8D/7N - 2020 Aeolian Islands - the 7 pearls of Sicily

day 1 Catania

Self-arrival in hotel in the charming city of Catania. Dinner and overnight in Catania hotel.

day 2 Milazzo-Lipari

After breakfast, the Aeolian Islands Tour starts. Day at leisure to enjoy Catania city centre. Free lunch. In the afternoon we will continue to Milazzo where we will take the hydrofoil to Lipari. Lipari is the largest island of the Aeolian archipelago, declared World Heritage Centre. Accomodation in Lipari

day 3 Lipari-Salina

After breakfast we will discover some of the most beautiful bays of Lipari and Salina. After leaving the Castle of Lipari, Monte Rosa and Canneto beach we will make the first stop at Cave of pomice for a swim. We will leave then to sail along Acquacalda bay and we will direct to Salina. The first stop will be at St. Marina Salina to visit the most important municipality of the island. We will visit the wonderful church of Santa Marina with its ancient majolicas! You’ll have time to buy some typical local products such us capers and the liquorose wine Malvasìa. After having skirted the eastern side of the Island, we will stop for a second swim in the charming bay of Pollara, made famous by Massimo Troisi movie “Il Postino”. We will then stop at Lingua, a small fishing village, where in addition to the delightful coves where you can swim, you can visit the salt lake which gave name to this island. Lunch break: you will enjoy the typical “pani cunzatu” and the delicious “granita” served by Alfredo. On the way back we will visit the most beautiful coves of Lipari and we will enjoy a swim in the beach of Vinci, facing the Faraglioni. In the afternoon back to Lipari. Dinner at leisure and overnight at hotel.

day 4 Lipari-Vulcano

Our fascinating Aeolian archipelago tour continues! The day will start by skirting Vulcanello, along the bay where the lava has created fantastic figures: the striking Valley of Monsters! Leaving on the right the Faraglioni and the Grotta degli Angeli, you will admire the active volcano and the Black Sand Bay, renowned for its long volcanic sand beach. We will then continue until the Grotta del Cavallo, near which is the Venus Pool a circular reflecting pool. We will continue sailing along the island until Gelso, a small village almost uninhabited where we will stop for a swim. We will reach the Levante harbour, where you will be greeted by the acrid smell of sulfur. You will have time for a tour around the village, a swim in the pool of sludge, to the acque calde or in the geotermic pools. For those who desire, there will be an opportunity to climb up the crater! Free lunch. Return to Lipari in the afternoon, dinner and overnight.

day 5 Panarea-Stromboli

Before leaving Lipari, we will stop at Cave of pomice where you can enjoy an unforgettable swim. You will then continue up to Panarea, where we will visit the Bay of Calajunco, above which the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese lies, and we will stop in the adjacent Cala Zimmari for one more swim. We will start then, for the scenic ride between the islets by visiting the Cave of Lovers, to arrive at Panarea harbour. Once on the island we will visit the Church of St Peter, which boasts a breathtaking panoramic view, then we will head to the prehistoric village. Alternatively, you can have lunch, take a stroll through the elegant streets, have a swim and enjoy the delicious granita served in the many cafes on the sea front. In the afternoon we will reach Stromboli where we will admire the sea and the small Ginostra and the gigantic rock Strombolicchio. Back on the island, we will visit this charming village up to the house where Ingrid Bergam stayed during the filming of the movie “Stromboli land of God” and where she fell in love with Roberto Rossellini. You will have free time to dine, stroll browsing in shops and in the magnificent gardens or have a swim in the beautiful cobalt blue waters. At sunset we will stop in front of the Sciara del Fuoco, a steep slope crisscrossed by streams of lava, to observe the lava flow and its reddish lapilli. In the evening return to Lipari and overnight.

day 6 Filicudi-Alicudi

We will start the crossing to Filicudi, passing between the Faraglioni. Once near the Island we will skirt it, and we will reach the Grotta del Bue Marino, where we will have an unforgettable swim! Afterwards we will reach the faraglioni: Montenassari, Giafante and especially the very peculiar volcanic nek Canna 85m high. Then we will stop to visit the prehistoric village of Capo Graziano. In the early afternoon, after visiting the ancient mill wheels we will head to Alicudi, the least populated island of the archipelago, which has remained untouched by mass tourism. Walking along the trail will take you back in time, and a refreshing swim here is a must! Return to Lipari in the afternoon. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Lipari

day 7 Lipari

In the morning free time to relax, and to enjoy the sun and the sea. In the afternoon we will visit the Acropolis of Lipari, the Castle, the Cathedral with its attached cloister and the Archaeological Museum. Where lots of documents illustrate the ancient human settlements and the development of civilizations that have occurred in the Aeolian archipelago from prehistory until modern era.

day 8 Lipari - Milazzo

After breakfast, the Aeolian Islands Tour comes to an end. Transfer by hydrofoil to Milazzo.

Inclusions: twin share in 4 star accommodation, breakfasts daily,1 dinner in Catania, private transfer Catania Hotel to Milazzo Port, transfer Lipari Port to Lipari Hotel, return hydrofoil Milazzo / Lipari / Milazzo, boat excursions: Lipari & Salina, Vulcano, Panarea & Stromboli, Alicudi & Filicudi, rentrance fees to the Aeolian Islands, “Pane cunzatu” and granita tasting in Salina in the famous “Alfredo” cafè (day 3), night excursion towards la Sciara del Fuoco in Stromboli (day 5)

Exclusions: city taxes and anything not specified in Inclusions.

Hotels: Catania- 4* Grand Hotel Baia Verde, Lipari- 4*Hotel Bouganville

Note: For organizational reasons or due to force majeure the itinerary may be modified.