Duration: 2 days
Location: Salina
Best season: September-October

Salina, from everlasting called the green island, is a seat of an already extinct volcano, whose regular, but at the same time, sharp traces, shape the territory and nourish the soil, giving birth to the nectar known as Malvasia of Lipari.

This tour offers the rediscovery of places and traditions bound to Malvasia. In a few days you will have the possibility to taste flavours dating back to ancient times.

Brief History of Malvasia

The farmer’s calling and the well-being, produced by them are evident in the political structure of the place, the only island of the Aeolians to be divided from Lipari under administrative aspect.

According to Guy de Maupassant, the essayist, the French poet and the travel reporter, the main vine variety, imported by the Greek in 588 B.C. produced a syrup of dense and sweet sulphur, which fulfils the palate (“the devil’s wine”).

The trade of this famous drink reached its peak in the 19th century, spread between the riches of a half Europe thanks to Englishmen who lived in Messina.

Even Alexandre Dumas in his travel diary upon the Aeolians wrote:

“They brought a bottle of Malvasia of Lipari; it was the most extraordinary wine I have ever drunk”.

There was a long period of darkness in the production of Malvasia, because of a serious problem of Phylloxera which destroyed vineyards of the whole Continent. In the ‘60s Carlo Hauner, a painter from Brescia, in love with Salina, started to cultivate vineyards according to the traditions handed down from old local farmers.

In 1973 the disciplinary DOC recognized the safeguard of these grapes.

1 day: The visit to the Emigration Museum of Malfa; this place collects documents, photos and films which attest the causes of the Aeolian migratory phenomenon at the end of the 19th century, strictly connected to the diffusion of the illness of vine which destroyed the whole economy. Visit the small commune of Malfa to taste biscuits and Malvasia. The visit of the village of Pollara, and of places where the film “Il Postino” of Massimo Troisi was set. Tour of wine cellar: Azienda Agricola Caravaglio, Azienda Colosi, Azienda Agricola Fenech.

2 day: The visit of Lighthouse of Lingua and of the adjacent lake used by the ancient Romans as a “salina”. Wine-tasting by the vine company Hauner of Malvasia DOC, of the versions Passita, Riserva and table wine. It is possible to have dinner in loco with “cunsato” bread and “granite”. A visit to Val di Chiesa locality, and of its vineyards, and of the Sanctuary of Madonna del Terzito.

Wine-tasting of Malvasia DOC and Extra Virgin Oil by the Agricultural Company D’Amico of Leni. Visit of the little seafaring village of Rinella, where the only sandy beach of the island is situated. It is recommended the booking of tastings, visits, dinners, and suppers.

In Salina an internal connection system to connect different island communes and the small island fractions, is present; the agency offering the service is C.I.T.I.S., (the inter-commune consortium of Salina communes), which connects by bus line all the communes of Santa Marina, Malfa, and Leni.

Local transport

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The volcanic origin of this island is evident; the clear demonstration of it are the three mounts which compound it: Mount Fossa delle Felci on the east together with Mount Rivi on one side, and the third mount on the west separated by the creek, Mount dei Porri (860m high). The two twin mountains making part of the Salina island represent the first and the third peaks of the archipelago, and the contribution of this lush are the passing clouds, which are captured by high peaks, in order to give humidity to the soil. The island is formed by six collapsed craters; between them those of the most ancient formation of Pizzo di Corvo, mount Rivi, and the other ne near to Capo Faro, now unrecognizable in their morphological structure. The geological history of Salina started 500.000 years ago with the creation of the first volcanic building in the current north-western zone; the same is the age of the volcanic constructs of Capo Faro e Mount Rivi. After a long period of quiescence the creation of the quarter of the volcanic building happened, corresponding to the nowadays Fossa delle Felci. Because of the elevated height reached by this cone they think it was formed by mighty extrusive eruptions, which covered the greatest southern part of Mount Rivi. The Fossa delle Felci is the best-conserved crater; easily recognizable are the forms which compound it, and now extend for 500m of diameter. At about 100.000 years ago dates back the formation of the volcano dei Porri, which as a cause of a consequent explosive eruption, provoked the destruction of the north-western side, with the consequent creation of a new crater; that of Pollara reaching a diameter of 1km. This one, partly destroyed because of the erosive sea’s action, shows from the beach the stratification of white pumice, andesite, mica, and hornblende. Next to the crater of Pollara there is the Faraglione Rock, the volcanic neck, formed from the solidification of magma in the crater, visible thanks to the cone’s erosion, of a more friable consistence. Of a volcanic origin of this island only one phenomenon persists, the sconcassi, which thanks to a strong underwater emanation of sulphide hydrogen, are manifested from the seabed of Rinella.

