Pantelleria Island: New, Faster Ferry Connection
 

SIREMAR Lines (a subsidiary of Tirrenia) has announced a new, faster ferry service from Sicily to Pantelleria Island, daily from July 11 through September 30. The brand new, state-of-the art "mezzo veloce" GUIZZO departs Mazara del Vallo at 9 a.m., arriving Pantelleria at 10:30 a.m. Reverse leaves Pantelleria at 16:30. The 90-minute journey, at the amazing speed of 43 knots, is faster than a hydrofoil and takes one-quarter of the time of the regular overnight ferry (from Trapani, leaving daily at midnight). GUIZZO carries 450 passengers and 150 automobiles. One-way fare is 32 Euros per adult. Details at www.siremar.it

CORRECTION: the new service from Mazara del Vallo operates daily EXCEPT Wednesdays. The slower, overnight ferry from Trapani costs 22.44 Euros in high season, so the fast ferry from Mazara (32 Euros) is a better deal.

For Summer 2003, "mezzo veloce" GUIZZO leaves Mazara del Vallo at 10:15, arriving Pantelleria at 12:00 noon; return departure at 16:30 with arrival back in Mazara at 18:00. Daily except Wednesdays from 21 June through 14 September.

Is there any thing to see or visit on Pantelleria Island? How about hotels? I remember the Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air force) had an airbase there during WWII and kept the fighter planes in under ground bunkers. Any stuff like that around to see?

Pantelleria would make for a very interesting side trip of about three days, but you should consider going there only after you've travelled on the Sicilian mainland, and after visiting the more beautiful Aeolian Islands. Another possibility would be to stop in Pantelleria if travelling between Sicily and Tunisia.

Pantelleria is interesting for its dammuso-type architecture (resembling that of North Africa), its very rich vegetation (extinct volcano), and the beautiful colors of its waters. There are no museums or churches of note (Lipari by contrast has a fantastic archeological museum), but there are several moderately-priced resort hotels along the western coast facing Tunisia. Avoid July and August, when the island is overrun with Italian families on a cheap holiday (and the heat is unrelenting).

Hi GAC,

Thanks for the visit info on this Island.

The GUIZZO is not brand-new, but was built in 1993 for Tirrenia's routes to Sardinia. She was not a financial success - like most fast craft, fuel costs are very high and it can operate reliably only in fine weather. The GUIZZO ran to Pantelleria last summer as well. Tirrenia is state-owned; no commercial concern would invest in an asset that was to be used for just 12 weeks a year.

Whilst what you say is true, it is still a very good service at very reasonable cost to the consumer.

Let's review the three types of seaborne transportation to Pantelleria Island:

1) Trapani to Pantelleria by Traditional Car Ferry: SIREMAR Lines, six times a week (daily in summer). Departure at midnight. Travel time 5 hrs. 45 mins. (1 hr. less on the return). Fare: Euro 22.44 in high season. Ship "Pietro Novelli" displaces 2352 tons, carries 528 passengers and 93 autos. Cabins and reclining seats also available.

2) Trapani to Pantelleria by hydrofoil: USTICA Lines, daily from June 10 to October 10. Depature at 18:00. Travel time 2 hrs. 30 mins. Fare: Euro 34. Only passengers.

3) Mazara del Vallo to Pantelleria by Fast Car Ferry: SIREMAR Lines, daily except Wednesdays from mid-June to end Sept. Departure at 10:15. Travel time 90 mins. Fare: Euro 32. Ship "Guizzo" displaces 3500 tons, is 101.75 meters (334 feet) in length, carries 450 passengers and 150 autos at a speed of 43 knots.

TIPS: The best choice is the Fast Ferry, unless you want to take photos and videos upon arrival at the crack of dawn by taking the traditional overnight ferry from Trapani.

Of course, GAC knows all things Italy ! I'd never heard of this place; other day I was flipping through Travel & Leisure mag insert (Best of Mediterranean) and they mentioned Pantelleria as a favorite getaway, far from the crowds. Hotel listed was the Monastero resort -- www.monasteropantelleria.com in the countryside. This is where "an exclusive clientele -- Madonna, Sting" stay, per T&L.

Fodorites should be aware that it is now possible to FLY from Trapani to Pantelleria on Air One in 45 minutes for about the same fare as a reclining seat on the Siremar overnight ferry.

You can also FLY cheaply from Palermo to Pantelleria on Meridiana in roughly the same amount of time.

www.flyairone.it
www.meridiana.it