dossier

Aeolian Islands Adventure

Day 1 - Arrive in Sicily
We meet you at Catania airport and take you to your hotel in Milazzo (1 / hrs) in time for dinner.

Day 2 - Milazzo to Stromboli
Time to explore Milazzo’s Aragonese castle before taking the hydrofoil (2hrs) to Stromboli. In the afternoon you’ll stroll past black sandy coves and through the bougainvillea-decked streets of the old town. There’s time to relax at our hotel’s private beach before dinner.

Day 3 - Stromboli Volcano  12km/8mi/4hr
With ever widening views over neighbouring Panarea, it’s first up to Sciara del Fuoco- a steep lava slope from where volcanic boulders roll into the sea. Time to observe the smoke plumes of Stromboli’s crater, above, before heading down through Spanish broom for a picnic on the beach.Tonight perhaps take a short walk to a look out point from where the night sky is lit up with molten lava.

Day 4 - To Salina 9.5km/6mi/4hr
It’s a relaxing 2 hour sail over to Salina this morning where your hotel is perched just above the tiny jetty of Rinella. In the afternoon our cliff path affords stunning views over Stromboli to the east and Alicudi to the west.

Day 5 - Lipari Island  13.5km/9mi/5hr
You’ll visit Lipari (50mins) to follow a coastal path lined with prickly pears and dwarf palms. Herring gulls soar above as you reach the Roman baths at San Calogero. Then a paved Roman road leads into Lipari old town, where you can explore the Aragonese castle before returning to Salina for dinner on the sea-front terrace.

Day 6 - Monte Fossa delle Felci, Salina  9km/5mi/5hr
Climbing through grey alder and strawberry trees you’ll soon reach Monte Fossa delle Felci (965m). From here all six of the surrounding Aeolian islands and even the Sicilian coastline are mapped out below. Then, with Eleonora’s falcons cruising the thermals it’s down to the pastel houses of Santa Marina harbour, from where we return by bus for a refreshing swim at our hotel.

Day 7 - Vulcano island  11km/7mi/3hr
No visit to the Aeolian Islands is complete without a trip (1 hour) to Vulcano. Today’s walk is through red and black lava to the rim of the Gran Cratere, from where green sulphur smoke belches out. There’s time for a swim after lunch, before boarding the ferry back to mainland Sicily. You last four nights will be spend in the beautiful mediaeval towm of Montalbano Eliconia

Day 8 - Montalbano and Argimusco  15km/12mi/5.5hr
From Montalbano’s medieval streets, your path climbs gently through hazelnut trees to Argimusco – a fascinating Sicilian ‘Stonehenge’ with encircling views over Etna and the Aeolian islands. After a panoramic picnic, you return through birch and oak forest bright with violet cyclamens.

Day 9 - Montalbano to Plateau di Polverello  16km/13mi/6hr
Today’s path takes you along the lush gorge of the Eliconia River, then climbs gradually through broom vetch and wild roses, with the gulf of Milazzo shimmering below. Onwards to a high plateau, where your walk ends with a refreshing drink in a mountain restaurant in the shadow of Mt Etna.

Day 10 - Mt Etna  14km/10mi/6hr
Today you walk on mighty Mt Etna! Through lava fields to the Grotta dei Lamponi, a cavern hollowed out by molten lava, then through black sands where you’ll have great views of the cinder cone of Mt Nero. Quite a panorama to recall over your final dinner this evening!

Day 11 - Return home
We take you to Catania airport in time for your return flight.