Aeolian sport & adventure is a tour that will allow participants to get to know the history, traditions and places of the Aeolian Islands through sport and adventure. The Aeolian archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is made up of seven islands (Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Alicudi and Filicudi) and each island has its own characteristics and peculiarities that make it unique. On this tour we will get to know Lipari, the largest island with the most inhabitants, home, among other things, to ancient pumice quarries, the “Bernabo Brea” archaeological park and the sea and beaches that have been awarded the “blue flag” on several occasions; Vulcano, the island that is home to the volcano of the same name, black sands and a “wild” territory waiting to be explored; Salina, the island of the film “Il Postino” (The Postman), of D.O.P. capers, wine, and unique beaches on the island, Stromboli, home to the volcano of the same name, which unlike the previous one is an active volcano called “Iddu” by the locals. The vibrations that the island transmits to its visitors and its natural features make for a truly unique and unforgettable stay. The sports and adventures proposed will take place between sea, beach and mountains.
Period: May/June or September/October (minimum 15 participants / maximum 30 participants)
Transfer from Catania airport to the port of Milazzo
Hydrofoil from Milazzo to Lipari and from Lipari to Milazzo and all the necessary trips to reach the islands in the travel plan
Accommodation in a 3*** or superior structure in Lipari in double room B&B formula
Dinner in a restaurant for the duration of the package
Accommodation in 3*** or superior structure in Stromboli in double room B&B formula
• Transfer from Catania airport to the port of Milazzo
• Hydrofoil from Milazzo to Lipari and from Lipari to Milazzo and all necessary trips to reach the islands in the travel plan
• Accommodation in a 3*** or superior facility in Lipari in a triple room B&B formula
• Dinner in a restaurant for the duration of the package
• Accommodation in a 3*** or superior structure in Stromboli in triple room B&B formula
*Overnight stay in single room on request
arrival at Catania airport and transfer to the port of Milazzo, where participants will board the hydrofoil to Lipari Island.
Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight stay.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning sporting or tourist activities to be chosen from the “sporting activities” or “tourist activities” sections.
Free lunch. Afternoon guided tour of the Caolino Quarries, a veritable open-air museum: wind, fire, sky and sea come together in an interweaving of colours, scents and landscapes to be experienced at first hand. A geo-mineral park with unique views, freely accessible, with an infopoint equipped with information panels that tell of the island’s geological and volcanological evolution, the periods of excavation from the Greek era to the 1970s, the native flora and the stories of countless travellers who have described the magic of these places since 1800. A must for lovers of nature and the history of the Aeolian archipelago.
Followed by a visit to a wine cellar with wine tasting at sunset.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay in a hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning departure by hydrofoil in the direction of the island of Vulcano. Sports or tourist activities to be chosen from the “sports activities” or “tourist activities” sections.
Free lunch.
Afternoon hydrofoil to Lipari Island. The afternoon will be left free for participants to visit the city centre and go shopping in the shops along the main street, enjoy a good aperitif in one of the bars in the centre of Lipari or simply venture out into the city streets to discover its special features.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay in a hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning departure by hydrofoil to the island of Salina (Rinella stop). Sports or tourist activities to be chosen from the “sports activities” or “tourist activities” sections.
Free lunch.
Afternoon by hydrofoil to Lipari Island, relaxation in the hotel and free activity until dinner.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Departure by hydrofoil in the direction of the island of Stromboli.
Accommodation in hotel. Possibility to visit the centre of the town on foot or to take a tour of the island in one of the golf cars that act as taxis.
Free lunch.
Afternoon activity of your choice from the “sporting activities” or “tourist activities” sections.
Dinner in a restaurant and overnight stay in a hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out.
Departure by hydrofoil in the direction of Milazzo.
Transfer from Milazzo to Catania airport.
Greeting to the participants.
* SPORT ACTIVITIES (Optional)
– DIVING (Lipari): diving activity, guided dive in the seabed of Lipari, the seabed is formed by a series of canyons covered with white pumice, which sink into the depths and make the atmosphere dark but at the same time particular in the contrasts of colour. We moor at a depth of 9 metres and begin our descent into the blue, immediately finding spirographs that seem to show us the way. Splendid red gorgonians await us at 36 metres, surrounded by clouds of anthias. There are frequent encounters with lobsters, moray eels, groupers and barracudas. Alternatively, for beginners there is the “baptism of the sea”, a first dive to get to know the underwater world accompanied by a qualified instructor. Complete equipment and dive.
– KAYAK (Vulcano): wonderful kayak tour: the Sit on Top Kayak Tour and Coasteering Adventures activity “The Route of the Caves” starts from our perfect base on the island of Vulcano. This guided tour combines the pleasures of paddling, snorkelling and climbing to explore these volcanic caves, hidden coastal wonders only accessible by sea, unique places on the island of Vulcano, in complete safety and freedom. The tour lasts 4 hours and has a low level of difficulty.
