Feel the Power of the Sicilian Volcanoes with your Family
Lying off the coast of north-east Sicily, the rocky Aeolian Islands are fringed with black sand beaches and decorated by scattered white-washed houses. Using ferry transportation here, we discover this archipelago, starting out on Vulcano where we will trek to the crater rim. Next, we turn our attention towards the fiery Stromboli, which should provide for unforgettable memories. Returning to Sicily, we will discover Mount Etna and the canyons of the Alcantara river area.
Highlights:
- Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
- Extremely varied landscapes of the Aeolian Islands
- Panoramic coastal footpaths and dramatic lava trails
Highlights:
- Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
- Extremely varied landscapes of the Aeolian Islands
- Panoramic coastal footpaths and dramatic lava trails
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to Vulcano (6,7 km 3hrs +390m - 390m)
Individual arrival at Catania airport and private transfer to Milazzo. Hydrofoil to Vulcano (1hour), the closest island to the Sicilian coast, famous for its black beaches and thermal springs. In the afternoon, hike up to Vulcano’s crater that involves a 400 metres (1300ft) ascent and a round trip of about 3 hours with a breath-taking view of the island and of the whole volcanic archipelago. Overnight stay in Vulcano.
Day 2: Vulcano Kayak
Today we will discover the island of Vulcano from the sea: in the morning, we will reach its hidden caves and secret beaches on a kayak excursion with guide. Returning to the shore, in the afternoon, free time to stay at the beach or enjoy the mud baths on the island. Overnight stay in Vulcano.
Day 3: Lipari
Hydrofoil to Lipari, the largest of the islands of the aeolian archipelago, with its tiny but beautiful city centre, its castle and the museum. In the afternoon, you go on a hike to Punta Crepazza, the southernmost part of Lipari, with its beautiful wild nature and the old craters covered with wine yards. In the evening you will be able to dine on a terrace with the fish specialties of the town. Overnight stay in Lipari.
Day 4: Stromboli and Panarea boat excursion
At noon you will reach the small harbour of Marina Corta, where you will set out on a group excursion to Panarea (with its beautiful coves, the lively city-centre, Cala Junco, and the breath-taking view form Capo Milazzese) and then Stromboli for a panoramic view on Ginostra, a stroll around the small village San Vincenzo and a unique view on Sciara del Fuoco at sunset. The boat excursion will end at Lipari harbour at around 10:30 pm. Overnight stay in Lipari.
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Day 5: Taormina
In the morning, hydrofoil to Milazzo harbour where you meet your driver for a private transfer to Taormina, a beautiful medieval town overlooking the sea, with its incredible Greek theatre. Free time to stroll around the narrow streets of Taormina or go for a swim in the Isola Bella natural reserve. In the evening, overnight stay in a typical farmhouse of the region.
Day 6: Etna walk with guide
On this day, you will reach the southern or northern side of the Vulcano, according to your program, where a hiking guide specialising in discovery hikes for families will await you and guide you through the refuges, pine forests, caves, on the easy walking paths that can be found on Etna and introduce you to the morphology, to the fauna and flora and to the history of the eruptions of this majestic and still very active volcano.
At the end of the afternoon, you will get back to the farmhouse you are staying at.
Day 7: Alcantara gorges body rafting
The Alcantara Gorges are one of the geological wonders of eastern Sicily. Exploring them through an amazing body rafting excursion along the scenic canyon walls is one of the funniest ways to say “I have been there… and how!”
At the end of the excursion, free time.
Overnight stay in a typical farmhouse.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to Catania airport. End of our services.
Note: This day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. Although we update our itineraries on a regular basis, to take into account such things as changes to trekking routes and changes in the routing or availability of local transport, it is not possible to guarantee that any of our trips will run exactly according to the proposed itinerary. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions and difficulties with transportation, can lead to enforced changes. The trip leader will make any changes that are necessary.
Individual arrival at Catania airport and private transfer to Milazzo. Hydrofoil to Vulcano (1hour), the closest island to the Sicilian coast, famous for its black beaches and thermal springs. In the afternoon, hike up to Vulcano’s crater that involves a 400 metres (1300ft) ascent and a round trip of about 3 hours with a breath-taking view of the island and of the whole volcanic archipelago. Overnight stay in Vulcano.
Day 2: Vulcano Kayak
Today we will discover the island of Vulcano from the sea: in the morning, we will reach its hidden caves and secret beaches on a kayak excursion with guide. Returning to the shore, in the afternoon, free time to stay at the beach or enjoy the mud baths on the island. Overnight stay in Vulcano.
