Therasia Resort

The seafront Therasia Resort is housed in square, whitewashed buildings typical of the Aeolian Islands, and situated on grounds with palm trees, scrubby hedges, and wildflowers. Superb views of the sunset, Tyrrhenian Sea, and the neighboring Lipari island can be seen from many vantage points around the resort, particularly from the two infinity pools and the seaside terrace. Interiors are fairly simple, but large windows in the public spaces let in ample natural light. The Therasia is the ideal spot for a relaxed summer vacation for those who don't mind the secluded location. The resort draws mostly well-heeled older couples. 

Therasia Resort is situated on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea at the northern tip of Vulcano, the southernmost of the Aeolian Islands. Driving to Porto di Levante, where there's the Fanghi mud baths, shopping, restaurants, and the ferry port, takes about five minutes. The Valley of the Monsters lava-created rock formations are a three-minute drive, the Sabbie Nere black-sand beach in Porto di Ponente is about five minutes by car, and it's roughly a 10-minute drive to Gran Cratere steaming volcano. 

The closest airport is Reggio Calabria Airport, and to getting to the resort is about a three-and-a-half-hour journey that involves driving and taking two ferries. Some guests arrive from the mainland at Vulcano Heliport, located a one-minute drive away. 

Spacious guest rooms and suites feature Mediterranean-inspired accents and a look that's simple and uncluttered, but decor is a bit dated overall. The highlights include lovely majolica headboards, and many units boast balconies with sea views, but generally expect plain all-white furniture, floor tile, and walls. Higher-end rooms add striped chairs and more art and decorative objects, and some have balconies with jetted tubs and expansive furnished patios with pergolas. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars with free water and soft drinks, and free Wi-Fi, but units lack coffeemakers or electric kettles. Bathrooms have a similar style, with lava stone and Sicilian cotto tiles, and they're well-equipped with hairdryers, makeup mirrors, bidets, terrycloth robes, and rainfall showers. Upgraded units add bathtubs. 

Therasia Resort offers an attractive array of features that cater to its upscale clientele. Topping the list is the main restaurant, which has earned one Michelin star for its modern and creative Sicilian cuisine prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients from Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. A second on-site restaurant serves fresh seafood and pastas and has an outdoor terrace with sea views, and there's a poolside eatery and bar that offers light fare for lunch and dinner in summer. There's also a hot buffet breakfast for an extra charge. The resort offers half-board (breakfast and dinner) plans, and room service is available.  

There are two seawater infinity swimming pools overlooking the sea and the neighboring islands, and a deck spanning the rocky coastline with thatched umbrellas and sunbeds, but no sandy beach. For wellness, the full-service spa has a steam room, sauna, an indoor thermal jetted pool, and a menu of treatments, such as scrubs with local black sand and seaweed. A small but serviceable fitness center has up-to-date equipment. 

Other amenities include a meeting room, wedding services, a business corner, free parking, and a free roundtrip shuttle to Porto di Levante and to the ferry port. Staff can arrange scooter and boat rental and hiking, snorkeling, and diving excursions. Wi-Fi is free throughout.