Highlights
Aeolian Islands
Early Summer and Late Summer in Aeolian Islands
With no doubt the perfect time to enjoy these wild islands.
No crowds, warm sun, spectacular colors
The Aeolian islands are ancient creatures. They all have a volcanic origin, the legend tells they have been created by Aeolus, and the moment you set foot there, it becomes clear that this is indeed a setting fit for a god. They are famous as the seven pearls of the Mediterranean sea, and a whole book wouldn’t be enough to describe them, we try to intrigue and tempt you with a few words:
Lipari, the main island, with its pumice quarries and sand
Salina, green, lush, introverted, lonely
Stromboli, still erupting volcano, lively, with black sand
Vulcano, mud baths, smoky fumaroles, sulfur and warm waters
Panarea, chic, fashionable yet wild
Filicudi e Alicudi, little more than rocks, rough, pristine
and around them a deep blue sea
About the resorts
Capofaro Malvasia & Resort – Salina stands in the most beautiful and exclusive part of the island of Salina, near the lighthouse. The 5* resort will host you in elegant yet simply rooms looking on the painstakingly cultivated Malvasia vineyards, symbol of the Tasca d’Almerita Estates. The panorama is really breathtaking, looking the opposite islands of Panarea and Stromboli.
Here you may have excellent dinners tasting a supreme Mediterranean and Sicilian cooking.
Therasia Resort – Vulcano is the best place to experience Vulcano. The hotel boasts magnificent views of the Aeolian Islands from its spacious rooms, or from the impressive seawater infinity pool.
There is something quite magical about this hotel, from the moment you wake up and step out onto your own private terrace and as the light changes throughout the day across the water you experience a totally relaxing break.
About the Malvasia wine
Malvasia is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Aeolian Islands and the name of its wine. A two centuries ago description of the production technique of this wine roughly reflects the current one: ”… do not remove this grape from the vine unless it is perfectly matured, knowing this from the beautiful golden color and sweet flavor that it has. The harvested grapes, previously cleaned of decayed grains or damages, are laid out and left in the sun on a mat of swamp reeds for height or ten days, or even more, until they wither. Then they are gathered on a clean stone surface surrounded by small walls, each one two feet in height, and then the bunches are compressed and smashed, first with a stone tied to outside of a small hollow flat block, and then with bare feet until all the juice is squeezed out.. this is transfused into barrels to ferment, until it is purified perfectly suited for drinking…” It’s not so different nowadays.
September is the time to live a unique experience: grape picking and wine making.
Programma
First day: Catania, Milazzo, Salina or Vulcano
Arrive at the airport of Catania, meet your driver and transfer to Milazzo’s harbour; departure by hydrofoil for Salina or Vulcano, transfer and accomodation in your hotel.
From the second day to the seventh day: Aeolian time
IN VULCANO: The volcano’s peak can be reached by a walk of around 50 minutes along a suggestive path up to the crater. The hard work certainly pays off owing to the breathtaking views over the six islands.
IN PANAREA : Bathing in Cala Junco bay, a natural pool with turquoise clear waters.
IN STROMBOLI: The "Sciara del fuoco” meaning "volcanic trail", is a not-to-be-missed boat trip coasting the island, taken by night, from where you can witness the volcanic eruptions, a red river going into the sea.
IN LIPARI: The sea bed of the Aeolian islands is an astounding cemetery of sunken boats. The collected material so far comes from twenty of these shipwrecks. The archaeological museum of Lipari illustrates the various historical events and human settlements on the Aeolian archipelago from the fifth millennium to the mediaeval times.
IN SALINA : Monte Fossa delle Felci:It is a medium difficulty path 962m asl. From Santa Marina is approximately 20 'walk on the road of the small village of Lingua. From there a steep trail begins, it is a mule track. Proceeding up the hill the view on the sea and the surrounding islands becomes impressive. (1h 10 ' from Lingua) It is possible to return on another path directly to Santa Marina or on the opposite side of the island to Valdichiesa and from there to the starting point by bus.
Pollara beach. Fallen volcanic rocks have narrowed it to just a small stretch of sand but its beauty still leaves one breathless. It’s an amazing, exciting place surrounded by green blue waters and high cliffs that have no parallel in the whole world.
Among the rocks one can see a series of old boathouses where fishermen used to shelter their boats. The place can be reached through a narrow and steep path or by boat.
In the hamlet of Pollara was filmed the Oscar winning film "Il Postino".
Seating in the bar ’ Da Alfredo’ in Lingua, tasting a juicy 'granita', a must if you happen to be in these islands.
And of course the best way to discover Eolian Islands is boating. If you wish to experience the deep blue of eolian sea in a one day excursion, or renting a small boat, or sailing and cruising for some days, we are willing to accommodate your needs.
Eight day: Salina or Vulcano, Milazzo, Catania
Departure by hydrofoil for Milazzo, meeting with the driver and transfer to Catania airoprt.
Date & Quote
Available on request from mid April to mid October.
Quote on request.
Booking & Cancellation Policy
HOW TO BOOK
You can initiate a booking by sending an enquiry by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephoning us directly 0039 091 583728, or sending an enquiry online at our website form www.privatesicily.it . You will be contacted by a member of our staff within 48 hours (working days). We will send you a proposal and quote for the services required. Once we have receiced your written confirmation we will confirm all the service by issuing and sending via e-mail a pro-forma invoice. Please check this pro-forma invoice carefully as soon as you receive it and contact us immediately if there is any wrong information about you or the services confirmed.
GUARANTEED DEPARTURES
The tours marked as guaranteed departures will depart as scheduled with the minimum number of participants specified in each tour. We will confirm the tour 30 days before the scheduled day. We try to make every departure work and only cancel when absolutely necessary and we may decide to operate a tour with less than the normal minimum number of people.
If your tour is cancelled because the minimum size group is not met, you will have the option to either transfer to another tour or receive a full refund of the deposit paid.
PAYMENT
Usually to confirm your booking, we require a deposit of 30% of the total quote, and the balance is required 30 days before departure ; we will specify when different conditions apply in your pro-forma invoice.
CHANGES
Any changes to your confirmed booking, must be notified us in writing. Whilst we will endeavour to assist, we cannot guarantee we will be able to meet the requests. Changes in party size which result in a decrease in the overall cost of the booking will be treated as a partial cancellation and our normal cancellation charges will apply.
CANCELLATIONS
Any cancellation should be made in writing (by e-mail). Following penalties (% of total invoice) will be applied for cancellations made:
Up to 60 days 10%
from 59 to 31 days 30%
from 30 to 21 days 50%
from 20 to 01 days 100%
before arrival date
no show 100%
If different conditions apply, they will be specified in the booking process.
