SICILIAN VOLCANOES
Trip Code: TEL
Country: Italy
Amended: September 2014
Edition No: MM 01 2015
Valid From: 01 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2015
Absorb the captivating culture of the
largest island in the Mediterranean
Walk on Mt Etna, Europe's highest active
volcano
See the continuous volcanic activity of
Stromboli
Discover the picturesque villages of the
Aeolian Islands
Walk around Vulcano's spectacular
crater rim
The seven islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago were
designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000 and you
can see why: black sand beaches, thermal springs and striking
active volcanoes. This trip offers a superb opportunity to
explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Vulcano, Lipari
and Stromboli islands, where vast black ebony-like beaches
contrast with light coloured shorelines. This dramatic natural
setting offers many peculiarities, such as strange perforated
rocks resembling bold bridges and arches (faraglioni); areas of
bubbling sea due to underwater fumaroles; rocks with a
network of clefts from which boiling water gushes and hot
springs. The highlight for many comes as we return to the
mainland and trek on Mount Etna (3,350m), the highest active
volcano in Europe and now a UNESCO World-Heritage Site,
with the option to climb to the summit. Black lava and vast
plains of volcanic ash at the summit contrast with the green
and fertile lower slopes. It rises to 3,350m above sea level at
the summit craters, but this height varies as a result of ongoing constructive and destructive explosive activity that
constantly reshapes the summit crater area. This trip to Sicily
offers a great mix of interesting walks, optional challenging
treks, town visits and outstanding local cuisine.
Please note that the optional summit treks to Stromboli and
Etna are weather dependent. In case of strong volcanic
activity, the local authorities may decide (without previous
notice) to close the summits and suspend all excursions. In
the unfortunate event this occurs on your departure, the
leader will suggest some alternative optional activities locally.
Day 2 - Walk to Lipari's north coast
Our morning begins with a hike to the north coast of the
island. We climb up to Mt Pilatus, whose eruptions led to the
creation of pumice deposits and obsidian flows.The effort is
rewarded by wonderful views over the extensive pumice
quarries. In the afternoon we visit the historical centre of
Lipari and for dinner we taste some Sicilian wines and
delicious local food specialities (4 hours hiking, +300m
-300m).
(B)
Day 3 - Vulcano
Today we catch the boat and sail across the sparkling waters
to Vulcano, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, famous for its
long stretches of black beaches and bubbling thermal springs.
Excursion to Vulcano's crater to see the steaming 'Fumaroles'
(vents of volcanic gas). In the afternoon free time for bathing
in Vulcano's hot springs and mud baths. Hydrofoil back to
Lipari. Dinner at pizzeria and overnight stay in Canneto (4
hours hiking, +390m -390m).
(B,D)
Day 4 - Free day; optional walk or boat trip
Although during the week the walking is fairly easy, we do
recommend that you have some previous hiking experience.
Daywalks will take between 3 to 5 hours on hilly-to-steep
terrain of dried lava, rocky ash and sand. The optional
excursions offered on Stromboli and Etna are more
demanding and you will need to be confident of your fitness
if you wish to join these.
Overall Activity Level is 4. Most walks are classified as Level 3.
Stromboli and Etna summit walks are level 5. Please see the
introductory pages of the Walking and Trekking holidays
brochure for more important information on classification
and grading. If you have any queries about the difficulty of
the trip please do not hesitate to call us.
Walking hours stated in the itinerary are given as
approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo
stops and will vary depending on the pace of your group.
The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals
included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
Day 1 Arrival at Catania airport and transfer to Milazzo
harbour (1h30), where we catch the boatil to Lipari, one of the
biggest and most beautiful of the islands. Our comfortable
family-run apartments are found nestled in the small village
of Canneto close to what is known for being to be the nicest
beach of the island. Here we enjoy the first of many delicious
meals in Sicily.
(D)
For those who would like to stretch their legs further, there
are some breathtaking views to be enjoyed of the entire
archipelago, while trekking along the western coast of the
island. En route we pass the Roman bath of San Calogero.
Alternatively, for those wishing to have a more relaxing day,
options include a boat tour of the island itself, taking a
hydrofoil to the twin-peaked island of Salina, touring the
island on a scooter, or simply relaxing on the beach!
(B)
Day 5 - Stromboli
Our day begins with a one-and a half hour boat journey to the
island of Stromboli. A unique island famed for being home to
one of only three active volcanoes in Italy and a unique place
to explore for geologists and tourists alike. Once there, we
have free time to relax on the black sand beaches of the
island. For those not wishing to take the optional trek to the
summit, at sunset we will take an easy walk to an altitude of
400m to discover the spectacular 'Sciara del Fuoco', a fiery
channel where the lava outflows plunge directly into the sea.
We will also be able to view Stromboli's sporadic eruptions of
molten rock above us. The sound and sight of the explosions
are an amazing spectacle. Picnic dinner included during the
excursion.
