Walking in Italy

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Places worth a visit

In the south of Italy there are the most impressive volcanoes of the world: Mount Etna, Mt Vesuvius and Stromboli.

Mount Etna is Europe's largest volcano and one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.

Etna lies near the eastern (Ionian) coast of Sicily and occupies a surface area of around 1200 km2 with a perimeter exceeding 135 km.

Its summit height varies frequently in function of eruptive activity.

Mt. Vesuvio (Vesuvius) is probably the most famous volcano on Earth, and certainly one of the most, if not the most dangerous.

It is also notable for having produced the first eruption of which an eyewitness account is preserved, in AD 79.

The situation is still more peculiar as Vesuvio is not the only volcano looming above that area.

There is, on the other side of the city of Napoli (Naples), the caldera of Campi Flegrei, renowned for some cataclysmic ash-flow forming eruptions.

There is also the historically active volcanic complex of Ischia.

Ischia is an island lying off the Gulf of Napoli, 35 km west from Vesuvio. The island is volcanically active and may well erupt in the future.

The Aeolian Islands lie off the northeastern coast of Sicily.

The archipelago consists of seven islands. Lipari, the largest of the islands, is also the most populated and the administrative center of six of the seven islands

• Alicudi   
• Filicudi  
• Salina   
• Lipari    
• Vulcano
• Panarea
• Stromboli

Stromboli is one of the few volcanoes on earth that display continuous eruptive activity.

Most of this activity is of a very moderate size, consisting of brief and small bursts of glowing lava fragments to heights of rarely more than 150 m above the vents.

Eruptions that produce lava flows occur at very irregular intervals that may vary from a few years to more than 15 years.

Travel Ideas

Naples, Capri and the Amalfi coast - 8 days Free guided Bike tour
A 135 km medium difficulty tour available from March to October

• The tour begins in Naples where you'll stay for the first 2 nights.
• Then you'll leave Naples to visit Hercolaneoum, Mt. Vesuvius and the achaeological sites of Pompeii.
• After having reached Vetri sul Mare, a complete tour of the Amalfi coast: Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Sorrento where you'll take the ferryboat to visit the isle of Capri.

Naples, Capri Pompeii and the Amalfi coast - 8 days Self guided Trek
A medium difficulty trekking available all the year

• The tour begins in Naples where you'll stay for the first 3 nights.
• From here you will take the ferryboat to Procidia and for Capri in the gulf of Naples.
• Visit to Pompeii and then to Agerola.
• From there you can explore Amalfi, Positano and Ravello.

The Aeolian Islands and Mt. Etna - 8 Days Self Guided Walking tour
A medium difficulty trip available from April to October

• Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
• Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trekking on Lipari island. Night in Lipari
• Day 3: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, hiking up to the crater and tour of the rim. Night in Lipari
• Day 4: Hydrofoil to Stromboli. Trekking to 400 mt to see the "Sciara del Fuoco"
• Day 5: Relax in the morning and trek on the top of the volcano at the sun set
• Day 6: Hydrofoil to Milazzo and transfer to the southern side of Mt Etna. Short walk, dinner and night
• Day 7: The summit craters of Mt Etna (3350 mt).
• Day 8: Transfer to Catania airport.

The Etna Tour -  7 days Free guided Bike tour
A medium difficulty tour available all the year

• The tour begins in Nicolosi. the base point to visit the Volcano.
• The itinerary continues with the visit of the little towns at the feet of the mountain: Ragalna, S. Maria di Licodia, Biancavilla and Adrano in the west side.
• After the trip goes to the east side of the volcano visiting the cities of Bronte (Italian capital of Pistacchio productions) and Castiglione di Sicilia (The cradle of Sicilian red wine).
• Then you'll reach the Greek town of Giardini Naxos (just under Taormina) along the flow of the Alcanatara river.
• The tour ends in Nicolosi with an excursion on the summit craters of the Etna.

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Places worth a visit

The Etna is an active volcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Catania.

The major part of tourists think that Mount Etna is only an excursion point to visit its craters.

