Hiking Sicily and the Aeolian Islands: An Active Journey

Fly overnight to Palermo and transfer to your hotel. Meet your trip leader and fellow travelers this evening for a short orientation walk followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Strategically situated on Sicily's northwest coast, Palermo was founded in 734 BC by Phoenician traders and subsequently ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Germans, and Spanish. Trace the city’s turbulent history on a guided walk to Quattro Canti—or Four Corners—the piazza where Palermo’s four historic quarters meet.  Admire the baroque and Renaissance architecture of the city center before heading to the Palermo Cathedral, one of the World Heritage-listed Arab-Norman churches of Sicily. Venture outside the town to see another: the Monreale Cathedral, known for its exquisite golden mosaics. During a free afternoon back in Palermo, perhaps visit the Teatro Massimo for a tour behind the curtains of Italy’s largest opera house. (B,L)

Walking: 2 miles on paved streets and sidewalks

Head for the trails of Parco delle Madonie, a UNESCO Geopark known for its rich biodiversity and unique local culture. Follow the ridgeline amid stunning karst formations, learning about the park’s geologic history, which spans 220 million years. Seek out endemic plants such as the Madonie fir, and watch for the many bird species that can be found here, including peregrine falcons and kestrels. Climb to the ruins of San Giorgio Monastery and continue to a lookout with sweeping views of the coast and Sicily’s rugged interior. Later, meander through the medieval lanes of Castelbuono, a hilltop village set on the edge of the park. Soak up the lively rhythms of local life on a guided walk and enjoy time on your own to explore. Continue to your wine resort in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner together. (B,D)

Hiking: 4 miles on paved paths and trails with moderate ascents and descents; 980 feet of elevation gain

Walking: 1 mile on paved streets and sidewalks

Travel to the port town of Milazzo and take a hydrofoil ferry to Lipari, the largest of the volcanic Aeolian Islands. This archipelago of seven islands has been declared a World Heritage site for its value to the study of volcanic eruptions. Visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano to see artifacts that date back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages that were found on the islands. Savor a sunset wine tasting and light dinner at a local winery. (B,D)

Enjoy a free morning to get acquainted with Lipari and its charming city center. In the afternoon, walk to the port to catch a hydrofoil to Stromboli Island. Set out with a local guide on an invigorating hike on the slopes of the active Stromboli Volcano* (conditions permitting). Trek to safe vantage points that offer unforgettable views of Stromboli’s fiery eruptions, which occur every 15 to 20 minutes. Pause at a scenic lookout for a picnic dinner, then continue hiking down the volcano as the sun sets over the sea. On the boat ride back to Lipari, stop to view the Sciara del Fuoco, or “Stream of Fire," a steep channel of molten lava that has flowed from the summit crater to the sea for centuries. (B,D)

Hiking: 5-6 miles on narrow, rugged dirt and ash trails with steep ascents and descents; 1,540 feet of elevation gain

Discover more of Lipari island on a morning hike toward Monte Guardia, taking in everchanging mountain scenery before reaching a viewpoint with splendid vistas of the rugged Aeolian Islands. Descend to the Vulcano Observatory, once used to track volcanic activity on the neighboring island of Vulcano, and continue on foot into the center of Lipari. The remainder of the day is yours to explore Lipari further or perhaps head to Vulcano Island for another hike. (B)

Hiking: 5 miles on rocky or dirt paths and paved lanes with moderate ascents and descents; initial ascent of 1175 feet to start, followed by 650 feet of elevation loss

Return to Sicily by ferry and travel to Taormina on the coast of the Catania region. Explore the picturesque streets of this historic seaside town that was popular with 19th-century European nobles as well as artists and writers such as Gustav Klimt, Alexandre Dumas, and Oscar Wilde. Visit its ancient Greek theatre, built in the third century BC against the backdrop of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea and still used for events today. After free time in Taormina, travel to your hotel at the foot of Mount Etna. (B,D)

Head out with a local guide on a morning hike across the cratered landscapes of Mount Etna*, a World Heritage site and Europe's most active stratovolcano. With eruptions that can be traced back over 500,000 years, Etna continues to be an important site for scientists and researchers in vulcanology and its activity is tracked by the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program. Trek over a variety of terrains, encountering unusual rock and lava formations, and stop for lunch at a refuge on Mount Etna’s slopes. Enjoy free time in the afternoon before toasting your Sicilian hiking adventure at a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Hiking: 3 miles on rocky or ash paths through forests and open lava fields with some ascents and descents; 490 feet of elevation gain

*Please note: Stromboli and Mount Etna are active volcanoes, and conditions can change. For travelers' safety, itineraries may be adjusted, postponed, or replaced based on volcanic activity and/or official regulations.

After breakfast, transfer to the Catania airport by private shuttle for your flight home. (B)