Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, and home to the only true town in the archipelago. It is also at the hub of the ferry and hydrofoil services, and so has the best connections of any of the islands. The main town, Lipari, is a bustling place dominated by a rocky acropolis which retains the remains of a castle (used as a prison for political exiles under Mussolini) and the Museo Archeologico, with an astonishing collection of archeological finds from the islands and the coast of nearby Sicily. Highlights are the unique ancient Greek vases painted in an array of delicate pastels by an artist known simply as the Lipari Painter, and a collection of minIature ancient Greek theatre masks discovered in tombs. Although Lipari is no longer an active volcano, there are still plenty of relics of its volcanic origins to be seen: cliffs seamed with shiny obsidian, mountainsides and beaches of pumice,hot springs and a kaolin quarry where the volcanic minerals have stained the clay in an array of colours thought to have been used as pigments by the Lipari painter. Lipari has some lovely walks – one of the finest runs from the kaolin quarry to the Terme di San Calogero, a thermal bath with Roman origins.
Villa La Pomice is an enchanting villa, located in the area of Pianogreca, about 2 kms from the centre of Lipari, and with spectacular views. Its elevated position also means that it is pleasantly cool during the summer months. The villa is surrounded by a luxuriant Mediterranean garden, designed by a renowned Sicilian landscape gardener, with a beautiful infinity pool, from where the views can also be enjoyed. The nearest beach is at Valle Muria, just a 5-minute walk from the villa along an old mule track.
The accommodation is in two separate buildings, situated close to each other and each with two floors. On the entrance floor of the main villa is a comfortable, cosy lounge with fireplace, a kitchen, dining room with large windows that look out onto the splendid landscape. A large terrace surrounds all the rooms at this level. There is also an outdoor kitchen with a barbecue and wood-burning stove and an atmospheric open-air dining area, ideal for summer evenings. Stairs lead down to the two bedrooms, which both open to the garden, with swimming pool and outdoor shower. The second building has a large double bedroom with en-suite bathroom and opening to a spacious terrace, on the upper floor and a double bedroom and bathroom, opening to a patio, on the same level as the garden. Amenities include ceiling fans, satellite TV, DVD and hi-fi system.
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Milazzo, on the north coast of Sicily, is the nearest port to the Aeolian islands, and Lipari is served by several hydrofoils and ferries daily.
From Reggio Calabria and Messina: there are several daily hydrofoils in the summer.
From Naples : by ferry, with Siremar, twice a week in the winter and up to 6 weekly in the summer; by hydrofoil, Ustica Lines, once or twice a day, only in the summer (10 June/20 Sept.).
From Palermo : Ustica Lines hydrofoil, once daily in summer.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian islands, so a car is essential.
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