Italy Travel Review: Taormina, Aeolian Islands, Markets, Food, 12-Night Trip

I would drive less and simply focus more on varied places with a lot to see. I would make certain that the hotels were always located in walkable areas, right in the middle of everything...good restaurants, shops, markets, etc.
Our visit to the Aeolian was too much driving for such a short visit. The ferry ride was long as well. Knowing that now I would have opted for something simpler. The Island was closed essentially and clearly the destination in the area is the Island of Stromboli. 
The boat was fine as was the skipper a bit more english might have added to the experience.
I would mix up the tour destinations a bit, lots of Greek ruins!