Volcanoes: Mount Etna and the Aeolian Islands: Italy

August 2024 - 8 days

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Experience the beauty and power of two of the world's most impressive active volcanoes, Mount Etna and Stromboli. 

Ascend and peer into stunning volcanoes, explore the beautiful islands of Lipari, Stromboli and Vulcano and enjoy the scenic landscapes and warm Italian hospitality of the Sicilian towns Acireale and Milazzo. 

Joining during the tour will be leading volcanologists Professor Jenni Barclay and Associate Professor Carmelo Ferlito.

Marvel at the power beneath the planet’s crust and revel in the sights and smells of Stromboli both during the day and at night, when it lights up the sky with eruptions and lava flows. Then relax on volcanic black sand beaches, visit incredible rock and cave formations and enjoy local produce grown on volcanic soils. 

In partnership with Travel Editions. 

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN ACIREALE  

After flying into Catania, you will be transferred to the four-star Grand Albergo Maugeri in Acireale for the first of two nights. Acireale is a coastal town famous for the Basilica di San Sebastiano, Cattedrale di Acireale and Baroque buildings at the foot of Mount Etna.

In the evening, your experienced tour manager Tullio Scurria, will hold an introductory talk outlining the expedition and introduce Associate Professor Carmelo Ferlito, who will give a talk on Mt Etna prior to your visit tomorrow. Afterwards, you will enjoy dinner at the hotel with your fellow guests.

DAY 2: CLIMB MOUNT ETNA 

Today is dedicated to Mount Etna, a stunning example of a stratovolcano and the highest active volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus. The volcano itself is usually safe to ascend, but there are regular minor lava flows, ash and smoke at its peak, which is some 3350 metres above sea level.  

After an early start, it is just an hour’s drive to Piano Provenzana. From here you will be joined by an authorized volcano guide who will accompany you as you board four-wheel-drive vehicles and drive to an altitude of 2800m. Here, you will start the trek to the Central Crater Bocca Nouva, which lies at approximately 3300m.

After a tour of the crater and a picnic lunch, you will start to descend along the North-East Crater heading towards the spectacular Valle de Leone, eventually reaching the Pizzi Deneri Volcanology Observatory. Continue the descent towards Portella Giumenta and then cross the Canalone di Quarantore continuing as far as Piano Provenzana. 

You will return to the hotel late afternoon and enjoy dinner together there in the evening.

Please note that the itinerary may have to be changed on the day should the local authorities decide that certain routes or locations are potentially dangerous due to a resurgence in volcanic activity. Safety helmets will be provided when at higher altitudes. 

DAY 3: EXPLORE ACIREALE THEN FERRY TO LIPARI 

In the morning, Tullio will take you on a walking tour of Acireale. In the afternoon, you will travel north to the coastal town of Milazzo, the main port of departure for the Aeolian Islands. From the port, you will travel for just over an hour by hydrofoil (subject to sea conditions) to Lipari. 

Lipari is one of seven Aeolian islands off the northern coast of Sicily. The islands are one of the most traditional regions of Italy, with a pace of life little altered for centuries.  

You will check into the Hotel Rocce Azzurre, which commands a panoramic position and a sea-view terrace restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean and is within walking distance of the town centre and main harbour.  Dinner at the hotel is included for the next three nights. 

DAY 4: EXPLORE LIPARI AND MEET JENNI BARCLAY

Despite being the largest of the Aeolian Islands, Lipari has a population of only 9000 people. In the morning, you will enjoy a tour of Lipari Island by coach, stop for views at the Quattrocchi viewpoint and Don Pietro viewpopint, drive through pretty villages and wineland taking in the beauty of the island. 

Later on, there will be a guided tour of the Citadella, a site inhabited since the end of the fifth millennium BC, with a visit to the archaeological museum, which houses a collection that spans the Bronze Age to the Renaissance. You will also explore the island’s notable buildings including the churches of Anime del Purgatorio, Saint Antonio, the Immaculate, Addolorata and 11th-century Cathedral, the impressive castle and city walls. 

In the evening, volcanologist Jenni Barclay will give the first of two talks on her work around the world and why the Aeolians are significant for the study of volcanoes. This will set the scene for the next few days. 

DAY 5: ACROSS THE WATER TO VULCANO 

In the morning, you will take a boat to the neighbouring island of Vulcano, where Jenni will accompany you for an informal "seminar hike" to the Solfatare di Vulcano crater. From the port at Vulcano, you will climb among the high red rocks and curious pink clay corridors modelled by rainwater and broom plants. The air is heavy with the stench from nearby fumaroles (vents), surrounded by yellow sulphur deposits. At 240 metres is the edge of a lunar rock desert strewn with “volcanic bomb” stones and marvellous views of the nearby islands. The final climb up to the Gran Cratere, enveloped in steamy-looking vapours and strong sulphurous gases, will be rewarded with spectacular views of Mount Etna and the Sicilian mainland. Access to the crater is currently closed but we fully expect it to reopen later in 2023.

Back down in the village of Vulcano, time is given to have lunch and to try the famous Fanghi di Vulcano sulphur mud baths, which attract thousands of visitors annually, or swim in the blue sea, before taking the boat back to Lipari. 

In the evening, Jenni will give a second talk on her work and some of the different issues faced relating to worldwide volcanic phenomena.

DAY 6: A FULL DAY AND EVENING ON STROMBOLI 

After taking a hydrofoil to the island of Stromboli, Jenni and a local volcano guide will accompany you for a stunning hike with close views of the craters on Mount Stromboli. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and presents an almost daily show of red-hot rocks. The hike will be about 6 hours but will be taken early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day while ascending. Safety helmets will be provided.

After descending from the mountain and having a well-earned relaxing lunch, Jenni will cover some of the techniques they are using to analyse volcanoes including drones and infrared spectroscopy. 

The rest of the afternoon is at rest in the charming Stromboli village where you can explore, relax on the black lava sand beach or take a relaxing dip in the sea. After dinner at a pizzeria, you will take a boat around Stromboli to watch the almost daily event of the volcano’s spectacular light and fire display with lava flows down the Sciara del Fuoco into the sea, with stones and ashes thrown high into the sky before returning tired but amazed to Lipari later that evening.

DAY 7: RELAXING IN LIPARI

Your final day on Lipari is at a slower pace. You can continue exploring the charming island or just catch some rays on the Hotel Rocce Azzurre’s unique floating platform before enjoying a farewell dinner with Jenni and Tullio at the hotel's restaurant with views over the sea. 

DAY 8: DEPART LIPARI BY BOARD BACK TO MILAZZO THEN ON TO CATANIA 

After breakfast, you will be taken to the port, where you will enjoy the scenic ferry to Milazzo. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Catania airport for your return flight. 

Please note that all boat excursions are subject to sea conditions and rough seas are a possibility. Though historically, the seas in September are generally calm. As some of the volcanoes are presently active and they may choose to be particularly lively, we could be constrained by local regulations on how close we can get to them. The term ‘subject to local conditions’ becomes particularly relevant when dealing with the powerful forces of volcanoes.