Most tourists don't know that Mt. Etna is a natural park area rich of trekking and biking paths.

It is the highest active volcano of Europe and the 2° most active in the world.

The main points of interest:

• Montagnola: The most imponent cone of the Etna
• Mounts Silvestri
• Summit craters
• The Caves
• The Bove Valley, an enormous volcanic desert
• Forests and Alpine gardens
• Thousand of trekking paths

Travel Ideas

There are 2 ways to discover the main experiences that this wonderful volcano can offer: Cycling and Trekking.

7 days Free guided Bike tour - The Etna Tour

A medium difficulty tour available all the year
The tour begins in Nicolosi. the base point to visit the Volcano. The itinerary continues with the visit of the little towns at the feet of the mountain: Ragalna, S. Maria di Licodia, Biancavilla and Adrano in the west side.

After the trip goes to the east side of the volcano visiting the cities of Bronte (Italian capital of Pistacchio productions) and Castiglione di Sicilia (The cradle of Sicilian red wine).

Then you'll reach the Greek town of Giardini Naxos (just under Taormina) along the flow of the Alcanatara river. The tour ends in Nicolosi with an excursion on the summit craters of the Etna.
Click here to read more information and details »  

8 days Guided Trekking - The Italy's Volcanoes: Stromboli and Etna

A medium difficulty trekking available from March to October
This is a trip at the discovery of the 7 little islands (Aeolian islands) in the north coast of Sicily and the Etna. You'll visit the north side of the volcano and Lipari, Salina, Stromboli and Vulcano. The tour ends in Catania with the possibility to visit its historical center.
Click here to read more information and details »  

How to get there and move around

• By bus - From Catania (railway station) to Nicolosi (Rifugio Sapienza)
• By train -  the Circumetnea

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Events

• August: "Estate Adranita"
• October: "Sagra del Pistacchio" (pistachio nuts)
• June: "Sagra delle Fragole" (strawberries)
• September: “Vinimilo”
• October: "Sagra dei Funghi" (mushrooms)
• October: "Sagra dei Funghi e delle Mele" (mushrooms and apples)
• August: "Palio Medioevale" (medieval event)
• October: "Ottobrata"

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Places worth a visit

The Aeolian islands are an archipelago of 7 islands of volcanic origin situated at the north East of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The islands are:

• Lipari is the main island and the base point to visit all the arcipelago. Worth a visit the archeological museum and the “Terme di San Calogero”.
• Salina is the second biggest island. It’s formed by six inactive volcanoes. The island is famous for its production of Malvasia wine and capers.
• Vulcano is an ancient volcano close to Lipari. Worth a visit its beaches, hot springs and sulfur mud baths.
• Stromboli is also the 2° active volcano of Italy. The main attraction to visit is the Sciara del Fuoco where see the lava explosions.
• Panarea is the most “Luxurious” island: its hotels and nightclubs are crowded with VIPs every summer.
• Alicudi and Filicudi (3/4 Natural Reserve) are isolated and inhabited by few people.

Travel Ideas

Here a list of holiday ideas to visit the Aeolian islands.

8 Days Self Guided Walking tour - The Aeolian Islands and MT Etna

A medium difficulty trip available from April to October

• Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
• Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trekking on Lipari island. Night in Lipari
• Day 3: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, hiking up to the crater and tour of the rim. Night in Lipari
• Day 4: Hydrofoil to Stromboli. Trekking to 400 mt to see the "Sciara del Fuoco"
• Day 5: Relax in the morning and trek on the top of the volcano at the sun set
• Day 6: Hydrofoil to Milazzo and transfer to the southern side of Mt Etna. Short walk, dinner and night
• Day 7: The summit craters of Mt Etna (3350 mt).
• Day 8: Transfer to Catania airport.

