1. Weather. Even in June, Erice (751 m on the sea level) is much cooler than expected in Sicily; the lecture hall, with standard air conditioning, has been defined "rather cool". Take with you a variety of warm pullovers, a raincoat and a scarf against the wind. Due to the season someone might suffer of high pollen spring allergy.

2. Social events. A detailed description will be distributed daily in Erice. No extra charge, nor formal dress will be ever be required. Suitable strong shoes are adviced for excursions (see 5.) and for the Erice roads themselves. Additional excursions (see 6.) may be planned for the accompanying members, but they might have to be charged.

3. Religious festivities cannot be scheduled to fit free time.

4. Photos. Provide yourself with a reasonable supply of film if you like photography.

5. Excursions. The two half day breaks (see day-by-day programme) will consist of the excursions to the archaeological site of Mothia (Phoenician) on June 2nd, and of Segesta (Elimian) and Selinunte (Greek) on June 5th, all flourishing up to twenty five hundred years ago( see more on Mothia and Segesta).. An alternative location, for those who will prefer, will be the white sandy beach at S. Vito Lo Capo (sandy beach better seen in the bottom photo, after clicking on "photos", second line in the document "Where is Erice").

6. Unforeseen excursions. Unfortunately, owing to the distance and busy traffic no course excursion will be arranged to the most renown touristic sites in Sicily, Agrigento, the mosaic Villa in Piazza Armerina, Taormina and Volcan Etna (too far), or Palermo City (too busy). Assistance will be given to individual plans. Information can be obtained by the addresses through the gem "Italian Tourist Offices abroad" under FAQ and by the Assessorato Regionale Turismo, Ufficio Informazioni, Via Notarbartolo 11, 90141, Palermo, ph 091 6968201, fax 6968182 or 6968135 or by clicking here. For the sole province of Palermo, contact also Azienda Provinciale Turismo, Pza Castelnuovo 35, 90141 Palermo, ph 091 583847 and 605 8351, fax 586338.A general Sicilian touristic overview is in http://www.regione.sicilia.it/turismo/web_turismo/

7. Singing international folk and popular songs, collected in an informal booklet, has traditionally been the quasi-unique entertainment for several participants after dinner. Locally, only guitars and a piano - if you are lucky - and free marsala wine may help the singing. The "editorial" suggestion for an adequate collection of world renown texts came in 1977 from Charles Taylor, Cardiff. The 25th edition of the booklet, titled “Let Us Become Citizens of the World” with the intention to start building a future cosmopolitan society, will now be available; you are gladly allowed to bring it back home only if you foresee to make "good" use of (i.e. sing with) it there and – more importantly – during future international meetings…….. Additional contributions of widely known texts will be welcome.

8. Caution! Erice is a very safe place by common sicilian standards; sadly, you are reminded that half a dozen participants (out of 4,665 in the thirtynine courses held to date) have had their wallets or purses lifted in cities such as Rome, Naples and Palermo and in trains. One 1991 participant saw her big suitcase "swallowed" while waiting for the metro in Paris; a similar destiny had almost contemporarily a small briefcase - containing lecture notes, etc. - being carried as usually on a little trolley in the departure hall, Rome Fiumicino airport! Be just cautious. In addition please, refuse drinks offered by unknown persons.