Make your way independently to Catania, which is well connected to the rest of Italy and other European hubs by standard airlines (Alitalia) as well as low-cost carriers (Ryan Air, Easy Jet, etc.). Meet the rest of the group at 7 p.m. for drinks followed by dinner in town. Overnight Catania. Hotel and dinner included.

We have a 1.5 hour van transfer this morning to Milazzo, where we can have lunch and explore the Baroque city streets before boarding our private “gulet.” From here we have a one-hour (or so) motor to Lipari, whose history goes back 6,000 years to Neolithic times when a lively trade in obsidian put the island on the map. Rich archaeological remains make this a fascinating place to start our trip. We’ll have a short hike through the old town before dinner, plus a visit of the fascinating Archaeological Museum. Return to the gulet for cocktails and then enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on deck or in town. Overnight Lipari. All meals included.

After breakfast on board, we cruise around to the other side of the island for a hike along the rugged east coast with sweeping views over the sea. Return to the boat for a tasty lunch and then sail around to the crystal waters of the Faraglioni di Lipari for a swim.  In the late afternoon, cruise (only 30 mins) across the straits to the neighboring island of Vulcano, where we can try a soak in the famous thermal mud baths. Vulcano used to strike terror into the hearts of the Greeks and Romans as the legendary forge of the god Vulcanus, whose workshop produced the weapons for Mars, the god of war. Now it’s one of the hot-spots of the Italian coast, offering an active volcano, open-air thermal pools which bubble into the Mediterranean, and a beautiful black sand beach. Overnight Vulcano.

Today after breakfast we have an exciting hike up to the crater rim of the volcano. You’ll have spectacular views over all of the Aeolian Islands, and get a peek into the crater, which, though dormant, still emits sulphurous fumes. We board our yacht again for lunch and a rest, then a swim in a quiet bay on the other side of the island. In the late afternoon we depart for the beautiful island of Panarea (2 hrs), the darling of Italy’s jet-set. Dine tonight at a local restaurant in town. Overnight Panarea.

Wake up with a splash this morning! Try a morning swim with your coffee in the shimmering waters of Panarea Bay. Panarea is the second-smallest of the Aeolian Islands with only 280 year-round residents, and in recent years it has become known for its celebrity visitors. There is archaeological evidence on the island dating back to Mycenaean inhabitants (~ 1200 BCE) from Greece; later the island was settled by Romans. It remained inhabited until the fall of Rome, when pirates and other invaders made it too dangerous to live there. We have a lovely hike this morning to beautiful Cala Junco and Zimmari cove, where we can see the Bronze Age ruins of an ancient settlement. Return to our gulet for lunch and a swim at Lisca Bianca, where the Italian movie “L’Avventura” was filmed (in 1960) by acclaimed director Michelangelo Antonioni, while 25 m (75 ft.) below us lies the shipwreck of a British tanker that went down in 1885. Afterwards, motor over to our next destination (2 hrs): Stromboli (pronounced with the accent on the FIRST syllable, not as in the folded-over pizza dish). Overnight Stromboli.

Wake up in the shadow of the massive Stromboli volcano, which has been in continuous eruption for the past 2,000 years! We can attempt a hike to the summit, or else take a more gentle 11 km loop hike from town up and around the base of the volcano. Return to the gulet for a swim and lunch, then cruise over to verdant Salina island (2 hrs). We’ll disembark upon arrival to sample some of their famous wines. Overnight Salina.

Salina is the greenest island of the archipelago and graced with acres of delicious malvasia grapes. We begin our hike in the port of Rinella, known as Didyme (= twin) in ancient times for the twin peaks of the island’s silhouette. Set out after breakfast for a hike up to Monte de Porri, which commands fabulous views over the surrounding islands and over to the natural preserve of Monte delle Felci. Descend to the picturesque village of Pollara, where the Oscar-winning movie “Il Postino” was filmed. Return to the yacht for lunch and a swim in a turquoise bay, then eventually set motor for the tranquil island of Filicudi (3 hrs). Overnight Filicudi.

Set out this morning to explore the wild and rugged island of Filicudi, three-quarters of which is now a Nature Reserve. The name “Filicudi” comes from the ancient Greek “Phoenicusa,” and indeed the island was settled since the Neolithic Age, around 3000 BCE. There is archaeological evidence on the island from the Bronze Age, as well as the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. We’ll hike out to see the Bronze Age ruins of Capo Graziano and then head into the island’s interior. Return to the gulet for lunch on board and then a swim and a visit of the suggestive “Cave of the Monk Seal,” which is 30 m wide and 20 m high and used to be home to local seals. Later in the afternoon we motor back to Lipari (3 hrs). Overnight Lipari. 

Leave your sea-legs behind and return to Milazzo this morning, then transfer back to Catania for onward journeys. Let us know if you would like us to help organize more hikes or activities for you (we have an entire week-long Sicily hike that begins from Catania).

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.  

Combine this amazing hiking tour with our "classic" Sicily hike, which also begins and ends in Catania. We explore the area around Mount Etna (another active volcano) as well as the beautiful Baroque city of Noto and the historically important city of Siracusa, which once rivaled Athens as the most important city in "Magna Grecia." See our trip here.

though not long in terms of distance, can be strenuous at times as we ascend or descend rugged trails and volcanic hillsides.  We have designed the trip so that there is always plenty of free time in the late afternoon so you can relax, read, or have a swim. Breakfast is included every day, and dinners reflect the excellent traditional food of the region. Daily distance between 6 - 12 km (4 - 7 miles).