The history of Salina, such as that of the whole archipelago, tells a tumultuous past which saw from the V millennium B.C., a succession of settings, conquests, raids, and piracy, which shaped the entity of this folk. The current name is attributable to the Romans, who used a small lake of Lingua called salina to extract salt. Previously, the Greeks called it Didyme (twins), whose name represented the characteristic aspect of the island with two high nearly identic peaks. The first evidences of a pre-historical settlement date back to the last centuries of the V millennium B.C.. recently discovered in Rinella fraction, the finds attest the obsidian working, imported to Lipari, and used for fabrication of tools. Others, going back to 3000 B.C., were found on Mount Fossa delle Felci. From the last century of the III millennium B.C. the island was inhabited by populations coming from Greece, probably the Aeolis, who gave a name to the archipelago, and by other populations, coming from Sicily, and making part of the civility of Thapos. Dating back to the Neolithic Age, and belonging to the culture of Capo Graziano are the sites found in Leni zones, in Megna locality; in Santa Marina in Serro Brigadiere locality, and Serro Cianfi locality, populated till the XV century B.C.. The finds attributed to Milazzo civility are those of Santa Marina, in Portella locality, dating back to XV B. C. , the colonisation which lasted a little more than a century, probably because of the Ausoni, the population coming from Campania which destroyed an island. They say Salina remained uninhabited till 580 B.C., when a Greek population of Doric ancestry settled in Lipari. These people, once appreciated the place’s fertility, transformed Salina into the Aeolians’ Garden, and Santa Marina into the principal centre of the island. Dating back to the next millennium are the Greek, Roman , and Byzantine settlements, whose evidences reveal their presence till 840 A.D., the date when the Arabian conquest took place.

Lenis’ roots lay deep in millenniums of history, and its name derives from the Greek lenoi because of the containers where grapes was pressed. In the XII century the island was inhabited by Amalfitan refugees, who arrived to the nowadays locality of Malfa, whom surely gave a name. From this period till 1500 the only evidence found were those of a settlement dating back to the Dark Ages in Serro Perciato zone in Santa Marina. The finds discovered in numerous sites are kept in the Regional Archaeological Museum of Lipari, in the Section of the Minor Isles, and in the small Civic Museum of Santa Marina. The recent history goes hand in hand with the administrative independence of the Commune of Lipari. In fact, from 1867 Salina became an autonomic commune, and 42 years later there was a division into 3 small communes: Santa Marina, Malfa, and Leni, completely autonomic even today. The touristic island’s vocation is relatively recent: some decades ago the island was wrongly neglected by the Aeolian visitors, and still nowadays it has less developed structures if compared to most known and visited Lipari and Vulcano. In 1994 Massimo Troisi set the most suggestive scenes of his last film, Il Postino (The Postman), which gave an enormous visibility to those incomparable landscapes.

