Therasia Resort Sea & Spa

You don’t have to be a geologist to guess what kind of island Vulcano is. Black sand, rocky shores, and dramatic landscapes characterize this Aeolian island, just off the northern coast of Sicily. And on its northern edge is Therasia Resort Sea and Spa, from whose cascading salt-water infinity pools you’ll gaze across a narrow strait at the next island, Lipari, less than a mile away. The same view is on display from the terrace restaurant and, it turns out, the balconies and terraces in most of the rooms and suites. And while the volcanic landscapes might be rugged, life at Therasia is anything but. The interior style is sedate, rather on the classic side, and the rooms are spacious and relaxed, with ample space for lounging. Not for nothing are the words Sea & Spa in the resort’s name. You’ll have access to no fewer than three memorable black-sand beaches, all with impressive views, and the spa is a particularly lavish one. Four restaurants ensure that you needn’t venture to town; Il Cappero and I Tenerumi have both earned MICHELIN Stars, a feat that makes Therasia unique among Italian hotels. L’Arcipelago is the more casual option, and I Grusoni the poolside café. The cuisine is Sicilian, broadly speaking, and understandably seafood-focused; the hotel offers cooking lessons in case you’d like to bring a bit of it home. Please note: Hotel Therasia is open seasonally from from mid-April to mid-October.