Italian Small Islands and Volcanoes

Discover Capri by Boat

Spend a day immersed in Capri's beauty, from caves and baths, to inlets, with the crystal clear sea visible everywhere. Along the way, you'll learn the island's secrets, and hear about the famous people who have enjoyed its seaside villas, but you'll also have many opportunities to dive into Capri's memorable waters.

Hike the Path of the Little Forts

A demanding but rewarding walking path follows the coast between the Blue Grotto to the lighthouse. This route is called the Path of the Little Forts, or The Old Walk of the Forts. Both ends of this 6 km trail can be reached by bus, but the path is easier if you start at the lighthouse and walk to the Blue Grotto rather than the reverse. If you can, time your arrival include the sunset. Allow about 3 hours for the hike and note that while tour boats are going in and out of the Grotto you cannot swim, but the water is generally open to swimmers after 5.

Ischia’s best dishes

The island of Ischia is very close to Naples, they belong to the same region, and their cuisine is very similar too. As in Naples, one of the most famous and best things to try is definitely pizza; you can find delicious pizzas in most restaurants and pizzerie, but also in fast food shops and snack stands. Then, there are many dishes which are typical just of the island; the most famous is probably “Coniglio all’ischitana”, rabbit cooked in a special way, using white wine, garlic, cherry tomatoes and chili pepper. This is considered by local a festive dish, and it is served by families especially on Sundays. Another specialty is “Pesce all’acqua pazza”, literally "fish in crazy water", a fish dish made with anchovies, sardines and mackerel and prepared with garlic, chilli pepper and parsley. Finally, Ischia is famous for the production of honey, make sure to try it when on the island and take some home with you!

Explore Ischia

When staying in the beautiful island of Ischia, we definitely suggest visiting are the Aragonese castle, symbol of the island, built on a cliff and visible from far away and Sorgeto bay, where hot springs create natural pools in the sea. Enjoy some relaxing time on the beautiful beaches, such as Chiaia in Forio, Cava dell'Isola, and Maronti beach, reachable by boat, and visit Sant'Angelo area, the richest part of the island. Sant'Angelo is connected to the port by a public bus and it is mainly a pedestrian area. Finally, make sure to try the best and most typical dishes in the island, like bucatini with rabbit sauce and the many seafood dishes.

Hikes and Views

As with the nearby Amalfi Coast, Ischia presents a great opportunity for beautiful hikes. There are many walking and hiking trails criss-crossing the island, all offering stunning views of the island and the surrounding sea. One of the best hikes takes you up Mt. Epomeo, Ischia's highest mountain. Once you arrive at the top, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the sea, the neighboring Islands of Procida and Capri, and even the Gulf of Naples. Enjoy them while recharging at the local restaurant and bar. The trek itself is a beautiful experience too, as you will be surrounded by stunning Mediterranean plants for the whole length of the journey. Even though this hike might be a little challenging, it is definitely suitable for people with an average fitness level. 

First Night in Napoli!

So you've just arrived in Naples! This is a city that demands you throw yourself into it headfirst. The very best way to do that is to head to Centro Storico and get in line for one of the city's legendary pizzas. For a slightly less frantic first night, Quartieri Spagnoli next to the historical center is an alternative. Every local has their favorite place and won't be convinced otherwise. We've tried our fair share, and you'll find recommendations in your customized Guest Page. The first rule of pizza in Naples is that it's nothing like pizza in the US. It's not even like Neapolitan style pizza in the US. Sure some places get close, especially those with the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana designation but somehow pizza in Naples is just 'more'.

Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Private Excursion

No visit to this part of Italy is complete without a stop at Vesuvius National Park. On this excursion you'll be picked up and driven there. Although the duration of the hike in Vesuvius National Park can vary widely according to the age and health of visitors, the whole hike should take about 90 minutes. The temperature on the top is usually lower than on the slopes and the wind can suddenly blow on the crater. Moreover, we recommend taking sneakers or climbing boots, binoculars, sun glasses, and water. You'll be truly impressed by this historic site, and in Pompeii you'll have a walking tour. At the end of the tour you'll be taken back to your accommodation.

