Sherpa Self-guided Walking Holidays: Sicily and the Aeolian Islands

Tour code: JSA
Revised: October 2008

Walking on the small emerald green Aeolian Islands surrounded by the deep blue of the Mediterranean or on the flanks of active volcanoes are just a few of the highlights on this 10-day holiday. This area of northeast Sicily is of course famed for and dominated by its volcanoes, those fascinating slumbering powerful giants created by the forces and movement deep within the earth’s crust. Magnificent Mount Etna, an active volcano, stands proudly above the surrounding landscapes and has enchanted visitors in both ancient and modern times. If the conditions are right, you’ll get to the main crater of the highest active volcano in Europe from where you can see as far as the ancient Greek and Roman ruins in Taormina on the coast.

The Aeolian Islands form a volcanic arc to the north and although Etna maybe a major attraction, the island hopping part of the tour offers much more besides! All of the islands are a joy to visit; the volcanic cones rise from the sea with lush vegetation growing from the glassy obsidian rock and have settlements scattered along the coasts. You can visit and walk on the island of Vulcano, the Island that has leant its name to this fiery genre since Roman times. Volcano literally means ‘fire spitter’. Nowadays Vulcano is a land of wild and haunting beauty with a jagged coastline looking like tentacles plunging into the sea. You can climb the 'Gran Cratere della Fossa' and walk round the wide crater that belches varying amounts of steam and sulfurous fumes depending on the mood of the mountain. Volcano offers beautiful views over other islands and you can even pamper yourself with a volcanic mud bath! Panarea is the smallest island and our walk to its summit promises some rare botanical specimens. Salinas is the the highest of the seven Islands and a climb through particularly luxuriant vegetation to the summit of Mount Fossa delle Felci is rewarded with more spectacular views. Lipari, our base for 5 nights, is one of the few minor Italian Islands inhabited since ancient times; thanks to the glassy obsidian rock that erupted from its volcano creating a pre bronze-age industry for trinkets and brittle but sharp weapons.

You will experience the emotion stirred up by an active volcano when you to go to Stromboli, on the north of the archipelago, which due to its perpetual activity, is called “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean Sea”. Stromboli Island is a unique and fascinating place, especially during a moonlit nocturnal walk on the mountain, where often there are spectacular explosions of red-hot lava that illuminate the night sky. This volcano lends its name to the term “Strombolian activity” which is applied to all the volcanoes around the world that have small eruptions every 20/30 minutes. We plan to see this activity or the more recent lava flows but access to the mountain is tightly controlled due to safety regulations. We will undertake a walk lead by a volcanologist to the most interesting parts of the island that are accessible at the time. Please note that the guided components of this tour, (the walks on Etna and Stromboli), are undertaken as part of a group guided by a vulcanologist.

The Aeolian Islands are a little paradise where life proceeds at different rhythms, both slower and more relaxed than one might expect. The favorable climate is mirrored by the warmth of the local people The Sicilians are proud of their culture and their cuisine. Test your palate with varied flavours from the bitterness of the local capers to the sweet taste of the ‘malvasia’; every meal can be a gastronomic delight. The natural scenery, crystal-clear waters, beautiful flora, heritage and the historic sights of Taormina combine with the unforgettable thrill of hiking by the steaming fumaroles and onto the craters of live volcanoes to make this a holiday to remember.

Travel Information

Travel: Our air travel package price includes the flight using the scheduled services of British Airways from London Gatwick to Catania. We recommend an early flight that arrives in Catania by about 13.00 to give plenty of time to travel to Taormina and have time to visit the Greek Theatre.
Note that you need to budget about 50 Euros per person for transport, not included in the tour price: This covers things such as Trains, ferries and Hydrofoils.
Please note that as with hotel reservations, the guided components of these tours: the walks on Etna and Stromboli have to be booked in advance. There is limited availability, so you are advised to book as early as possible. On these days you join a group guided by a vulcanologist.

