We are going to Sicily for a one week trip in July. We are leaving from Naples and figured we'd take a ferry or hydrofoil to the Aeolian Islands, before continuing on with our tour of Sicily. Big question: which island do we stay on? We are nature/foodie/history sorta folks. (4 fit adults) Figured the volcano would be our top sight to visit. ?? Any other suggestions would be apprectiated!
Posted by
Ottawa
1446 posts
Stay on Lipari. There are more accommodation & food choices. Excursion boats go every day, in season, to loop around the island of Stromboli to see the volcano. Since the Strombolian effect kicks up every 15-20 minutes or so, you should be able to see 3 or so of these geyser-like eruptions from the boat. The excursion of itself is very pleasant too. There are lots of direct connections to Messina and to Palermo from Lipari as well. I'd suggest buying your ongoing ticket as soon as you land. There is an interesting little archeological museum on Lipari, which is worth seeing, if not solely for the impressive Greek pottery collection. I had planned on staying several nights on Stromboli itself when I went, but moved to Lipari after just one night it was too dead and the volcano is really best viewed from the water.
Posted by
Los Angeles
425 posts
From Naples to Lipari, the overnight SIREMAR Lines car ferry operates ONLY on Tuesdays and Fridays at 20:00. The crossing to Lipari takes either 13.5 or 15 hours. In July, you really should reserve in advance if you want a sleeping cabin or a reclining seat. Otherwise, you'll likely spend the night on a hard non-reclining cocktail lounge chair. Try to purchase the tickets at least one week in advance. During the summer, there are also DAYLIGHT hydrofoils and fast ferries operated daily by SNAV Lines and Alilauro Lines, which take less than HALF the time of the overnight ferry. SNAV has a fast ferry at 14:30 which reaches Lipari at 21:00. On Saturdays during July and August, there is a supplemental SNAV boat from Naples at 9:00 a.m. From Lipari, I HIGHLY recommend that you take two circuits of the islands by Siremar traditional car ferry: on Tuesday and Friday at 9:15 to Salina/Panarea/Stromboli; the other five days at 9:15 to Salina/Filicudi/Alicudi. Stay on this ferry until its final destination (Stromboli or Alicudi), before turning back in the early afternoon to Lipari (arrive 17:35). There are magnificent panoramas of the islands from the open top deck of the ferry. Bring your short pants and sun tan lotion for some sun-bathing on the ship as well. I also highly recommend using Lipari as your base, particularly if you like good food and historical/archeological sites. Lipari town is a wonderful place to spend a week or more during the summer. From Lipari there are daily Ustica Lines hydrofoils to Palermo during the summer, as well as daily year-round hydrofoils to Messina and Reggio Calabria. From Lipari to Milazzo, there are many daily Ustica Lines and Siremar hydrofoils, as well as a couple of Siremar car ferries. www.siremar.it www.snav.it www.alilauro.it
www.usticalines.it
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Liapari! We even rented a mo-ped and drove around the Island, and stopped and sun bathed at different beaches. There is no traffic on the island...none, zip, ziltch. This was so much fun. I had not driven a motorcycle in years and my wife and never rode with me, but it was great. We litterally had the road to ourselves. The museum should not be missed. Day trip to the other islands. The volcano is NOT the top site. Check out the reviews for Diana Browns B&B in Trip Advisor; great rates, great owner, big and beautiful rooms w/ refer, AC, huge bath, etc.