The program includes a 2-hours private guided tour of Pompeii ruins where your expert local guide will make the past come alive for you. At the end of the day you'll be driven back to your accommodation. You'll definitely want to wear comfortable shoes and bring your camera!

The Volcanoes and Beaches of Lipari

Lipari is a beautiful, small island, so it's possible to visit much of it in a fairly short time. We recommend visiting Canneto, a fishing village with a long pebbly beach with good spots for swimming. On the east coast, you'll find old pumice quarries, and crystal clear, turquoise waters. The north coast brings the long lava pebble beach of Acquacalda, a small village named for nearby hot springs. If you're up for a walk, hike up to Lipari Castle, to enjoy an amazing view. Some other favorite beaches are Valle i Mura, a hidden beach reachable by by hike or boat, and Havana Beach, with its white sands and clear waters.

Panarea and Stromboli Private Tour

Take a hydrofoil to Panarea, the smallest Aeolian Island, and a popular destination for international celebrities. You can easily get around the island by foot, although you can also ride the classic Aeolian taxi - a tiny three-wheeled Piaggio Ape. Next, you'll ride a hydrofoil to Stromboli, a nearby active volcano. After a scenic lunch, you'll climb to Stromboli's crater with an alpine guide. After seeing Italy at its most beautiful, you'll return to Panarea, in time to make your connection back to Lipari.

Vulcano Private Tour

Lipari's Specialties

Although part of the Aeolian archipelago, Lipari is officially Sicilian, which makes more sense once you've tried the local cuisine. The island's main dishes are made with fish and seafood, even pasta and soups. Some of the most typical and must-try dishes are pasta with squid ink, risotto with seafood, ravioli with cernia fish filling, and seafood soup. Other local dishes made with meat are roast duck with oranges, and roast rabbit. After lunch, get ready for desserts! As in Sicily, one of the most famous desserts is cannoli, pastries filled with ricotta cheese and pistachio or chocolate bits; another popular sweet in the Aeolian islands is "frutta martorana," made with sweet almond paste and shaped into bunches of grapes, pomegranates, eggplants, etc. If you'd rather just have a small snack, try the arancini, pizza, calzones, and "pane cunzato," typical local bread.

Food Time in Taormina

Taormina has much to offer in terms of food and wine, so our suggestion for a fun afternoon is a "DIY" food tour with the following stops: Start at Bam Bar for the best granita in Sicily. This traditional Sicilian dessert is a great way to fresh up - delicious crushed ice with fresh-squeezed fruit juice, chocolate or even coffee - they have so many different flavors it will be hard to choose! Our pick for the next stop is La Bottega del Formaggio for some cheese and wine tastings, make sure to try the rich local red called Nero D'Avola. Finish your day with a dinner at Restaurant Baronessa where you can enjoy great food paired with some amazing views and of course pre or post-dinner drinks at Daiquiri Cocktail bar to chill the evening away with a cocktail or a glass of wine :-)

Taormina Private Walking Tour

Taormina is considered the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea: spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain, rich in history, art, culture and tradition, it is an unmissable sight in every Italian journey. Inhabited by the Siculi even before the Greeks arrived in 734 BC, it enjoyed great prosperity under the Romans and became a popular stop on the "Grand Tour" taken by European elites. On this three-hour private guided tour, you will enjoy Taormina's most important historic and artistic treasures and views.

Swim and Dive Around Isola Bella

The local beach in front of Isola Bella is a great spot for a relaxing afternoon and a sunset cocktail in one of the upmarket hotels with privileged access to the tiny beach. You can also try some easy diving around the local bay near the blue cave and the sunken Roman columns, which is ideal for beginners. We recommend the local company, Nike Diving Taormina.

Etna and Alcantara Group Tour

If you want to hike Mt. Etna, this is the tour for you. Early in the morning, a 4x4 will take you to Mt. Etna, where you'll proceed on a 5 kilometer hike with an experienced guide. At the end, you'll climb atop a crater created by a volcanic eruption. You'll then head into a forest, to find what lies below the volcano's hard surface. In an underground adventure, you'll venture deep into the mountain to discover its innermost secrets, visiting a cave carved by a lava flow. After a break for lunch, you'll visit the scenic Alcantara Valley, with its columnar basalt, before heading home.