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Walking on the Italian vulcanoes
Milazzo-Lipari-Salina-Stromboli-Vulcano-Taormina-Etna
This walking tour ‘Vulcanoes of Sicily’ is simply amazing because you will discover four volcanoes: Etna, Vulcano, Lipari, and Stromboli. Italy is a volcanically active country with 48 volcanoes, containing the only active volcanoes in mainland Europe and two of them erupt frequently the ETNA & Stromboli. The tour starts on the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago with eight noteworthy Islands. UNESCO listed them in 2000 as a World Heritage Site. You will experience an immense emotion admiring a unique landscape, where the sea meets the sky. Visiting the Aeolian Islands you understand a that they are a popular destination: sun, sea, volcanic landscape and a great cookery based on the marine traditions. Enjoy the fresh fish dishes flavoured with fresh herbs, capers and olives.
A highlight will be climbing the Etna, a real wonder of nature, with an ever-changing look. The main crater does not exist anymore, but there are (2019) five minor craters. At the foot of the Etna there are the vineyards producing excellent wines made with local varieties like Nerello Mascalese and Carricante. Another unforgettable experience will be visiting the town of Taormina, a pearl of Sicily and Italy. Enjoy walking along its small streets, with lovely shops, typical restaurants and its magical Greek-Roman amphitheater with breathtaking view over the sea and Etna.
The daily program of the 8-day tour
Individual arrival at Catania and transfer to your hotel in Milazzo. Milazzo is located between two gulfs, the one of Milazzo to the east and that of Patti to the west. The city has a millennial history: the numerous evidences include the Castle, the fortified city and the ancient village, which are UNESCO sites and constitute the Marine Reserve of Capo Milazzo Promontory.
The town is on the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy, as a Honorary Host and is an ideal starting point for visit of the Aeolian Islands, the park of Nebrodi and Tindari.
In the morning, you will take a hydrofoil to the nearby island of Lipari (1 hour).
You will arrive at your accommodation on the island. Later, free time to spend on this enchanting island: visit the magnificent Archaeological Museum, which houses a valuable exhibition of underwater archaeology or walk to the west side of the island to discover hidden part of the island.
Overnight with breakfast at Lipari.
Walking time: 3 hours
Distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 290m – 290m
After breakfast, you will have time to enjoy the wonderful beach of Lipari or you can take the hydrofoil directly to Salina. This island is called the green island, due to its luxuriant nature, given by the numerous fresh water springs. Half of the territory of Salina is a Natural Reserve, which offers itineraries and routes that will allow you to enjoy breathtaking views of the rest of the archipelago.
For your overnight stay you will return to Lipari by hydrofoil.
Overnight with breakfast at Lipari
Walking time: 3 hours
Distance: 6,7 km / 4,1 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 612m – 610m
This morning you will take the hydrofoil or boat to the island of Stromboli (1 hour).
Today, you can have a day of relax on the inviting black beaches, have a stroll on the island and enjoy the fresh seawater. Or you can walk to the Sciara del Fuoco’, where, with a bit of luck, you can see Stromboli’s volcanic activity with an amazing view of the craters. At the end of the day back to Lipari for your overnight.
Your overnight stay with breakfast at Lipari
Walking time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Distance: 6 km / 3,7 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 290m – 290m
Today you can have a day of relax on the wonderful beach of Lipari or you can visit the nearby island of Vulcano. If the volcano allows it, you can reach the “Gran Cratere”, where you can admire Vulcano’s fumaroles. To reach the top of the crater, a short but intense climb awaits you, where the effort will be rewarded by the magnificent view of the other 6 islands of the archipelago. At the end of the day, you will return for your last overnight on the island of Lipari.
Your overnight stay with breakfast at Lipari
Walking time: 3 hours
Distance : 6 km / 3,7 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 390m – 390m
This morning you leave for Milazzo (2 hours) by hydrofoil. From Milazzo a private transfer bring you to Taormina, a small town perched on the mountain façade. Taormina defined more than once, the terrace of the nobility, because during the early eighteenth century famous noble people came here on their holiday. Many foreigners, especially Germans and English people, bought a real estate and built stunning villas. Guests such as William II, Edward VII, the kings of Siam and Tonkin, the Rotschilds, the Morgans, the Krupps, frequented the city.
When you visit Taormina, do not forget to visit the ancient Theatre on the top of the hill: it is the main monument of the city, not only for its artistic value, but also for its stunning location. Romans used this theatre for games and shows and today it is still a popular place for music and theatre events, because of its excellent acoustics. The view enjoyed from the theatre is called the “panorama by excellence“.
This day is dedicated to the exploration on foot of the upper part of the Etna, accompanied by an expert local guide. Etna is the highest and most active volcano of the Eurasian plate and is included in the Unesco World Heritage list since 2013. The volcano occupies an area of 1265 km², with a diameter of over 40 kilometers and a base perimeter of about 135 km. On top, you can see the great craters formed by the eruptions of 2002 and at this height, you have magnificent views of the Ionian coast. Returning to the hotel, you pass along the edge of Valle del Bove, formed by the collapse of an old volcano. The itinerary depends, of course, on the weather conditions and the activity of the volcano, but the objective is to have a marvelous day of adventure.
Your overnight stay with breakfast at Taormina
Walking time: 4 hours
Distance: 6 km / 3,7 mi
Ascent & Descent: + 500m – 500m
Breakfast and end of our services.
Impressions
Milazzo-Lipari-Salina-Stromboli-Vulcano-Taormina-Etna
LEVEL 2
You walk on footpaths and walking trails. The daily distances are not long, but there are some hard climbs. For walkers with enough walking experience and a good physical condition.
The daily distances are between 6 km/ 3,6 mi and 8 km / 5 mi
Total km: 33km / 20,5 mi
DEPARTURES:
Daily from April until end of October (not in August)
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people
START / FINISH:
Catania / Taormina
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