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Because of the strategic position of our headquarters in the north of Sicily and the shape of the archipelagos, we are able to offer some interesting tours.

Excursions can also be made to famous coastal areas such as Cefalù, San Vito Lo Capo, and the Nature reserve of Zingaro.

How to get to Palermo:
- By air: “Falcone Borsellino” airport is about 20 km from Palermo. Our headquarters can be reached by train or by taxi. A transfer service is also provided (please contact us).
- By sea: Tirrenia, Grimaldi, and SNAV ferries. Disembarkation in the port is just in front of our base.
- By train: the central station is about five minutes from our headquarters.

• Alicudi
• Filicudi
• Salina
• Lipari
• Vulcano
• Panarea
• Stromboli

Aeolian Islands

The archipelago of the Aeolian islands stretches for 90 km along the northeastern coast of Sicily, in the lower Tyrrenian Sea. There are seven islands, all volcanic: Filicudi and Alicudi (the most ancient), Salina, Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli, where the volcano is permanently in eruption.

Each of these islands is marked by its impressive and original landscape, but all of them are linked with Aeolus, the God of the wind after whom they are named. This corner of the Mediterranean is known for strong and extraordinary wind currents, especially in winter.
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This is the most westerly island in the Aeolian archipelago and it is the result of eruptions that took place over 160.000 years. It is circular in outline, rising to a peak called “Filo dell’Arpa” (Harp String) – 675 m above the sea – and it is made of lava streams and basaltic rocks covered with vegetation.
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This volcanic island has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Its highest peak is the Fossa dei Felci (Pits of the Ferns) – 774 m above the sea. It is of great archaeological interest as traces of prehistorical settlements dating from the bronze age have been found at Capo Graziano. There are many interesting excursions, such as a round-the-island boat-trip and guided underwater explorations to places like the enchanting Grotta del Bue Marino (Grotto of the Sea Ox). Filicudi is also famous for its beautiful, gravelly beaches and blue waters.
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This island contains two dormant volcanoes (one of which, the Mountain Fossa delle Felci, is the highest peak of the island – 932 m above the sea) covered with groves and vineyards that make Salina very rich in vegetation and a passage way for migratory birds. Some beautiful coves can be easily reached along the high coast.
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This is the largest island of the archipelago and the most populated as well. Just like the other islands, its origin is volcanic, but all volcanic activity has now ceased leaving several extinct craters. This island is characterized by the presence of pumice and obsidian quarries. The inland areas are harsh and mountainous, the jagged coastline is full of enchanting beaches. The Acropolis, the archaeological Park and the archaeological Museum are must-see attractions.
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This is the most southerly island in the Aeolian Archipelago. The island is characterised by its three dormant volcanos and their craters which are interesting year-round tourist sites. The most recent eruption on this island occurred in 1890. The rocky coastline is spotted with black volcanic beaches. A large stretch of sea (about 1.6 km), separates Volcano from Lipari.
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Panarea is the smallest island in the archipelago and it is the top of a magma basin which still creates plumes of smokes and lava baths. The series of islets which circle Panarea, little more than isolated rocks, are very impressive (Dattilo, Basiluzzo, Bottaro, Spinazzola).
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Among the islands of the archipelago, it is the most easterly and furthest from the Sicilian coastline. Stromboli is a crater-shaped volcano, 924 metres high, made of lava streams and stratifications of volcanic rocks. It is the only active volcano in the archipelago. It is characterized by coastal cliffs that drop sheer into the sea, interspersed with quaint black beaches.
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Egadi Islands

The islands of the Egadi archipelago are well-known for their crystal-clear sea and their relaxing atmosphere. Favignana the largest island in the archipelago, is famous for the its tuna fishing industry. The island is a great draw for tourists as it provides fine sandy beaches and spectacular rock formations. Cala Rossa” and “Costa Azzurra” are well worth visiting for their enchanting sea, while the area between “Punta Faraglione” and “Cala Mineo” is of significant archaeological interest.
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Pantelleria

Of volcanic origin, this island offers both natural and cultural attractions as its enchanting sea and typical houses called "dammusi" enhance the landscape.
The most famous bathing areas are "Punta Scauri", rich with sulphurous waters, and the "scoglio dell'elefante" (Elephant trunk arch) - so called because it resembles an elephant.
Of great interest is a visit to the inner-island "Lago di Venere" (the Lake or Pool of Venus), named after the mythological goddess. From a gastronomic point of view, the "Cantine Muccaram" (Muccaram wine-cellars) are well-known by experts all over the world for their famous wines.

