Visit Stromboli/Ginostra for one day
May 29th, 2011, 08:48 PM
#1
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Visit Stromboli/Ginostra for one day
Hi there,
I am a bit confused... If we are in Sicily toward end of September and we want to go to Stromboli and see Ginostra (husbands Mothers birthplace), whats the best way to do it? Not sure yet where we will be departing from as the Sicily part of our trip will be planned around this. I am concerned that the trip operators stop operating boat trips mid September. We were going to do this from Naples but way too long and we didnt want to stay on Stromboli overnight... or should we?
I am a bit confused... If we are in Sicily toward end of September and we want to go to Stromboli and see Ginostra (husbands Mothers birthplace), whats the best way to do it? Not sure yet where we will be departing from as the Sicily part of our trip will be planned around this. I am concerned that the trip operators stop operating boat trips mid September. We were going to do this from Naples but way too long and we didnt want to stay on Stromboli overnight... or should we?
May 30th, 2011, 03:52 AM
#2
I thought this would be straightforward, but no. It is easy enough to get to Stromboli(the Island) , but Stromboli to Ginostra only seems possible by boat. Whether there is a local boat service I don't know.
You need to look at two sites, Siremar (http://www.tirrenia.it/it/siremar/Pagine/home.aspx) and Ustica Lines (http://www.usticalines.it/paginaeolie.php?idg=5)
The only way I could find of doing the trip (and only on a Saturday or Monday) was on Ustica lines Milazzo to Ginostra (leave 07:20 arrive 09:50) then the Ferry back at 14:40 on the Siremar ferry (back at 20:00) Or using the same ferry, get off at Stromboli at 15:10 and explore that part of the island, then get the Ustica Lines fast ferry back at 17:35 (arriving 20:20).
For some reason Siremar does not seem to run hydrofoils out to Stromboli in high season.
You need to look at two sites, Siremar (http://www.tirrenia.it/it/siremar/Pagine/home.aspx) and Ustica Lines (http://www.usticalines.it/paginaeolie.php?idg=5)
The only way I could find of doing the trip (and only on a Saturday or Monday) was on Ustica lines Milazzo to Ginostra (leave 07:20 arrive 09:50) then the Ferry back at 14:40 on the Siremar ferry (back at 20:00) Or using the same ferry, get off at Stromboli at 15:10 and explore that part of the island, then get the Ustica Lines fast ferry back at 17:35 (arriving 20:20).
For some reason Siremar does not seem to run hydrofoils out to Stromboli in high season.
May 30th, 2011, 04:05 AM
#3
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Thanks willit.
I have seen that we can do a day/night tour that takes us to Stromboli (www.minicrociere.com) and gives us time on the island but also we will see the volcano at its best at night (hopefully), I am finding this part of the trip the hardest and it is a must do.
I have seen that we can do a day/night tour that takes us to Stromboli (www.minicrociere.com) and gives us time on the island but also we will see the volcano at its best at night (hopefully), I am finding this part of the trip the hardest and it is a must do.
May 30th, 2011, 09:20 AM
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I have been trying to not reply to your question because it is a difficult one and I am lazy. However, given the fact it has to do with "la famiglia" I will give it a shot. You have not shared with us from where you wish to depart but judging from an earlier posting I am guessing it will be from Naples so my recommendations are based on that.
We have been to Stromboli & Lipari twice...once in late October (2005) and once in June (2007). Worry not, the ferries will still be running in September and October. I recommend taking the Siremar ferry from Naples departing at 20:00 on a Tuesdays and Fridays. The ferry will get you to Stromboli around 05:00 on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Most people go topside around 04:00 to see the volcano erupting...very impressive at night because you approach the island from the side of the "sciara del fuoco"...the "path of fire." (As for accommodations on the ferry; I recommend just renting the airplane seats because you will be going to bed late...the trip out of the Gulf of Naples between the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Isle of Capri is breathtaking...and getting up early to see the volcano.)
When you get off the ferry there will be plenty of locals there...even at 05:00...offering accommodations and boat excursions/rides. You will have no problem at all getting a local boat to Ginostra. There is one gentleman there by the name of Antonio Caccetta. He, along with others, has a little kiosk near the marina. Antonio offers a trip to Ginostra for dinner departing at 19:00 and returning at 23:00.
I highly recommend spending the night on Stromboli. There are many good B&B's both in the village of Stromboli and Ginostra. We stayed at the Hotel Ossidiana in
Stromboli which is nice and very convenient to the marina where the ferries land.
If you wish to return to Naples by Siremar ferry it departs Stromboli at 14:30 on Thursdays and Mondays. That means if you depart for Stromboli on a Tuesday you will arrive on a Wednesday, stay one night, then return to Naples on a Thursday. If you do Friday, Saturday and Monday, you will need to stay two nights.
I would not return to Naples via Siremar ferry. I recommend catching a ferry or hydrofoil (aliscafo) south so you can see the other Aeolian Islands. If you wish to sightsee you must take a ferry because you see nothing on the much faster hydrofoils. Lipari' is the major island and city in the Aeolians with a great museum, wonderful scenery and average food. It is well worth a night or two.
From Lipari' take the ferry/hydrofoil to Milazzo on the mainland of Sicily. From the marina take a taxi to the train station. From Milazzo you can go west to Palermo or east to Messina so you will have Sicily at your feet.
