Hi,

I'll stay on Lipari for 4 nights in the middle of September.

Originally, I was going to stay on Lipari for 3 nights. I was going to dedicate one day to visit Lipari and the other day to daytip to Vulcano mostly for the mudbath.

I don't like to think of a trip as the last one, but I'm pretty sure I won't be going to Aeolian Islands very often, so I decided to add an extra night to Lipari in order to daytrip to Stromboli as well.

I have my doubts about it. Apparently there's nothing to do on Stromboli besides hiking the volcano. However, something tells me I'll regret not having visited Stromboli when I come back home.

What's your opinion on Stromboli? Is it worth it? Is there any other attraction besides hiking the volcano?

It looks interesting and quiet in the pictures I've seen of it.

I love volcanoes, so yes it's worth it. I spent the night at the crater with some vulcanologists. It was certainly my National Geographic moment. It's about 3 hours to the top (if they are going right now). It was quite active a few months back and some of it was closed down for a while. The black sand beaches are great! If you don't climb it you can at least go to Punta Labronzo the observation area. Stromboli is the best chance you'll get to see an eruption in Europe. Also don't forget to go over to il Postino's Salina to see the beach and cliffs at Pollara.

You will LOVE Lipari! You will not be sorry to have the extra night- I only had three, not four, and had to tear myself away.

I did something similar to your plans. One almost- full day was dedicated to Vulcano to roll in the mud and hike to the crater. (If an option, in September still, pay a little more to take the hydrofoil- it is so much faster than the ferry, which took absolutely forever by the time it finally docked.) Vulcano was unbelievable. You get used to the smell after a little while, and there is even a restaurant near the beach. But that smell will stay in your clothes, so wear very old ones that you might consider throwing away after-the smell will get on your other things, too, in the suitcase....you can profit from my stinky experience!

From Lipari you can take a tour called "Stromboli by Night". There was an option to hike it, also at night, but that was only on certain days and even though technically I was there on the right day, they said they couldn't go. So I did the semi-tacky tour. It wasn't bad- and it doesn't leave until, if I remember correctly, mid-afternoon.
It was on a very fast hydrofoil, which is a plus since your time is limited even with the extra day and it is pretty far away. On the way there, we stopped once to swim and once at one of the other little islands (I forget which- gorgeous and very Greek feeling)for a brief snack opportunity. Then we arrived at Stromboli and had a couple hours before it got dark enough to return to the boat. The beach was starkly beautiful, with whitewashed houses. The restaurant was AWFUL! There was an informative display in the visitor's center. For me, the time there was more than plenty to get a sense of living on an active volcano! There really is not much else to do.
Then the boat takes you out to see some chimneys and slowly circles the island- I was able to see the lava shoot into the sky; very exciting! So that might be an option for you, also.
I was more impressed by Vulcano, though- and the pumice beach just outside Lipari town was gorgeous.
Have a wonderful trip! Lucky you!

One of our day trips while spending four (or was it five?) nights on Lipari was a trip to Panarea by day with plenty of time for lunch there on your own and then on to Stromboli in the late afternoon. We enjoyed it. No, there isn't much to do, but we did find a couple interesting local handicraft shops with some pottery we hadn't seen anywhere else. About sunset, the boat leaves, and then hovers offshore while Stromboli puts on its show. It was pretty spectacular. We arrived back in Lipari just before midnight, I believe. A wonderful day, and in my opinion all we needed of Stromboli.

Thanks!

I'm getting excited about it.

TravMimi, what else can you tell me about Salina in your opinion? Bookguides, in general, speak mostly about Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli.

Thanks for the clothes advice and the night tour Sglass.

NeoPatrick, did you do the Panarea-Stromboli tour on your own?

Not exactly on our own. But you simply buy the boat package from one of the suppliers. You are on your own on the islands, but it is a set time for departures and arrivals from Lipari, Panarea, and Stromboli. There was some "narration" on the boat as well -- but no real "tour" of the islands.

Castellanese - Salina is the second largest of the islands and is about 25 mins by hydrofoil from Lipari. It is the most fertile and greenest. Most of the grapes for the Malvasia wine are grown there. I think it is the most beautiful to see from the many boat excursions that go around the island.
http://www.pointernet.pds.hu/tourist...inaIsland.jpeg
There are 3 villages. Salina is very popular with tour companies that offer biking tours, though I prefer a scooter. Do a google image search and key in Salina island.

Thanks!

I'll definitely stay on Lipari for 4 nights instead of 3.