The dates have been set for our unique and wonderful rowing adventure in Sicily. Here is an opportunity to visit the most beautiful beaches and yacht clubs, eat the finest meals and pastries, and enjoy some fabulous wines with fellow rowers and travelers. Native Italian guides and coaches introduce us to the magic of Sicily.

We meet in Palermo on Monday, April 14; settle into our hotel just a few minutes away in the beautiful seaside town of Mondello. Our hotel is situated so near the beach that a 5 minute walk takes us to pristine sand, glistening water, small seaside cafes, bars and shops. Dinner is in a restaurant selected for its grand array of Sicily delicacies as we become acquainted and discuss plans for the week.

We are the guests of a 20 year old rowing club on the sea complete with a restaurant, immaculate lawns, and strong rowers and sailors in its membership of 1500. We will row their boats each day at their Palermo rowing site and when time and conditions permit we row as the guests of other nearby clubs on the sea or on a nearby lake for a different perspective of the rowing life near Palermo.

Our itinerary for the week is designed to make the most of Sicily's attractions beginning at home in Palermo (Sicily's largest port) where we tour the historic center as well as take in the shops and outdoor markets. We pass the Golfo di Castellammare, part of a huge nature preserve, en route to the enchanting medieval city of Erice where we soak up the vistas of the plains of Trapani and the west coast of Sicily from its mountaintop setting. Selinunte offers some of Sicily's ancient Greek ruins considered among the most spectacular in the world. In Monreale we find the Chiostro del Duomo di Monreale with its ornate mosaics that now stand in the place where William II founded a Benedictine monastery in the 1170's.

Days are filled with pastries and coffee and the nights are filled with seafood, pasta, wines, cheese and, if we want, more pastries. Sicilians put their own spin on traditional Italian dishes making use of local ingredients like swordfish, sardines, ricotta cheese, almond paste, capers, eggplants and olives. The renowned Sicilian cannoli is exquisite, the delicately flavored cool creamy filling inside a crispy homemade shell, it is without equal.

As rowers, we will visit some boat clubs, do some sculling and experience Sicily guided by Italians and Sicilians -- a rare treat and the only way to really experience this magnificent, multicultural and varied island. The above are some of the daily activities anticipated for the trip and the itinerary will vary somewhat in order to take advantage of local festivals, markets, or events of interest as well as weather conditions. Non rowing companions (spouses, friends) are welcome; novice rowers are not advised to participate as rowers, however everyone is welcome to enjoy Sicily.

Enzo Ademollo, head coach and co-founder of Terralba Rowing Camp, has decades of experience coaching rowers of all ages as well as being the national coordinator of masters' rowers and on the Italian National Rowing Council.

Eliza Camp, a native English speaker with years of living in Italy and co-founder of Terralba, studied under wooden boat building master Graeme King and in the winter is a professional boat restorer and builder.

Pamela Abraham, a Los Angeles rower, accompanies the rowers until the end of the tour. She is available to answer questions, expedite arrangements and assist in handling organizational matters before and during the holiday.

Total tour of Sicily cost is 1900 € (Euro) for Rowers; 1700 € (Euro) for Non-Rowers. Cost includes:
Hotel accommodations for 7 nights, double occupancy with a single supplement available; minimum of 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners; boats and oars, fees, access to boat clubs; transportation to and from Palermo and all day trips within Sicily.

Cost does not include: Airfare; travel insurance (required); personal items, toiletries, wine and souvenirs; telephone calls; meals and alcohol not listed on the final schedule; transportation and trips not organized by the tour but by the individuals(s); museum entries and other leisure activities.

Space is limited, reservations will be held on a "first come first served" basis; a deposit of 200€ (Euro) is required to secure your reservation. The deposit may be paid by check in the amount of $250 made payable to Callisto Tours, mailed to the address below. Full payment of the tour cost due March 1, 2008 in US dollars calculated at the average exchange rate during the preceding week. In the event a participant must cancel, payment will be returned (less the deposit) if the vacant space can be filled by another participant.

Participants are responsible for determining if the trip is suitable for their athletic ability, fitness level, and state of health, and advising Callisto Tours of any medical or dietary problems (such as allergies) or restrictions prior to booking a trip. Participants are responsible for informing themselves of all passport, visa, and health requirements in relation to their trip and making sure all required documents are in proper order and taken with them on their trip. Participants are responsible for checking in for flights at the correct time. Participants must also sign and submit a Release of Liability and Assumption of All Risk Form and a Personal Information Form prior to departure. Participants are required to respect the laws and customs of countries visited and follow environmental guidelines and regulations while on the trip in accordance with the direction of their guides.

To reserve your place in Sicily, please email us info@callistotours.com. CST# 2002558-10