Mount Etna, Aeolian Islands & Syracuse

With its diverse landscape, this Escorted Tour Hoilday offers visitors an insight into Sicily's geographical wonders. Explore volcanic activity, beautiful hisorical towns and some absolutely stunning natural beauty.

Topflight’s unique Tours allow you to relax and get the very best from your holiday experience. A comfortable base with lots of free time to do as you please combined with carefully selected excursions.

Your Holiday Itinerary

Day1Fly to Catania

Fly from Dublin to Catania where you will be met by Topflight's Resort Manager and transferred to the wonderful Hotel Caesar Palace, a great base for exploring the surroundings, as well as enjoying some relaxation and down time in the Sicilian sunshine.

Day2Day at Leisure

Today, you have a day to spend as you please, perhaps exploring all the great facilities that the hotel has to offer. If you feel like chilling out in the sun, take to the poolside where you can lounge and relax before taking a quick dip to cool down. Or if the beach is more your thing, take the shuttle bus to the hotel's private area on the main beach of Giardini Naxos.

Day3The Heights of Mount Etna

You will be picked up by bus from your agreed meeting point after breakfast, where you will meet your tour leader and proceed to the Etna station, located at 1,900 metres. This excursion allows you decide for yourself exactly how high you want to go. Visit the most recent lava flows and discover the fascinating Silvestri craters, which are now extinct, during the course of the day.

Visitors can take a optional trip by cable car to 2,500 metres if they wish and continue to the summit crater at about 3000 metres with the assistance of licensed guides of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club). Here you can take in some absolutely spectacular sights as you witness the volcanoe's fascinating and exhilarating activity, from a designated safe zone.

Day4The Aeolian Islands of Panarea & Stromboli

The bus will pick you up from your meeting point this morning and bring you to embark on a mini-cruise on a motor boat. You will explore two of the most famous Aeolian Islands, the endlessly elegant Panarea and the volcanic island of Stromboli.

The journey will begin with Panarea, known for its quaint winding pathways, its fine architecture and its popularity with the rich and famous. You will view Calajunco Bay and the beautiful Zimmari Beach before docking and visiting the beautiful village. You will have some time to spend as you wish here, exploring the islands beauty, enjoying time on the beach or perhaps enjoying a fabulous lunch at a local restaurant.

Return to the boat again where you will sail around the impressive and rocky front of Panarea before visiting Stromboli. This island offers something completely different with its characteristic conical shape and domination by a perpetually active volcano. You will dock and have some time to explore this fascinating island, before sunset.

Finally you will board the boat once again to witness “Sciara del Fuoco” or “Stream of Fire”, with its spectacular explosions and lava flow, weather permitting.

Please note: Visitors must pay a €5 Ecotax locally.

Day5Day at Leisure

You have another day to spend as you please. Why not take the short trip to the gorgeous town of Taormina, hailed as one of the most beautiful places in Sicily? There are exquisite views to take in at every turn, be it the beautiful winding cobblestoned streets, lined with boutiques, restaurants and cafés or, being perched on the slopes of Monte Tauro, the stunning ocean views that can be seen from various lookouts along the way.

Day6Syracuse

After breakfast, the tour bus will collect you from the agreed meeting point and take you to the wonderful city of Syracuse. On arrival, a local guide will show you all the impressive sites of this town, starting at the magnificent Archaeological Park of Neapolis, which is home to a staggering number of well-preserved Greek (and Roman) remains. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Greek theatre that dates back at least until the 5th Century BC.

Beside the theatre, you will find the mystic 'Latomies of Paradise', a deep, steep limestone quarry riddled with catacombs and now boasting many fragrant citrus and magnolia trees. Here stands the 'Ear of Dionysius'- The name was given by Caravaggio during his visit in 1608 and legend would tell us that it was used by Dionysius the Tyrant as a prison for his bitterest enemies. The excellent Cathedral-like acoustics meant that he could hear their conversations from outside.

The tour continues towards the island of Ortigia, the historical heart of Syracuse. Connected to the mainland by three bridges, this charming island is a lovely place where you can wander down the narrow medieval lanes past baroque palaces and churches.

Day7Day at Leisure

Today is a good day to relax and unwind to ensure that you return home rested and full of wonderful memories from your many fascinating excurions across the beautiful island of Sicily.

Day8Return Home

You will be picked up from your hotel today and transferred back to the airport where you will return to Dublin.