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Islands Born from Fire - Eolian Islands
- 13-days hiking tour on the Eolian Islands: Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Stromboli, Panarea, Vulcano and Lipari -
Highlights
 | All of the 7 islands in one tour without "rushing"
| | Extraordinary and varied landscapes
| | Active volcanic activity on Stromboli and Vulcano
| | Relaxing boat trips and beaches
| | Stunningly located and carefully chosen hotels
| | Authentic Eolian food
| | Competent geologist guide |
 Tour itinerary: Catania (1 night) - Salina (2n) - Filicudi (3n) - Alicudi (day trip) -Stromboli (3n) - Panarea (day trip) - Vulcano (2n) - Lipari (day trip) - Taormina - Catania (1n)
In short:
Tour code: ITA_EOL
Best travel period: April - October
Grading: Moderate-Challenging
Tour character:Half-day and whole-day hikes and private boat excursions
Next departures:
no scheduled dates at present + individual dates
Price (p.p.): 1970 €
(Prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)
Included: | 12 nights accommodation in double room (upper mid-range category ***): 2 in Catania, 2 on Salina, 3 on Filicudi, 3 on Stromboli and 2 on Vulcano
| | Copious half board (breakfast + full dinner menu, excluded drinks)
| | All transports and excursions as described in the program
| | Entry fees to historic sites, volcanoes, etc. as describedFully authorized Volcanologist mountain guide on Stromboli
| | English-Italian-French-German speaking VolcanoDiscovery guide |
Arrival info:The tour starts and ends in Catania. 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.
The Eolian Islands - 7 sisters born from lava and fire in a legendary sea. Volcanic eruptions, water, wind and sun created them and forged the individual character of each, reflected also by old customs and traditions of its inhabitants.
This tour discovers the striking beauty of the archipelago through a series of easy to moderate hikes and boat excursions. Unspoiled nature, turquoise seawater, charming villages, remains of ancient civilizations, exciting geology, and last, but not least, volcanic activity await you. Delicous food, great accommodation and wonderful beaches round out this tour.
Itinerary (13 days)
Day 1: |
Arrival and meeting in Catania
Own arrival in Catania, transfer to hotel in the historic center, group meeting at hotel, discovery of the lively old city starting from its fish gastronomy.
Acc.: Hotel***-**** in the old town of Catania (D)
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Day 2: |
Sail to Salina - hike to Pollara Bay
Sail to Salina, the greenest island. Hike to the Pollara Bay, a spectacular volcanic amphitheater with a shear drop to the sea and boat shelters dug out into the tuff - famous as set for the 1994 movie “Il Postino”.
Acc.: Hotel*** on Salina Island (B, D)
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Day 3: |
Hike to Monte Fossa delle Felci – Malfa Beach
Hike to the highest peak of the islands (964 m a.s.l.) – descend to Malfa beach
Acc.: as before (Salina) (B, D)
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Day 4: |
Sail to Filicudi - hike to the summit
Sail to Filicudi Island - climb to the summit - visit the prehistoric settlement of Capo Graziano
Acc.: Hotel*** on Filicudi Island (B, D)
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Day 5: |
Half-day hike on Filicudi - boat tour
Half-day hike into the wildest part of Filicudi along ancient mule paths through luxuriant vegetation and abandoned villages. Boat trip to “La Canna”, a columnar lava neck emerging from the sea, the “Seal Cave”, and to Pecorini - a fishing hamlet where time seems to have stopped.
Acc.: as before (Filicudi Island) (B, D)
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Day 6: |
Day-trip to Alicudi Island
Day-trip to charming Alicudi Island
Acc.: as before (Filicudi Island) (B, D)
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Day 7: |
Stromboli island - Sciara del Fuoco
Sail to Stromboli Island – half free day - walk to the Sciara del Fuoco to watch eruptions from Sciara del Fuoco
Acc.: beach hotel*** on Stromboli (B, D)
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Day 8: |
Boat trip - climb to Stromboli's craters at night
Relaxed private boat tour (total: 5-7 hrs) around Stromboli, visit and lunch in charming Ginostra village, continue by boat to the Sciara del Fuoco, observe rockfalls and eruptions from the sea, then swim at Strombolicchio. In the evening climb to the craters at night, eruption viewing from close range.
Acc.: as before (Stromboli) (B, L)
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Day 9: |
Day-trip, hike and swim on Panarea Island
Day trip to Panarea, the smallest and most fashionable island. Hike around the whole island climbing to its spectacular cliffs and the summit, Capo Corvo with great views on the turquoise seawater, stop at the prehistoric settlement of Capo Milazzese and swim at Cala Junco, in many's opinion the most beautiful cove of the whole archipelago!
Acc.: as before (Stromboli Island) (B, D)
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Day 10: |
Vulcano Island - mud pools and bubbling seawater
Sail to Vulcano Island - mud pools and bubbling seawater
Acc.: Beach hotel*** on Vulcano (B, D)
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Day 11: |
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)
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Day 12: |
Vulcano's crater - back to Catania
Climb to Vulcano's active crater - transfer to Taormina & Catania
Acc.: hotel***-**** in old city of Catania (B, D)
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Day 13: |
Departure from Catania
Depening on your departure schedule, you can visit Catania's splendid historic center: baroque architecture, Greek and Roman remnants, the Bellini theatre, the lively fish market etc. Transfer to airport / railway station.
Acc.: none (B)
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Group on its way up to Stromboli's craters
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Stromboli in eruption
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View from the top of Panarea onto the islets offshore
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