When you come back down, the warm weather and delicious Sicilian pasta are a comfort.
This is how Aurelia described her feelings to us on returning from Trekking trip in Sicily and Aeolian Islands.
> Travel to Sicily at Easter> Group trip departing on 4 April
> Travel to Sicily trekking and hiking 9 days
> Price from 1,370 euros
Travelling by train, minibus, boat, ferry and above all on foot, this At Easter, we spend 9 days exploring Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. This part of the Mediterranean, a source of inspiration for Greeks and Romans, is the setting for our volcano hiking trip, combining the climbing Etna, visiting Stromboli and exploring Greek and Roman archaeological remains.
Mount Etna
The Etna volcano is a must-visit for volcanology enthusiasts. It is the most active volcano in Italy and one of the most active on the planet, barely surpassed by the great Asian volcanoes. One of the peculiarities that distinguish Etna is the existence of many lateral craters.
Things to consider when climbing Etna
- The trekking to Etna does not require excessive physical preparation.
- The whole route is usually done in 6 hours under normal weather conditions.
- To ascend Etna it is mandatory to be accompanied by a volcano guide and it must be booked locally.
- The weather and volcanic conditions are decisive.
- The distance travelled is from 15 kilometres go back and forth,
- The ascent of Etna involves an elevation change of 1,346 metres, but our greatest challenge may be the altitude: you reach over 3,000 metres.
The Stromboli volcano
Stromboli Island reaches a maximum height of 2,000 metres, but the volcano is just over 900 metres above sea level. No special physical preparation is needed, and altitude sickness is not an issue.
A 4-hour walk at dusk reveals a vast horseshoe-shaped depression on the volcanic cone’s north-west side. When the volcano awakens, burning lava blocks tumble through it to the sea, terrifying nearby residents.
“Sciara del fuoco” as the first approach to the volcanic activity of the island.
Remember that tsunamis are a real threat in this part of the Mediterranean. Sicily and Calabria’s coast are densely populated and were affected by Stromboli’s last eruption in 2002.
Things to consider before climbing Stromboli
Climbing Stromboli is strictly regulated and only possible with a specialist volcanology guide and groups of up to 20 people. Depending on the state of the volcano, the ascent may not be permitted and it is only possible to climb to the point where it is allowed at that time of the journey.
- Groups of Not more than 20 persons and is possible only with a guided ascent led by volcano guides.
- Ascent of the Stromboli takes place at sunset to admire the volcano’s constant explosive activity at night: a true spectacle.
- The tour has little more than 900 metres of elevation gain and takes 5 hours there and back.
Easter, the best time to travel to Sicily
For 9 days, in addition to climbing the Etna and Stromboli volcanoes, We will visit the archaeological cities Greeks and Romans. During the the weather at Easter is ideal and the influx of visitors is less than in summer.
Syracuse, capital of Magna Graecia and birthplace of Archimedes, Taormina, a magnificent medieval city overlooking the sea, and Lipari, with an essential visit to the volcano Vulcano.
The volcano ascents are possible throughout the year, but April, May, September and October bring more pleasant temperatures and the chance for a refreshing sea swim after trekking.
During the summer months, you have to reserve the ascent to the volcanoes with much advance, as the number of permitted visits is limited. The beaches are busy, the streets are lively and there is an almost endless choice of food. Prices are significantly higher in summer.