The Aeolians, the 7 pearls of the volcanic origin situated in deep waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea a few miles away from the Sicilian coast. The archipelago has always attracted sailors and tourists from all over the world, for its unique landscape, for its historical evidence, and for its crystalline waters full of life, and of contrasts, and for its sea beds which keep a tumultuous history made of eruptions, seaquakes, invasions, and pirates. Despite the touristic vocation that this destination has developed in the last 50 years, it was able to preserve a wild nature, and a pristine sea. White pumice sea beds, contrasting with those black of volcanic origin, a coast full of creeks, stacks, and caves, have made of it the favourite destination for all the underwater fans. Various are the sites where to immerge in Salina, each of it encloses a unique fashion, and always different emotions. Sea beds, populated by numerous ichthyic species, like groupers, morays, octopus, squids, barracudas, and shoals of occhiate, have a diversified holographic structure. There are ravines, walls, creeks, caves, stacks, and old collapsed craters, where the colonies of sponges and gorgonians, which colour the walls.

Shoal of Pollara

•  Difficulty: Easy
•  Depth: max 35 meters.
•  Visibility: excellent

The full immersion takes place along the bay of Pollara, a place of enormous suggestion for its morphological characteristics, the bay was created after the collapse of a crater’s part, upon which the whole residential zone is situated.

The immersion takes place 100m from the coast, near to the stack, a clear evidence of the volcanic origin of the bay. The underwater vision of this reef is really unique, the walls are inhabited by morays, octopuses, and small groupers. Once arrived to the depth of 25 meters, the shallow starts, characterized by a sandy sea bed, alternated to small rocks covered with Poseidonia. The immersion goes on sloping down along the rocky walls of the shallow, which are full of ravines, creeks, caves, and canyons, an optimal environment for starfishes , Astroides, gorgonians, and numerous ichthyic species, like turbots, groupers, breams, and cuttlefishes.

Shoal of Capo

• Difficulty: high
• Depth: 40-45m
• Visibility: excellent

The shallow is used by skin-divers with advanced patent, for strong marine flowing, and depths round 45m; for this reason it is advised to practise it only during optimal atmospheric conditions. The immersion starts round 10m of depth, where a white rocky wall collapses up to 45m. Between gaps and ravines of the shallow it is not hard to see big fishes as groupers, congers, and morays, who found a perfect habitat because of the existence of luxuriant marine flora. The wall composing the shallow goes down almost vertically, and creates a suggestive landscape which collapses into the dark blue waters. The basement shows different characteristics, and thanks to a great number of ravines, it is possible to see numerous species of burrow fishes.

Tre Pietre

• Difficoltà: media
• Profondità: da 20 a 40m
• Visibilità: buona

On the south-east of Rinella port, three little outcropping rocks indicate the exact immersion point. From here, through a step, you arrive to a rocky sea bed, full of Clavelina, Astroides, Pentagon Stars, and Poseidonia. This immersion can be practised by both beginners, and expert scuba-divers; the target is a rocky pyramid, situated at the end of a dorsal, which from the 40m seabed rises up beyond 20m of height. The pyramid, full of ravines, is a burrow for morays and congers, and the mostly exposed to the streams part, distinguishes itself for a great presence of yellow gorgonians and some spirographs.

Salina is the second island of the archipelago as extension, separated from Lipari by a channel of 2km, where the depth is not superior of 400m. Situated in the central position it assumes a strategic role; an ideal point of reconnaissance for those who want to explore the isles without giving up a well-equipped touristic boathouse, and a village able to satisfy every kind of need. The island is easily discoverable thanks to its two mighty mountains: Mount Fossa delle Felci, and Mount Porri, which respectively represent the first and the third highest peaks of the Aeolians. Salina has a coastal morphology of an extraordinary beauty, and you cannot avoid visiting such places as: the Pollara Bay which with Balate zone, its stack, and the natural rocky arch, constitute the submersed part of the collapsed crater where the homonym village is situated; the beautiful lake of Lingua, divided from the sea by a thin piece of earth; the small commune of Malfa with its typical houses which dominate the headland; the small fishers’ village of Rinella, which, from its bay where the sea boils, climbs up a steep slope; and many other things will admire you and will create a desire to come back again. On the island, which is 13miles long, there are Santa Marina and Rinella ports for the mooring of ferries and hydrofoils, a touristic boathouse in Santa Marina, a boas camp in Rinella, and docks of Punta Lingua, Scalo Galera, and Capo Faro, no more usable because destroyed by storm surges.