If the weather and conditions permit, those who wish can
take an extra-guided excursion to the summit area of
Stromboli at 942m. Although Mother Nature doesn't work
with an exact schedule, here we can usually witness the
pyrotechnical activity of the volcano with nightfall
emphasising the dramatic red-hot spurts of molten rock. A
picnic dinner is included in the excursion price: €28 per
person, payable locally in cash. Please note:
the descent in particular is very dusty so it may not be
suitable for asthma sufferers. You will need a torch (a headtorch is best) as you descend after nightfall (5 hours hiking,
+924m -924m).
(B,D)
Day 6 - Boat to Milazzo and transfer to Mt Etna
Leaving Stromboli we take a two-hour boat ride to Milazzo
and we are transferred by a private minibus to the southern
side of Etna. We spend the night in a mountain hut at 1900m
above sea level, from where we can enjoy great views over
the sea and the east coast of Sicily. The hotel is located very
close to the most recent lava flow.
We spend 4 nights in apartments on Lipari, 1 night in a
comfortable mountain lodge on Etna, 1 night in a 2-star hotel
in Stromboli and 1 night in a 2-star hotel in Catania. The
rooms in Lipari might have shared facilities whereas the
rooms in the other hotels are en suite. The hotels have been
chosen for their warm hospitality and their typically Sicilian
character.
Single Accommodation:
Single rooms are subject to availability for a supplement of
£200 (approx. US$380). Please advise the sales team at the
time of booking.
(B,D)
Extra Accommodation:
Day 7 - Mt Etna Challenge
Today starting from our hotel, we enjoy a spectacular walk
on the southern area of the Mount Etna volcano. We will hike
up past several old lava flows to be rewarded with a dramatic
panoramic view of the four craters that make up the top of
this famous volcano, plus extensive views of the entire coast
of Sicily (5 hours hiking, +500m -400m). Alternatively,
dependng on weather and volcanic conditions, there is a
chance to climb by cable car and 4x4 jeeps up until 2900m
and then further on foot to 3350m. We then walk along the
rim of the Bove valley, an extensive depression that opened
up on the eastern side of the mountain thousands of years
ago as a result of a massive landslide, before making our way
down to 1900m.You will be escorted by a volcano or alpine
guide (6 hours hiking, +450m -1550m). Price: €75 per person,
payable locally in cash (price subject to change). You are
strongly advised to take a waterproof/windproof jacket, a
warm top and to wear long trousers and gaiters. In the
afternoon we transfer to Catania where we take a short
orientation tour before our goodbye dinner (not included).
We can arrange extra accommodation before or after your
trip in Catania, Siracusa and Taormina. Please contact our
sales team for availability and up-to-date prices.
Food
All breakfasts, 3 dinners, 1 picnic dinner in the evening of Day
5 and a wine tasting accompanied by local delicacies are
included.
In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which
day. Please note that the diet in this part of Sicily is heavily
dependent on fish and meat. However, vegetarian options are
widely available.
(B)
Water: Please note that the Aeolian Islands do not have their
own water supply; all water is shipped in by tanker. For this
reason it is not advisable to drink the tap water on the
islands. Please be economical when showering.
Day 8 End in Catania.
Breakfast: usually a continental style buffet.
(B)
Evening meal: dominated by Mediterranean flavours like
pasta with rich tomato sauces, olive oil, cheese and salami.
They combine an excellent variety of seafood and meat for
the perfect taste of Southern Italy.
For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and
will arrive in the UK the same day.
Transport
A mix of private minibus, boat and public buses will be used
throughout the week. Road conditions are generally good.
If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must
allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the
international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½
hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum,
but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights.
Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving
on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those
arriving from London on non-group flights should read the
airport transfer section below for information on reaching the
start point. Please check with the Exodus office.
8 days, normally start Lipari Sun, end Catania Sun
Sicily has a good all year round climate, with plenty of
sunshine and warm/hot temperatures. The summer
departures ought to have daily hot sunshine and
temperatures can reach the low to mid 30ºC. The earlier and
later departures are likely to be cooler with a slightly higher
chance of rain. In late summer there is the possibility of
heavy thunderstorms, but these are usually short-lived. If you
are taking the optional treks to the summits of Etna and
Stromboli, please note that temperatures at the top can be
somewhat lower than they are at sea level. It is not
uncommon for there to be a strong wind blowing at the
summit of Etna. With wind chill, it can feel chilly or even cold
at the top.
Itinerary Start
8 days, normally depart London Sun, return Sun
If you would like us to organise a private transfer, please ask
your sales consultant for a quote. Please ensure that you
provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks
before departure.
Itinerary Start
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on
Day 1 of the itinerary.
Flights from London
We normally use the scheduled services of Thomson Airways
or British Airways (depending on availability). As flight
timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you
call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later
date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks
before departure.
UK Regional Flights
The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but
we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport.
Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a
useful overview of the options available, and contact our
sales team for expert advice.
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Lipari in the morning
of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start
point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent
approximately two weeks before departure.
Airport Transfers
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior
arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer.
Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the
group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks
before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it,
you must make your own way to the joining point at your
own expense.