12 Days (7 days guided and 4 self-guided) Trekking trip - Aeolian Islands Etna 12 Days

• Day 1: Arrival and check-in at Catania hotel, visit of the town
• Day 2: Transfer by public bus to the southern side of Mt Etna and start of our Tour of Mt Etna over the " Pista Altomontana " Bivouac
• Day 3 : Prosecution on the track towards west. Arrival in the laste afternoon at a chalet and overnight stay.
• Day 4: The "Bottoniera" craters dating 2002-2003. Overnight stay at the chalet.
• Day 5: Private transfer to Milazzo. Hydrofoil to Stromboli, trekking until 400 mt to look at the "Sciara del Fuoco".
• Day 6: Hydrofoil to Panarea, trekking over the top of the island and back to Stromboli in the afternoon
• Day 7: Free morning to enjoy the black beaches and trekking in the afternoon to climb the top of the volcano. Back at night.
• Day 8: Hydrofoil to Lipari, where the guide leaves the group. Day of relax
• Day 9: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, trekking over the crater and tour of the edge. Mud baths and hydrofoil to Lipari
• Day 10: Hydrofoil to Salina, trekking over Monte Fossa delle Felci. Hydrofoil back to Lipari
• Day 11: Hydrofoil to Milazzo and private transfer to Catania
• Day 12: Departure

14 Days Guided Trekking - Aeolian Islands - Mt. Etna - Nebrodi Park - Syracuse

• Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
• Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trekking in Vulcano, mud baths. Night in Lipari
• Day 3: Hydrofoil to Salina, hiking Mt Fossa delle Felci. Back to Lipari
• Day 4: Relaxing morning and trek in Lipari in the afternoon
• Day 5: Hydrofoil to Stromboli and hiking the top of the crater at the sun set. Night in Stromboli
• Day 6: Hydrofoil to Milazzo. Private transfer to the beginning of the trek in the Nebrodi Park. Bivouac
• Day 7: Trekking in the Nebrodi Park with arrival in Randazzo. Night in Randazzo
• Day 8: Transfer by train to Maletto and trekking over the west side of Mt Etna. Bivouac
• Day 9: Trekking to reach the Ragabo pine forest. Night in mountain hut
• Day 10: Trekking on the 2002-2003 "Bottoniera". Transfer in the afternoon to Noto region. Camping
• Day 11: Day of relax in Vendicari natural reserve. Camping
• Day 12: Trekking to Cavagrande del Cassibile gorges and in the afternoon visit to Noto. Camping
• Day 13: Transfer to Syracuse and visit of the Archeological Park. Transfer to Catania and overnight stay
• Day 14: Transfer to Catania airport and departure

14 Days Guided walking trip -  The Grand Tour of Italian Volcanoes

• Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
• Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trek on Lipari island and night in Lipari.
• Day 3: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, trek to the crater, tour of the rim. Mud bath and hydrofoil back to Lipari
• Day 4: Hydrofoil to Salina, trek to Mt Fossa delle Felci. Hydrofoil back to Lipari
• Day 5: Hydrofoil to Stromboli, trek to the top of the volcano with volcano guide. Night in Stromboli
• Day 6: Day of relax in Stromboli, and in the evening ferry to Naples. Night on the ferry
• Day 7: Vesuvius: trek to the top and tour of the rim. Night on the "Costiera Amalfitana", in Agerola
• Day 8: Tour de la "Costa Amalfitana" and trekking to the villages of Ravello and Atrani. Night in Agerola
• Day 9: Positano, "Sentiero degli dei", return in Amalfi and transfer towards Agerola
• Day 10: Transfert to Pompei and visit to this site. Transfer in Napoli and overnight stay
• Day 11: Capri, Hermitage of Santa Maria a Cetrella. Ferry to Catania
• Day 12: Taormina, visit of this very well known town. Transfer to the northern side of Mt Etna and overnight stay
• Day 13: Excursion to Mt Etna, trekking over the "Bottoniera" and the 2002/2003 craters
• Day 14: Transfer to Catania airport and departure

How to get there and move around

• If you come from Italy the best way to arrive in the Aeolian islands is by ferries from Naples -Napoli to Stromboli- (Week departs).
• From Sicily (Messina and Milazzo) and Reggio Calabria there are frequent ferries and hydrofoils.(Daily)
• The main hydrofoil and ferry operators are
• Siremar
• Ustica Lines
• NGI