Sicily and the Aeolian Islands

Sicily and the Aeolian Islands 8 Days

From $1795 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

3 reviews

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Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands

Overview
Itinerary
Nuts & Bolts
Experts
Operator
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 8 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 62385
Start Location: Catania, Italy
End Location: Catania, Italy

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Trekking
Other Activities: Hiking, Hot Springs, Swimming, Volcanoes, sightseeing, Urban Exploration, ferry cruising, sailing, Walking Tour
Activity Level: Intermediate, Intermediate

An explosive walking holiday in Sicily's Aeolian Islands featuring the volcanoes of Etna and Stromboli. Lying off the coast of north-east Sicily, the rocky Aeolian Islands are fringed with black sand beaches and decorated by scattered white-washed houses. Using ferry transport to travel between these islands, the trekking begins on Vulcano where the walking leads us to the crater rim of the volcano and also visits its hot springs. Spending 2 nights on Lipari, we then take the hydrofoil to Salina where a good, steady trek reaches the high point at Fossa delle Felci (960m./3149ft.). Next, we turn our attention towards walking on fiery Stromboli which should provide an unforgettable highlight of the holiday - volcanic activity permitting. Returning to Sicily, we have 2 days of walking on Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe (3350m./1099ft.). Staying at a hotel at the foot of the volcano, we explore its most recent lava flows as well as walking to the top for far-reaching views. If you are looking for an exciting Mediterranean walking holiday, then volcano trekking in Sicily is sure to ignite you!

Notes: Prices and itineraries shown for trips departing in 2013 may be subject to change although we will endeavour to keep any price increases for 2013 trips to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Catania: We rendezvous at the group hotel in Catania. A single timed escorted transfer using public transport will be provided from the airport to the group hotel close to the town centre. Catania is a pleasant town with a number of striking baroque churches and buildings. There is also a wide choice of restaurants, pizzerias and trattorias, one of which will be picked out for our evening meal. KE group package services begin with dinner. Meals included: Dinner (D)
Day 2: Visit Vulcano and Lipari by Hydrofoil: After breakfast we make the scenic 2-hour drive along the coast road, northwards to the pretty port of Milazzo. From here, we take the hydrofoil (fast ferry) to the island of Vulcano, which is the nearest (most southerly) of the Aeolian Islands and famous for its black beaches and thermal springs. Our hike up to Vulcano’s crater involves 400 metres (1300ft) of ascent and the round trip will take 3 hours. Returning to the shore, there is time to go to the beach and to visit the hot springs. In the late afternoon, we take the 10-minute hydrofoil ride to the adjacent island of Lipari, where we check in at our hotel near the beach of Canneto. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Climb Fossa delle Felci on Salina: Today, we have an excursion by hydrofoil to the 'green' island of Salina which lies just a few kilometres to the north-west of Lipari. Arriving at the port of Rinella, we take a short public bus ride to Val di Chiesa (15 minutes) and the start of our trek on Fossa delle Felci (960 metres / 3150 feet) the highest peak in these islands. This is a pleasant walk through birch and pine woods, involving 720 metres (2360ft) of ascent. The round trip takes 4 hours and on the descent, we will walk back to the coast. In the afternoon, we will take the hydrofoil back to Lipari and stay overnight at our hotel. If time allows, Lipari's Archaeological Museum is definitely worth visiting. (B, L)
Day 4: Trek on Lipari, then ferry to Stromboli: In the morning, we will make an exploration of a part of the rugged southwest coast of Lipari. Our 3-hour hike, with approximately 150 metres of ascent and descent, will take us down to the cliffs above the Mediterrenean, with a wonderful view aver Volcano's crater. In the afternoon, we will take the ferry to Stromboli. After checking in at our hotel, there is plenty of time to take a stroll on the island's black volcanic sand beaches. (B, L, D)
Day 5: Visit the Vulcanology Centre and climb Strombolis volcano: Our main objective today is to make the challenging ascent of Stromboli's commanding volcano (924 metres / 3030 feet). This volcano cannot be climbed if a significant eruption is ongoing and the certified volcano guide who is recruited to accompany the group will tell us if we can make the ascent. The climb starts out on a stone track across open grassland, then reaches the upper slopes of mostly lava and ash scree. The round trip takes 6 hours or so. At the crater viewpoint there is almost always smoke and small eruptions with incandescent material being ejected and sometimes significant lava flow. This is accompanied by bangs and rumbles from within the mountain - most impressive. Before setting off on this climb, there will be a morning visit to the lovely village of San Vincenzo and to the very interesting Vulcanology Centre. Our evening meal today will be a picnic taken on the mountain and our descent will be in the dark - head-torches required. Returning from the volcano, we spend a second night at the group hotel on Stromboli. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Return to Sicily visit to Taormina: No need for an early start today, as we take the late morning hydrofoil back to the port of Milazzo on Sicily. Here, we meet our private transport to Taormina, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where we have 2 hours of free time for visiting the historical centre and the famous Greek theatre. In the afternoon we continue our transfer up to our hotel, which is located at 1900 metres (5450ft) on the southern slopes of Mount Etna. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Hike to the summit of Mount Etna: From the hotel, we use a 4WD vehicle to take us up to height of 2900 metres (9514ft), following a rough and tortuous track. Cinder cones and extinct craters are a feature of the desolate landscape of this upper part of Etna. Setting out on foot, the 450 metre (1475ft) ascent to the cratered summit of Etna takes an hour or so, crossing old lava flows and snow patches (usually). At the summit, we can explore the Central Crater and the Bocca Nuova crater, which formed after the eruption of 1968. From high on the mountain, there is a wonderful panorama of the northern coast of Sicily. We are then faced with a 1690 metre (5550ft) descent to the hotel, which we reach after a round trip of 6 to 7 hours. We use public transport to return to Catania, where we spent our last dinner. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Please note that Mount Etna is an active volcano with a regular eruption cycle and therefore we cannot guarantee that the group will be able to reach the summit on any given departure. The volcano is very carefully watched for activity and the authorities will close the mountain or parts of it to visitors if there is the possibility of eruptions occurring.
Day 8: Transfer to Catania Airport. Depart: After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer (by public bus) to Catania Airport, where KE group package services end. (B)

