--- title: "Destination Highlight: Volcanoes of Southern Italy" description: Hiking Mt. Etna and the Aeolian islands is a unique experience in Italy with active volcanoes and dramatic cliffs over the winding Mediterranean coastline. image: https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Stromboli%20Blog.jpg --- [![Tourissimo](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/tourissimo_logo_1.png?width=250&height=86&name=tourissimo_logo_1.png "Tourissimo")](https://www.tourissimo.travel) [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/ddd8c08e-e883-4692-b319-f5091f8847ee.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/ddd8c08e-e883-4692-b319-f5091f8847ee) ## Andiamo! The Tourissimo Blog # Destination Highlight: Volcanoes of Southern Italy ![Beppe Salerno](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Beppe_avatar.jpg) Posted by [Beppe Salerno](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/author/beppe-salerno) on Aug 11, 2016 1:00:00 PM Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/beppe.salerno.9) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beppesalerno) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/beppesal) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Hiking on Mount Etna and the Aeolian islands is a unique experience that involves active volcanoes and dramatic cliffs over the winding Mediterranean coastline. We’ve created a weeklong program to give the casual hiker the chance to explore Sicily’s rugged volcanic landscapes while learning about some of its history and culture.  ![Stromboli Blog](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Stromboli%20Blog.jpg?width=2240&name=Stromboli%20Blog.jpg) The Island and Volcano of Stromboli Sicily is a mini-continent of its own and has a fascinating and unique history that has been forged over thousands of years. It’s also an adventure traveler’s paradise: Hike coastal trails above a turquoise sea, meander across rolling hills of wheat and vineyards, head into Sicily’s rural world of tiny farms and villages, and experience some of the island’s large, imposing volcanoes up close.     ![Vulcano Island6](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Tours/Sicily%20East/Vulcano%20Island6.jpg?width=3072&name=Vulcano%20Island6.jpg) Vulcano Island ### Aeolian Islands  The seven islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites, and it is very easy to understand why. There are smoldering craters, a splintered, rocky coastline and two active volcanoes: Stromboli and Vulcano.  We’ll visit both, and also have time to experience the black sand beaches and bubbling mud baths.   ### ![Fotolia_85891001_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Tours/Volcanoes_of_Southern_Italy/Fotolia_85891001_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=788&name=Fotolia_85891001_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg) Aeolian Archipelago ### Majestic Etna On Sicily’s mainland we trek on Mount Etna (3350m). The fittest participants can make it to the top, but there are several lower craters, too.  Lava flows and vast plains of black sand at the summit contrast with the green and fertile lower slopes. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and the island has a special relationship with it. Its massive presence is reassuring for the most part. But everyone knows that his or her destiny could be all up to Etna. Locals simply called him *'a muntagna*, the mountain.    ![Fotolia_83612364_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hs-fs/hubfs/Tours/Volcanoes_of_Southern_Italy/Fotolia_83612364_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg?width=751&name=Fotolia_83612364_Subscription_Monthly_M.jpg) Etna from the town of Taormina The fertile volcanic soil, the mild weather, and the ‘good’ Mediterranean winds allow for outstanding agricultural productions, including some of the best wines in all of Italy. The Etna appellation is now in every wine article ranking the best and up-and-coming wines. Interestingly, several expats have fallen in love with Sicily and have become top wine producers there.    [![Get the Quick Guide to Cycling Tour Levels and find out which kind of tour is right for you.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/4521a744-8dfb-4de3-8171-0f381af60a2b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/4521a744-8dfb-4de3-8171-0f381af60a2b) Tourissimo also offers a Grand Tour version called the Volcanoes of Southern Italy.  With three additional days you will also visit: Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum, and the Amalfi Coast. **Are you thinking about a unique hiking tour for your private group?** [Give us a call right now or send a message.](https://www.tourissimo.travel/contact-us-active-travel-in-italy)   [![Tourissimo Ultimate Active Travel Guidebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/505790/a1470f96-1882-4709-a200-763c5b34d75b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/505790/a1470f96-1882-4709-a200-763c5b34d75b)   Topics: [Hiking & Walking](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/topic/hiking-walking), [Italy Travel Tips](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/topic/italy-travel-tips) #### Don’t just read about Italy…visit it with us! At Tourissimo, we are the Italy experts, and we offer walking and hiking tours throughout the country. Browse our [Tour Calendar](https://www.tourissimo.travel/upcoming-tours) or [contact us](https://www.tourissimo.travel/contact-us-active-travel-in-italy) today to get started. ### Share this post ### Related posts ![Destination Highlight: Eastern Sicily](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Stromboli%20Blog.jpg) [Destination Highlight: Eastern Sicily](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/destination-highlight-eastern-sicily) ![Hotels We Love: Casa della Capra](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Blog_pictures/Casa%20della%20Capra/Casa%20della%20Capra%20Cover.jpg) [Hotels We Love: Casa della Capra](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/hotels-we-love-casa-della-capra) ![Overtourism in Italy: You’re Visiting Only 1% Of Our Country](https://www.tourissimo.travel/hubfs/Overtourism%20in%20Italy.jpg) [Overtourism in Italy: You’re Visiting Only 1% Of Our Country](https://www.tourissimo.travel/blog/overtourism-in-italy-visit-the-other-99-percent) ## Subscribe to Andiamo! ### Subscribe to Andiamo! 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