Browsing through Instagram to get inspiration for your next escape? Has anyone told you about spectacular Sicily adventure experiences? You may well be thinking you need to travel over at least 5,000 miles in order to go anywhere truly spectacular. However, rest assured you can find unique holidays in Europe that will rival Thailand, New Zealand or any other trendy, long-distance vacation spots.
Our favorite rugged destination is right in the heart of the Med, and is home to Europe’s only continuously erupting volcano – amongst other breathtaking attractions. Where else could it be but Sicily? Adventure holidays here allow you to experience something truly different without trekking halfway around the world, which is why they are gaining popularity with the world’s travel elite. Discover just five of our favorite things to do there below.
Sicily Adventure Escapes: Five Unmissable Experiences
Take a Sunrise Hike Amongst Steaming Fumaroles
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian islands, but that doesn’t mean its attractions are any more mainstream. In fact, Sicily adventure holidays don’t get much more rugged than hiking the 26km path from Terme di San Calogero to the Kaolin Quarry at Bagnosecco, where the fumaroles have stained the rocks orange, blue and purple, the steam arising from the volcanos giving the island an otherworldly feel. Looking for a way to celebrate your excursion? Lipari’s Spiaggia Bianca beach parties are the place to let your hair down, taking you from midnight to dawn in the clink of an Aperol spritz.
Dance Barefoot in Italy’s Most Exclusive Nightclub
Why so exclusive, you ask? Well, the glamorous Hotel Raya that hosts the nightclub is located on the secluded island of Panarea, which is pretty much only accessible by yacht charter. Its privacy has made it a haven for the superrich, who can party the night away under the Aeolian sky, untroubled by the touristy crowds encountered in parts of the mainland. Favored by illustrious Italian designers like Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, this island is not just about the nightlife, with stunning whitewashed buildings and olive groves characterizing idyllic island life at its best.
Panarea’s beauty is protected by its ban on streetlights and cars, meaning the night’s stars dazzle and electric carts are the transport de jour. While we know this isn’t an option for everyone, it is a truly incredible experience for those who can afford it.