TOUR PROGRAM

Day 1
Catania day (accommodation for 3 nights)
The tour will start in Catania. We will drive through rich countryside to an undiscovered village replete with faded churches and curious townspeople. In Catania we discover the local Cathedral, Crociferi’s Street, cradle of catanese baroque, Church of Collegiata and the characteristic Fish Market. Then we will move to Acireale (20 km) and to the Cyclops’ Reefs raised from the sea. It’s supposed to be the rocks hurled by the Cyclops Polyphemus after Ulysses had blinded him by thrusting a blazing stake into his single eye.

Day 2
Taormina day-trip
We will discover the romantic Taormina, including the Greek Theatre, where from the upper tiers there is an admirable view between the stage columns of the coastline and Etna; the Public Gardens, a terraced garden of flowers and exotic plants. We will walk along the main street and enjoy the fabulous panoramic view on the coastline.

Day 3
Volcano – Mount Etna day-trip
Departure to the highest active Volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Reach by private coach Piano Provenzana at 1.800 m./ 5906 ft., where the road ends. Travel up the mountain by coach to personally witness the spectacular landscapes sculpted by fire. On the way up you can admire grown fields and vineyards. Our exciting walk takes us across the lava fields from the 1983 eruption above the town of Randazzo, which the lava flow narrowly missed.


Aeolian Islands days (accommodation for 4 nights in hotel or on board of the ship)
From the port of Milazzo we will board for a four day cruise to discover the enchanting Aeolian Islands:

Day 4
Lipari and Volcano day
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands. Upon arrival you will begin the walking tour of the Citadel or Acropolis with some archaeological remains. Here we will visit the Archaelogical Museum (Classic section). Afterwards we will enjoy a stroll along the main street Corso Vittorio Emauele. After lunch drive trhough the 27 kms round trip: set out from Lipari Citta' in the direction of Canneto, to the north. We stop to the viewpoint of Quattrocchi, Quattropani, Porticello and Campo Bianco with the magnificent huge white cliffs of pumice. Stop in Canneto to enjoy a refreshing "granita" before driving back to Lipari Citta'.

Afterwards departure by hydrofoil to Vulcano: it was on this island that ancient greek mythology placed the forge of Hephaestus, the god of fire who worked as a blacksmith with the assistance of the Cyclops. Upon arrival, beginning of the walking tour of the village and the mud pool of Acqua di Bagno on the beach fed by hot springs, near the Faraglione, a rock with alum quarries.

Day 5
Salina e Panarea day
Salina is recognisable from its distinctive two-humped profile, Didyme, its name in antiquity, meaning twins. This beautiful island offers to you the perfect place for a quite escursion in contact with the nature. We land in Santa Marina Salina, a stroll along Via Risorgimento where you can feel the traditional way of life of the Sicilians. Afterwards, we take by coach, a panoramic road offering many views of the jagged coastline. We pass the village of Malfa and we arrive at Pollara which is considered to be one of the most attractive and atmospheric stretches of coast on the Aeolian Islands, here parts of the film "Il Postino" (The Postman) was made. On the way back to Santa Marina Salina we have the opportunity to taste the famous "Malvasia delle Lipari" which is a strong, sweet, golden wine made from grapes that have been left to wither on the wine before being picked.

Panarea is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands. Upon arrival we will begin the walking tour: no cars, no roads, no pollution! After 30 mins of walk we reach the Archaelogical remains of Punta Milazzese: a preistoric village set high above the gorgeous bay of Cala Junco. Afterwards we continue to the center of the village, free time for lunch. In the afternoon we continue the exploration of the island with the villages of Drauto, Iditella and San Pietro.


Day 6
Stromboli day
Stromboli is an island-volcano wich possesses a sombre, disquieting beauty all of its own. Upon arrival we begin our exploration of the island: we will visit the village of San Vincenzo with is church. Afterwards we will visit the Greek Necropolis dated back to the IV° - III° Century B.C. rich in vases and terracota masks. We can hike up to the crater: it makes for a unique and fascinating experience, as it provides the opportunity to wonder at the phenomenal workings of Mother Nature. The route itself is beautiful, casting unforgettable views in all directions.

Day 7
Alicudi and Filicudi day
Alicudi is the most isolated of the Aeolian Islands. The ancient name was Ericusa because the island was covered with heather. The island consists of a round cone wich is inhabited by no more than 100 people. Upon arrival we will begin the exploration of the island walking up to the Filo d'Arpa (literally, Harp String), which provides a magnificient view. About 2 hrs to the top and back.

Filicudi consists of a group of craters: the highest is the Fossa delle Felci. Upon arrival we walk to reach the Preistoric Village situated on the promontory of Capo Graziano: this contains the remains of about 25 oval huts. From here we can appreciate a beautiful view of the bay. On the way back we will discover the village of Val di Chiesa.

Day 8
Palermo day (accommodation for 2 nights)
Our cruise ends and the boat will take us to Palermo.
After hotel accommodation, we will have a guided visit to Palermo, including the main Cathedral, the Church of St. John of the Hermits, the Palace of the Normans with dazzling mosaics considered the finest in Europe along with those of Constantinople and Ravenna. By night possibility to assist a typical show of Pupi Siciliani (Sicilian Puppet Theatre), proclaimed by Unesco as one of the masterpieces of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

Day 9
Montreale and Erice day-trip
In the day after excursion to Monreale to visit the main Cathedral from the 12th C. famous for its beautiful mosaics and cloister and Erice , a small and very charming medieval town, situated 750 mt. above the sea.

Day 10
Departure day
After breakfast in our hotel in Palermo, individual departure