Due to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, Pantelleria was the theatre of a unique mingling of events. Traces of the "Sesioti" who came by the sea to extract the obsidian, a dark stone considered the gold of prehistoric age, can be found in the area of Mursia. You can visit the "Muro Alto", the highest prehistoric wall in the Mediterranean, the Village and the "Sesi" (Seses) mysterious constructions probably used as burial-grounds. In the 9th century the island was conquered by the Phoenicians who called it Yranim and then Cossyra. This was the golden age of Pantelleria. The new cultivation of vines, fortifications and the strategic Acropolis at San Marco, the new coins with the image of the goddess Tanit, the bell-shaped cisterns, the shrines at Lago di Venere and Bubeger, the harbour and part of the castle are only some of the traces left by the Phoenicians. Then the Romans enforced the military defence and the Byzantines enriched houses with mosaics. Later, in 700 A.D. the Arabs settled in Pantelleria up to the year 1200. They left impressive traces, for example the characteristic "Dammusi" (from Arabic, meaning "vaulted building") - houses made of lavic stones with flattened dome roof. The Arabs also introduced the culture of cotton and olives, improved the production of raisin and fortified the "Medina" (completely destroyed during World War II), surrounding the Castle of Barbacane. The island was called "al-Quasayra" (meaning "small"), and later "Bent-el-Rion" (meaning "the wind's daughter"); the former is still used by the population of northern Africa. The Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins, the Aragoneses and the Bourbons followed the Arabs. In 1860 Pantelleria was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.

Montagna Grande Nature Park is the green core of Pantelleria. Here you can find about 600 botanic species including some endemic plants like Limonium Cosyrese, Helichrysum Errerae and Mattiola Incana. In addition, two beautifully coloured species of birds, The "Cinciarella Algerina" and the "Beccamoschino", usually nest here. The view on the Channel of Sicily and of the African coast at sunset enhances the enchanting landscape.
Old paths which criss-cross the island like a cobweb, and ventures into the the countryside lead to groups of "Dammusi" surrounded by citrus gardens, themselves protected by round stony constructions called "jardini". There are eleven districts around the island still bearing their original Hebraic names: Khamma, Rekhale, Gadir, Bukkuram, Bugeber, etc.
The Lake of Venus, of volcanic origin and fed by springs, shows a wonderful variety of colours and is accessable for summer sports. In spring and autumn many species of migrant birds cross the lake, making it into a natural observatory.
The Mediterranean spot of "Khagiar" is an ancient three-kilometer long stream of lava covered with luxuriant myrtle, strawberry trees, mastic trees and heather growing low and shaped by the wind. It hosts wild rabbits and rare Greek tortoises.
The back of the island: In the southern part of the island an imposing pinewood (Aleppo pines, maritime pines and oak trees) forest falls sheer to the sea. An explosion of aromatic smells, it is the continuation of Montagna Grande.
The "Salto della vecchia": an unforgettable panorama. A 300 meter high precipice chosen by sea-birds as nest.
The "Piana di Ghirlanda": Considered the garden of the island, it is a fertile plain sheltered from the wind and surrounded by volcanos. In a fern grove a Byzantine necropolis lies excavated from the underlying rock. You can admire the rural architecture of dry-stone walls marking the volcano slopes and visit the wine-cellars where typical raisin wine ("passito") and "moscato" are produced together. Nearby are "capperificio", where tasty capers are produced.
Stops along the coastline: Karuscia, Campobello, Kattibuali, the sheltered cala Cinque Denti, the "Laghetto delle Ondine", the spas at Cala Gadir, Cala Tramontana, the Faraglione and Cala Levante.
Don't forget the incredible "Arco dell'Elefante" (Elephant trunk arch), probably the greatest natural monument on the island. In addition, excursions can be made to Cala Rotonda, Balata dei Turchi, where the ancient obsidian cave called Nicà lies beside thermal springs where temperatures raise to an average of nearly 100 C°. Other excursions take you to the old Roman port of Scauri, to the thermal grotto of Sateria, Suvaki, to Punta Fram where lava stream has formed natural sculptures, to Mursia and to Cala del Bue Marino.
A boat-trip will allow you to discover the breathtaking marine grottoes where the colour of the sea ranges from dark blue to emerald green.
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Ustica

Ustica lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea, 36 miles north-west of Palermo, and covers an area of about 8.65sq km.
Its formation dates back a million years ago. The island itself is nothing more than the tip of an imposing, million-year-old volcanic submarine complex that stretches for miles undersea.
Crystal-clear sea, its jagged coastline, grottoes, narrow inlets, bays, seabeds of extremely rare algae and inexhaustibly rich variety of fauna make Ustica the first sea reserve in Italy. It is one of the most exciting tourist destinations for underwater explorers, permitting a variety of underwater activities such as scuba diving, admiring archaeological areas, and taking photographs in areas where even bathing is forbidden.
You can visit its countless enchanting grottoes by taking a round-the-island guided boat tour. Among the famous grottoes to be seen are the Grotta dell'Accademia, the Grotta della Partizza, the Grotta Verde, the Grotta Azzurra, the Grotta dell'Oro, the Grotta delle Barche and the Grotta Segreta.
Inland, it is possible to visit the Calvario, the Saracen Castle and the Semaforo, travelling on foot or on mule back. Other excursions go to the Scoglio del Medico, the Fortezza della Falconara, the prehistoric Faraglioni Village and the Punta dell'Omo Morto.
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