The Hotel Ilio is offering clients "archeotrekking", a new way of experiencing Elba.
The island's history comes to life along these ancient trails.

This is one of the most interesting activities offered to guests at the Hotel Ilio throughout April, May, June, September and October. It is a new exciting adventure for those who love nature, history and art. It is called archeotrekking and involves a sort of historical reconstruction of the area through its archeology, which can be enjoyed during a fun, relaxing walk. This small, charming hotel owned by Maurizio Testa is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Elba, on the North-Western tip, home to breathtaking sea beds and luxuriant woodland. However, this area also features lots of artistic and cultural remains from the past. Traces of the ancient peoples (Etruscans and Romans) who inhabited the area, and their commerce on a coast rich in minerals, are still visible today. There are also lots of more recent historical sites, including military buildings and Napoleonic residences. Discovering the traces of ancient history and getting to know the culture of an area that has been influenced by various Mediterranean civilizations over the centuries, can be a unique and fascinating experience, able to stir up some inimitable emotions.
Comfortable shoes, suitable clothing, a rucksack for provisions and a path map is all you need to start your excursion along these ancient Elban ways. Guests can chose to be accompanied by an expert guide, but can also go on excursions alone. Maurizio and Anita will provide their guests with information, including the guide to "Walking in the National Park", as well as giving the benefit of their thorough knowledge of the area in order to create specific and customized itineraries along old granite mule tracks, paths through the Mediterranean scrub and, for the fittest, steep climbs up to the highest peaks. The landscape is very varied for these new explorers in search of the past.
One of the proposed routes runs from Marciana - where you can visit the Archeological Museum, with prehistoric, Etruscan and Roman finds, and the Pisan Fortress - up to the Santuario della Madonna del Monte, along a path rich in historical references mainly linked to Napoleonic history. You can take a break along the path in order to admire the enchanting view, which extends right out to Corsica, or for a moment of reflection in one of the chapels along the way with the stations of the Via Crucis. The Sanctuary, famous for the goodness and freshness of its spring water and the discovery of a fresco attributed to Sodoma, is located in a zone full of prehistoric sites: dolmen, goat enclosures, caves and shelters used by people who lived by goat herding. If you are feeling very fit, you can climb up to the peak of Mount Giove (855 metres above sea level), one of the most panoramic points on the whole island, where the wind-sculpted rocks have taking on disturbingly human forms. From here the path descends and leads down to the crystalline sea of Capo Sant'Andrea along an old mule path.
All the trips are led by environmental trip guides with insurance cover; the trips include a minibus service from the hotel to the starting point and vice versa.


For further information:
Hotel Ilio Capo S. Andrea 24 - 57030 Marciana - Isola d'Elba
Tel. 0565.90.80.18 Fax 0565.90.80.87
Website: www.ilio.it