Escorted Tours
Aeolian Islands Tour
The seven Aeolian islands off the north coast of Sicily comprise an area of 1,216km square kilometres and make up one of the most traditional regions of Italy, with a pace and way of life little altered for centuries. Unsurprisingly, it was chosen as the location of the charming film Il Postino. The Aeolian archipelago is of important volcanic origin, having fascinated volcanologists and tourists alike for years.
The island of Stromboli contains one of the most active volcanoes in the world and presents an almost-daily show of red hot rocks. The archipelago’s importance is evident from the life that has existed on the island since the Neolithic age, while approximately 900 plant species have been recorded on the islands, including four endemic species.
The largest island of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is Lipari, and this is where you will be based. You will stay at the Rocce Azzurre Hotel, which commands a panoramic position and a sea-view terrace restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean, and is within walking distance of the town centre and main harbour. The hotel boasts free Wi-Fi and a private sun deck that practically floats on the sea, plus there is also a public beach next to the hotel.
Your days are a mix of organised tours including boat trips to Salina, Panarea and Stromboli and free time to either explore independently or relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. This is a fascinating, unique region of Italy, just waiting to be discovered.
what’s included
At A Glance
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Catania
On arrival, transfer by coach to Milazzo (approx. 2 hours) and onwards by ferry to Lipari (approx. 1 hour 30 mins) before a short steep walk to the Rocce Azzurre Hotel.
This evening there will be a welcome drink at the hotel before dinner.
Day 2: Lipari
Our day begins with a walking tour of Lipari, “the hub of the Aeolian Islands”, to experience the slow pace of life. We pass through paved cobbled streets in the old part of the town, still home to fishermen, before we board the coach to continue the tour of Lipari Island.
En route we will stop at Quattrocchi viewpoint: the panorama is one of the most impressive in the Aeolian Islands and perhaps in all of Sicily.
We will continue, through the villages of Pianoconte, Quattropani, the winelands, Acquacalda in the district of pomice quarries and Canneto, the beach of Lipari with spectacular view on Lipari Western Coastline and on Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Panarea and Stromboli Islands.
Day 3: Lipari
Full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or join a local excursion, payable locally.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Panarea & Stromboli
Morning at leisure and an early lunch included at the hotel. In the afternoon, we will take a boat to visit the Island of Panarea for a guided tour of the village of Saint Peter.
We continue to Stromboli, where we will visit the village of Saint Vincent before an included pizza dinner in the oldest family restaurant/pizzeria of Stromboli.
After dinner, we will board a boat to the Sciara del Fuoco to watch the almost daily event of the volcano’s spectacular light and fire display from the craters. Return to Lipari for overnight.
Day 5: Lipari
Full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or join a local excursion, payable locally.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6: Salina Island
According to the Guardian, Salina is one of the 10 “hidden gems” of Italy. The “greenest” and the most fertile island of the Aeolian Islands; here, fine grapes are cultivated from which “Malvasia delle Lipari” is obtained, a wine with a sweet taste, vines that produce local wines and capers that are exported all over the world.
We depart Lipari by boat to Santa Marina, one of the three towns on the island; here we board a coach for our tour of the island, going through the other two towns, Malfa and Leni, to the other side of the island, to reach the little village of Rinella, where time seems to have stopped. Coffee break and time to explore the village. We continue onto Pollara viewpoint to look down the village and the bay of Pollara, the setting of the film “Il Postino” by Troisi.
We then go to visit a local historical family winery that produces local wines and the famous Malvasia wine, for an included visit and wine tasting, accompanied by local house products, before we reach Lingua, a village situated on the shores of a former salted lake, from which the Island of Salina takes its name, for a lunch at leisure (not included).
After lunch, we will reboard the boat to return to Lipari along its Western Coastline, the oldest volcanic part of this island. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Lipari
Full day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or join a local excursion, payable locally.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8: Return To London Gatwick
Transfer by ferry back to Milazzo and onward to Catania airport by coach for your return flight to London Gatwick.
Tours will be scheduled by your tour manager according to boat timetables and weather forecast to help you make the most of your time visiting this wonderful group of islands. Any local excursions on the days at leisure can be arrange by your tour manager and are payable locally.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“Firstly, tour manager was excellent. Can’t rate her highly enough. Her organisational skills were fantastic and without her we would have been lost due to the flight delays (outside anyone’s control). Hotel was lovely, friendly and the rooms were clean every day. Enjoyed the food. Swimming platform was a bit dodgy! Would definitely return to the Aeolians. Sad to see you haven’t included it in the new brochure.”
Kurylowicz, September 2024
“A lovely, enjoyable, interesting holiday with a good group size. Tessa Say was an excellent tour manager, friendly, calm, caring, efficient and knowledgeable. The included trips were very good, and the optional trips were also good. The super clean hotel was in an excellent location for the small-town square and beach. All hotel staff were friendly, attentive and efficient. All the boat trips were good and on time but a satisfactory score was given due to a flight delay going out and returning on Easy jet which I appreciate was out of Travel Editions control.”
Neal, September 2024
“Both flights delayed: not your fault. Otherwise travel arrangements good Tessa (Tour manager) was excellent. Coped very well with the travel disruptions. Kept us informed at all times and was a mine of information.”
Eagleton, September 2024
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
The Rocce Azzurre Hotel
The friendly, family-run three-star Rocce Azzurre Hotel enjoys a wonderful location overlooking the sea yet only a few minutes pleasant walk from the charming old town of Lipari. The walk is about 400 metres up a slight hill and there is no other way to get from the port to the hotel (though baggage is taken in a minivan). This walk has to be undertaken to join all the excursions to other islands.
Facilities at this typically Sicilian hotel include terrace and restaurant with spectacular sea views, attractive and charming public areas including bar and indoor dining area and sunbathing/swimming platform and new since 2018, a spa. Rooms are comfortable and spotlessly maintained with private shower, TV and telephone. Many have sea-view and/or balcony, bookable at a reasonable supplement.
The hotel is a pleasant 15 minute walk from the port – downhill one way and up the other and there is no other way to get from the port to the hotel as the lane is not suitable for traffic.
Sea view/balcony rooms are available at a supplement.
Rocce Azzurre Hotel Website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing.
If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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