Arrival: The tour starts in Taormina.

End of Tour: After breakfast on day 10 in Nicolosi.

Season: April to June and September to mid October.

The climate in the Aeolian Islands is mild due to the influence of the sea, the temperature ranges, on average, between 16 and 27 degrees centigrade. The winds generally blow from the north-west or the south-east. There are occasionally strong winds: a north wind (called the Tramontana), the warm wind from south-east (called Scirocco) and the south-west wind (called Libeccio) that affect sea currents. The weather on top of Etna can be very changeable and we recommend you to bring a fleece and a waterproof jacket. With wind chill, it can get extremely cold!

Caution

Sherpa cannot be held responsible for ferry/hydrofoil cancellations due to bad weather and if the two guided walks (Etna and Stromboli) need to be curtailed due to extreme local weather conditions or excessive volcanic activity. The decision of the guides and National Park authorities will be final. On the guided walk it is necessary to walk in the areas dictated by the guide. This is totally for your own safety, as it is a potentially dangerous environment.

Level of Difficulty

Grade: Moderate. Distances 5 – 11 km approx, ascents of 400 – 700m. Climbs up the volcanoes can be steep and there is a 2000m descent from Etna, (ascent by vehicle and cable car). Note that the ascent of Stromboli is the most strenuous walk of the week.

Fitness: Clients should have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to climb hills. Although distances walked are not great the ascent included lengthens the time required to complete the full day-walks, most will complete the routes after about 5 hours of walking or less.

Waymarking: Some routes are marked on the ground but others require the use of the maps provided in addition to the route notes.

General Information

Baths: it is not normal for your room to have a bath, the main reason being that it takes up a lot of space, some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but usually en-suite facilities include a shower.

Breakfasts: in countries such as Italy usually consist of coffee and croissant; sometimes, bread rolls, yoghurts, ham and cheese as well. If you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Single Supplements: are payable on most of our tours. The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms.

Language: Note that you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you have left home to experience something different. Bring a phrase book, try to learn a bit of Italian!

Luggage: On this trip you do not walk between hotels so there is no independent luggage transfers. On arrival and departure days and on the days that you travel between hotels you are required to carry you own baggage with you.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis in 2, 3 and 4 star establishments and one night in a guesthouse, with en suite facilities. No evening meals are included but there are good restaurants close by at all the places you stay.

Picnic lunches are not included in the tour price, but materials for picnics can be purchased in each of the towns and most villages where you stay or pass through.

q Night 1: In Taormina you stay at a well appointed 3 star bed and breakfast establishment..

q Nights 2,3,4,5 & 6: On Lipari the accommodation is at a 4 star Residence, where your mini-apartment will have a patio or balcony. It as about 250m to the center of Lipari and less to the sea, so after a days walking it is easy to relax by the water for a while and not too demanding to walk to one of the local restaurants. It is not far from the port but on the days when you are moving your luggage a lift can be arranged at least for your bags.

q Night 7: On Stromboli a guesthouse provides beautiful traditional style rooms with simple furniture and en suite facilities. The situation is quiet, surrounded by olive and lemon trees and not far from a beautiful cove. There is a restaurant serving traditional food of the island and region, perhaps a late lunch here will prepare you for the evening hike!

q Night 8 & 9: In Nicolosi you stay at a 2 star hotel in the center of the town. This old villa has recently been converted and renovated to provide a good standard of accommodation virtually at the bottom of the southern slopes of Etna. The town has in the past been partially destroyed by the Volcano. Nicolosi has about 30 restaurants from which to choose for your evening meals.

Extra nights

Anywhere you like on route. If you have a late flight you will need an extra night in Taormina to be able to visit the sights. Call us to discuss details.

