1st Day - CATANIA / MILAZZO / LIPARI

Arrival in Catania, meet the driver and depart for Milazzo. Take the ferry to Lipari in the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago off the Sicilian coast, where we will spend the next five nights. Arrival in Lipari and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon free time to explore Lipari or swim in the hotel’s pool. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

2nd Day - LIPARI AND VULCANO EXCURSION

After breakfast at the hotel we meet in Marina Corta. Starting from the small port we discover the south-east coast of Lipari admiring its natural beauty and the imposing Petra Longa and Petra Menalda rocky formations before heading to Vulcano, and island of sulphur and mud which has a dormant volcano.  

On Vulcano we will make a prolonged stop with time to visit the village, try the thermal muds, discover charming beaches, have lunch and even climb the crater. Back on board we will make a panoramic tour of the island to admire breathtaking locations visible only from the sea, such as the Venus Pool, and the Grotta del Cavallo, Grotta Abate and Baia del Gelso coves. We will make stops for swimming and snorkelling and the captain will offer guests a tasting of the local Malvasia wine. Return to Lipari around 19.00. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 3 - PANAREA AND STROMBOLI EXCURSION

After breakfast at the hotel we meet in Marina Corta and head for Panarea, the Pearl of the Aeolian Archipelago. We will discover the beautiful bays of Cala Junco, Caletta Zimmari and Capo Millazzese which has a prehistoric village, and then stop for a relaxing swim, to visit the Lovers’ Cave, stroll through the town’s little streets and have lunch at the port

We will then make a panoramic tour of the islets stopping for a swim and to admire the phenomenon of the sea that seems to boil. We then continue towards Stromboli and its port tol visit a characteristic village and have dinner.  We will visit Strombolicchio, a volcanic nek in the shape of a medieval castle, and the Sciara del Fuoco to witness the suggestive spectacle of the eruption of this magnificent volcano from the sea, as we enjoy a glass of Malvasia and some typical local biscuits offered by the captain. The day starts at 12.00 and ends around 22:00/22:30. Dinner not included, return to the hotel and overnight stay.

4th Day - LIPARI AND SALINA EXCURSION

After breakfast we will head to the port of Marina Corta for boarding. We will pass Monte Rosa and the village of Canneto coming to white beaches where we can admire the old pumice quarry complex and take a relaxing swim in crystal clear waters. In the village of Acquacalda we can admire the obsidian flow,before heading to Salina where we can cool off with a swim in the refreshing waters of Capofaro. We continue to the picturesque Arco del Perciato and the enchanting and characteristic Bay of Pollara, made famous by the film Il Postino with Massimo Troisi, stopping again for a swim. Lunch in Lingua where we will stop for two hours to visit the salt lake and enjoy some of the island's gastronomic specialties such as u pani cunzatu, a famous local bread roll with tomatoes, anchovy fillets and cheese and the famous local graniet (not included) granita water ice.

In the afternoon we discover Lipari’s west coast with cliffs overlooking the sea, coves and caves and the imposing Petra Longa and Petra Menalda rock formations, and end the day with a last swim and a tasting of the local Malvasia wine offered by the captain. Departure 10.00 and return to Lipari around 17.00. Transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

5th Day - LIPARI FREE

Breakfast at the hotel, free day. You can spend a lazy day on the beach or set up a boat trip with a private driver or by yourselves - the max 40 horsepower engines do not require a boat license. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

6th day - LIPARI - FERRY TO MILAZZO - CATANIA

After breakfast transfer to the port and travel by ferry from Lipari to Milazzo, where we will board our private vehicle and continue to Catania airport. End of our services.

Net rates:

Price per person in double room min. 2 people € 1485.00

Price per person in double room min. 4 people € 1375.00

Price per person in double room min. 6 people € 1265.00

Single room supplement for 5 nights € 275.00

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• Private transfers to / from Catania / Port of Milazzo
• Transfer Port of Milazzo / Hotel / Port of Milazzo
• 5 Nights hotel in Lipari (3 or 4 stars according to availability)  Hotel Rocce Blue or similar
• 5 breakfasts
• 4 dinners
• Hydrofoil Milazzo / Lipari/ Milazo
• Excursion by private boat to the islands from the 2nd to the 4th day
• Medical cancellation insurance (includes lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellation due to epidemic illness or quarantine),

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Entrance fees, tips and extras in general, drinks with meals Anything not expressly indicated in "the price includes".

Piedmont is a real mine of ideas for outdoor activities and enjoying nature, good food and the region’s cultural heritage and traditions. From Mount Rosa to the Ossola and Biellese peaks, from Turin’s Alps to those of Cuneo with Mount Monviso and up to the hills of the Alta Langa and the Apennines (where you can already get the scent of the sea) there is no shortage of easy and more demanding bicycle trails.

