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Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour

- 14-days study & walking tour from Vesuvius to Etna -

Etna volcano in eruptionVesuvius volcano looming over the city of Naples
Complete tour itinerary - click to enlarge it!
Complete tour itinerary - click to enlarge it!
Itinerary for the Bay of Naples region (days 1-4)
Itinerary for the Bay of Naples region (days 1-4)
Tour code: ITA_GTI
Tour type: Walking & study tour: active volcanoes - nature & culture - archaeology
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Duration: 14 days (13 nights)

Dates:

Custom and scheduled dates
13-26 Apr 13

Price (p.p.): 2950 €  ? 

Included:

  • 13 nights accommodation in double room (upper mid-range category)
  • Copious half board (breakfast + full dinner menu, incl. wine, beer, coffee etc. in reasonable amounts)
  • All transports and excursions as described
  • Entry fees to museums, volcanoes, archaeological sites etc. as described
  • Volcanologist guide from our team
This tour starts where volcanology was born: at Vesuvius volcano that destoyed the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 A.D. In a small group and guided by a volcanologist, you'll discover all active volcanoes of Italy. After 3 days in the Gulf of Naples, our discovery continues to the Eolian islands with the permanently active Stromboli, "the Lighthouse of the Thyrrhenian Sea", smoking Vulcano and Lipari, famous for its obsidian and pumice deposits. A 3-days adventure on Etna volcano, the largest and most active of Europe, is bound to be the Grand Finale of the tour that ends in style in the charming town of Catania.
  • All active volcanoes of Italy in one tour
  • Archeological highlights such as Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Wonderful beaches and relaxing boat trips
  • Wonderfully located hotels
  • Delicious South-Italian food and wine
  • Competent volcanologist guide

Itinerary (14 days)

Day 1:

Arrival in Naples
Pick-up from airport / train station and transfer to hotel in the historic center of Naples. Group dinner in a typical restaurant in Naples' lively city center.
Acc.: : hotel*** in downtown Naples (D: dinner)

Day 2:

Vesuvius volcano - Herculaneum
Day trip to Vesuvius volcano, its historic volcano observatory, and the excavated Roman city of Herculaneum.
Acc.: : as before (Naples) (B, L, D)

Day 3:

Pozzuoli and the Campi Flegrei (Phlegrean Fields)
Day-tour to the volcanoes of the Campi Flegrei: Monte Nuovo, Lago di Averna, Pozzuoli and the Solfatara, Cape Miseno. Dinner on beach restaurant.
Acc.: : as before (Naples) (B, D)

Day 4:

Pompeii, evening departure for Stromboli
Pompeii and the historic center of Naples, night ferry to Stromboli island
Acc.: : double cabin on ferry (B, D)

Day 5:

Arrival on Stromboli - climb to summit, eruption viewing
Earayl arrival on Stromboli, day to relax, evening climb to the summit craters to watch the eruptions from close range.
Acc.: : beach hotel*** on Stromboli Island (B)

Day 6:

Boat tour around Stromboli island
Full day on Stromboli: option for additional climb to its craters, excursions e.g. boat trip around the island.
Acc.: : as before (Stromboli) (B, D)

Day 7:

Spare day - Panarea Island
Free day on Stromboli - option for additional excursions, e.g. Panarea island
Acc.: : as before (Stromboli) (B, D)

Day 8:

Stromboli - Vulcano Island
Transfer to Vulcano island, climb of the active crater, visit the hot mud pools and fumaroles on the beach.
Acc.: : beach hotel*** on Vulcano Island (B, D)

Day 9:

Day trip to Lipari island
Day-trip to Lipari island, visit of the historic obsidian flow, pumice quarry, archeological museum
Acc.: : as before (Vulcano) (B, D)

Day 10:

Vulcano-Etna
Transfer to Etna volcano on Sicily
Acc.: : Mountain hotel*** on Etna (B, D)

Day 11:

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 12:

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 13:

Linguaglossa - Alcantara Gorge - Taormina - Catania
Spare day, if not used for Etna we visit attractions nearby around Etna: Linguaglossa, Alcantara Gorge, Taormina with its Greek theatre. In the evening, drive to Catania where we celebrate the last night in its lively historic center.
Acc.: : hotel**** in the historic center of Catania (B, D)

Day 14:

Departure from Catania or own tour extension
The tour ends today with transfer to Catania according to your departure time. Probably, you still have time enough to explore a bit of Taormina or the lively city of Catania itself, which offers more than enough to visit: the famous local market (especially the fish-market is spectacular!), numerous Ancient relics, baroque architecture, or simply enjoy its buzzing charm from one of the plenty street cafes.If you have more time, we recommend you extend your stay in Sicily or on the islands - options of things to do here are nearly unlimited, and we are ready to give you advice.
Acc.: : none (B)

Arrival info:

Travel arrangements to Naples 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. Naples is easily reached by plane or train (e.g. from Rome airport or other cities). When the tour ends in Catania on Sicily, a connecting flight to the departure airport (e.g. Naples, Rome, Milan) can be easily booked for you at low additional cost. The tour can be ideally combined with a preceding or extension program in Italy, including e.g. visiting cities like Rome, Florence or spending more time on Sicily or one of the islands. 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 in Naples, 1 on the ferry in cabins, 3 nights on Stromboli, 2 nights on Vulcano, 3 nights on Etna and one in the historc center of Catania) is maximized in terms of choosing optimum locations, good overall standard, and in particular the ambiance. All hotels are relatively small, clean and friendly, family-run places. In Naples, our hotel (with a cozy roof terrace) is in the lively heart of the old city, giving the opportunity to immerge immediately into this unique city, that lives not only with Vesuvius, but has its own volcano in its soul. On the islands of Stromboli and Vulcano, the hotels are located right on beautiful beaches, with shady terraces overlooking the sea. On Etna, our hotel is located uniquely at the base of the upper flank of Etna, high above the city of Catania and next to the eruptive sites of the 2001 eruptions, now fully restructured and equipped with all facilities.