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Mandala Organic Tours srl |Sicily & Eolie |Trekking |Biking | Etna escursioni

INTERNATIONAL FIREDANCING FESTIVAL A Stromboli Stromboli, Aeolian island formely named the Mediterranean lighthouse is the ideal place for the first edition of the International Firedancing Festival. The island welcome indeed from august 23rd to September 6th this unique festival getting together international artists (European, Asiatic and Oceanian) on one of the most active volcano in the world (Stromboli is indeed in permanent activity for more than 2000 years). The dances and games around the fire take a perfect place in this magic area. The Ginostra village, less visited than its neighbour, the Stromboli village, is also the place of the firedancing festival manifestations. Spectacles are also organised for the kids specially on august 24th and 31st with clown spectacles. This festival is another occasion to visit the particular island taking advantage of an unique spectacle as mentioned by Amelia Bucalo Triglia, the organization responsible of this event. {gallery}festival08{/gallery}   More info...      Video Volcano Trail/ Etna Sky Marathon Inseriti i video dell' Etna Sky Marathon 2007 e del Volcano Trail 2008     More info...      Etna: Eruption 08 June 2008 The last sismic events have given the sign of a new Etna's wakening (by now a periodic phenomenon in the last ten years), and the volcanic sand emission over the villages of the north-east Etna's flank. The eruption started on 10th may in the south-east crater, and on 13th may in the Valley of the Leon.
  A spectacular lava flow toward the Valley of the Oxen allows a wonderful panorama from Catania hinterland. Lava flow has reached 1350 m s.l., and in the site of the active crater (at 2800 s.l.) some small earthquakes have been noticed. Until now there is no alarm for the people of the neighbourhood, thanks to the low risk of this phenomenon, because the direction of lava is the volcanic desert of the Valley of the Oxen. But nowadays people remember again the dramatic eruptive events of 2002-2003, when the arbitrary fury of nature destroyed and burnt all the tourist facilities. Luckily, this time the volcanic vent is the goal of tourists' curiosity, thanks to the amazing landscape visible from many points of Catania's province. A warning is not to do excursion alone, but with an expert guide to avoid any kind of danger. A suggestion for seeing this wonderful scenario is walking along a hidden path toward Zoccolaro mount, in Zafferana territory.   More info...      L'Etna in attività Dopo la corta eruzione del 10 Maggio (circa 6 ore), l’Etna ha dato dei segnali più forti e importanti martedì 13 Maggio 2008 provocando, nella stessa giornata, circa una sessantina di scosse sismiche e l’apertura di due fessure ad est del cratere Sud – Est.Il giorno seguente, le fessure hanno dato luogo alla formazione di due colate laviche (da 3.000 mt e 2.900 mt) dirette verso la Valle del Bove.Il 21 maggio la colata lavica si è fermata a quota 2.200 mt, mentre gli avvenimenti sismici continuano a susseguirsi ma con bassa intensità (da 1,1° a 2° della scala Richter ). 
  More info...      The Valle delle Ferriere - Amalfi Coast    Amalfi has been one of the maritime republics, enjoying a prestige and wellness that has made it one of the most visited place in southern Italy. One of the main characteristics of this beautiful town is the hand made paper production. This is an ancient tradition brought by the Arabs in the Mediterranean after having learnt it in China, where paper was invented in 105 A. C. In Amalfi the production of paper has raised to the maximum during the XVIII century and declined definitively during the XIX century, being displaced by the mechanization of the production. The “Valle delle Ferriere” is crossed by a stream called Canneto that supplied power to the paper mills. Once the Arabs brought the technique to the Mediterranean, the Amalfitans improved it and started making very high quality paper that soon was used only by noblemen. The Valley had 14 paper mills and nowadays only ruins remain. The canalization system is still visible and it dates back to the original made by the Arabs.This valley is a microcosm where during the XVIII century the Woodwardia radicans, a giant fern dating back to the tertiary age, has been discovered. This plant can reach 180 cm. Very interesting is the excursion on foot from Amalfi to the small villages of Scala and Ravello through the “Valle delle Ferriere”. The excursion can be finished descending to Amalfi on foot passing by the enchanting fishermen village called Atrani .For any information about our trekking program “Vesuvius and Amalfi Coast”, do not hesitate to contact us by mail to the following address info.italy@mandala-tour.com   More info...      Ragusa and its province   Very well known for its Baroque monuments, Ragusa province offers a dynamic and sports side made up by several chances to cycle (road and mountain bike), to hike and to kayak.The Iblei mountains, dominating the whole area, are still unexplored and are perfect for everyone loving unpolluted and wild areas where even the paths get lost amid the luxuriant vegetation. There are many ancient mule tracks that are ideal for biking, through the green flat countryside where you are going to meet many dairy cows, whose precious milk is used to produce the Ragusano DOP, a delicious cheese exported all over Europe. Moreover, in one of the many dikes in the area (Santa Rosalina dike) you can kayak through a unique microcosm made up by the artificial dam. Of course Ragusa Ibla , Modica and Scicli are jewels of incomparable beauty that must be discovered and enjoyed in all their majesty. For any information about our bike program in Ragusa area, please contact us through our mail info.italy@mandala-tour.com    More info...      
Mandala Tour arrow Tour of Sicilian Volcanoes: Etna and Aeolian islands 8 days
Tour of Sicilian Volcanoes: Etna and Aeolian islands Print E-mail
Highlights:                                                                                                           

mandalatrek.jpgTipology: Self-guided tour 

type.pngTrip Length: 8 days/7 nights 

skill.pngDifficulty stella.gifstella.gif stella.gif

participants.pngNumber of Participants: min. 2 

price.pngPrice: 515 €

Sicilia

 

 
- Contrast between sea and Volcano
- Etna park, the largest active volcano in Europe and Nebrodi Park
- History, culture, volcanoes and Italian dolce vita in one week

Etna
Excitement is guaranteed around Europe's highest volcano. Mt Etna offers a varied of different aspects, from the black flows of lava and vast plain of black sand to a luxuriant vegetation on the lower slopes. There Mt Etna abounds with oak and chestnut forests, alternated by ancient man-made terraces where premier quality vineyards, pears and apple orchards, hazelnut and pistachio groves  grow.
Mt Etna has a boundary of 250 Km and covers 1260 square meters making it the largest volcano in Europe. It rises to 3350 over sea level at the summit craters, but this height varies as a result of on-going constructive and destructive explosive activity that constantly reshapes the summit crater area.

Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands Archipelago is made up of 7 islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. Islands of wild aspect fall sheer into the sea, offering visions of amazing beauty. Like Sicily, land of many contrasts, the islands are characterized by many different landscapes that generally do not exist in the same place. Vast back beaches like ebony contrasting with light colored shores; inaccessible and winding coasts follow in antitheses to low and hospitable rivieras; large sterile areas extend alongside fertile, pleasant gardens. Also, the nature offers many peculiarities, such as strange perforated rocks resembling bold bridges and rampant arches (I faraglioni); areas of sea in ebullition (due to underwater fumarole); rocks with a network of clefts from which boiling water gushes. Another attraction of the Aeolian Islands is the hot spring of high therapeutic value, located in Vulcano. The mud baths can be done on the inside of the hot spring, therefore the island offer a unique example of a highly healing mixture made of natural volcanic mud with natural hot spring. Particularly indicated for articulation, circulation and dermatological affections.


 Program

Day 1: Catania
Arrival at Catania Airport and transfer by private car to the hotel** in the city centre (very close to the Cathedral). Catania shows many baroque churches and buildings, all placed in the very heart of the city centre. Moreover there is a huge variety of pubs, restaurants, pizzerias and trattoria to be chosen for dinner. Briefing to discuss the program and bike’s delivery. Overnight stay in Catania.

Day 2: Catania/Rifugio Sapienza/Randazzo ( 60 Km)
In the morning short ride to the Catania Station. Transfer by public bus at the Rifugio Sapienza (1851 mt). Chance to climb by 4x4 jeeps until 2900 mt and on foot to 3350 mt escorted by a volcano or alpine guide. From Rifugio Sapienza on a panoramic road on the south west of Etna we reach Randazzo, characteristic medieval village. On the way we cross Bronte and its pistachio’s plantations. Overnight stay in B&B in Randazzo.
 
Day 3: Alcantara Tour ( 60 Km)
Alcantara is one of the most important rivers of Sicily famous for its splendid gorges. It has its source in Nebrodi Mountains, at 1,250 m of altitude near Floresta, and it runs for about 50 km before flowing into the sea near Capo Schisò. Chance to visit characteristics smalls Sicilians village like Francavilla di Sicilia e Castiglione. Overnight stay in B&B in Randazzo.

Day 4: Randazzo/Milazzo/Lipari (80,0 Km)
On a panoramic road we are getting the northern coast of Sicily. On the way chance to visit the old castle of Montalbano Elicona. From Milazzo hydrofoil to Lipari. Overnight stay in B&B in Lipari.

Day 5: Vulcano (30,0 km)
In the morning hydrofoil to Vulcano (10 min), Vulcano, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, famous for its black beaches and Thermal Springs. Short ride from Porto di Levante to south side of the island. Chance to visit Gelso, small fishing village. In the early afternoon chance to Excursion to Vulcano’s crater to see the Fumarole. In the late afternoon, hydrofoil to Lipari.
 
Day 6: Salina (22,0 km)

In the morning hydrofoil to Salina (20 min.), the island greenest of the archipelago. The road is proceeding from Santa Marina to Rinella, crossing the village of Malfa, Pollara e Leni. Salina, is become a natural reserve for a few years, it is also a paradise for everybody that who love to walk in the nature. Overnight stay in B&B in Lipari.

Day 7: Lipari (25,0 km)
In the morning to go in search of Lipari. Chance to visit the “Castello di Lipari” and his village. In the early afternoon hydrofoil to Milazzo and transfer to Catania. Overnight stay in Hotel in Catania, very close to the city centre.

Day 8: Departure
After breakfast return of the bikes and transfer by car to Catania Airport.



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Gallery

 Trip Notes

Departure date: From February to July and from September to October

Accommodation:
2 nights in Hotel** at Catania  
2 nights in B&B*** at Randazzo
3 nights in B&B at Lipari 

Luggage transportation: by supported vehicle

Equipment:
- bike clothes
- water proof jacket
- sun glasses
- sun cream
- frontal torch with batteries

 

 Price  Nr. Participants

 515,00 Euro

from 2


Included:  
-    Transfers from/to Airport (day 1 e 8)
-    7 accommodations with breakfast included
-    Maps and detailed description of the routes
-    Baggage transportation
-    mechanic assistant 24h24

Not included: 
-    beverages and soft drinks
-    lunches and dinners
-    travel insurance
-    Hydrofoils at the islands
-    Bike rental


Note: Legs from 22 to 80 Km per day. Total 277 km
This trip is difficult and will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and likes to bike. Since some of the roads we bike on are steep, biking experience prior to the trip is necessary.

Supplement (single room): 75 euro
Bike rental:
75 euro

Extension of the stay (price per person per night in double/triple occupancy):
- Catania, Hotel**: 40 €
- Siracusa, Bed & Breakfast: 40 €

 
Responsible Booking/info:  Sebastiano Foti

Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it    
Telefono: +39 095 508959  
Fax: +39 095 504029  
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Etna Escursioni

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