Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024
Time: 03:45–22:30
Location: Saline di Priolo and the site of Thapsos (Sicily)
Birdlife Malta Events & Activities Group are organising a day trip to Sicily on Saturday 12th October 2024 where we will be visiting the Oriented Nature Reserve (RNO) “Saltflats of Priolo” (Riserva Naturale Orientata Saline di Priolo). The site was entrusted to LIPU (Italian League for the Protection of Birds) and was set up to “protect the system of basins which make up the saltflats, where Phragmites and Salicornites grow and which together with the true wetland area, attract a rich variety of migratory and resident avian fauna.”
The area is a Natura 2000 site and due to its location and importance, it has been extended from 50 hectares to over 232 hectares, including many priority habitats located to the south of the area.
From the Reserve we shall proceed to visit the archaeological site of Thapsos located on the Magnisi Peninsula adjoining Priolo. It was an important port/settlement from the Bronze Era to the Iron Age.
Our trek will be easy and be between 8 to 10 km.
Our guide will be Salvatore Barone.
This will be followed by a late lunch at Agriturismo Sant’Antonio (Modica) which will include antipasti, starter, main course, dessert, wine, water and coffee.
The day trip, including the catamaran fare, port charges, coach transport, lunch, tips, guide and VAT, will cost €180 per person.
To apply you need to be a BirdLife Malta member. If you are not a member, please become a member first here.
Then book your place for the Sicily Day Trip by clicking on the booking link below. You will need to enter your membership number to proceed with the booking. Following the booking, please continue to the payment as instructed. Follow the steps below.
- Fill in the Google Form by clicking on the button below, and provide the requested details. (Please note that a separate form has to be filled in for each participant)
- Following your booking, please proceed to pay via bank transfer as follows:
𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆: 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗮
𝗕𝗢𝗩 𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗡: 𝗠𝗧𝟳𝟵𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝟮𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟯𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟬𝟰𝟬𝟬𝟮𝟭𝟲𝟴𝟲𝟳𝟮𝟮
Seats are limited and booking is on a first-come, first-served basis and open until 28th September 2024, unless taken up before.
To participate you must be at least 10 years old (children to be accompanied by a parent/guardian and travel with a passport). If not Maltese, you must carry and quote your passport number. Please ensure that your ID Card/Passport is valid and not expired.
Cancellations made up to 12 days prior to departure will be refunded, but they will be subjected to a charge of €20. Thereafter, no refund will be applicable.
On the day we will meet at the Virtù Ferries Passenger Terminal in Valletta at 03:45 to check in at 04:00, with the ferry leaving at 05:00. The trip back leaves at 20:30 from Pozzallo, Sicily, arriving in Malta at 22:30.
Follow our Facebook event for updates. In case of difficulties please email us on [email protected].
