The Seven Wonders of Sicily: The Aeolian Islands

Departure is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to turn a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to Catania. After your welcome at the airport, we will leave in the direction of Milazzo. During the trip your companion will present the exciting week’s program.   Once in Milazzo, we will board the hydrofoil to reach Lipari, the largest island of the Aeolian archipelago declared world heritage by UNESCO, (depending on the arrival time of the plane can be scheduled a night in Milazzo). Reached the port of Lipari, we’ll find a private transfer that will take us to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Today you will dedicate the day to visit the small historic center of Lipari. Our expert guide will show you the Acropolis, the castle, the Cathedral with its cloister and the archaeological museum.  Walking through the ancient streets, we will have the opportunity to taste the local cuisine, rich in authentic and fresh flavors. Lipari will give us unforgettable moments that you will always have in your heart. Free lunch.  In the afternoon, from the port of Lipari you will reach the Castellaro Estate to visit the winery, stroll through the vineyards and taste the wines inside, admiring the sunset over the beautiful islands of Alicudi, Filicudi and Salina. Dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the most beautiful coves of Lipari and the verdant Salina. By boat after leaving the castle, Monte Rosa and Canneto, We will make a first stop in the pumice stone quarries to get to Salina and make a first stop at the port of S. Marina to visit the most important town on the island and the beautiful church with its ancient majolica. After free time, to buy local products such as capers or wine «Malvasia» we will continue along the east coast of the island and stop for a second swim in the beautiful bay of Pollara, famous for the film «Il Postino» by Massimo Troisi. We will then reach Lingua, a small fishing village where, in addition to restaurants and pretty coves, you can also visit the salt lake from which the island takes its name. Do not miss a lunch break at the famous bar «Alfredo» to taste the typical «pani cunzatu» and delicious «granita». On the way back, we will visit the most beautiful caves of Lipari, we will stop in front of the Faraglioni for a last stop at the beach of Vinci. We will return to Lipari in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, sailing along the magnificent “Faraglioni” of Lipari, we will leave by boat to visit the wildest islands of the archipelago. We will head towards Filicudi, where we will stop at the picturesque promontory of “Capo Graziano” and the cave of “Bue Marino”, ideal places for pleasant stops and refreshing baths. Around 12.00, we will leave this island to reach Alicudi, the most unspoilt of the Aeolian islands, where we will have about an hour to visit the characteristic village. Continuing from there, we will head towards the Faraglione Canna, then return to Filicudi, where we will explore the picturesque village of the island.  Get ready for a picturesque day, wear the right beach clothing and book in advance the “maccheronata” on board, the captain will prepare you a delicious first course with the typical flavors of the Aeolian Islands. Return to Lipari in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

After breakfast we will start our adventure to the island of Vulcano. During the crossing we will see the banks of Vulcanello, with the famous “Valley of monsters”, extraordinary lava formations, easily accessible and visitable on foot once disembarked, the bay of black sands, famous for its long beach of dark sand, with the majestic “Gran Cratere della Fossa” in the background, which represents the active volcano of the island, a dormant volcano that can be reached at the top through an excursion of about one hour from the port area. Once at the top, you will have the feeling of being in an almost extraterrestrial environment, made of steaming rocks and sulfur with a simply amazing panorama. We will reach the Cave of the horse, famous for its plays of light, and the “pool of Venus”, a place where it is said that the beautiful goddess loved to dive for a bath…  We will dock at the port in the late morning, welcomed by the pungent and characteristic smell of sulphur of the island. From here we can discover the most lively, picturesque area full of shops, bars and restaurants, you can walk, take advantage of a thermal bath in the sulphur pools, climb the crater, visit the island by quad, you will have a wide choice of activities that will meet all your needs and desires. We will return to Lipari in the late afternoon. Return to Hotel. Overnight. 

After breakfast, in the morning we will leave from Marina Corta and reach the island of Panarea, where we will visit the natural bay of “Calajunco”, above which is the prehistoric village of “Capo Milazzese”, and the “Cala Zimmari”. We will continue with a panoramic tour among the islets, visiting the Grotto of Lovers, until we reach the port. Once you have landed on the island, you can stroll through the narrow streets of the country, characterized by typical white houses, visit the church of San Pietro, which will offer you a breathtaking panoramic view, and continue to the prehistoric village. You will still have time to eat lunch, take a bath and enjoy the delicious granita served in the many cafes overlooking the sea. In the afternoon we will continue towards Stromboli to observe from the sea the small Ginostra and the Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock. Once on the island, you can visit this charming village, including the house where Ingrid Bergam stayed during the filming of the film «Stromboli terra di Dio» and where love with Rossellini was born.
Once you land, you have two options: climb the volcano of Stromboli to get to the active crater and admire the evening explosions, or for those who prefer to relax and enjoy the view of the explosions as in a film, you can go back to the sunset, on board the boat , to observe the «Sciara del fuoco«, a steep slope carved by lava streams and watch, from the sea, the suggestive spectacle that this volcano offers us, exploding in a symphony of reddish lapilli. Dinner on board with Spaghetti Eoliana. In the evening return to Lipari, overnight.

This day will be dedicated to the total freedom to satisfy your adventurous desires and not: you can rent a scooter to explore Lipari and access the most unknown corners, such as the beautiful white sand beach (accessible by sea and by land via a majolica decorated staircase, at the foot of the pumice stone quarries , characterized by the beautiful turquoise color of the water and the white of the sand. For lovers of diving and snorkeling, you can go to Punta Castagna and the beach of Gabbiano, a paradise bay. For those who do not want to get away from the center of Lipari, beyond the promontory of Monte Rosa, you can reach in a few minutes the beach of Canneto: the busiest bay of the island, 2 km long, also reachable by bus (about 5 minutes from the center). Free dinner and overnight in hotel.

On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. After breakfast we will leave in the direction of the port of Lipari to take the hydrofoil towards the port of Milazzo where you will find our staff who will accompany you to the airport to help you in the handling of the boarding logistics. Today we close a chapter and open a new one, we will say goodbye, but you are part of our Community, you will carry with you the promise of new future adventures even more extraordinary.  As you wait for your flight, reflect on the extraordinary experiences you will have during your journey: from delicious dishes to natural wonders discovered along the way. You will be prepared to face the daily routine with new energy. Have a good trip home.