Norman castle

Ten minutes’ walk to visit the Norman Castle in Aci Castello. Lunch in the village. Afternoon free to relax until dinnertime.

DAY 4: Mount Etna

Set off at 11 a.m. for Mount Etna. Two-hour drive with coffee break. Full day activity including cable car ride and honey, olive oil and wine tasting sessions.

DAY 5–6: Free days

Rest day or excursion/activity, decided with your guide.

DAY 7: Organic farm and wine tasting

One-hour drive to the organic farm. Tour of the farm. Traditional Sicilian lunch and optional afternoon wine tasting session.

DAY 8: Leaving day

Check out and be taken to the airport by your guide.

NB: Free days can be changed according to requirements. Pick up times, mealtimes and restaurants will be decided daily with your guide.

Award-winning activities

Sports

• Scuba diving (pool practice, open sea and courses)
• Kayaking and standing up paddling (SUP) in the Mediterranean Sea
• Windsurfing (practice and course)
• Yoga for all ages and ability – hatha and vinyasa
• Relaxing massages and beauty treatments

Culture and cuisine

• Visit Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. Includes honey, olive oil and wine tasting sessions from the volcano. Optional cable car ride up to 3,000 metres (fees extra)
• Make your own Mediterranean olive oil (October and November only)
• Sicilian dessert and ice cream tasting session
• Pistachio day – Learn about the world-famous Bronte pistachios and how they’re raised from lava stones. Plus Nelson’s castle and history of the British in Bronte
• Museum of the British landing in 1943
• Taormina excursion and the Greek Theatre
• Catania excursion, including the folkloristic markets, cathedral and UNESCO baroque road
• Organic farm activity – Sicilian herbs, vegetable garden and farm. Organic lunch and optional wine tasting session (includes tour of the wine cellars)
• Syracuse excursion including the tactile Papyrus Museum, church of Saint Lucia (the protector of the eyes), the Greek Theatre, and Archimedes and Leonardo Museum
• Boat tour of the Faraglioni rocks on the coast (minimum four people)
• Sicilian street food tour
• Sicilian cooking class

Accessible accommodation

Four-star villa in Acitrezza, Sicily

A family-owned complex of beautiful apartment-villas, with fresh breakfast provided every morning, including warm pastries, fruit and cakes. There is a large pool and garden overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Etna.

Features

• 16m x 9m outdoor swimming pool
• One- or two-bed apartments with living room
• Best value for three people or more
• Breakfast available
• Big living area
• Five-minute drive from local restaurants
• Free WiFi
• Garden

Four-star B&B in Aci Castello, Sicily

A boutique family-owned B&B with only five rooms. The owners are very happy to assist during breakfast and provide tea or cocktails by the pool. From June to September you can enjoy their evening summer aperitif with music at the lounge bar by the pool.

Features

• Unique location by the sea
• Garden
• Small pool
• Free WiFi
• Restaurant
• Best choice for singles and couples
• Summer lounge
• Bar available from June–September

NB: More four- and five-star hotels are available on request.

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