Challenging trekking and cycle paths

On the Via Francigena in the Susa Valley, on foot or on two wheels, you can identify with the pilgrims who in Medieval days travelled along this route to Rome or Santiago de Compostela. A more challenging but equally fascinating trail is that which takes in the five refuges in the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Park, touching on three valleys on the outskirts of Turin. Between the provinces of Turin and Vercelli, the Trail of the White Stones consists of interconnecting ring circuits through eleven towns. 

In the footsteps of the ancient anchovy traders

The Giro di Viso trekking trail with the ascent to the Buco di Viso tunnel is very challenging and therefore for expert hikers and has various shelters around the highest peak in the Cottian Alps. The Via del Sale trail, also in the Cuneo area, is a classic for expert bikers and has spectacular views, and from Limone to Ventimiglia you walk in the footsteps of the anchovy traders who once plied their trade between Liguria and Piedmont.

Discovering local specialties

The Tour del Gusto in the Alta Langa is a beautiful enogastronomic route suitable for everyone, especially on an e-bike, although it can also be enjoyed as a trekking trail. A few kilometers from Alba, through the Langhe district, you come to places famous for cheeses, hazelnuts, castles and old villages that seem suspended in time.

Autumn in Italy is a delightful month with beautiful days, leaves that change color from green to a thousand shades of red, orange and yellow and with forest fruits like chestnuts ripening on the trees. It is also the season of grape harvesting, wine tasting and visits to wine cellars. The Valtellina, with its long winemaking tradition, is an ideal place in which to spend a weekend relaxing and enjoying fine wines, visiting historic winemakers and strolling through terraced vineyards against the backdrop of the majestic Alps. 

Following the Wine Route

The Wine Route is a 67-kilometre trail through the province of Sondrio that connects the towns of Ardenno and Tirano. Along this itinerary visitors will discover villages with historic buildings and sanctuaries, enjoy sleeping in old farmhouses surrounded by vineyards. They will also enjoy the typical products of the area in restaurants with menus based on traditional recipes and stop in historic shops to buy local delicacies. To book your Valtellina experiences either on foot or on two wheels go to the site https://www.stradadelvinovaltellina.it/ 

Learn about grape harvesting

Along this trail in the historic center of Sondrio, Alberto Marsetti’s farm has become a place of worship for all grape lovers thanks to the educational tours, accompanied by an oenologist, that allow participants to learn about grape harvesting and then enjoy tasting the wines. For more information visit the website https://www.marsetti.it/it/11-pacchetti

On two wheels through ancient vineyards

The Wine Bike Tours - six circular itineraries through vineyards starting and ending in Sondrio - are the perfect mix for those who love both good wine and sport. The routes are of different lengths, with some perfect for families as they are flat and not excessively long, others that pass through ancient villages and sites of cultural interest, while still others bring cyclists through the Alpine beauties of the Valtellina. Discovering these paths at a slow pace you awaken all your senses, and the day ends with a good glass of Valtellina wine. Many of the bike tours intersect with the Strada del Vino with visits to wineries, restaurants and shops. For more information visit the website: https://www.valtellina.it/it/wine-bike-tour

The Via dei Terrazzamenti through terraced vineyards

Another wonderful pedestrian itinerary that crosses the lower and middle Valtellina valleys, and is especially appealing in autumn, is the Via dei Terrazzamenti. This route is 70 kilometres long and connects two important towns: Morbegno which is one of the most important villages at the start of the Valtellina valley and Tirano, with a rich artistic and cultural heritage, which is the crossroads between the Lower and Upper Valtellina valleys. This trail is dotted with 40 rest stops and crosses scenic terraced vineyards as well as many historic and artistic buildings, churches, wine cellars, farmhouses and ancient villages. For more info visit the website https://www.valtellina.it/it/via-dei-terrazzamenti

In the first months of 2021 the area of the Po Delta and Venice was designated to represent Italy at the European Commission for inclusion in the prestigious European Heritage Label. The European Commission selects only one site for each member state. “Lands of water, lands in the water, Po Delta and Venice" and Ventotene were two of the six Italian candidates put forward and the Venetian candidate is now waiting for the outcome of the European selection. 

Apulia is a delightful destination in the South of Italy with a thousand-year-old history. The region has a great variety of natural, cultural and historical attractions and, with its mild Mediterranean climate is an ideal year-round destination, with charming towns and a wonderful coastline. If you like cycle tourism, this is the place to come to awaken your senses, far from crowds and city life. 

A cycle path along the Adriatic coast 

This 150-kilometer cycling tour starts on the Adriatic, following the Imperial Coast from Siponto, a Romanesque masterpiece, to the Margherita di Savoia salt flats, a national nature reserve since 1977. The route continues through the charming towns of Trani, Bisceglie, Molfetta and Giovinazzo.  After a stop in Bitonto, the old Apulian capital of extra virgin olive oil, you end up in Bari, with its quaint old streets and historical monuments.  

