The Aeolian Islands are “a possible realization of a perfect coexistence between man and nature”.

Preach.

And like all good things that there’s 7 of (dwarves, deadly sins, wonders of the world) each island brings its own special sauce.

They do have stuff in common though - volcano-ey views 🌋 crystally sea 🌊 fresh seafood 🦑 and all are best explored by moped.

Lipari

This is the big (and most commercial) dog of the Aeolians, and where you get the ferry across from Sicily (4 hours). It also packs some of the meatiest views.

Zoom about on a moped like an Audrey- Hepburnesque champ and get as many of them in your eyes as you can.

When you’ve had your fill of stretching blue sea and craggy cliffs head for Restorante Filippino back in the harbour.

It’s been going for a full century will do you local grub such as black risotto with squid, and swordfish with capers.

Salina

“They filmed Il Postino here”

The locals of Salina will tell you. But unless you’re into smutty films about postmen, this might not mean much.

The little goblinny houses (fishing boat shelters) carved into the cliffs and clear sea make Pollaro a top sunbathing spot though.

Stop off at Da Alfredo's in Lingua for an earth-shattering granita on your way home.

Salina’s the greenest of the islands - there’s fruit trees, olive groves and vineyards sprouting out of every corner. Try as many of them as you can at Galetta Salina farm restaurant.

Ferries to Salina go all day from Lipari and take 15-40 mins.

Vulcano

You’ll smell the suphery waters of the Vulcano mud spa from your boat as it reaches the shore.

Warm, silky and reeking of rotten egg, they’ll soothe everything from sunburn to leprosy 😏

When you’ve finished stroking your baby smooth (egg scented) complexion, hike up the crater. It’s an actual, live volcano complete with dramatic smoke and insane views across the islands. You half expect to see swooping pterodactyls, but you probs won’t.

Worth the ashy hour’s trek.

Stromboli

This is the sort of trek for people who have their own walking boots. Or at least their own trainers and a fetish for magma. If you’ve got it in you, Stromboli goes off like a pre-historic firework show every night of the week.

Average hiking time is 4-5 hours, start in the afternoon and return at 11pm.

Filicudi

Filicudi’s hiding all kinds of goodies on its sea bed. Like grouper fish, collapsed volcanoes, and shipwrecks. The best (and only) way to see them is by diving. ‘The shoal of Capo Graziano’ and ‘The shoal Sei Metri’’ are both tricky, but packed with above-mentioned visuals.

If divings not your one - necking olives on arguably the best beach in the Aeolians is pretty good too.

Get there by ferry from Lipari.

Take your time and get to know them all if you can, each island is nicer than the last.