I will be on Lipari island for a week in July, at a meeting. But seeing Pompeii is on my bucket list, so I'm thinking I could fly Boston to Naples, visit Pompeii, and then make my way to Lipari.

The guidebook says there is boat service to Lipari, but I have only been able to find an overnight ferry (10 hours!) to Catania. The meeting organizers will have a bus from Catania airport on the arrival date, so it may be easiest to fly or sail from Naples to Catania ... any advice?

What are my options, for price and/or convenience?

This is the ferry service you need. http://www.snav.it/

They have those trips. Go from Naples if you can.

There is another service, but I don't remember the name

Good luck

Beth

There is an overnight ferry (with sleeping accommodation) from Napoli to Lipari (www.siremar.it).
Summer fast craft are operated by SNAV (www.snav.it), Ustica Lines (www.usticalines.it) and Alilauro (www.alilauro.it).

Hi, capxxx -

The overnight ferry from Naples to Lipari will give you the chance to see some great views of Naples, the coastline, and several of the Eolian Islands. If the schedule works for you, do consider it!

Hope that helps. . . .

The latest local news reports strongly suggest that the Siremar Lines overnight car ferry crossings between Naples and the Aeolian Islands (all the way to Milazzo) will be SUSPENDED beginning in January 2009, RESUMED around Easter, and suspended again in September 2009. In other words, the service will no longer be year-round but only seasonal.

I will keep readers apprised of developments in my periodic postings in www.slowtrav.com under the heading "SIREMAR LINES TO ABANDON AEOLIAN ISLANDS ROUTES"