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CLIMBING IN SICILY
Whether you climb 5.4 or 5.14, the crags of San Vito Lo Capo have you covered. With everything from caves and tufas to pockets, steeps and slabs, and even moderate multi-pitch adventures, Sicily has it all.
The crags around San Vito are stacked with routes from 5.7 to 5.13 in a variety of styles, and if you feel comfortable climbing 5.9-5.10 in the gym, Sicily is going to be perfect for you. Unlike the cracks of Yosemite or the tiny holds of Smith Rock, limestone tends to be a little - well, either more fun, more straightforward, or both.
Many of the crags are recently developed too, meaning new bolts, no slippery polished holds, and tons to explore, all with magnificent backdrops and short approaches.
Each day we’ll head out in small groups of up to five climbers, and we’ll make sure you’re paired with climbers and climbs that match your ability so you don’t have to worry about being held back or pushed too far.
Like all of our sport climbing vacations, this trip is perfect for climbers of any skill level, and is a great opportunity to learn new skills, push your limits, work on your lead game, or just enjoy the ride.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATIONS
Even within the rich tradition of Italian food, Sicilian cuisine in particular holds a special place. With fresh produce, seafood, olive oil, wine and pasta in abundance, we promise you will not go hungry (or thirsty, for that matter).
We like to try hard at the crag, but we also like to relax and we really love to eat, so we’ve hand-picked our favorite restaurants, bakeries and snacks to give you a taste of it all.
We’ve also selected some incredible hotels. We will be staying at Hotel Lampedusa right in the heart of Palermo on arrival and the final day of the trip. For our time in San Vito we have booked all of the rooms at Hotel Artemide, only moments from the beach. We know you’re going to love them just as much as we do. No big deal or anything, but our hotel in San Vito has a roof top pool.
The Schedule
Day 1: Benvenuti in Sicilia!
You get yourself to the Falcone Borsellino Airport in Palermo and we’ll arrange your transport to the hip and centrally-located Hotel Principe di Lampedusa, where you’ll be just a short walk from the famous Cappella Palatina and Cattedrale di Palermo. You’ll be on your own for the evening to explore the historic city center, where your only job will be to find something tasty for dinner and to try to get some sleep.
Day 2: To San Vito Lo Capo
We’ll start the day with breakfast at the hotel before we load up for the hour and a half drive to San Vito Lo Capo and our home for the week, the gorgeous Hotel Artemide. You’ll have the afternoon to relax, settle in, and explore a little before we head out to dinner for our first taste of some of the dishes that make the region famous.
Day 3: Climbing Day #1
We’ll start the day right with some proper Italian coffees, a breakfast buffet, and packing a lunch full of fresh goodies before we head out in small groups for the day to climb. Most of our favorite cliffs are less than a half hour’s drive from town, and we’ll spend the day on the rock before getting back to town for a little downtime before dinner and drinks.
Day 4: Climbing Day #2
We’ll repeat our routine with breakfast and treats from the bakery before heading out to climb again. Depending on the group’s skill levels and goals, we’ll head to multiple crags before converging again for dinner. Destinations include the classic Never Sleeping Wall, the unbelievable cave of the Grotta del Cavallo, and the stacked Torre Isulidda at Fakirella Beach.
Day 5: Rest Day or Climbing Day #3
For folks who are keen on another day of climbing we’ll head out again. For those who want to give their arms a break, they’ll be free to explore town, lay on the beach (no rest day is complete without gelato), or possibly take a field trip to the nearby ancient Phoenician village of Erice. Luckily whatever you choose, you’re in luck because the climbing, lounging and sightseeing are all top notch. We’re also going to give you the night to yourself with no group dinner just to make sure you don’t get sick of us.
Day 6: Climbing Day #4
We’ll once again start with breakfast and this will be our last full climbing day of the trip. It will also be our last dinner in San Vito Lo Capo, and we’ll make it a special one.
Day 7: Half-Day Climbing and Back to Palermo
We’ll get an early start for a morning of climbing before we have to pack up and get ourselves back to Palermo. We’ll spend another night at the Hotel Principe di Lampedusa, and go out for one last farewell dinner.
Day 8: Heading Home
Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and you’ll have to go home. A short ride from hotel to airport should have you on your way.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Giulia Monego
Giulia Monego
Giulia Monego
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
Our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia liv
IFMGA Mountain Guide / Superwoman
Our expert in all things Italian, Giulia was born in Venice and fell in love with the mountains sliding on snow in the Dolomites. She grew up as a ski racer, then switched to competing on the Freeride World tour, and is one of only a handful of women to complete the IFMGA certification in Italy. Giulia lives in Chamonix, France and works, skis and climbs full time. These days she even loves warm rock almost as much as cold snow, and can’t wait to bring her local knowledge to our programs in Sicily and Finale.
Chris Wright
Giulia Monego
Giulia Monego
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Chris has climbed, guided, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the 2020 Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he is always hunting for the perfect rock climbing vacation to provide sun and fun to offset cold nights in snowy mountains. His hardes
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
Chris has climbed, guided, skied and eaten his way across the globe. Winner of the 2020 Piolet d’Or for the first ascent of 7041m Link Sar in Pakistan, he is always hunting for the perfect rock climbing vacation to provide sun and fun to offset cold nights in snowy mountains. His hardest send in Leonidio so far is 7c+ (5.13a), but he’s just as excited about getting back to the spanakopita at the bakery as he is about finding the perfect 8a. Learn more about Chris at his website.
Dylan Taylor
Lizzy VanPatten
Lizzy VanPatten
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
An honorary Italian himself, Dylan loves to surprise the locals as the rare American who speaks the language. Originally from Colorado, Dylan grew up with an obsession for climbing and skiing. His love for the mountains led not only to exploring, but also a Masters Degree in geology. D
IFMGA/AMGA Mountain Guide / AMGA Certified Rock Guide
An honorary Italian himself, Dylan loves to surprise the locals as the rare American who speaks the language. Originally from Colorado, Dylan grew up with an obsession for climbing and skiing. His love for the mountains led not only to exploring, but also a Masters Degree in geology. Dylan lives in Chamonix, is an avid photographer and paraglider, and between guiding adventures finds time for his own expeditions and visiting as many Mediterranean climbing destinations as he can.
Lizzy VanPatten
Lizzy VanPatten
Lizzy VanPatten
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide / Single Pitch Instructor
In only six short years of climbing, Lizzy has managed to amass an impressive resume. In addition to being the founder and owner of She Moves Mountains, America’s leader in climbing instruction for women, she’s also found time to make the first ascent of the hardest trad route put up by
AMGA Apprentice Rock Guide / Single Pitch Instructor
In only six short years of climbing, Lizzy has managed to amass an impressive resume. In addition to being the founder and owner of She Moves Mountains, America’s leader in climbing instruction for women, she’s also found time to make the first ascent of the hardest trad route put up by a woman in Oregon, a fearsome 5.13. When she’s not climbing cracks or helping others achieve their dreams, she’s likely dreaming of souvlaki.