It is possible to reach the start hotel in Lipari by public
transport although connections are limited and the journey is
rather long. For this reason we strongly recommend to join
the group transfer at the airport. If this is not possible, there is
one bus which leaves Catania airport to Milazzo harbour at
12pm (approx. price €12). Please note that the last hydrofoil to
Lipari leaves from Milazzo harbour at 7pm. From more
information about joining the trip in Lipari, please contact our
Customer Operations team.
The cost of a taxi is likely to be about £170 should you decide
to make your way independently.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers
will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If
you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or
require them earlier please contact our office or your travel
agent.
Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all
times.
Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing
income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive
to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total
approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from
the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of
Exodus as a company.
On this trip we stay in family-run hotels and apartments and
we eat in small restaurants offering Sicilian specialities. The
group's activities have a low impact on the environment, and
our operator rents all equipment locally. These aspects
contribute to the continuation of the community itself, by
creating jobs and offering career prospects to local people,
who may otherwise be tempted to move to a larger town or
city in search of employment. Most importantly, our local
partner is an active member in "addiopizzo", a grassroots
organisation established by local businesses and private
citizens who refuse to pay the "pizzo" - Mafia extortion
money.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the
current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is
required.
Vaccinations and Health
Travel health can often be something people forget about
before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge
can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while
abroad.
There are no specific health risks on this trip.
The above information can change at short notice; as we are
not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health
we strongly recommend you contact your Medical
Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to
departure for up-to-date information.
Insurance - are you adequately covered?
For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit:
www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel
You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are
joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that
you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If
you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus
travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all
activities on your trip.
Local Time
GMT +1
Group, Staff and Support
The group will generally be between 5 and 16 people. There
will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where
needed.
The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please
note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by
(and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
Passports and Visas
Most nationalities, including British, require a full passport
that must be valid for 3 months beyond the intended length
of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal
documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary,
in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to
visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport
holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel
agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for
the actions of local immigration and customs officials,
whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent
effects.
Certain European nationalities may be able to travel within
Europe on their national identity card. Check carefully with
the relevant authorities if you intend to do this.
No visa required for British passport holders.
Currency Information
The national currency of Italy is the Euro (EUR), with an
exchange rate of 1.2 to the UK£ and 0.75 to the US$.
Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.
ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers
cheques
There are ATMs in Catania, Lipari town and Stromboli where
you can draw cash out. The ATM on Stromboli is not always
operational however.
Extra Expenses and Spending Money
For the meals not included, allow €5-10 for lunch and from
€15-30 for dinners. The exact amount spent depends entirely
on the type of restaurant visited, and the menu chosen.
€180-200 should be enough to cover the cost of meals and
other incidental expenses during the trip.
LOCAL TAXES: many Italian cities have recently introduced a
tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration is in
charge of the tax, which will be collected by the
accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee
varies depending on the hotel category, the season and
number of days of stay. It is usually between €0.50 and €1.50
per person per night. For this trip, please allow between €5
and €10, depending on the season, for the week. Children
and people aged 75 or over are exempt from this tax.
Etna and Stromboli you will also need the following: warm
hat and gloves, head-torch and spare batteries (Stromboli
only), long walking trousers, a lightweight fleece top, a
trekking t-shirt with quick-dry properties; gaiters are also
strongly recommended, particularly for Etna.
Baggage and Baggage Allowance
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage
on the recommended international carrier for this trip is
20kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked
baggage.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold
luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check
www.baa.com and/or the airline's website for the latest
information prior to your departure.
Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on
group sizes)
Summit area of Stromboli (including picnic): €28 per person
Mount Etna climb: approx. €75 per person (subject to change
depending on season)
Tipping (leader and local staff)
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with
Exodus. Most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides
in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course,
is in no way compulsory and depends on the service
received.
Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You
can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip
write-ups which have featured in the national media and
take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and
equipment.
Essential Equipment and Clothing
Walking boots with good ankle support and sturdy sole,
daypack (25-30 litres) for camera, guidebook and water bottle
(approx. 3 litres), sunglasses and high factor sunscreen,
windproof and waterproof jacket , swimming gear, a penknife
may be useful for picnic lunches, trekking poles
recommended for walking on the loose, uneven volcanic
material.
If you are taking the optional walks to the summits of
In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure
Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers
before you depart. When you get back from your holiday
remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on
our website. This helps other people see what our holidays
are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our
monthly photo competition.
To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My
Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are
you waiting for?
http://www.exodus.co.uk/community
1. Check availability
Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which
can be contacted on 0044 (0)1582 640 045.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to
read the warnings in the essential information in the
brochure or at www.exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essentialinformation?
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers,
and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you
approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not
receive these at least a week before departure, or require
them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith.
Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our
current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the
brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to
unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be
prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as
stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the
itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances
we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that
maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and
airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving
harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices.
Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as
possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive
price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend
that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel
Agent.
Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of
publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the
Exodus website.
© Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO
Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or
email.
2. Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for
between three and seven days.
3. Complete your booking and payment
When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for
online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a
booking form (available online or on request by calling us).
We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be
cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and
bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers
Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are
members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and
ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book
your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us
for your trip are fully protected.