Port of Santa Marina

38 ° 33 ’18 “N; 14 ° 52 ‘, 46 ”

• Water surface area: 25,000 sq.m.
• Length available for berthing at docks: 210 m
• Length available for berthing piers: 240 m
• Quay level: 1.50 m
• Quote piers: 0.70 m
• Basin depth: 1 to 5 m
• Protection: Good in nearly all conditions
• Access time: 7:00 to 21:00.
• Speed: up to 3 knots.
• Seabed: sandy.
• Depth: on the quay from 4.6 to 6 m.
• Radio: VHF channel 11 dock Salina.
• Moorings: 150.
• Maximum length: 40 m.
• Prohibitions is prohibited sailing and the use of anchors in the port;
• Winds: NW dominant.
• Prevailing: SW-NW.
• Contacts: Porto v Aeolian. the dock – 98050 S. Marina Salina tel. 090.9843473 – cell. 346.0220362 E-mail: info@portodelleeolie.com
• web site: www.portodelleeolie.com

Situated in the eastern zone of the island, corresponding an economical centre of the island, the port is provided with a landing place for hydrofoils and ferries, and a touristic boathouse, surrounded by a breakwater fortification with wharves, having a capacity of 150 boats. Provided with the slipway, it offers good means, and a well-hidden port in every condition; it suffers the winds blowing from the south-west. The zone next to the port is well-served, and is the only place of the island where to refuel; there are also hotels, restaurants, groceries, Emergency Medical Service, foodstuffs, workshops, info point, and the post-office. On the south of the boathouse there is a wharf of Pozzo D’Agnello, which during good conditions, makes it possible to moor.

Port of Rinella

38 ° 32 ’75 N 14 ° 49′, 60 E

• Depth: on the quay from 0.5 to 4 m.
• Winds: III and IV quadrant.
• Seabed: sandy.
• Shelter: from the winds of the second and first quadrant.
• Contacts: Nautical Center Salina tel. 339.5040138 email: tommaso@centronauticosalina.it web site: www.centronauticosalina.it

The small landing place, situated in the picturesque bay of Rinella is constituted of a wharf, where a pier of 100 metres starts, and makes it possible to moor liners, and to land touristic ships. In the Rinella bay, in front of the small beach, there is a boas camp, repaired by a quay on the west, and by a cliff on the east, but suffering from the winds blowing from the south. The boa camp offers the bus 24h service, and there is a diving centre inside the port, too. Pay attention to the rocks present circa 200m from the quay in correspondence to the Ariana Hotel, easily recognizable by the half- body statues, which compose the façade.

Port of Scalo Galera

38°34’,85 N 14°50’,55 E

• Seabed: rocky and muddy.
• Depths: 1 to 4 m
• Moorings: approximately 10
• Winds: NE summer; south-west and west in winter.
• Shelter: twenty of the II, III and IV quadrant.: twenty of the II, III and IV quadrant.

Galera Slipway, situated on the northern side of the island, near to the commune of Malta, includes: a pier, going till the eastern side up to 80km. On the western side a curvilinear pier surrounds a perimeter. The port is equipped with a slipway. Pay attention to the low seabed near the pier’s head, and during the entrance proceedings to the port, as there are two cement outcropping blocks, situated at the centre of mouthpiece. At Galera slipway the amplification works are made.

Pier of Lingua

38°32’,50 N 14°52’,30 E

A pier of 50m, situated in Lingua fraction, permits a mooring of small boats on the southern side of a pier. Pay attention to sea bed, which do not exceed 2m of depth.

