stromboli and other aeolian islands in italy
 

I've become interested in the Aeolian islands including stromboli just off the north coast of Sicily. Any info, recommendations or advice?

Joy, I got interested last year when I saw a good article in Conde Nast Traveler on the islands. I'm sorry I don't remember which issue, but your local library (or I would assume they have a web site) might help.

Dayle: Thanks for answering both my messages....we'll talk again

A travel agency sent something to me today about the island, Panarea. <BR>It is the smallest of the Aeolian islands, only 1.6sq. miles. <BR>So small there are no cars and electric golf carts are used for taxis. <BR>It looks lovely. <BR>But that is all I know about it, as this area is one we are not going to this trip. <BR>nancy

Dear Joy, <BR> <BR>Salina is lovely and unspoiled. The views are spectacular, the air is fresh and clean, and the caper bushes are beautiful in bloom. Il Postino was filmed there.

Thanks Carol..I never did get to see the film but I'll be down to the video store now that I know about the setting!

joy, In late September of 1996 we stayed on Lipari for a couple of days after 2 days in Cefalu. After getting back to Sicilia from Lipari we spent another week touring, but Lipari is what we always think about as the high point of our tour. We've toured Italy 8 or 9 times, from the Ticino to Palermo, Rome to the Gargano, and Lipari is right up there with our favorites.

Joy - I was there last year and loved it. I took an overnight ferry from Naples, which reaches Stromboli around 5:00am. The ferry approaches from the north so you can easily see the eruptions. I stayed in Lipari for 4 days. It was at the end of the season so I was not sure if I could find a place to stay on Stromboli that late in the year. If I had to do it all over again, and I probably will, I would have tried to stay there. There are one-day excursions from Lipari available. Here are a few websites that will help you out. If you want information on the ferry just email me. <BR> <BR>http://www.mcnab.org/~emerald/isole.html <BR> <BR>http://educeth.ethz.ch/stromboli/index-e.html <BR> <BR>http://educeth.ethz.ch/stromboli/index-e.html <BR> <BR>

My husband and I visited Panarea 3 summers ago and had a wonderful time. It is a very pretty island with Etruscan fields out at the edge of the land, adjacent to a swimming beach. Stromboli is within sight. A previous writer is correct - there is no vehicular traffic, except for unicycle carts. We ate incredibly seafood at a number of different restaurants. to get there, we took a hydrofoil out of Naples. <BR>Carol L

Thanks everyone...I think I'll add the islands to my trip in September 2001...is that what you call end of season Jim? Do you mean that you didn't prebook but found somewhere suitable to stay anyway? <BR>Joy

Beware: the island of Volcano smells vile. The salt water thermal mud baths look unsanitary, like stagnant pools at a construction site. Stick to Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Lipari

We stayed in the Poiseidon Hotel in Lipari (3*), which was quiet, clean and comfortable, but with very surly staff, and a mediocre breakfast. Lipari is charming though, with plenty of nice places to eat, and stroll around. We took a day trip to Stromboli and saw the volcano erupt at night, which was one of the highlights of our trip to Sicily. To get Lipari we took the hydrofoil from Milazzo. The only recommendation I'd make is to take it easy and eat as much seafood as possible. The only caveat I'd have about Lipari was that it seemed to close very early at night (about 10.30) except for weekends (but we were there the last two weeks in September so it could be different in high season).

Joy - The season ends at the end of October. The hotel at which I was staying closed two days after I left. I did not prebook. I went on the spur of the moment from Florence to avoid rainy weather. I phoned from Florence two days before. I do not believe you will have any trouble getting a room that time of the year. When I got off the boat I was approached by about 20 people offering rooms. It is safe to take such a room if needed. Glad to here that you decided to go. Enjoy your trip.

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