Spend eight magical days sailing and hiking through Italy’s Aeolian Islands
Discover the magic of the Aeolian Islands in one of the best ways possible: sailing onboard a gulet! The gulet, a wooden sailing vessel, and its captain will transport you around the Tyrrhenian Sea, stopping at 5 of the 7 islands that comprise the Aeolian archipelago.
Embarking from the northern coast of Sicily, you’ll first navigate towards Vulcano, home to a magnificent landscape of fumaroles, craters, and crystallized sulphur. Over the following few days, you’ll see an array of Mediterranean vegetation on Lipari, Salina, and Panarea, from rocky shores and hidden coves to lush trails on the “green” island of the group. Ancient wonders await you on hikes to some impressive places like the Stromboli volcano, and historical ruins.
Full of treasures, this tour will delight you each day as you sail through this enchanting archipelago. And on top of all the adventurous excursions, you get to spend your free time relaxing on board! Life at sea plus hiking the remote wilderness of the Aeolian Islands? Yes, please!
Highlights of the Sailing and Hiking in the Aeolian Islands
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Sailing and Hiking in the Aeolian Islands Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Set Sail from Milazzo
Arrive in the airport in Catania and receive transportation to Milazzo, the beautiful port town where you’ll embark on the gulet for the week. Your guide will brief you on boat safety rules and give you an overview of the week. Enjoy your first night on the ship as you take off from the dock. All aboard!
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Hike on Vulcano Island
Enjoy breakfast on board as you sail towards the first of the Aeolian Islands you’ll visit on this tour: Vulcano. Before lunch, you have free time to experience the therapeutic benefits of natural mud baths or walk along the black-sand beaches next to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Fuel up on board, then disembark to summit the Cratere della Fossa to discover its fascinating volcanic geography with fumaroles and crystallized sulphur formations. Relax on the gulet for dinner and rest.
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: 3 hours, 390 m of ascent, 390 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Explore Panarea Island
Spend about 2.5 hours on the sea as you sail towards Panarea in the morning. Once anchored, you’ll disembark to wander the island where you can stop at the stunning Calajunco beach and later admire the ruins of an ancient village. In your free time, feel free to jump in and swim! All meals onboard the gulet, and return to get a good night’s sleep for tomorrow’s hike.
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: 2.5 hours, 50 m of ascent, 50 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Summit Stromboli Volcano
Are you interested in hiking to the top of the largest volcano in the Aeolian Islands? Well, you’re in luck! About 2 hours after departing from Panarea, the ship arrives at the shores of Stromboli. Spend a bit of free time getting acquainted with the village then meet your group to begin the ascent of Stromboli.* A moderately challenging hike brings you to the top, at which point you can witness the volcano’s explosive activity up close—it erupts with lava several times an hour. Enjoy a picnic dinner before embarking for the night.
*The hike to Stromboli is optional. If you prefer, or if hiking Stromboli is prohibited at the time of your tour, you can hike to the Sciara del Fuoco for a comparable vista.
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: 5.5 hours, 900 m of ascent, 900 m of descent
alternative: 3 hours, 290 m of ascent, 290 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Spend time on Salina Island
Head towards Salina today with a long sailing time of about 5 hours. You’ll have the opportunity to dive into the sea in one of the most beautiful bays on this island. You’ll notice right away how green Salina is thanks to its lush and varied flora. Step off the boat in search of Salina’s local products like malvasia, a sweet wine, and salty capers. Have your meals onboard and cozy up in your cabin for the night.
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Hike Monte delle Felci on Salina
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Val di Chiesa as the starting point for today’s hike. Among the vineyards on the island, you’ll find many ancient wonders and sanctuaries. Take an optional hike to Monte Fossa delle Felci for some unparalleled panoramas overlooking the small fishing village of Malfa. In the afternoon, you can swim at leisure and the group will have a packed lunch.
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: 4.5 hours, 650 m of ascent, 650 m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7 Explore Lipari
The last island you’ll visit on this tour, Lipari, is home to Punta Crapazza—a point that offers magnificent views and breathtaking landscapes. Return to the gulet for lunch and departure to Milazzo. Ask your captain to stop somewhere for one last swim in the cobalt sea!
Overnight Location: Cabin onboard the gulet
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 Ciao
After your final breakfast in Milazzo with your group, receive transportation to either the airport in Catania or Palermo. Say ciao to your new friends as you head off with plenty of memories.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Sailing and Hiking in the Aeolian Islands Tour Price and Dates
This guided sailing tour in the Aeolian Islands is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the season and the type of the boat chosen. Please note that the boat availability is limited and all the dates are on request.
Prices below are for the entire boat rental, which fits up to 12 people, and depend on the date of the tour:
- Group of 12: from $15,995 USD per Boat* ($1,350 USD/person)
Please note that the prices depend on the size of your group, boat type chosen and your travelling dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Sailing the Aeolian Islands
This tour is based on a gulet, which is a wooden sailing vessel. There are 6 double occupancy rooms available, so when you book the entire boat with your group, you decide how to organize the sleeping arrangements.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
On this tour, you book the whole boat with 6 double rooms (not individual rooms), so it’s up to you how you decide to share them.
Accommodation on Standard Tour
Cabin onboard gulet
Experience life at sea onboard a wooden sailing vessel. The cabins are equipped with either a double bed or two twin beds and a bathroom.
What’s included in the Sailing and Hiking in the Aeolian Islands Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights on board the gulet are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour. Airport transfers from and to Catania Airport are included too (one per whole group).
Also Included
- Services of captain, sailor, hostess and cook (except during the free time)
- Tour leader throughout the tour
- Water during the meals
- Welcome cocktail
- Fuel for 4 hours daily navigation
- Air conditioning from 19:30 to 23:00 daily
- Daily room and public areas cleaning
- Wi-fi
Not included
- Guide in Stromboli
- Mooring tax
- Beverages outside of meals
- Personal expenses
- Anything not stated as “Included”
- Optional excursions
- Tips for the crew
Optional Extras
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Air conditioning during the night
Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing and Hiking in the Aeolian Islands
Since 2005, Mediterranea Trekking has offered excellent trekking, biking, and sailing tours in Sicily. The tour operator employs an experienced team of licensed and professional guides. Mediterranea Trekking maintains sustainable practices to lessen its impact on the environment and provide guests with an eco-friendly experience.
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