Mountains of Fire - Stromboli to Etna
- walking & study tour to Etna, Vulcano, Lipari and Stromboli -
"Hey, Tom! Thanks again for a really terrific trip. I think I can easily say that it was the most memorable trip of my life! If you ever need anyone else to give a recommendation, feel free to call on me." (Steve L., Chicago)

- Active volcanic activity on Etna and Stromboli
- Small group size
- Beaches and accommodation
- Good levels of effort and relaxation
- Delicious south-Italian food and wine
- Competent volcanologist guide

Tour itinerary: Catania - Taormina (1n) -
Vulcano (1n) - Stromboli (3n) -
Lipari -
Etna (3)


Tour code: ITA_EST
Tour type: Walking & study tour
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Duration: 9 days (8 nights)
Dates:

9-17 Oct 10

16-24 Oct 10

7-15 May 11

14-22 May 11

21-29 May 11
Price (p.p.): from 1850 EUR p.p.
Included:
- Accommodation in double (shared) room
- Half-board (except on day to climb Stromboli), usually dinner menu (including water and table wine or beer, coffee in reasonable amounts)
- All transports and excursions as described in the program
- Entry fees to museums, volcanoes, archaeological sites etc. as described
- Fully authorized volcanologist mountain guides
On this classic among our volcano tours, we visit some of the most active and most interesting volcanoes in the world:
Etna, the giant, ever-changing volcano that dominates Sicily;
Vulcano, in the Ancients' belief home to Vulcanus, God of Fire;
Lipari with its spectacular obsidian and
pumice deposits; and last, but not least
Stromboli,- the "Lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian Sea", the permanently active volcano that gave a whole type of eruptions its name.
Itinerary 9 days
Day 1: |
Arrival in Catania on Sicily
Arrival and pick-up in Catania, private transfer to the hotel in the old city of Catania
Acc.: hotel**** in old town of Catania or Taormina (D)
|
Day 2: |
Taormina - Vulcano Island
Transfer to Vulcano Island, visit of fumaroles on the beach, volcanic mud pools, swimming. Climb Vulcano's active crater.
Acc.: Beach hotel*** on Vulcano Island (B, D)
|
Day 3: |
Vulcano - Stromboli Island - climb active craters
Transfer to Stromboli. Free time until afternoon, climb to Stromboli's active craters, eruption viewing from close range.
Acc.: Beach hotel on Stromboli *** (B)
|
Day 4-5: |
Two full days on Stromboli
Two full days on Stromboli: boat trips around the island and to the Sciara del Fuoco at night. Optional other excursions (e.g. day-trip to Panarea). Optional additional climbs to the active craters of Stromboli.
Acc.: as before (Stromboli) (B, D)
|
Day 6: |
Stromboli - Lipari - Etna
Transfer to Lipari island, visit of castle, archeological museum and obsidian deposits. In the afternoon, transfer to Etna.
Acc.: Mountain hotel*** on Etna at 1900 m a.s.l. (B, D)
|
Day 7: |
Excursion to Etna's summit craters
Full day excursion towards the summit region of Etna, to observe its smoking craters and volcanic activity if present..
Acc.: Acc: as before (Etna) (B, D)
|
Day 8: |
Etna: Valle del Bove
Second full day excursion on Etna. An interesting option includes a spectacular hike into the giant Valle del Bove depression on the SE flank.
Acc.: as before (Etna) (B, D)
|
Day 9: |
Departure or tour extension
Departure from Catania or extension program
Acc.: none (B)
|
Note:
Due to weather conditions and volcanic activity, the exact itinerary might vary slightly.
Arrival info:
Travel arrangements to and from Catania are not included in the tour package, in order to give everybody the best chance to plan his/her trip according his preferences. Catania is easily reached by plane or train (e.g. from Rome airport or other cities). We will be happy to make suggestions and can help you with such travel arrangements, as well as assist you with your international travel to Italy.
Accommodation:
Throughout the trip, the accommodation comfort (3 nights on Etna, 1 night on Vulcano, 3 nights on Stromboli and 1 night in Taormina) is high and fits perfectly into each place's particular ambiance. On the islands of Stromboli and Vulcano, the comfortable hotels*** are right on beautiful beaches, with inviting terraces overlooking the sea.