Hiking Southern Italy: Archaeology, Volcanoes & Cuisine

Itinerary

(B)= Breakfast, (L)= Lunch, (R)= Reception, (D)= Dinner

Sunday, May 11, 2025: Depart home for Naples, Italy

Monday, May 12: Arrive in Naples | Transfer to hotel | Welcome dinner
Upon arrival at Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP), you will be met and transferred to our hotel. Take some time to relax before gathering for an introductory lecture and welcome reception at the hotel followed by a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the 4-star Grand Hotel Santa Lucia for four nights. (R,D)

Tuesday, May 13: Pompeii | Mt. Vesuvius winery visit | Hiking Mt. Vesuvius | Naples
3-hour, 3-mile hike (600 feet up and down) OR 4-hour, 5-mile hike (1,120 feet up and down) 

Explore Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one the world’s most fascinating archaeological sites that was both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The eruption buried the city under tons of ash, pumice, and lapilli, but excavations have revealed life in a prosperous ancient Roman city. Proceed to a winery at the base of Mt. Vesuvius for a wine tasting lunch, where each course (antipasto and spaghetti, both featuring heirloom Piennolo tomatoes; and pastiera napoletana, a traditional tart with sweetened ricotta, candied fruit, and boiled wheat berries) is paired with a specific local wine. In the afternoon, hike the trail of Vesuvius National Park to the crater from where you can enjoy the majesty of the volcano and views over the whole Gulf of Naples. Return to our hotel in Naples, where dinner is on your own. (B,L)

Wednesday, May 14: Oplontis | Amalfi | Hiking the “Path of the Gods” from Agerola to Positano | Naples
3-hour, 3-mile hike (165 feet up and 860 down) OR 4-hour, 5-mile hike (165 feet up and 1,210 down) 

Begin the day with a visit to Villa Poppea (Oplontis), an ancient villa with superb wall paintings that was probably owned by Emperor Nero. Continue to Amalfi, once one of Italy’s four great maritime republics, and visit its stunning 13^th-century Cathedral and Cloister. After lunch at leisure, a short drive takes us to Agerola from where we hike the breathtaking “Path of the Gods.” The panoramic trail is punctuated by insights into local life, passing shepherds’ huts and ancient stone houses carved into the limestone, before descending to colorful Positano. Return to Naples and then gather this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Thursday, May 15: Hiking on Capri | Villa Jovis | Naples
4-hour, 4-mile hike (1,250 feet up and down) OR 5-hour, 5-mile hike (1,470 feet up and down)

In the morning take a ferry to the fabled island of Capri, the favorite place of Roman Emperor Tiberius. Enjoy a hike on its iconic trails, including a visit to Villa Jovis, the largest and most opulent of Tiberius’ twelve villas on the island. Enjoy a picnic lunch and walk through Mediterranean vegetation, with the scents of holm oak, myrtle, and broom permeating the air, plus amazing views over the Faraglioni (three towering rock formations just off the coast) and the mainland. Hike back to the Old Town and enjoy some time at leisure to explore its famous “Piazzetta.” Return to Naples by ferry and then gather for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Friday, May 16: Herculaneum | Naples Archaeological Museum | Overnight ferry to Lipari
Explore Herculaneum which, like Pompeii, was both destroyed and preserved by the catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Excavations have revealed the customs, habits, and art of an ancient holiday resort for wealthy Romans. Among the most important buildings are the theater, the basilica adorned with marble and paintings, the spa with gym, and the House of Argos. Return to Naples, where we enjoy a lunch of the city’s acclaimed pizza followed by a visit to the Naples Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman art and artifacts. The Farnese Collection includes celebrated bronze and marble statues, as well as ancient paintings and important artifacts from Herculaneum and Pompeii. This evening, embark the overnight ferry to Lipari. Dinner is on your own in the ferry cafeteria. Overnight aboard a Siremar Ferry. (B,L)

Saturday, May 17: Lipari: Archaeological Museum | Hiking Vulcano | Panarea
2-hour, 3-mile hike (1,650 feet up and down) 

