Aeolian Islands: please help me pick a base
 

Trying to decide which island and which hotel. Please help... They all have great reviews and seem lovely and are within the same price range for our dates (2-3 nights) in late June. I feel like I've read every review and trip report, and the more I read the more difficult it seems to make a decision.

I've narrowed it down to four -- but I'm hoping to get some insight as to the best location in terms of proximity to excellent food and beautiful swimming spots. Also would love the ability to walk into a town for shopping, cocktails, gelato, etc.

HOTEL CINCOTTA on Panarea

HOTEL RAVESI in Malfa on Salina

HOTEL MAMMA SANTINA in Santa Maria Salina on Salina

HOTEL SIGNUM in Malfa on Salina

Thanks so much!
dina

If you want to visit the other islands, you may want to stay in Santa Maria Salina, where the ferry port is, vs Malfa.

I was in Santa Maria Salina for a day-trip: it has a nice little beach for swimming, and a few shops and such. I think it is just a one-street town, though.

I stayed in Lipari, which though by no means a large town, seemed to have more going on in terms of shops, restaurants, etc..

In Rinella, Salina, in the row of shops near the dock, there is a little place where you can get ``loaded bread'' (kind of like a summer-salad version of bruschetta) and ices. Definitely worth a visit -- I still think about how good they tasted. Most in our party (students, admittedly) went back for seconds and thirds.

I'm not familiar enough with Panarea to have an opinion.

I stayed at Mamma Santina, and enjoyed it very much. Ask for a room with a view. The primary advantage of staying in S. Maria di Salina instead of Malfa is the proximity to the ferry/hydrofoil.

Salina is a much larger island than Panarea, so a better choice if you want more variety and the ability to drive between the hamlets. By contrast, there are no cars on Panarea.

If you're more comfortable in an urban setting, stay in Lipari town.

CAMP -- thanks for the tip. that "loaded bread" sounds delicious!

GAC- i assume were you able to walk to some good restaurants from Mamma Santina or perhaps you ate there -- i've heard the food is really good? also , what was the swimming like near the hotel. I don't mind rocks -- but were there any chairs/umbrellas for rent?

thanks again.

Correction: The restaurant (just a little cafe) is Da Alfredo in Lingua, not Rinella. Pane cunzato and the best granita on the planet.

And the nice little beach was in Rinella.

Wow -- how quickly the mind fails ...

No problem. Thanks so much for the clarification.
I've heard a lot about that Da Alfredo...

Mamma Santina has a swimming pool and an excellent restaurant.

You can walk into town in a few minutes, but there is no swimming that I can recall. The bus stop is next to the ferry landing in the center of the port area.

Hi dina4,

Sorry I didn't get to reply sooner. I was traveling during the holidays.

I am staying on Lipari, but in a vacation rental so can't help with your hotel choices for the Aeolians. I had a hard time choosing too, between Lipari and Salina. I plan on visiting some of the other islands, so chose Lipari for the transportation options and because there were more rentals there.

Eastern Sicily choices:

Scicli - Hotel Novecento
Ortigia - Via della Guidecca
Taormina - Hotel Taodomus

Even though my trip is just over 3 weeks, like you, I had a very hard time making choices. The more you research, the more you want to see and do!

I will do a trip report when I return. Right now, it's getting close enough to feel real and I am SO excited.

Happy planning!

GAC - thanks. still trying to decide but am starting to lean toward panarea...

Dayle -- have a wonderful trip. i cannot wait to read your trip report. i think you said spring? it will be perfect timing for my trip in june. :)

Dina,

I'm going late April-May. Hoping for wildflowers and doing a complete circle of Sicily and Aeolians. This has been in the works for far too many years and I know I will only be able to go this once, so trying to do as much as possible.

Driving solo too. It should be interesting!

Buon viaggio!

Good for you, and have a GREAT time!!
Felice Buon Anno!