Northern Sicily: Islands & Volcanoes

Arrive in Palermo at any time. Settle into the city's gritty, high-energy core and shake off the travel day. Drop your bags at a central base like Hotel Vecchio Borgo. Spend the remaining daylight wandering the nearby markets or finding a quiet trattoria for your first taste of panelle and local street food.

Start with an orientation walk through Palermo's historic core, taking in the baroque facades of Quattro Canti, the massive Teatro Massimo, and the Palermo Cathedral. Afterward, a 75km overland journey eastward brings you to Cefalù, one of the coast's most photogenic towns. Walk the cobbled streets down to a picturesque cove where local fishermen tend to their wooden boats. Spend your free afternoon exploring the 12th-century Norman Duomo di Cefalù, or climb the massive headland of La Rocca if you want a panoramic view over the red-tiled roofs. End the day with a cold Etna Rosso at a beachside bar, watching the sunset over the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Depart Cefalù for a 135km overland journey to the port town of Milazzo. From here, board a ferry across the Tyrrhenian Sea to Lipari, the largest and most active hub of the volcanic Aeolian Islands. Settle into your hotel, then use the free afternoon to explore Lipari's fortified old town and historic acropolis. If you are feeling active, catch a quick local ferry to neighboring Vulcano to hike up to its active, sulfur-steaming crater. Alternatively, find a quiet spot at Canneto beach to swim in the clear waters before the evening rush. The island's seafood trattorias are excellent for dinner.

Spend a quiet morning wandering Lipari's winding lanes or relaxing at a cafe. At 2:00 PM, board a boat excursion heading north to Panarea and Stromboli. Stop to swim in the turquoise waters of Cala Junco and wander Panarea's whitewashed village. Sail past the tiny islet of Basiluzzo before docking at Stromboli. Explore the black-sand beaches and quiet town before reboarding for a sunset cruise to Strombolicchio. As night falls, the boat positions under the Sciara del Fuoco to watch Mount Stromboli's active volcanic eruptions spray red lava against the dark sky. Bring a warm sweater for the chilly ride back.

Board an early ferry from Lipari back to Milazzo on the Sicilian mainland. From the port, travel 90km south to Taormina, a dramatic hilltop town overlooking the Ionian Sea. Take a brief walking tour of the town's elegant pedestrian streets, then use your free time to visit the spectacular Teatro Greco. This ancient Roman amphitheater offers a famous view framing the smoking cone of Mount Etna behind the stage ruins. In the late afternoon, continue another 55km south to Catania, a city built from dark volcanic basalt, where you will base yourself for the final nights.

Take an orientation walk through Catania to get your bearings among its grand, UNESCO-listed baroque architecture. The rest of the day is yours to explore independently. Walk down the bustling Via Etnea, visit the historic museums, or dive into the chaotic, sensory overload of La Pescheria, the city's famous fish market. Grab an arancino for lunch and watch the city go by.

Pack your bags and depart Catania at any time. If you have a late flight, squeeze in one last espresso in Piazza del Duomo before heading to the airport.