Learning Holidays on the Aeolian Islands

Andrea Thompson

ByAndrea Thompson

December 10, 2024

Discover new skills while you explore the gastronomic delights of the Aeolian Islands with Aeolian Adventures. The company has introduced a new Art Retreat on Stromboli for 2025 and added extra cooking classes to its Classic Aeolian Adventure.

Painting on the Aeolian Islands
Unleash your creativity on an 8-night Art Retreat with artist-led painting and drawing classes and the opportunity to experience life on the enchanting Aeolian Islands. The two-centre retreat is held on the islands of Stromboli and Salina where daily classes are held in multiple locations, using photographs taken around the islands as source material. On Stromboli, painting classes (watercolours) are held in the villa and gardens of local sculptor Salvatore Russo, where the artist’s volcanic rock sculptures are set amongst the garden’s prickly pear bushes and palm trees, in the shadow of Stromboli’s volcano. On Salina, in addition to painting classes on the hotel’s terraces, lessons in drawing with chalk pastels take place in iconic locations, including the Bay of Pollara.

There are also boat trips, to neighbouring Panarea and sleepy hamlets accessible only by sea, as well as vineyard visits and a night time hike on Stromboli’s volcano.

Aeolian Adventures’ 8-night Art Retreat is £4250pp, inclusive of  full board accommodation, classes, materials, and transfers (excludes flights). 17-25 May 2025. www.aeolianislands.com.

Cooking on the Aeolian Islands
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary flavours of the Aeolian Islands on a one-week cooking and tasting guided tour of the islands.  The new 2025 Classic Aeolian Adventure tour includes 4 cooking classes, starting with a street food cooking class in Catania before crossing to Vulcano. Learn how to cook traditional Aeolian food with local chefs, first in a hilltop trattoria on Vulcano (two classes), and secondly with chef Mario Gullo on Salina. Guests also get the chance to help prepare dinner on board during a night time squid fishing trip with local fishermen.

Alongside the cooking, gastronomic experiences include wine-tasting and a visit to a goats’ cheese farm to learn about the cheese-making process, followed by a breakfast of creamy ricotta cheese, honey, freshly baked pastries and homemade jam. Based on Vulcano, the one-week tour also includes jeep excursions and boat trips to explore the thrilling landscapes and natural phenomena of the volcanic archipelago.

Aeolian Adventures’ 7-night Classic Aeolian Adventure is £3450pp, inclusive of full board accommodation, cooking classes, transfers and all activities (excludes flights). The tour runs on 21-28 June 2025 and 21-29 September 2025. www.aeolianislands.com.

Short break on the Aeolian Islands
Add a few days on the Aeolian Islands to your holiday in Sicily. Aeolian Adventures will design and organise daily adventures that range from cooking with locals, wine tastings and private boat trips to thrilling fishing excursions, kayaking trips and exploring volcanoes with an expert guide.

Family holiday on the Aeolian Islands
Introduce the kids to these thrilling islands on an independent break organised by Aeolian Adventures. Plan a family holiday that includes volcano visits, cooking lessons, boat trips and a sea kayaking tour.

  • Volcano visits: take a family-friendly jeep tour on Mount Etna, climb Vulcano’s constantly smouldering volcano or take a boat trip to see Stromboli’s nightly ‘fireworks’.
  • Learn to cook with fresh locally produced ingredients and seafood on a half-day family cooking lesson.
  • Take a private boat trip around the islands or a night time squid fishing adventure.
  • Enjoy a guided family sea kayaking tour to explore tiny caves and sea grottos.