An amazing archipelago off the coast of Italy that offers you beautiful sights, plush living and the rumblings of an active volcano. The Aeolians’ volcanic heritage lends a mystical air to the aura due to the islands distinguished mythical history as islands of wind and fire.
Seven islands (Lipari, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, and Vulcano) comprise the archipelago known as the Aeolian Islands. Each of the seven sisters, as the archipelago is also called, has its particular charms.
On the edge of Vulcano, Image credit: Luigi Masella
Location: Tyrrhenian Sea about 25-50km north of Sicily in Italy
Clean and clear waters rich in marine animal and plant life making them a scuba divers’ heaven surround all of the islands. And the islanders, true to Sicilian tradition, create simple, delicious meals from fresh vegetables and fish, with salads and sauces getting a particular, pungent flavor from capperi (capers), which grow wild just about everywhere, in fields of broom, bougainvillea-shaded gardens and cracks in stone fences.
Stromboli: The most remote of the islands, it is little more than a volcano rising out of the sea. Its now become the chic Aeolian island of choice.
Stromboli, Image credit: Hinrich
Popular for trips out at night to see magma spurting out of the cone which are surprisingly regular. Almost “every nine minutes,” a thin red flame suddenly igniting above the island’s dark outline where it burns for a second before decreasing again, repeatedly glowing on and off through the night.
Eruption of Stromboli, Image credit: Thomas Reichart
Salina: It is lush and hilly, because of its natural springs. It is the quietest and the greenest of the more developed islands. With numerous excellent walking tracks through the pine-scented, bird-rich interior. Some of Michael Radford’s film Il Postino was shot here. It is the most unpretentious of the islands. The five small towns strung around its coast all share a tone of laid-back sleepiness, with just the port town of Santa Marina, with its metronome masts, narrow high street and scattering of restaurants hinting at anything more lively.
Salina, Image credit
Lipari: The main island and the main town (called Lipari as well) is the bustling transport hub, with plenty of hotels and makes a good base.
“Castle mountain” and Lipari city, Image credit: Thomas Reichart
Vulcano: right next to Lipari, this island is dominated by the Gran Cratere volcano cone giving off clouds of sulphurous gas. This peak gives great views. The island is popular for its beaches and mud baths.
Vulcano island, Image credit: Peter Fuchs
Panarea: It is a smaller, upmarket island with great views across to Stromboli. Its strip of inhabited eastern shoreline has, for many years now, attracted the exclusive, big-yacht set. From here you could take a boat out to the islets of Lisca Bianca and Dattilo. Swimming can be na exceptional experience in these secluded coves.
Filcudi and Alicudi: They lie to the West and are much less visited, particularly Alicudi, which is still primarily agrarian.
Most of the tourists visiting these islands are mainly homegrown, from Italy. Visiting these islands could become a rare prize of seductive indulgence, with its beautiful surroundings, historical sights and clear waters.
Source: Guardian