Tour of Salina by boat

Between various activities you cannot lose the tour of the island, the best means to admire the sea, the beaches, and the bizarre rocky formations, and the residential centres with typical characterizing whitewashed habitations. If you have no boat, you can hire it, or book an excursion; there are a lot of agencies which do this work. Leaving from Santa Marina in northern direction, once passed a charming village, you will find yourself in few minutes at Scoglio Cacato, a place where it is possible to admire the volcanic origin of this bay immerged into perfectly clear and crystalline waters. The next stop is Capo Faro, characterized by a high rock surrounded by towering cliffs upon the sea surmounted by a lighthouse, where the most fearless can go through a steep mule track. Going in the same direction you will find Scario Galera Port, you will find the port Scario Galera, surmounted by a peculiar commune of Malfa, where you then arrive. In Punta Perciato, where you will be welcomed by a suggestive arch of volcanic rock, shaped by sea and wind, which opens the view upon an amazing Pollara Bay, situated upon the remains of a collapsed crater; an extraordinary succession of small creeps, perpendicular walls, caves mounted in lava, enclosed on the North by Perciato, an unusual mount full of the shelters excavated in tuff, and dominated by the stack of Pollara. Like a castle, in the middle of the sea, it ergs as a protection of the one of the most beautiful bays of the archipelago, a real paradise for the fans of snorkelling. The Pollara Bay is enclosed by Filo di Branda on the south, a mighty rock upon the reddish sea. Once passed the Racina caves, Levi starts emerging , situated upon an upland of around 200 metres high, till you arrive to the picturesque fraction of Rinella, a small fishers’ village, where the unique sandy beach of the island is situated, surmounted by the caves excavated into the rocks, once used as shelters for boats. On the low and sandy depths, beyond the marine flora and fauna can observe the volcanic activity, consisting in phenomena called sconcassi (upheavals), which are manifested with gas emanation and vapours from depths. The tour goes on along the slopes of the massive Fossa delle Felci, till you reach Punta Lingua, where to admire the salty lake, the lighthouse which surmounts it, and small houses which sinuously create a contrast with the environment. The last piece of the coast, passing through the Canne and Pozzo d’Agnello beaches, till the Santa Marina port, is flat.

Paying a ticket to travel through history is possible only thanks to museums. Each museum is a magic place , a crossing of different chronologies, a joint of various sceneries whose fashion consists in the fact that man is the main character, in his every form and variation. The millenary traces of the man are kept in museums, the precious treasures permitting to know the geniality, the creativity, and the great beauty which crosses the whole man’s history, from the pre-history till nowadays. On the amazing island of Salina , in Santa Marina, you can admire the ruins of the Roman thermae, and some of the traces of the Bronze Age. The Civic Museum is not constituted of only one building; it is about three different buildings; each of them keeping different aspects of the history of Salina. The finds dating back to the Bronze Age of Portella , and the ruins of the Roman thermae are situated in Archaeological Museum. The Ethno-Anthropological Museum is situated in the house dating back to the first half of the 19th century. In the rooms of this has a typical background of that period is re-created.

The 19th century is an important historical period for more points of view, and particularly for the migration waves. They used to emigrate for various motivations, and the destination chosen by the emigrants mostly were overseas; just think about millions of emigrants in Australia and in America. The Emigration Museum of Malfa has a collection of documents, photos, and films, showing the causes of the migration phenomenon of the Aeolians’ inhabits at the end of the 19th century. Yellowed cloths, yellowed registers’ pages, where you can still read the names of the emigrants, and the photos of massive departures, tell us a sad page of the story, which unfortunately, is still today repeated: to leave your motherhood for searching luck in another place, which sometimes is only imaginary.

