Sicily walking holiday
| country: | Italy |
| location: | Sicily |
| trip type: | Strenuous walking holidays |
| departures: | 2008: 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct 2009: 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May |
| price: | From £903 - £979 (8 days) including flights from the UK, from £659 excluding flights, plus local payment €200. Optional single supplement £175 |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
This exciting one-weeker takes in north-east Sicily and the remote Aeolian Islands. We plan to climb three living volcanoes: Vulcano (500m), Stromboli (924m) and Mount Etna (3323m) - the highest in Europe. Between climbs, we'll relax and enjoy the lively local scene.
Ascent of Mount Etna
Spending our first few days on the Sicilian mainland, on the northern slopes of Etna, we tackle this massif with 4WD vehicles and on foot. Exploring the craters and rumbling lava fields of this active volcano is an extraordinary experience; our summit traverse is quite a challenge, and subject to current volcanic activity and local conditions. On a clear day, the vistas extend across all of Sicily and beyond.
Fiery Stromboli
Sailing past the jagged cliffs of Panarea island, the mysterious cone of Stromboli looms in front of us. The island's active crater towers above the black volcanic beaches and tiny port. We zigzag up a broken path (3-4hrs) through the dense vegetation of the lower slopes, to peer into the crater. Stromboli is one of the world's most active volcanoes - it constantly rumbles and bellows out fumes. Seeing the glow of incandescent lava at night is an experience that defies imagination!
Lipari & Vulcano
We make for the Aeolian island of Lipari. For our first climb we cross to Vulcano, famed for its rugged peaks which rise directly from the sea. We climb a steep path to the crater rim, enjoying the spectacular views of the other islands. Local hot sea-springs make for some great bathing! Finally we head back to the Sicilian mainland for a final night next to the Ionian Sea.
Ascent of Mount Etna
Spending our first few days on the Sicilian mainland, on the northern slopes of Etna, we tackle this massif with 4WD vehicles and on foot. Exploring the craters and rumbling lava fields of this active volcano is an extraordinary experience; our summit traverse is quite a challenge, and subject to current volcanic activity and local conditions. On a clear day, the vistas extend across all of Sicily and beyond.
Fiery Stromboli
Sailing past the jagged cliffs of Panarea island, the mysterious cone of Stromboli looms in front of us. The island's active crater towers above the black volcanic beaches and tiny port. We zigzag up a broken path (3-4hrs) through the dense vegetation of the lower slopes, to peer into the crater. Stromboli is one of the world's most active volcanoes - it constantly rumbles and bellows out fumes. Seeing the glow of incandescent lava at night is an experience that defies imagination!
Lipari & Vulcano
We make for the Aeolian island of Lipari. For our first climb we cross to Vulcano, famed for its rugged peaks which rise directly from the sea. We climb a steep path to the crater rim, enjoying the spectacular views of the other islands. Local hot sea-springs make for some great bathing! Finally we head back to the Sicilian mainland for a final night next to the Ionian Sea.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Join Catania airport; drive to Sant' Alfio, on slopes on Mount Etna; afternoon walk over lava flows. |
| Day 2: | 4WD to 2500m; walk to Etna craters; descend via Torre del Philosofo and Valle del Bove (5-7hrs). |
| Day 3: | Etna North: minibus to 1900m; walk through pine forests; visit eruption site and lava flows (5-6hrs). |
| Day 4: | Hydrofoil to Stromboli; ascent on foot to the crater rim (total 5-7hrs). |
| Day 5: | Ferry to Lipari; optional tour island and thermal baths. |
| Day 6: | On Lipari; boat to Vulcano island; walk up to crater (1hr); visit beach and hot sea springs. |
| Day 7: | Hydrofoil to Milazzo; drive to Rocca Novara and Gola Alcantara for walks; continue to Giadini Naxos via Taormina. |
| Day 8: | Drive to Catania airport where tour ends. |
travellers' tales
Walks interesting, varied and demanding enough without imposing too much strain for those who like walking/scrambling holidays. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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We use a local guide and local Tour Leader on this tour, as well as a special mountain guide, who knows the region very well, having been leading tours up the mountain for 20 years. Our Tour Leaders are trained by us in the importance of responsible tourism with guidance given on how they can make a difference.
All accommodation is locally owned and in which you experience great food, most of which is sourced locally, and lovely Sicilian wine. This not only provides direct employment within the hotel, but also has the effect of percolating money beyond to small businesses that supply the hotel and in this way money is spread throughout the region we visit. Both Etna and Stromboli are both protected sites, and so we ensure we follow our responsible tourism policy of keeping it clean and having minimal impact on the environment here. When visiting Stromboli, there are no cars permitted in the region and so instead, electric cars are used to help prevent pollution and preserve the environment. As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |