Aeolian Islands cruise with volcano sights on a small ship
An Aeolian Islands cruise is the easiest way to get close to Italy’s volcanic heart without needing a geology degree. If you want to get closer, it helps to have an expert along to explain what you’re seeing. Discover the Volcanoes of Italy cruise itinerary and all the details below.
Meet George Kourounis, Your Onboard Volcano Expert
On this Aeolian Islands cruise, explorer and storm chaser George Kourounis shares 25 years documenting volcanoes, storms and climate impacts. He is a National Geographic Explorer, Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and a Fellow of The Explorers Club. Additionally, he’s appeared in more than 40 TV productions and is known for making complex natural processes easy to understand.
He’ll host this Aeolian Islands cruise, Volcanoes of Italy, a one-off small-ship cruise on Variety Voyager, departing 4 July. The route runs from Naples to Valletta through the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Aeolian Islands.
Skywatching, Volcano Views and Better Photos
On Variety Voyager, you get volcano sights, standout ports, and George’s commentary throughout. Meanwhile, on sea days, he’ll guide sunset skywatching and explain what conditions create the effects you notice. He’ll also share practical photography tips so you can capture it properly, on phone or camera.
Most importantly, Variety Voyager will be your ‘chariot of fire’ transporting you between the sites of the various volcanoes. The region’s volcanoes form a volcanic arc in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. They’re fuelled by Ionian lithosphere subduction beneath Calabria, driven by Africa–Eurasia convergence.
Aeolian Islands cruise Begins at Mount Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei
On this Aeolian Islands cruise, the voyage begins in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. There, geology and history collide above the Bay of Naples. Afterwards, you sail into the Tyrrhenian Sea, with a closer look at the restless Campi Flegrei. It’s one of Europe’s most closely monitored volcanic systems.
DAY 1 NAPLES, ITALY – MOUNT VESUVIUS (embarkation)
First, board in Naples, settle in, then choose the optional Pompeii excursion to understand the AD 79 eruption up close.
DAY 2 CAPRI – CAMPI FLEGREI
Spend the morning anchored off Capri. Later, learn why Campi Flegrei is classed as a supervolcano before sailing on towards the Aeolian Islands.
Stromboli After Dark: The Sail-By Eruption Moment
The sail-by of Stromboli is timed for the evening, when its activity is most visible from the sea. As night falls, you watch from the deck as the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean” throws up bursts of lava.
DAY 3 LIPARI – STROMBOLI
After time ashore in Lipari, you reboard and cruise past Stromboli in the evening. Therefore, you have the best chance of seeing eruptions after dark on the way to Taormina.
DAY 4 TAORMINA
A slower, culture-led day in Taormina helps you reset after the volcanic night. Next, you take a proper Sicilian pause before the next major volcano.
Mount Etna: The Big Volcano Day
On this Aeolian Islands cruise, Mount Etna is the big one. In fact, it’s Europe’s most active volcano, with landscapes that change fast and tell their story in layers.
DAY 5 CATANIA – MOUNT ETNA
From Catania, you can join the optional full-day excursion up Etna’s slopes. You’ll move through lava fields, villages and vineyards, with time around the Silvestri craters. As the day winds down, you’ll finish at a winery for a tasting on the volcano’s lower reaches.
Aeolian Islands cruise Finale: Syracuse, Gozo and Valletta
DAY 6 SYRACUSE
After the volcanic focus, this is your cultural reset. In Syracuse you can join an optional guided tour. Alternatively, you can take the day at your own pace wandering the old town and waterfront.
DAY 7 GOZO ISLAND – VALLETTA
Gozo is smaller, quieter, and packed with history. After time ashore (and a swim), we sail on to Valletta, with dinner onboard as we cross to Malta’s capital.
DAY 8 VALLETTA, MALTA
We arrive in Valletta early. Enjoy breakfast, then disembark for your onward journey.
"Volcanoes of Italy" itinerary snapshot
DAY 1 NAPLES, ITALY – MOUNT VESUVIUS (embarkation)
DAY 2 CAPRI – CAMPI FLEGREI
DAY 3 LIPARI – STROMBOLI
DAY 4 TAORMINA
DAY 5 CATANIA – MOUNT ETNA
DAY 6 SYRACUSE
DAY 7 GOZO ISLAND – VALLETTA
DAY 8 VALLETTA, MALTA (disembarkation)
To sum up, this Aeolian Islands cruise is a front-row seat to Italy’s active volcanoes. By small ship, it feels close and personal. Departing 4 July 2026, you’ll sail past Stromboli at night and explore Vesuvius and Etna by day.
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