Salina, not without a reason, called the “green pearl”, has the richest vegetation of the whole archipelago, making it an unmissable destination for all the lovers of the nature. The second island has the first and the third peaks in extension of the whole archipelago; the territory is green even in summer thanks to its mounts’ action, which steal humidity from clouds giving it back to the soil. The climate, milder because of the sea’s action, even in winter period, is sunny , and the temperatures rarely go under 10°C. In spring the nature awakes from the winter’s sleep, which takes its train, leaving place to perfumes , intense colours and all the greens, turning out to be the ideal season to fully enjoy the sparkling nature. Beyond the note excursions to the Fossa delle Felci craters, to the Monte dei Porri, and the suggestive Brigantino path, various walks can be done on the island.

Mount Fossa delle Felci

• Walking time: 2 hours circa.
• Difficulty grade: medium.

The highest peak of the whole archipelago, called so because of the namesake lush plant, rises circa 968 meters high upon the sea level; that is why it is not rare to see it covered with snow during the winter period. Once reached the peak, a wonderful landscape appears on the horizon: Sicilian coasts dominated by Etna, Alicudi, Filicudi, Stromboli, Panarea, Lipari, and Vulcano constitute a frame for a sumptuousness of the crater, the real demonstration of the volcanic origin of the island. Various are the paths leading to the peak. The most recommended and the shortest one starts at Val di Chiesa fraction, reachable from every point by bus. The tour starts from the Madonna del Terzito Church, where the first stretch is characterized by lush vegetation, composed by heather bushes, chestnut forests, oaks, pines, and broom shrubs, in spring period, colouring the landscape with classic yellow flowers. Going on you will find yourselves upon the hill which separates Mount Rivi and Fossa delle Felci, from which you can admire the picturesque village of Malfa. The distance which separates you from the peak at this point is really short; you will at once notice the mightiness of the crater having a diameter of 600/700 meters, and of a hundred meters of depth. Only now you can fully understand the name of this mount; the crater is crossed by small paths, where you will find yourselves immerged, feeling nearly overwhelmed, by a stretch of ferns. You will be enchanted by this place, a crater circled by old trees, where a sensation of peace and quiet will invade your mind, making you feel like a part of this amazing gift, given us by nature.

Brigantino path

• Walking time: 1 hour circa.
• Difficulty grade: easy.

One of the most beautiful excursions of the island is surely that which twists for Nero Valley, which after having passed Paolonoce locality, finishes near Vallone d’Ogliastro, through the Brigantino path. Leaving from the village of Lingua, easily reachable by bus, and after having passed the lake in the south-western direction you will arrive to Sicily Street. Going beyond the last houses of the street, you will arrive to the crossroads where the path once started. On your left you will notice a small beach, where it is possible to swim before a lush vegetation overwhelms you; it is mainly composed of: wild violet, asparagus, tamarisk, aromatic absinthe, arisaro comune, and broom. Once passed the first part, the path narrows going along the mule track, circled by olive trees, capers bushes, and aromatic herbs, enveloping you with their contrasting perfumes. Once seen a small isolated cabin in the south-western direction you will have to cross a wisely terraced part, an evidence of a great work made by the inhabitants, to make rough but fertile soil cultivable. The house of Paolonoce, before visible only in the distance, now is behind the corner, surrounded by a well maintained garden of citrus, olive trees, and vines; from the terrace you can see an amazing view towards Panarea, Lipari, and Vulcano. The house, having a small kitchen, is always opened, and is used as a shelter for wayfarers, who can record their passage by signing the attendance book. The zone is immerged into a surreal silence, only broken by the wind’s swish, which breaks against the trees’ tops, and by the screech of the falcons flying over the ditch.

Undoubtedly the sea is one of the principal attractions, and even if there are a few beaches, this fact will not change your idea about laying, and enjoying a pristine sea. In the Legambiente and Touring Club classifications, published by the Guida Blu 2014, the island of Salina is collocated at the second national place concerning the most beautiful beaches as a landscape, and for all the activities of environmental safeguard.