– EXCURSION (Salina): Ascent to Monte Fossa delle Felci (962 m) from Valdichiesa. Discover the crater and hidden paths among endemic plants. Only for the most courageous… also a trip to the “Land of the Gnomes”! Monte Fossa delle Felci is the highest peak of the Aeolian Islands, from where it is possible to admire all the other islands, the Sicilian coast and even Mount Etna. It is a unique and rewarding experience, giving you the feeling that you can embrace the entire archipelago. The ascent to the Fossa delle Felci is the easiest, most complete and most varied in the entire Aeolian area. There are in fact various options, allowing you to choose the type of walk according to your needs and physical preparation. From the main beaten-earth road to the stone shortcuts, the legacy of the ancient road that is still practicable today; from alternative paths that plunge into the woods, where you can really feel the mountains breathing, to others that allow you to walk around the island and admire it from the many belvederes. Followed by a tasting of typical products.
– EXCURSION (Stromboli): excursion to Stromboli: although it is not immediately perceivable from the sea, Stromboli has splendid examples of scrubland and small holm-oak woods, which are frequent along the first part of this route; a must is a visit to the old cemetery, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, whose tombs are decorated with majolica tiles. The route continues through the San Bartolo lava flow, which was formed during an eruption in Roman times, and the deep incision of
Vallonazzo, which separates the volcanic products of the Vancori from the more recent Neo-Stromboli (13,000-5,000 years ago), until reaching the Sciara del Fuoco, on which the slag emitted during the continuous explosions of the volcano still rolls. From here, the trail enters the extensive reed beds and finally reconnects with the town, in contrada Piscità, where we can stop for a refreshing swim before returning to the port (length approx. 10km, height difference 290m, duration 3-4h, difficulty medium/easy).
– DIVING (Stromboli – Strombolicchio) At Strombolicchio each slope is a dive site. Certainly the most common starting point is opposite the island of Stromboli, as the submerged profile of the rock in this stretch enhances a short shallow area where you can drop anchor. As already mentioned, many dives can be carried out along its sides, on which, at various heights, the orange buttons of the Astroides alternate just a few metres from the surface, then replaced at greater heights by beautiful branches rich in the life of fiery red gorgonians, but there is also no shortage of golden branches of Gerardia savaglia; as well as it is not difficult to come across groupers, and other large burrowing fish, it is also not difficult to see the antennae of lobsters, always intent on analysing what is happening outside their respective shelters. The transparency of the water reaches as high as one can expect, and from the bottom it is not difficult to catch a glimpse of the great silhouette of Strombolicchio, which climbs up to cross the boundary of the atmosphere.
* TOURISTIC AND EXPERIENCING ACTIVITIES (optional)
– Guided tour of the Bernabo-Brea Archaeological Museum (Lipari) The Museum consists of: History of the Museum and the excavations and teaching room; Prehistory of Lipari and the foundation of the town; Prehistory of the minor islands; Territory man environment and volcanology Greek and Roman Age; Garden and epigraphic pavilion; Contemporary art “Mare Motus” in the former prison; Former church Santa Caterina for temporary exhibitions.
– Tour by quad or mini-moke (Vulcano) The guided excursion by quad or mini-moke will not only take you to the most classic tourist sites on the island of Vulcano, but will also take you behind the scenes to discover the most ancient and hidden corners of the island, giving you a dive into the breathtaking nature and history of Vulcano. A land full of charm, an enchanting landscape and a great cultural heritage are the prerequisites for this interesting excursion by quad or mini-moke.
– Guided tour of the “postman’s house” and Pollara beach (Salina) In Salina, more precisely in the district of Pollara, you can visit the wonderful house from the film “Il Postino”. The veranda from which you can admire the silent and imposing beauty of all the Aeolian islands, reminds us of the scenes from Troisi’s masterpiece. Pollara’s sunsets magically dress the sky and the sea and are wooed by this surreal place, to say the least. Pollara, in Salina, is Italy’s only country beach. Perhaps not everyone knows it, but Sicily also holds this record. Pollara, a hamlet of Malfa, is a secret treasure of the Italian peninsula and one of the most popular beaches in the Aeolian Islands archipelago. To reach it, you have to walk along a steep path, which is about 30 minutes from the town of Pollara. The effort will be rewarded, because this place has a unique charm and beauty. It stands on the ancient remains of a volcanic crater, which has now partially sunk into the crystal clear waters. You will find a narrow tongue of sand, which you can reach by crossing broom and ferns, cacti and wisteria.
– Discovering the Caper (Salina) visit to a farm with an illustration of caper cultivation and practical demonstrations and tasting of typical products.
