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

This is a demanding but rewarding walking path that follows the coast between the Blue Grotto and the lighthouse. This route is called the Path of the Little Forts or The Old Walk of the Forts. Both ends of this 6km (4 miles) 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 so you can enjoy the sunset.

Ischia’s Best Dishes

The island of Ischia is very close to Naples, and because the cuisine is very similar, trying the Neapolitan-style pizza here is a must. There are also many local dishes that you will only find on the island; the most famous is probably “Coniglio all’ischitana”, rabbit cooked using white wine, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and hot pepper, a festive dish typically served by families 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, hot pepper, and parsley. Finally, Ischia is famous for its honey production, so be sure to try it when you are on the island and take some home with you!

Ischia's Best Beaches

Ischia is a volcanic island that has been gifted with beautiful beaches featuring fine sand and turquoise water. There are many gorgeous beaches, but here are our favorites: Cava dell'Isola, a short walk from Forio's center, is one of the best places to admire the sunset, thanks in part to its lively vibe and free, easy access and the possibility to rent beach chairs and umbrellas. San Montano is a more secluded beach where the water is very calm and shallow, thanks to its location in a hidden bay. Maronti is one of the island's longest beaches and is a fertile part of the island, rich with hot springs and hiking paths.

Explore the Best of Ischia

There are many things to do to fully enjoy the relaxed island pace while in Ischia: first, we suggest visiting Aragonese Castle, which is located high on a small island inlet and is considered the symbol of Ischia. Next, we recommend a visit to the natural hot springs and the beautiful sea at Sorgeto Bay as well as some relaxing at the island's beautiful beaches, in particular Chiaia in Forio, Cava dell'Isola, and Maronti Beach, the last of which is only reachable by boat. You also can't miss a stroll in the Sant'Angelo area, the serene fishing village with its typical, colorful houses. Finally, make sure to try the best and most typical dishes on the island, like bucatini pasta with rabbit sauce and any of the light, local seafood dishes.

Hikes and Views

Enjoy a different side of Ischia by hiking one of its many beautiful trails amidst the island's characteristic vegetation, which rightfully gives it the nickname "the Green Island". Many walking and hiking trails crisscross the island, all offering stunning views of the surrounding sea. One of the best hikes takes you up Mt. Epomeo, Ischia's highest mountain, where you are rewarded for your efforts with gorgeous views of the sea, the neighboring Islands of Procida and Capri, and even the Gulf of Naples. Enjoy the views while recharging with a drink and some snacks at the local restaurant and bar.

First Night in Napoli!

So you've just arrived in Naples! This is a city that demands you throw yourself headfirst into it. 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 from Naples

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 freshen 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 one of our recommended restaurants, such as Otto Geleng, where you can enjoy great food paired with some amazing views and, of course, pre or post-dinner drinks at the 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 a local company, Nike Diving Taormina: https://diveniketaormina.com/en/

Etna and Alcantara Group Hike

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.