An Introduction to Island of Lipari...

Aeolian islands holidays are centred on the largest island, Lipari. There are restaurants, bars and interesting shopping in Lipari’s main street which is closed to traffic in the evening. The best Lipari hotel is the 3 star Hotel Rocce Azzure which has a wonderful water’s edge location.

The hotel offers a wide range of excursions to the other 7 Aeolian islands, the most spectacular of which is Stromboli with its active volcano. Aeolian islands holiday flights operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Catania or Taormina airports. The transfer time from airport to your hotel is 90 minutes from Taormina airport or 120 minutes from Catania airport. So book your Aeolian islands package holiday, Aeolian islands hotel or Aeolian islands flight with Holiday Options and don’t forget our Aeolian islands late deals and holiday offers at very special prices.

the largest of the Aeolian Islands and is the ideal base from which to visit the other fascinating and dramatic islands.

During your stay on Lipari you should explore the island by bus or hire a taxi for the day, which is the most rewarding and popular method. There are restaurants and bars around the port and some interesting shopping and restaurants in the main street, Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle 111, which is closed to traffic in the evenings.

Ferries and hydrofoils ply the harbour and offer enjoyable transportation to the other islands should you not wish to take one of the hotel’s excursions with an English-speaking guide.

Visitors to the Aeolian Islands will discover a remote and escapist destination, rich with stunning natural beauty, a brilliant clear light, unpolluted seas teeming with fish and a soporific way of life in romantic isolation. For the location of the islands, please see the map.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and is the ideal base from which to visit the other fascinating and dramatic islands. During your stay on Lipari you should explore the island by bus or hire a taxi for the day, which is the most rewarding and popular method.

There are restaurants and bars around the port and some interesting shopping and restaurants in the main street, Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle 111, which is closed to traffic in the evenings. Ferries and hydrofoils ply the harbour and offer enjoyable transportation to the other islands should you not wish to take one of the hotel’s excursions with an English-speaking guide.

Vulcano - The Gran Cratere hangs menacingly over the island’s inhabited northern tip, its plume of vapour a silent reminder of its awesome power. The crater can be climbed in about an hour by reasonably fit persons, and you should also visit the mud baths in its natural springs. There are good hotels and restaurants for refreshments before taking the 15 minutes return ferry to Lipari.

Salina can be reached by hydrofoil in about 30 minutes. This is the greenest of the islands and its backbone is of two extinct volcanoes. The twin cones are carpeted with abundant terraces of violet-flowered capers, grape vines and trees.

There are small hotels and restaurants and the island supports its own bus service. Stromboli is the most spectacular of all the islands, an active volcano that has burst forth from the sea. This awesome black giant, which stands in contrast against the intense blue sea, rises to a height of around 2200m. Undaunted, people have always lived beneath it in low, white-washed houses with beautiful gardens. Panarea is the smallest of the islands, and is certainly one of the prettiest, surrounded by clusters of islets and clear blue sea. It is almost Greek in aspect, with a surreal feel created by its pristine white houses and pastel doors and shutters, and each house is bedecked with plants and flowers. There are leafy lanes lined with fruit trees, and attractive driveways, yet there are no cars. Panarea’s cosy intimacy has created a retreat for the rich and famous, many of whom arrive from the Riviera in their opulent yachts.

Alicudi - To say that Alicudi is ‘as quiet as the grave’ would be to endow churchyards with a rather boisterous reputation. Nevertheless it is this quietude that attracts the few tourists who visit. The island forms a beautiful volcanic cone, and there are some pleasant walks, but it is still the back of beyond!
Filicudi - Although bigger than Alicudi, this island is considered remote even by the
natives of Lipari. However, it is a beautiful island to explore on foot, with spectacular paths crisscrossing their way along mountain terraces with craggy volcanic boulders, flowering cacti and always sensational views.

Travel Plan

Day 1 Fly to Catania and transfer to the northeast port of Milazzo. From Milazzo
travel to Lipari is by scheduled ferryboat or hydrofoil service (journey time by hydrofoil approximately 1 hour and at a local cost of approximately €14 per person in each direction. The journey normally incurs a stop at Vulcano en route). Accommodation in Lipari is at the award-winning, three star Hotel Rocce Azzurre

The Rocce Azzurre operates a regular excursion programme with an English-speaking guide, on its own motor cruiser, m/n Aliante. The programme varies according to demand and weather conditions but a typical optional programme and approximate per person costs would include: Panarea - 9 hours including short sea journey @ €30. Panarea & Stromboli - 7½ hours to include an evening cruise off Stromboli @ €45. Vulcano - 9 hours including short sea journey @ €25. Filicudi & Alicudi - 10½ hours including sea journey @ €45. Salina - 9 hours including short sea journey @ €30.

Day 8 Transfer to Catania for your return flight to the UK or continue your holiday
in Sicily with a stay in Taormina or Cefalu Depending on flight and ferry schedules it may be necessary to spend either the first or last night
of your holiday at the Hotel La Riva (page 66). Details will be advised at the time of booking.