Spring Birding on Sicily

The agritourist accommodation was in a lovely, natural setting and the meals, cooked by Teresa, were outstanding. Marcus was an outstanding birder and Emily was so kind and helpful. [My highlights were] the flowers, Mt Etna and our dinners with wine and lemon liqueur!

Lovely rural accommodation, truly excellent. Excellent content. Extremely helpful and very knowledgeable [leaders].

The food was excellent; local produce and dishes that the chef/cook was happy to explain. Altogether the former farm was a very good base. Overall the tour was great. We saw a variety of habitats and some historical sites. Highlights for me were the private estate and the trip to Mt Etna. Marcus and Emily were excellent. I can't thank them enough for their unobtrusive support and kindness to me, as I found some bits quite challenging. Their knowledge was also extensive and well articulated. They also made sure that if there was something to see in the scope (eg a turtle dove) that we all had a good view, before moving on.

I enjoyed every minute of every day and evening. The guides, the trips, the agriturismo staff and food, brilliant.

As it was a wildlife holiday nothing could be guaranteed, but this holiday not only met expectations but exceeded them. Our guide, Luca, must have had bionic eyes (as well as having them seemingly in the back of his head also). His encyclopedic knowledge, relaxed attitude and brilliant communicating skills show cased what Sicily was all about. The accommodation was up to Naturetrek's usual standards - the food was outstanding - it has spoiled me for life! Efficient, helpful, friendly. This was the first time that I had travelled abroad by myself and it was seamless. Really can't say anymore - brilliant, thank you.

Leaders- both were excellent! Their thoughtfulness, carefulness and knowledge were very much appreciated and they possessed both general expertise and particular areas of knowledge which complemented each other. I was an absolute neophyte about birds and they both took time to explain and help me find out more. My thanks to them both.

We must start by saying how good the two tour leaders (Dave & Jessica) were…both ensured as far as possible, that we saw all the birds, flowers and insects that were available. The lunches they provided were excellent, varied and plentiful.

Jessica and Stuart worked very hard to ensure we had a good trip. I particularly valued having a botanist and an ornithologist. The Pozzo di Mazza was comfortable and my shared room was spacious. The breakfasts were excellent.

Lovely holiday - a really friendly group - lots of laughs. Stuart was a superb leader in all respects, not only blessed with a wonderful ear and great vision for the birds, but also displaying an infectious interest in all things natural and making sure everyone saw it all.

The team leaders and fellow travellers made this a very special holiday for me. I was a novice bird watcher but with a keen interest in all flora and fauna. The hospitality of Baron Peter and his team was exceptional, as was the food and wine. The weather was glorious and a trip to the crater on Etna especially memorable. We enjoyed the care and expertise of two Naturetrek guides and saw an amazing range of birds, butterflies and flowers.

Naturetrek excelled themselves with the choice of the renovated farmhouse near Siracusa for the Spring Birding in Sicily tour. The farmhouse was full of old world charm and a delight in its own right but with all the necessary facilities, and how marvellous to look out over the estate vineyards and citrus groves at first light, listening to a dawn chorus of Nightingales, Golden Orioles, Sardinian Warblers and the like. Most of the group were so enthusiastic that we usually had a pre, pre breakfast walk. The food was excellent throughout. Dave Nevitt and Luca Sattin were wonderful guides, not only because of their natural history knowledge but also their attentiveness to the clients. Birding excursions visited a good mixture of habitats while additional highlights included a trip to the craters on Mt Etna and dinner at the Baron's palace. We have travelled widely on all continents so we do not hand out such accolades lightly. Well done to all concerned (including the super-efficient office staff).

My late booking was well handled by yourself and my huge room at the Pozzo a bonus. A very enjoyable trip and I'm a happy and satisfied customer.

The accommodation was wonderful with its historic appearance and surroundings of citrus groves and vineyards. The leaders were keen to make sure that we all saw the birds; butterflies, moths and invertebrates were also noted.

The tour leaders, Dave and Stu, were just brilliant with their vast knowledge of birds, butterflies, moths and insects. The two of them made sure everybody saw whatever they particularly wanted to see and were very helpful, friendly and amusing. The accommodation was brilliant and couldn't be faulted and the food amazing.

The accommodation was outstanding - slightly quirky but lovely and Baron Peter went out of his way to ensure our comfort. The food was some of the best we have had on a Naturetrek holiday.