Aeolian Islands Day Trip from Taormina: Stromboli and Panarea

We were picked up near to our hotel and driven to the port of Milazzo where we embarked on to the boat. It was all a bit chaotic but we chose seats on the second deck (having read reviews about getting wet on the top deck). The boat was very crowded, so crowded that some unfortuante people were sent up to the top deck. Then the storm came with large waves and torrential rain, people being sick, falling over and getting soaking wet. A lady in the queue for the toilet told me she was soaked right through to her knickers! Luckily the wether cleared and by the time we reached Panatera the sun was shining. We had time for a walk around and an ice cream then we were off to Stromboli. Because of the weather conditions it had taken longer to get there so we had less time at each stop and there wasn't really time to both eat and walk around stromboli Back on the boat we sailed around the island as it started to get dark and were lucky enough to see some small explosions just beneath the cloud cover The trip back seemed long but, luckily it was not as rough as before. Some people were sick. The toilets on board were dreadful - from start to finish - with no toilet seats, paper, water and occasionally covered in vomit! The coffee etc was nice

Trip is a long day but well worth it. The Aeolian Islands are stunning and the sunset at Stromboli with the opportunity to see the volcano erupting worth the trip alone. Take your swimming costumes as there is more than enough time on both Panarea and Stromboli to enjoy the beach. I didn’t take mine and regretted it

It is a large tour and the boat is very noisy and crowded. The islands are beautiful. But Stromboli volcano isn’t as exciting as depicted in the advertising material.

I thought the islands were better, then the volcano there was no lava, I did not like that there was no lunch including even a welcome drink all expensive in the ship .. even islands you could not buy anything, too many hours for the evening retreat.

The bus and boat were long but we expected that. Stopping to the two towns ( sort of off-season) was disappointing. They were not as charming as described. The tour was very crowded and almost stampeded onto the boat. My husband had to grab a young child before he fell in the water. I feel the tour guide should have managed the crowd better. The volcano was a little under active so that was disappointing ( but not controllable) The scenery on the boat ride was beautiful though. I would suggest 2 tour guides for that large a group. Also, shorten to a sunset cruise by Stromboli in the off season

Excursion lasting 14 hours. Very interesting to visit. Stromboli may be inactive. To visit

Very nice trip. A good guide who could speak both English and German well. Notice that the trip starts with a one-hour bus ride to Milazzo. Then you depart from there on a boat to the islands. Amazing to see the Stromboli volcano at night. Well worth the trip!

It was a great experience. Franco was a good tour guide. From taormina it was one and half hour bus ride to the port on the other side of Messina Then boarded the big motorboat. First stop was Panarea island. Walked around and had lunch. Two hours then got back on the boat to stromboli had three hours to walk around some people went swimming. Then got on the boat and went around stromboli to see the show. The volcano burbed up and for a few seconds could see the red lava but not a big show. Enjoyed the day. Would recommend it

Positives Air conditioned bus(approx 2 hours from Taormina to the port) The guide was pleasant and multi-lingual The islands we visited were stunningly beautiful and seeing the sunset and volcanoes at night was a wonderful experience. Negatives The boat was crammed with people, quite uncomfortable and really difficult to find a seat. I would not recommend doing a trip of this length in such an over crowded and uncomfortable boat.

Lovely long day out . Our guide was amazing… Alexandra… funny, informative and kind. Sadly Stromboli wasn’t great on our day and boat left just before it seemed to be erupting.