Mountains of Fire: From Stromboli to Etna - walking & study tour with a volcanologist

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)

Etna in eruption, lights of Giarre in the background

On the crater of Vulcano's La Fossa volcano

Highlights

	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)

In short

Tour code: ITA_EST
Tour type: Walking & study tour
Difficulty: Varying, depending on your preferences & itinerary
Tour character: Day- and half-day hikes (varying from easy to moderate), boat trips and excursions, excellent accommodation & food.
Best travel period: April - October
Duration: 9 days (8 nights)

Dates:

8-16 May 10

22-30 May 10

9-17 Oct 10

16-24 Oct 10

Price (p.p.): from 1850 EUR p.p.

(5-10 participants / prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)

Included:

	Accommodation in double (shared) room
	Half-board (usually including dinner menu with wine, beer, coffee etc. in reasonable amounts; in case of late return from excursions: lunch)
	All transports and excursions as described in the program
	Entry fees to museums, volcanoes, archaeological sites etc. as described
	Fully authorized volcanologist mountain guides

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.

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, L, D)*
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.

-> Look at the detailed itinerary!

-> Details, further info & prices

-> Booking inquiry


The castle of Lipari town (Lipari island)	Pumice beach on Lipari	On the rim of Fossa del Vulcano (Vulcano Island)

Etna in eruption	Walking on the slopes of Etna	Group arriving on Stromboli island

Volcanic mud pool (Vulcano island)	Flowers in springtime on Stromboli island	Travelling on a ferry between the Eolian Islands


On the summit crater of Mt. Etna	Dykes at Etna volcano	View of Etna from Taormina

Group on its way up to Stromboli's craters	Stromboli in eruption (1)	Stromboli in eruption (2)

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