If you are returning to Rome I recommend booking a night train due to the distance. There is one that leaves Milazzo at 21:25 arriving in Rome at 07:08.
A fun part the train ride is Messina where the train is disassembled, placed on ferries, taken across the Straits of Messina, then reassemble in Reggio di Calabria.
A little personal aside. When we were in Stromboli in 2007 we were the only American tourists there at the time. There were some Germans and Brits but most of the tourists were Italian. There was also a large island block party outside our hotel one night and nearly everyone from the island attended so it is a good bet we partied with your husband's relatives.
It is a special place...stay the night!
We have been to Stromboli & Lipari twice...once in late October (2005) and once in June (2007). Worry not, the ferries will still be running in September and October. I recommend taking the Siremar ferry from Naples departing at 20:00 on a Tuesdays and Fridays. The ferry will get you to Stromboli around 05:00 on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Most people go topside around 04:00 to see the volcano erupting...very impressive at night because you approach the island from the side of the "sciara del fuoco"...the "path of fire." (As for accommodations on the ferry; I recommend just renting the airplane seats because you will be going to bed late...the trip out of the Gulf of Naples between the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Isle of Capri is breathtaking...and getting up early to see the volcano.)
When you get off the ferry there will be plenty of locals there...even at 05:00...offering accommodations and boat excursions/rides. You will have no problem at all getting a local boat to Ginostra. There is one gentleman there by the name of Antonio Caccetta. He, along with others, has a little kiosk near the marina. Antonio offers a trip to Ginostra for dinner departing at 19:00 and returning at 23:00.
I highly recommend spending the night on Stromboli. There are many good B&B's both in the village of Stromboli and Ginostra. We stayed at the Hotel Ossidiana in
Stromboli which is nice and very convenient to the marina where the ferries land.
If you wish to return to Naples by Siremar ferry it departs Stromboli at 14:30 on Thursdays and Mondays. That means if you depart for Stromboli on a Tuesday you will arrive on a Wednesday, stay one night, then return to Naples on a Thursday. If you do Friday, Saturday and Monday, you will need to stay two nights.
I would not return to Naples via Siremar ferry. I recommend catching a ferry or hydrofoil (aliscafo) south so you can see the other Aeolian Islands. If you wish to sightsee you must take a ferry because you see nothing on the much faster hydrofoils. Lipari' is the major island and city in the Aeolians with a great museum, wonderful scenery and average food. It is well worth a night or two.
From Lipari' take the ferry/hydrofoil to Milazzo on the mainland of Sicily. From the marina take a taxi to the train station. From Milazzo you can go west to Palermo or east to Messina so you will have Sicily at your feet.
If you are returning to Rome I recommend booking a night train due to the distance. There is one that leaves Milazzo at 21:25 arriving in Rome at 07:08.
A fun part the train ride is Messina where the train is disassembled, placed on ferries, taken across the Straits of Messina, then reassemble in Reggio di Calabria.
A little personal aside. When we were in Stromboli in 2007 we were the only American tourists there at the time. There were some Germans and Brits but most of the tourists were Italian. There was also a large island block party outside our hotel one night and nearly everyone from the island attended so it is a good bet we partied with your husband's relatives.
It is a special place...stay the night!
May 30th, 2011, 09:30 AM
#5
We were in Lipari at the end of September a few years ago and really wanted to visit Stromboli for a day trip and to see the volcano (it can be done as a long day trip from Lipari, you arrive back after midnight) but the seas were too rough and the trips were all cancelled....the locals said it was common for the time of year so you might want to take that into account. Later that same trip we were in Tropea for a couple of days (Calabria) and there were boat trips from there to Stromboli as well (and it was early October) - had we known earlier we would have tried to do it from Tropea.
http://www.csttropea.it/web/en/124/isole-eolie.html
http://www.csttropea.it/web/en/124/isole-eolie.html
May 30th, 2011, 10:25 AM
#6
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Like Jim21, I also recommend the overnight ferry from Naples. I've done it twice and would jump at the chance to do it again, although I would recommend taking a cabin. Also recommend staying a couple of nights on Lipari. Early October is lovely in the islands, or at least it was during my visits. And like Jim, I heard German and British accents, but no other Americans.
May 30th, 2011, 02:14 PM
#7
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jim21 - you are now part of 'la famiglia'!! 
thankyou for that very detaild information, very much appreciated. As my husband has never seen where his roots are from this will be very special for him. Hope the party is still going.
julia1 - Looks like you and jim have the majority vote for the overnight ferry!
As we are Australians, we can add another dimension to the nationalities on the island
thankyou for that very detaild information, very much appreciated. As my husband has never seen where his roots are from this will be very special for him. Hope the party is still going.julia1 - Looks like you and jim have the majority vote for the overnight ferry!
As we are Australians, we can add another dimension to the nationalities on the island
Jun 7th, 2011, 03:24 AM
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kcnewby - I have been busy trying to do work in advance of our trip to Italy in 4 days so I have not had time to spend in Fodors. I just wanted to wish you and your family a wonderful trip of a lifetime. Traveling independently, particularly in places such as the Aeolian Islands, can be a challenge as well as an adventure. I encourage people to do so all the time, albeit, most are reluctant to take the leap. Please allow me to share with you a piece of advice I share with them. No matter what...A&E! A&E = Adjust & Enjoy. Mistakes will be made and things will go wrong. A year from now they will be fond memories. Buon viaggio a tutti.
