Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AEOLIAN ISLANDS
The Aeolian Islands are a little piece of paradise. Stunning cobalt sea, splendid beaches,
some of Italy's best hiking, and an awe- inspiring volcanic landscape are just part of the ap-
peal. The islands also have a fascinating human and mythological history that goes back
several millennia; the Aeolians figured prominently in Homer's
Odyssey,
and evidence of
the distant past can be seen everywhere, most notably in Lipari's excellent archaeological
museum.
The seven islands of Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Alicudi and Filicudi
are part of a huge 200km volcanic ridge that runs between the smoking stack of Mt Etna
and the threatening mass of Vesuvius above Naples. Collectively, the islands exhibit a
unique range of volcanic characteristics, which earned them a place on Unesco's World
Heritage list in 2000. The islands are mobbed with visitors in July and August but out of
season things remain remarkably tranquil.
Getting There & Away
Both
Ustica Lines
(
www.usticalines.it
)
and
Siremar
(
www.siremar.it
)
run hydrofoils year-round from
Milazzo, the mainland city closest to the islands (see table,
Click here
)
. Almost all boats
stop first at Vulcano and Lipari. Most then continue onward to the ports of Santa Marina
and/or Rinella on Salina island. Beyond Salina, boats either branch off east to Panarea and
Stromboli, or west to Filicudi and Alicudi. Frequency of service on all routes increases in
the summer.
azzo to the islands; they're slightly cheaper, but slower and less regular than the hydrofoils.
Less frequent year-round services include Ustica Lines hydrofoils from Messina, and
Siremar ferries from Naples. In summer only (late June to early September), Ustica Lines
also offers a once-daily service from Palermo that makes stops on all seven islands. Boats
are sometimes cancelled due to heavy seas.