The beach of Scario

Situated in the commune of Malfa, the beach of Scario is only 5 minutes away from the residential centre on foot. It is a beach composed of pebbles and smoothen stones, immersed into the rich nature, framed by crystalline water. The beach is an ideal place where to swim without great efforts, because of its peculiar conformation, which helps an entrance into the sea. The Scario, beyond its environmental and landscape value, assumes important historical connotations, as it once was the slipway of sailing ships which crossed the seas between Sicily and Campania.

Pollara’s beach

Situated on the north-western side of the island, next to the namesake village of the commune of Malfa, the beach extends under a steep cliff shaped as an amphitheatre, characterized by a shoreline of dark stones and gravel, is one of the most charming places of the Aeolians; at north there is “Balate” Bay, shaped by Perciato, a mount where you can see stores and shelters excavated from tuff; you can arrive to the creek through a steep staircase, crossing what is now called the house of the Postman, where the namesake film was set. The water is clear and crystalline, you will find yourself swimming in a collapsed prehistoric crater, whose ruins, shaped by fire, wind and sea, are yet visible. From this beach it is possible to admire the spectacular sunset, considered one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. The sun, of a wonderful intense red colour, acts as a setting for amazing natural attractions. The beach is reachable through a steep path, and is circa 30 minutes away from the residential centre of Pollara.

Rinella’s beach

Situated in the namesake Rinella fraction , in commune of Leni, it is a small beach of black sand, of a half-moon form, surmounted by caves excavated in the rock, once used as shelter for the boats. The low and sandy depths are a real paradise for the funs of snorkelling, who beyond the marine flora and fauna can observe the volcanic activity, consisting in phenomena called sconcassi (upheavals), which are manifested with gas emanation and vapours from depths.

Beach of Santa Marina

Located next to the principal port, and the residential centre of the island, it is a wide shore with big smoothen stones, upon a particularly clear cobalt blue sea.

Tour of Salina by boat

Between the wide range of activities, you should not lose the island tour by boat, the best way to admire the sea, the beaches, the bizarre rocky formations, and residential centres, with their typical white houses, characteristic of the zone. If you do not have any boat, you can hire it or book an excursion; there are a lot of agencies which offer this kind of service. Moving from Santa Marina in the northern direction, once passed the charming village, you find yourself at Cacato Reef, where you can observe the volcanic origin of this immense bay with particularly clear and crystalline waters. The next stop is Capo Faro, characterized by a high reef surrounded by towering cliffs, and surmounted by a lighthouse, where the most fearless can go through the steep mule track. Moving in the same direction, you will find the port Scario Galera, surmounted by a peculiar commune of Malfa, where you then arrive. In Punta Perciato, where you will be welcomed by a suggestive arch of volcanic rock, shaped by sea and wind, which opens the view upon the amazing Pollara Bay, situated upon the remains of a collapsed crater; an extraordinary succession of small creeps, perpendicular walls, caves mounted in lava, enclosed on the North by Perciato, an unusual mount full of the shelters excavated in tuff, and dominated by the stack of Pollara. Like a castle, in the middle of the sea, it ergs as a protection of the one of the most beautiful bays of the archipelago, a real paradise for the fans of snorkelling. The Pollara Bay is enclosed by Filo di Branda on the south, a mighty rock upon the reddish sea. Once passed the Racina caves, Levi starts emerging , situated upon an upland of around 200 metres high, till you arrive to the picturesque fraction of Rinella, a small fishers’ village, where the unique sandy beach of the island is situated, surmounted by the caves excavated into the rocks, once used as shelters for boats. On the low and sandy depths, beyond the marine flora and fauna you can observe the volcanic activity, consisting in phenomena called sconcassi (upheavals), which are manifested with gas emanation and vapours from depths. The tour goes on along the slopes of the massive Fossa delle Felci, till you reach Punta Lingua, where to admire the salty lake, the lighthouse which surmounts it, and small houses which sinuously create a contrast with the environment. The last piece of the coast, passing through the Canne and Pozzo d’Agnello beaches, till the Santa Marina port, is flat.