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Volcanoes of Italy - the Grand Tour
- 14-days study & walking tour from Vesuvius to Etna -
Highlights
 | 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 |
 Complete tour itinerary - click to enlarge it!  Itinerary for the Bay of Naples region (days 1-4)
In short:
Tour code: ITA_GTI
Best travel period: April - October
Grading: Easy-Moderate
Tour character:Hikes (varying from easy to moderate), boat trips and excursions, excellent accommodation and delicious food.
Next departures:
no scheduled dates at present
Price (p.p.): 2590 €
(Prices for smaller or larger groups on request.)
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 |
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.
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 permantently 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 Taormina. 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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Day 7: |
Spare day - Panarea Island
Free day on Stromboli - option for additional excursions, e.g. Panarea island
Acc.: as before (Stromboli) (B, D)
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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)
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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)
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Day 10: |
Vulcano-Etna
Transfer to Etna volcano on Sicily
Acc.: Mountain hotel*** on Etna (B, D)
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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)
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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)
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Day 13: |
Linguaglossa - Alcantara gorge - Taormina
Spare day, if not used for Etna visit of Taormina and other attractions around Etna, such as the Alcantara gorge.
Acc.: hotel**** in the historic center of Taormina (B, D)
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Day 14: |
Departure from Catania or 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 buzzling charme from one of the plenty street cafes.
If you have more time, we recommend you to 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 advise.
Acc.: none (B)
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About this tour:The "Grand Tour" is the common term for the lengthy educative trip to Italy that was considered by Europe's 18th and 19th century elite to be a necessary part of youth education. During the 18th and 19th centuries there was a growing emphasis placed on science and in particular the natural sciences. This interest was reflected in the inclusion of volcanic visits along with the traditional tours of towns like Florence, Rome and Naples. One of the most fascinating volcanoes they studied was Vesuvius, the volcano per excellence. (Vesuvius, in fact, used to be the most active volcano of Europe until 1944, and has been dangerously dormant since then: the longer the repose interval, the more violent is usually the eruption that brings the volcano back to life.)
Today, there is a resurgance of interest in natural phemena such as volcanic activity. With a growing emphasis on the complex interaction of society and nature, more people are wanting to experience and understand these natural wonders.
On this exclusive trip for a small group, parts of the Grand Tour are repeated, but our focus is shifted. It is aimed at interested people who want to get to know a complete picture of Italy's volcanoes, avid photographers and all those with a general interest in nature, volcanoes and their natural and cultural environment.
The tour's leisurely pace allows for sufficient time to explore each volcano. As well, important cultural highlights of southern Italy, such as the towns of Naples, Pompei, Herculaneo, and Taormina, are visited. The trip begins in Naples with an exploration of Mt. Vesuvius and ends in Catania and re-connects with Naples after a 3 day adventure on Mt. Etna.
Accommodation offers comfort and charm in carefully chosen friendly hotels. Last but not least, the delicious cuisine of southern Italy can be regarded as a substantial highlight.
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