Outline Itinerary

q Day 1 Arrival at Catania airport. Take the airport shuttle bus (departs every 20 mins and takes about 30 mins) to the main Catania rail station to join the train to Taormina. The train journey takes about 45 mins, fares approx 6 Euros per person. You may need to hop in a taxi with your bags to go to the Bed and Breakfast in Taormina. Hopefully you will have time to visit the Greek Theatre (closes 18.00) and wander the old streets to find a restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Taormina

q Day 2 Make your own way back to the train station where you need to buy a ticket to Milazzo, fare approx 6 Euros per person, train journey approx 1hr 45 mins. Here you take the bus or a taxi to the hydrofoil ticket office to collect your ticket to Lipari Island, (ticket included). Transport can be arranged for you and your luggage from the port to the Residence if required. There is time in the afternoon for a short walk or alternatively walk around the town to see the old citadel and marina. Overnight in Lipari.

q Days 3,4,5 and 6 Walking on the Aeolians. You can take hydrofoils to Salina, Panarea and Vulcano islands to enjoy day hikes on these volcanoes. Walks are 8 or 9 km long with 300 – 600m of ascent. There is also a route on Lipari. (Approx 25 Euros for the 3 return hydrofoil trips.) 4 more overnights in Lipari.

q Day 7 Head for the port with your bags ready for the hydrofoil to Stromboli Island, (included). During the morning you can discover the usual tourist charms of the island before hiking on the volcano by night. To undertake this walk you join a group that is accompanied by a volcanologist guide. It starts at approx 4pm and takes about 5 hrs. The route is 9km, with up to 700m of ascent; hopefully you will be feeling fit by this point in the holiday. Please note that the actual walk undertaken will be determined by safety of the paths on this active volcano. There is a short break after every 30 mins and if it is possible to witness the Strombolian eruptions an hour is spent at the observation/viewing site of the crater. For this walk you will need the normal waking boots, warm clothes, waterproofs and food and drink. In addition you will need a torch, handkerchief or scarf to protect your nose and mouth from the dust and a helmet that is supplied and must be worn. This walk is not recommended for asthmatics or vertigo sufferers Overnight in Stromboli.

q Day 8 Hydrofoil back to Milazzo (included) and train to Catania (ticket approx 8 Euro). Then switch to the bus or a taxi for Nicolosi (departs approx every hour fare approx 1 Euro) bus journey is approx 30 mins. You can walk or take a taxi to the hotel (it is 800m on foot). A taxi directly to the hotel is more expensive but can be taken from outside the station; it is about 25km to Nicolosi. Overnight in Nicolosi.

q Day 9 Hiking on Mount Etna. You will need to buy a bus ticket for the 15 minute journey to the cable car station. The cable car and a 4-wheel drive will whisk you up the slopes of Etna, (fares included). The accompanying volcanologist will start the 11km guided walk. The pace will be steady with plenty of stops to learn about the Volcano. There is a lot, 2000m, of descent making walking poles a good idea if you think your knees might find the descent hard. Bus back and overnight in Nicolosi .

q Day 10 Departure and end of services.

Included

Flights with British Airways from London Gatwick to Catania for flight inclusive packages.

9 nights accommodation on double occupancy basis.

Single supplement is available (see price).

9 breakfasts.

Hydrofoil from Milazzo to Lipari.

Hydrofoil from Lipari to Stromboli.

Hydrofoil from Stromboli to Milazzo.

Assistance of a local vulcanologist on Etna.

Assistance of a local vulcanologist on Stromboli.

Not included

Flights if on Land only basis

No baggage transfers are included on this tour, so you are encouraged to pack as lightly and effectively as possible as you will have to carry baggage between trains and ferries etc.

All the transfers and transport not mentioned as included above.

Meals apart from 9 breakfasts.

Any extra nights due to cancellation or restriction of scheduled sea-links from/to the islands.

Travel insurance (essential).

Gratuities for Tour Leaders and/or guides.

Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, phone calls, etc.

On a Self Guided Tour we provide you with:

Route notes, maps, timetables, historical information and local tourist information. All you need to know to plan the finer detail of the trip.

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