Salina Panarea Lipari Milazzo Taormina SICILY Mt. Etna AEOLIAN ISLANDS Stromboli Vulcano ITINERARY DAY 1: TAORMINA  Begin your trip in the Sicilian city of Catania/ Taormina. Catania is the airport and Taormina is the charming town not far away where Greek ruins, Roman walls, bridges and roads, and Norman buildings speak of the great history of this land. Settle into a truly superior and excellently appointed hotel in a perfect location in Taormina. DAY 2: TAORMINA  Our trip is going to focus heavily on minimally developed volcanic islands, so we feel it is in everyone’s best interest to spend today getting to understand Sicilian culture and history on the flanks of Mount Etna. We have secured a well- renowned cultural and social historian to escort us on a half day excursion around greater Taormina. Return to your outstanding Taormina hotel. Distance up to 5 miles. Elevation gain 600 ft. / loss 600 ft. DAY 3: TAORMINA TO VULCANO  This morning we will take a van to Milazzo then ferry to the island of Vulcano. Enjoy a day hike before settling in to your comfortable inn near the Ponente Bay. DAY 4: VULCANO TO LIPARI   Transfer by ferry to Lipari where we will commence on a hike to Santa Margherita, the Gran Crater summit and down to Quattropani. Overnite in Lipari. Distance 6 miles. Elevation gain up to 900 ft. / loss 900 ft. DAY 5: LIPARI TO SALINA  Today we will hop on a ferry or hydrofoil and travel to the island of Santa Marina, the most fertile and green of all the Aeolian Islands. Despite being arguably the most beautiful of all of the Aeolian Islands it has almost entirely escaped the waves of movie stars and VIP tourism that have plagued some of the other Sicilian Islands, leaving the land rural and perfectly pastoral – great for us! After bagging the peak of the resident volcano, we will retire for the evening at an excellent hotel with a classic Aeolian exterior and colorful and modern interior. Distance up to 8 miles. Elevation gain up to 1200 ft. / loss 1200 ft. DAY 6: SALINA TO PANAREA  Off we go by ferry to the fashionable Panarea. Hike Punta del Corvo, one of the grandest treks in all the islands. We are in an elegant three star hotel tonight with beautiful whitewashed walls and deep blue architectural accents. Distance up to 9 miles. Elevation gain up to 1200 ft. / loss 1200 ft. DAY 7: PANAREA TO STROMBOLI  Explore this magical island during the day and hike the active volcano of Stromboli at midnight to observe the magnificent eruption. Distance up to 7 miles. Elevation gain up to 1000 ft. / loss 1000 ft. DAY 8: DEPART  Independently transfer via ferry from Stromboli to Milazzo Port. Take a taxi or bus to your gateway airport. 39 "The food everywhere was excellent; not one complaint or suggestion to improve." – Noel A. TRIP RATINGS Moderate hiking up to 8 miles with ascents up to 2,000 feet. (Trip rating descriptions found on page 8.) EFFORT 3/ 4 COMFORT 3/ 4 2+ / 4 TERRAIN *All ground and ferry transports are included during tour. Luggage transfers from/to port/hotel. NOTE: Daily itineraries on all our guided treks are subject to change. Your guide(s) will make route decisions based on weather and terrain conditions as well as hiker's abilities. MODERATE TO CHALLENGING HIKING