Disembark the ferry at Lipari and enjoy breakfast at a local café. Lipari is the largest island of the Aeolian archipelago, comprising seven islands off the coast of Sicily: Lipari, Panarea, Vulcano, Stromboli, Salina, Alicudi, and Filicudi. They were all created by the still-active volcanoes of Stromboli and Vulcano, and today they are a UNESCO World Heritage (natural) Site. We visit the Archaeological Museum, tucked inside Lipari Castle, which stands out on the island’s eastern bay. After lunch at leisure, we take a private boat to Vulcano that, according to Greek mythology, was the home of Hephaestus/Vulcan, the god of fire, metalwork, and the fine arts. Hike to the top, from where it is possible to observe numerous volcanic phenomena, including smoke clouds, vapor spouts, and sulphuric mud holes known for their therapeutic properties. Continue to Panarea, the only car-free island of the archipelago, and have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Lisca Bianca for three nights. (B,D)

Sunday, May 18: Hiking Stromboli | Panarea
4-hour, 5-mile hike (1,310 up and down) OR 6-hour, 9-mile hike (2,950 feet up and down) 

Take a private boat to nearby Stromboli, the most active volcano in Europe, which has been erupting for at least 2,000 years at intervals of approximately 15 minutes, with lava flow that runs down into the sea. Enjoy a full-day excursion here, including a picnic lunch. On our way back to Panarea, stop at one of the smallest rock formations to see underwater vapor spouts and swim in hot waters, weather permitting. Gather for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Monday, May 19: AM at leisure | Salina | Hike to Hauner Winery | Panarea
3-hour, 3-mile hike (900 feet up and down) OR 4-hour, 6-mile hike (2,170 up and 3,150 feet down) 

The morning is at leisure to relax at the hotel pool, explore the village on your own, go to the beach, or independently hike the beautiful island. After an independent lunch, we take the ferry to the island of Salina, home to a beautiful, wooded area of ferns (la Fossa delle Felci) located on jagged cliffs above the island’s gorgeous beaches. Stop to taste the renowned granita, a local crushed-ice treat with all-natural flavors such as peach, mulberry, almond, and pistachio. Then we set out on a hike ending at Hauner Winery for a tasting of its very special Malvasia delle Lipari wine. Return to Panarea by private boat and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B)

Tuesday, May 20: Milazzo, Sicily | Taormina | Mount Etna
Leaving Panarea behind, we take a ferry to Milazzo, on Sicily, considered one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, and then drive to Taormina. After an independent lunch, we take a walking tour through the upper town, perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Labeled by Goethe “a corner of paradise,” Taormina has drawn visitors since its days as an essential stop on the Grand Tour. Visit the celebrated ancient Greek theater, with its spectacular view of volcanic Mt. Etna and the turquoise sea far below. Continue on to our resort in the heart of Mount Etna Park and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Cavanera Etnea Resort for two nights. (B,D)

Wednesday, May 21: Hiking Mt. Etna | Wine tasting | Farewell dinner
2.5-hour, 3-mile hike (850 up and down) OR  4-hour, 6-mile hike (2,625 feet up and down)

Europe’s largest active volcano, Mt. Etna, is a UNESCO World Heritage (natural) Site that dominates eastern Sicily. Rifugio Sapienza (at 6,000 feet) is the starting point of our walk today. Cinder cones and extinct craters are features of the desolate landscape. From high on the mountain, there is a wonderful panorama of Sicily’s eastern coast. Depending on the weather and volcanic conditions, take 4×4 Jeeps to 9,500 feet and then continue on foot to 11,000 feet, escorted by an alpine guide. At the end of the excursion, reach an extraordinary winery on the slopes of this legendary volcano and behold a fascinating lava landscape forged by countless eruptions. Enjoy a wine tasting lunch, before driving back to our resort for some time at leisure. Gather this evening for a farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Thursday, May 22: Fly home
Take a private transfer to Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) for flights homeward. (B)