Seven volcanic islands scattered around in the blue of the Mediterranean Sea. Known as the seven sisters and named after the wind god Aeolus, the UNESCO-protected Aeolian Islands are a Mediterranean paradise: stunning blue cobalt waters, active volcanoes to climb at sunset, fresh seafood, slow-food presidia and Malvasia wine.
BRIEF NOTE
If you plan an extension to the Aeolian islands after touring Sicily, we’ll likely propose you a 3-night stay in Salina with our captain ready to take you on wonderful boat day trips.
While if you have more days we’ve designed over the years many fantastic combinations, from exciting adventures to Stromboli and Panarea to the unusual trio of Panarea, Salina and Filicudi.
The itinerary below is a classic and lovely combination of Salina and Vulcano islands with fantastic boat trips to some of the other isles.
AEOLIAN TIME IN SALINA
In the first part of this 7-day luxury Aeolian hideway you’ll stay at the Signum Resort, a white-washed family resort and a charming place where you’ll feel at home. Tonight dine on a 5-course tasting menu by Chef Martina Caruso. Martina Caruso started cooking with her father at the family restaurant of the hotel and a few years ago, at only 26, she got her first Michelin star.
You’ll spend the next few days by the pool and the SPA where the sea-salt, the olive oil and the bitter oranges are used in the body care.
Your local guide will take you around his island – on your own scooter if you fancy – from one village to another, to visit a capers’ producer, to taste the best pane cunzato of all the Aeolian islands and to share the magic of the timeless hamlet of Pollara.
No trip to the Aeolian islands is perfect without a day out by boat. Years ago your charming captain and a true cicerone ran a successful business in Milan, before deciding to move to this Mediterranean paradise permanently. He will take you on board of his delightful wooden craft to Panarea, the party island, and Stromboli to admire from your boat the unique show of the fire streams plunging down the side of the volcano like firey waterfalls into the dark sea. You’ll dine on board before cruising back to Salina under a starry sky.
AEOLIAN TIME IN VULCANO
On day 4 meet your captain again for a private transfer to the island of Vulcano with some stops to swim in Lipari’s aquamarine waters. The ancients believed that Vulcano was the chimney of the fire god Vulcan’s workshop and the moment you set foot on it, it becomes clear that this is indeed a setting fit for a god. Unspoilt nature, black sand, smoky fumaroles, therapeutic mud baths and hot springs.
Get settled in your sea-view terrace suite at SLH Therasia, enjoy the warm thermal waters and muds at the spa and dine at the on-site starred restaurant.
Spend the next few days swimming, snorkeling and especially kayaking to grottos and thermal caves with turquoise water and natural pools. Join your guide on board of a Mehari car to the cape and belvedere and to little villages before embarking on an easy hike to the Gran Cratere at sunset. A lunar landscape of smoking holes and yellow sulphur awaits you at the top. And what a view! All the Aeolian Islands in a row rising out of the blue of the sea.
Tonight dine along the marina where shops, restaurants and bars come alive in the evening. Who doesn’t love the islands’ vibe in the summer evenings?
Going back to mainland Sicily on day 7, you’ll spend a final night in Taormina before catching your flight back home.
The present itinerary and the suggested accommodation are just examples to give you an idea of what your customised trip may look like. Get in touch to design together your very own trip to Sicily.
when to go
Jun-Oct
transport style
Private Driver / Self-drive
length
8 nights
with WHOM
Couple/Family/Friends
where will you stay
SALINA, THE SIGNUM RESORT
Some twenty years ago the Caruso family transformed a cluster of old coastal dwellings on the island of Salina in a lovely boutique hotel with 30 bedrooms open out on to terraces and balconies from where to admire breathtaking views of the sea and the lemon-scented gardens. The Michelin restaurant by the young Chef Martina Caruso and Signum's wine list are outstanding.
About ISLAND HOLIDAYS Way of Travel
Who doesn’t love summer island vibes. From the Aeolians to the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria, the islands off Sicily are scattered around the blue Mediterranean sea, offering stunning landscapes, lovely villages, amazing properties and some of the best Italian food.
Here at Sicilian Journeys everyone has his own favourite isle and we escape there any time we can for a weekend with friends or a family holiday. There is no doubt that by the end of your island-hopping you’ll find your favourite and will want to come back again and again.
