Aeolian Islands Walking 

The transfer time from Catania Airport to Milazzo is approx. 2 hours and onwards by ferry to Lipari is approx. 1 hour 30 mins depending on weather and traffic.

Two full day, and two half day (4hrs & 5 hrs) guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. You can expect to walk between 5 to 9 km per day, with some ascents/descents. Terrain varies from rocky underfoot to compacted volcanic materials.

The distances, and length time are valid if the physical conditions of the participants and the weather conditions are good. Otherwise please add an hour at each walk.

Day 2 LIPARI PORTO – MONTE ROSA

Length : 7,5 km approx.

Duration :1 hour and 45 minutes approx.

Day 3 Vulcano Gran Cratere

Length : 7 km approx.

Duration: 3 hours and 22 minutes approx.

Day 5 CAPISTELLO- GEOPHISICAL OBSERVATORY

Length: 8 km approx..

Duration: 2 hours and 30 min approx.

Day 6 CAOLINO- SAN CALOGERO

Length : 8,3 km approx..

Duration: 3 hours and 10 min. approx..

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.

You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.

Optional excursion Full day Panarea and Stromboli Boat tour. Departure from Lipari at 12:00. First bathe stop in to the “Baia di Calajunco”, below the picturesque village of “Capo Milazzese”. Following a pleasant stop to visit the village. Back on board and  head to the islets of Dattilo, Lisca Bianca(where we will stop to observe the famous sulfur gorgos), Lisca nera, Bottaro and Basiluzzo, for another dive into the sea, rich of  sea-starfishes, sea urchins and black coral. On the route to Stromboli, bathe stop to Ginostra, one of the most beautiful naturalistic sites in the Mediterranean sea, where a few locals live with a great spirit of adaptation to nature. Continuing along the Stromboli coast, we will call at the main port to visit the picturesque village characterized by small white houses that seem gently lied on the fine black sand. At sunset we will head to islet of Strombolicchio, stop under the Sciara del Fuoco to admire the spectacular eruptions of the volcano. The return to Lipari is scheduled for about 22:30. It is a collective boat (it is not a boat only for your group). The excursion will take place with a min. of 15 participants. Price p.p. €65,00. Payment in cash or card at the boat. Tour needs to be booked with your Tour Leader on arrival day. It is subject to availability and not exclusive to your Solos group.

It is important that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. The weather, even in summer, is unpredictable – particularly in mountainous areas. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:

• Walking boots with good ankle support
• Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
• Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
• Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
• Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
• Walking socks – several pairs
• Lightweight fleece or jumper
• Hat & gloves
• Daysack/rucksack for walking
• Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
• Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
• Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
• Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.

We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €25.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % add on.

Passport validity requirements If you are travelling to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.Your passport must be:

• issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
• valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)

You must check if your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. Check with your transport provider or travel company that your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements. Passport stamping At Italian border control, you may need to:

• show proof of your accommodation, for example, a hotel booking confirmation or proof of address if visiting your own property (for example, a second home)
• show proof of insurance for your trip – check FCDO’s travel insurance guidance
• show a return or onward ticket
• prove that you have enough money for your stay. The minimum amount required depends on your accommodation
• follow procedures if you are hosting a guest at your property in Italy

Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Italy as a visitor. Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit. You can show evidence of when and where you entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets. Visa requirements You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events
• for short-term studies or training

If you are travelling to Italy and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

Compulsory vaccinations: None. At least 8 weeks before your trip: All clients are responsible for acquainting themselves with up to date health information of the countries being visited and where necessary take the required precautions. 

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A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required. The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change. Be aware of any volcanic activity warnings. Risks due to volcanic activity will be communicated upon arrival on the Volcano island, and hikes may be cancelled/altered if conditions are unsafe.