The Aeolian Islands are a fascinating volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily and are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this 8-day tour, explore the beautiful towns of Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, and Salina. Experience nature and culture, and see the traditional village with its white houses and Aeolian architecture. Visit the beautiful Panarea and Stromboli islands on a boat excursion from Tropea, Tour local wineries and vineyards, and enjoy lunch with a tasting of local wines and food stalls from the local market. Enjoy your free time with the chance to walk along charming streets or swim at the seafront's black sand beaches. Take in the dramatic scene of the volcanic activity on the hills while admiring the picturesque sea views.
Highlights
Discover two beautiful Aeolian islands, Lipari and Salina
Visit a local winery and take a stroll through the vineyard
Enjoy a scenic hike and rock formations in Vulcano
Admire the fantastic beaches and marine reserves of Cala Junco
Stroll through the beautiful streets of Stromboli
Enjoy your free time relaxing on the beaches of Salina
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in Sicily at Catania airport to start your adventure, where a private transfer awaits to take you to Milazzo. There, you'll board a ferry to Lipari, the largest of the volcanic chain of the Aeolian Islands. Once you disembark, it's time to settle into your cozy room and wash away any jet lag. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of a local winery and enjoy strolling through the vineyard grounds. As the sun sets, raise a glass in the beautiful natural surroundings and savor the flavors of Sicilian wine.
Kick off today with an exciting walking tour of the Archipelago's main island alongside a knowledgeable local guide. Visit the Archaeological Museum and discover a treasure trove of pre-historic, Greek, and Roman artifacts excavated from the islands and underwater wrecks. After a leisurely lunch of your choice, join your hiking guide and stretch your legs on a hike through the unspoiled southern part of the island. Take in breathtaking views of Vulcano and its craters, A Praia di Vinci, and Faragghiuna from the geophysics observatory. In the evening, wrap up your day with a delectable seafood dinner, feeling rejuvenated after a day of exploration.
Start the day with a delicious breakfast before meeting your local guide. Hop on a ferry boat to the island before embarking on a 40-minute hike to the Great Crater. Once you reach the top, enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the archipelago. After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the island by private car/minivan. Discover the Valley of the Monsters, an area with unique rock formations from the eruption of 183 B.C. End the day back in Lipari, where you can unwind and relax in the evening.
Wake up slowly and savor the morning before embarking on an exciting boat journey to two of the most beautiful islands in the Aeolian archipelago: Panarea and Stromboli. As you disembark in Panarea, take your time exploring this charming and intimate island. You have the freedom to choose how to spend your time here - whether you want to swim in the Cala Junco marine reserve, hike up to the prehistoric ruins at P.ta Milazzese for a breathtaking view, or simply stroll around and soak up the relaxed atmosphere.
Afterwards, continue on to Stromboli, where you can wander through the narrow streets and enjoy the view of the black sandy beach and coastline from the town square. For dinner, you'll have the chance to choose a local restaurant that suits your mood, from seafood to more traditional fare. As we make our way back to Lipari, we'll stop at the Sciara del Fuoco viewpoint to witness the awe-inspiring spectacle of the volcano eruption from the sea. Sip on a glass of Malvasia and indulge in some traditional cookies offered by the captain as you take in the breathtaking scenery, before heading back to your hotel late this evening.
After breakfast, set off on a ferry to Salina, the second largest island in the Aeolian archipelago. Salina boasts a unique topography that is a must-see, including the stunning fern forest, la Fossa delle Felci, situated high on a precipice. The view from here is simply breathtaking, with a staggering drop down to the beaches below. Take a leisurely stroll through Salina and make your way to a local winery to explore the Heroic Vineyards of The Aeolian Islands. You'll be treated to a tasting session of different wines and learn about the wine-making traditions of this beautiful region. For lunch, head to Alfredo restaurant and try the traditional savory bread called cunzatu. Of course, no visit to Salina is complete without trying the most delicious granita on the island.
Later in the afternoon, check into your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening. Dine on delicious food and soak up the beauty of this hidden gem in the Aeolian Islands.
After breakfast, travel to the North-West side of the island of Salina and anchor in the enchanting bay of Pollara beach. This picturesque beach, made famous by the movie Il Postino, is a sight to behold, with its sheer cliffs enclosed by the natural rock arch of Punta Perciato and the Balate, and ancient fisherman's shelters set in the rock. Next, sail towards the northeast coast of Filicudi island, where you'll be greeted with a quiet, informal, and primordial atmosphere. The cliffs on this coast plunge into the sea, providing the perfect diving spot for nature enthusiasts. The crystal-clear waters also offer an incredible naturalistic and archaeological route. Take your time to explore the island at your leisurely pace and head to Belvedere di Stimpagnato to witness the magnificent sunset over the La Canna volcanic sea stack. As the sun sets, descend to the charming village of Pecorini on the southwest side of the island and indulge in an aperitif before returning to Salina for a delectable dinner.
Allow yourself a whole day to unwind and independently explore the island. While Pollara Beach is undoubtedly stunning, there are plenty of other beaches on Salina that are just as picturesque, including Scario, Santa Marina, and Rinella. Each beach has its own unique charm, so be sure to visit them all and see which one is your favorite. For a change of pace, head to the charming village of Malfa. This tiny village is located on the northern coast of the island and is a picture-perfect example of traditional Italian architecture. The village's white houses cling to the slope until they reach the sea, creating a stunning backdrop for your adventures. Don't miss the small beach that adds to the village's charm, and be sure to visit the eighteenth-century church of Sant'Anna. Inside, you'll find a treasure trove of art, including numerous paintings and sculptures that tell the story of Salina's rich history.
Day 8: Milazzo | Return Home
1 Breakfast
After one last leisurely breakfast, take a ferry boat to Milazzo and then a private transfer to Catania Airport (CTA) for your return flights home.
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$4,3102-3 travelers
Notes
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Initial deposit is 20%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and a maximum of $20,000 charge
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The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
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Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
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It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
1 week ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
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Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.