Naples to Palermo

You will awake to a breathtaking view of Stromboli' s volcanic crater.
A private and guided excursion for the climb to the top of Stromboli can be organised. Stromboli has several wonderful black sand beaches and interesting small creeks which are surrounded by a long-cooled lava flow, shaped by the sea.

Cruise to Panarea, the smallest of the seven island Aeolian chain. Surrounded by beautiful reefs, the sea is designated a national park and you can enjoy some great snorkelling. On the southernmost tip of the island, the bay of Cala Junco is a geological wonder and a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The rock in the foreground is made of columnar basalt.

A morning cruise will take you further south towards Lipari, the largest and most populated of the Aeolian islands. The island has the biggest town of the archipelago, also called Lipari, and the pretty streets offer an enjoyable afternoon perusing boutiques and sampling the delights of local trattorias. The ancient citadel overlooks the historical centre and the historic acropolis is now home to the archaeological museum.
This is a very important museum in Europe - with its collection of prehistoric finds, classical and maritime artefacts. Inside the fortress area you can also visit the Cathedral, the Norman cloister and archaeological park.

Next to Lipari, Vulcano takes its name from the considerable volcanic activity that has taken place over thousands of years. It is possible to hike up to the crater, where sulphur smoke makes for incredible scenery, and the path towards the peak is a pleasant walk of about 45 minutes, taking you past volcanic boulders with a black and sandy soil underfoot - mostly compounded volcanic dust.
As you climb you can admire the islands of Alicudi, Filicudi, and Salina, and from the top it is possible to distinguish the shapes of all seven islands, as well as the Vulcanello Peninsula.
Looking to the south, the northern coast of Sicily and mount Etna can often be seen.

Filicudi is one of the smallest islands of the Aeolian archipelago. Its typical vegetation of ferns, from which it derives its name, covers most of the island including the highest peak, Fossa delle Felci. Fossa delle Felci is an ancient and extinct volcano which has a view to the southeast including the peninsula Capo Graziano, where the remains of a prehistoric village have been found.
Here, modern archaeology has brought to light the remains of a circular hut village, dating back to the Bronze Age. Explore beautiful open sea caves, such as the Grotta del Blue Marino.
Cruise to nearby Punta del Perciato, a lava promontory where the sea has opened a natural arch. Reach the Canna, an imposing basalt cliff standing 70m above the sea, and why not dip beneath the waves with a scuba dive to see the abundant marine life.

Head to the northern coast of Sicily for disembarkation in Palermo.