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

An experienced English-speaking local guide
Additional expert guide on Stromboli and on Etna
Single timed Catania Airport transfers by public bus accompanied by the guide
All land transport involved in the itinerary
All ferry transport between the islands
Hotel accommodation
All meals except dinner on Day 3

Trip Excludes

Travel insurance
Tips for local staff
Dinner on Day 3
Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

Trip ID#: 62385

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (3)

Tracey Plowman

This trip exceeded my expectations. I chose it because it was a 'different' kind of holiday to those I am used to taking, but it was so much better than I thought. The walking was hard work sometimes, but the achievement of reaching the summits felt great. I enjoyed the walking, of course, but it was the overall experience of the volcanoes, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands that made it amazing. The variety of daily treks, and the weather made it a very enjoyable week.
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%
Stewart Herbert

Booking was very easy via the KE website. The staff in the office where helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The meeting at the airport was well organized. All transfers were good even if some were by public transport and a party of 13 sometimes led to overcrowding. The weather was good, the Sicilian pace of life was so laid back, food was good, wine was good, the group was an excellent group to travel with, the trip leader was extremely organized, patient and knowledgeable: and this is before you start talking about the treks and volcanoes. This was nice trekking in a lovely part of the world with nature at its most awe inspiring; I would recommend it to anyone.
- Overall Rating
  70%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  80%
- Itinerary Rating
  80%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%
Carol Birch

Storms and heavy rain curtailed the climb up Etna but that was just one of those things. As we had had wonderful close up experiences on Vulcano and Stromboli we didn't feel that we had missed that much. What I most enjoyed - Evening climb to the Stromboli crater, magnificent sunset followed by a full moon to help light the way down - and a great display of activity at the top after darkness fell.
- Overall Rating
  90%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  90%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  90%

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