Day 3: Lipari
Hydrofoil to Lipari, the largest of the islands of the aeolian archipelago, with its tiny but beautiful city centre, its castle and the museum. In the afternoon, you go on a hike to Punta Crepazza, the southernmost part of Lipari, with its beautiful wild nature and the old craters covered with wine yards. In the evening you will be able to dine on a terrace with the fish specialties of the town. Overnight stay in Lipari.
Day 4: Stromboli and Panarea boat excursion
At noon you will reach the small harbour of Marina Corta, where you will set out on a group excursion to Panarea (with its beautiful coves, the lively city-centre, Cala Junco, and the breath-taking view form Capo Milazzese) and then Stromboli for a panoramic view on Ginostra, a stroll around the small village San Vincenzo and a unique view on Sciara del Fuoco at sunset. The boat excursion will end at Lipari harbour at around 10:30 pm. Overnight stay in Lipari.
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Day 5: Taormina
In the morning, hydrofoil to Milazzo harbour where you meet your driver for a private transfer to Taormina, a beautiful medieval town overlooking the sea, with its incredible Greek theatre. Free time to stroll around the narrow streets of Taormina or go for a swim in the Isola Bella natural reserve. In the evening, overnight stay in a typical farmhouse of the region.
Day 6: Etna walk with guide
On this day, you will reach the southern or northern side of the Vulcano, according to your program, where a hiking guide specialising in discovery hikes for families will await you and guide you through the refuges, pine forests, caves, on the easy walking paths that can be found on Etna and introduce you to the morphology, to the fauna and flora and to the history of the eruptions of this majestic and still very active volcano.
At the end of the afternoon, you will get back to the farmhouse you are staying at.
Day 7: Alcantara gorges body rafting
The Alcantara Gorges are one of the geological wonders of eastern Sicily. Exploring them through an amazing body rafting excursion along the scenic canyon walls is one of the funniest ways to say “I have been there… and how!”
At the end of the excursion, free time.
Overnight stay in a typical farmhouse.
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, private transfer to Catania airport. End of our services.
Note: This day-to-day schedule should be taken only as a general guide. Although we update our itineraries on a regular basis, to take into account such things as changes to trekking routes and changes in the routing or availability of local transport, it is not possible to guarantee that any of our trips will run exactly according to the proposed itinerary. A variety of factors, including adverse weather conditions and difficulties with transportation, can lead to enforced changes. The trip leader will make any changes that are necessary.
Skill level: moderate, 2 to 5 hours walking on occasional days, hilly-to-steep terrain.
Accommodation:
2 nights in Hotel*** or apartments in Vulcano
2 nights in a family-run pension in Lipari
3 nights in a farmhouse on the eastern coast of Sicily
Equipment: good and solid trekking boots, trekking trousers and shorts, bathing suit, hat and gloves, wind jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, trekking sticks. We advise you to use two kind of bags. A big one with wheels where you put all your staff. A backpack (40 litres) for your trekking. All transfers are made by car. However, sometimes you have to carry your luggage for short distances (for example when you catch buses and hydrofoil).
Included:
- Accommodation with breakfast
- 3 dinners
- Private transfers as detailed in the program
- Boat excursion to Lipari and Panarea
- Kayak excursion along the coast of Vulcano
- Guided excursion on the slopes of Etna
- Body rafting experience with guide
- Maps, road book and assistance in case of emergency
Not included:
- Hydrofoils tickets
- Lunches and not included dinners
- Hotel taxes
- Everything not mentioned under “Included”
Accommodation:
2 nights in Hotel*** or apartments in Vulcano
2 nights in a family-run pension in Lipari
3 nights in a farmhouse on the eastern coast of Sicily
Equipment: good and solid trekking boots, trekking trousers and shorts, bathing suit, hat and gloves, wind jacket, sunglasses, sun cream, trekking sticks. We advise you to use two kind of bags. A big one with wheels where you put all your staff. A backpack (40 litres) for your trekking. All transfers are made by car. However, sometimes you have to carry your luggage for short distances (for example when you catch buses and hydrofoil).
Included:
- Accommodation with breakfast
- 3 dinners
- Private transfers as detailed in the program
- Boat excursion to Lipari and Panarea
- Kayak excursion along the coast of Vulcano
- Guided excursion on the slopes of Etna
- Body rafting experience with guide
- Maps, road book and assistance in case of emergency
Not included:
- Hydrofoils tickets
- Lunches and not included dinners
- Hotel taxes
- Everything not mentioned under “Included”
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: family adventures
Interest: Volcanoes; Sea and coastal hiking
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct
Group size: from 2 to 15 people
Airport: Catania
