Lodging and Logistics

Lodging

Accommodations are single rooms with private baths. The hotel is a part of a small complex of stone buildings that includes the XIII century San Giovanni Battista Church and a converted rectory where workshops and craft classes will be held.

Meals

One of the pleasures of the program in Erice is the opportunity to experience Sicilian cuisine. Cooks at the hotel and in local restaurants create unique and delicious regional specialties that often include local ingredients such as homemade pasta, cheese, shellfish, pancetta bacon, and prosciutto, to name a few items. While it will be possible for the conference to arrange either a vegetarian diet or a gluten-free diet for those who need it during the session, unfortunately, it will not be possible to accommodate other special food needs during the program.

Computers

A public computer and a printer are available for conference use. Though intermittent at times, free Wi-Fi access is available in the hotel lobby and in the workshop building next door.

Travel

Arrival

Plan to arrive at the Palermo Airport on Sunday, September 20. The trip from the airport to the hotel is approximately one hour and included in the conference fee. The Conference arranges transportation from the airport to the hotel.

Departure

On Saturday, September 26, the last day of the conference, transportation will be provided to the Palermo Airport and is included in the conference fee.

Schedule

Sunday

On arrival day, participants will check in at the hotel front desk and then pick up a registration packet. A light buffet lunch will be available for those arriving in the afternoon and later that night Bread Loafers will gather at the Hotel Moderno for the Welcome Dinner at 8 p.m.

*Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday *

Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. Craft Classes: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Workshops: 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Lunch: 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free Time: 2:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Aperitivo: 5 p.m. Readings: 6 p.m. Dinner: 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Wednesday is a day without workshops and can be used for sightseeing and exploring. The morning features an excursion to Segesta for those who would like to visit the site. The ancient 5th-century B.C. city contains one of the finest examples of a Doric temple in all of Sicily. Transportation and a bag lunch is provided.

Saturday

Departure transportation provided to the Palermo Airport.

Access

Erice is a typical medieval, hilltop town with charming, uneven cobblestone streets and some steep climbs. Though workshops take place in a building across from the hotel, evening meals are offered at different restaurants located in town, around the main square. This requires participants to walk and to manage the steep streets.

• The hotel in Erice does not have an elevator.
• Breakfast and lunch are served on the ground floor of the hotel.
• Some hotel rooms are available on the ground floor.
• Workshops take place in a building across from the hotel with several steps leading up to most of the classrooms.
• The evening readings take place at a church nearby that is a 20-minute walk from the hotel (transportation is unavailable).
• The restaurants for the evening meals are located in town and a 20- to 30-minute walk from the hotel (transportation is unavailable).

Please contact the Bread Loaf office staff at blsicily@middlebury.edu or (802) 443-5286 if you have any questions about access.