Taking the trail used by the ancient crusaders

You now head south across a spectacular stretch with typical trulli dry stone huts and come to Polignano a Mare and then to Monopoli’s promenade. From here to Ostuni you encounter massive ancient olive trees and then reach the old centre of Brindisi, the Eastern gateway and layover of the Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. Now you switch seas, leaving the Adriatic to move over to the Ionian coast. Starting in Ostuni, the White City, you cross the Murge hills and come to the Ionian coast near the Saturo archeological par. From here it’s a smooth ride, passing beach after beach and discovering some of the most beautiful coastal towns in Apulia. The tour ends in the Salento region in Gallipoli with its historic ramparts.

In 2020 some 83.5% of Lombardy’s pastures hosted tourists with 24.3% recording over 2.000 arrivals per season. A figure that stood at 22% in 2019 according to a recent report. "Arrivals to the huts and pastures of Lombardy are on the rise. A trend - said the Lombardy Regional Councillor for Agriculture, Food and Green Systems - that is destined to grow after the pandemic. People will be looking for places in contact with nature, and many of our local products like cheeses are a big attraction for visitors. Now we have to focus on promoting what we have and we must enhance logistical services, such as access roads and stations for e-bikes. The mobile telephone network works only in 68.4% of the mountain pastures and broadband is available only in 13.5%.  We must improve on these numbers.”  

Vicolungo The Style Outlets is a sponsor of the relaunch of the dome of San Gaudenzio, a symbol of the city of Novara.  For the new tours, organized by cultural tourism provider Kalatà Helmets, visitors don helmets and harnesses to reach the top of the Antonellian monument which soars to 100 meters.  

Discounted tickets and shopping

In addition to a campaign to promote the attraction on its digital channels and site, Vicolungo The Style Outlets is the official ticket office for the San Gaudenzio dome. Visitors can purchase tickets at €10 instead of €15, while anyone climbing the dome will be entitled to a10% discount at participating outlet stores. “Vicolungo The Style Outlets has always worked closely with our Municipality. My commitment today is to foster collaborations with the entire province of Novara and beyond,” said Vicolungo’s mayor Marzia Vicenzi.  

New attractions for Novara

In the last year the Novara area got many new attractions including the Kinder Joy of Moving Park in partnership with Soremartec of the Ferrero Group, Riso Rizzotti for the promotion of local food products and a Summer Club which saw the involvement of numerous local professionals. “Our outlets are an important hub for the flow of visitors, and we collaborate with public and private concerns to enhance the areas in which they are located,” added Eduardo Ceballos, Country Head Neinver Italy.

Information

Visits to the Dome are for small groups accompanied by a guide and a safety officer and are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 09.30, 11.30, 14.30, 16.30 and 18.30. For information or to book a Dome visit, go to www.kalata.it or contact the call center at 0174/330976 or at the e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Frescoes that have been estored and returned to Bagnaia by the Municipality of Viterbo, the Carivit Foundation, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA and the Amici di Bagnaia Association, are now on display.  “Great collaboration and inter-institutional synergy have allowed these works to be returned to where they belong,” said Bagnaia’s mayor Giovanni Maria Arena. 

Sponsored by the Cassa di Risparmio

The 18 frescoes, from the oratory in the Church of Santo Stefano di Bagnaia, had already been restored by the Cassa di Risparmio and kept in the bank’s headquarters. "Today the frescoes of the Church of Santo Stefano and Palazzo Bazzichelli are on display in the historic Palazzo Gallo in Bagnaia,” said architect Paola Carlini of Viterbo’s Municipality. “This is a special day for Bagnaia,” added Aldo Quadrani of the Amici di Bagnaia Association. “A complex and delicate intervention made it possible to save these frescoes, and today we are presenting them to the public.

A mouth-watering experience by train

The Train of Flavours is a multisensory journey for travellers eager for new experiences and is the first of its kind in Europe. Designed to promote the area from Brescia to Edolo, it starts in Iseo, crosses the Franciacorta region and runs along the lake before climbing up the Vallecamonica valley to Edolo.

Two comfortable carriages and high-tech 

Financed by Trenord, the two resyled carriages – for a total of 85 passengers - are a beautiful flaming red, recalling those of early1900 trains and are powered by an electric diesel engine. One of the carriages has a comfortable bar and tasting room and a restaurant with 41 seats, while the second carriage is divided into two dining rooms. Both carriages are equipped with multimedia systems, an audio and video diffusion system and an external camera  that allows images of the landscape to be projected on screens.

Wine and food tastings, art and culture

The programmes take into account seasonal changes and the specific needs of the different groups, with itineraries featuring the area’s artistic, cultural and natural wonders to be enjoyed in a completely new and unique way. Accompanied by expert, multilingual guides passengers discover the many appealing aspects of the area with tastings of typical local wines, cheeses, meats, oil and honey. So at the end of the journey they take away not just memories of splendid landscapes but also the flavours of local products.