THE FACTS ABOUT THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS

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WHY THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS? Once the haunt of ancient deities, the beautiful Aeolian Islands off Sicily are now worshipped for their glittering nightlife and smouldering volcanoes. They are a mixed bag of rough and sparkling jewels that attract an equally mixed crowd of Milanese magnates, Sicilian princes, families in search of a quiet holiday, an international fashion crowd and a few Italian northerners in the know. WHERE TO STAY Capofaro on Salina is something as unusual as a boutique hotel with a fully functioning vineyard AND a lighthouse (the latter, a faro, has given the hotel its name). Its small white buildings are found between the villages of Malfa and Santa Marina, where the Mediterranean landscape is broken up by cliffs that drop to the sea. The 18 rooms are found in the seven cottages that look down across the vineyards to the sea, and the sunset views are astonishing. Capofaro, Via Faro 3, Salina, the Aeolian Islands (00 39 090 98 44 330; www.capofaro.it). WHERE TO EAT Ristoriante Filippino is located opposite the town hall on Lipari, and has been serving wonderful dishes since 1910. The local Italian fare on the menu includes mouth-watering raviolini of grouper, and the service is pleasant and attentive. Monet paid for his food with a painting and Mussolini's son-in-law would come here when staying nearby. Ristorante Filippino, Piazza Mazzini, Lipari, Aeolian Islands (00 39 090 9813600; www.filippino.it). THE BEST EXCURSION Make sure you visit most of the islands so head to Stromboli if you are staying on Salina, or Lipari if you are staying on Vulcano. Ask your concierge for tips about hidden treasures along the coastline too - no one knows the Aeolian Islands as well as the people who grew up there. Find out more in our extensive travel guide to the Aeolian Islands