The Aeolian Islands have origin from the eternal struggle between sea and the bowels of the earth, from the unstoppable strength of lava, which centimetre after centimetre, grain after grain, managed to win them against god Neptune from deep waters of the Tyrrhenian sea. A millenary war still lasting.

The magnificence of the volcano of Stromboli struggles yet today with the implacable anger of the lord of the abysses, who tries to get back the territories which were robbed to him. Entering in contact with the volcanic origins of these places is an amazing experience which will remain impressed like a motive of conversation and of pride in the memories of everybody who visits them. Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes of the world, and its explosive eruptions occur on average every 15 minutes; the conquest of the peak, even if very difficult, deserves new emotions. The history of Stromboli starts around 200 thousands of years ago, the period when the first crater emerged: Strombolichhio, of which only the volcanic neck (solidified volcanic eruption channel) is today visible. The island’s foundations, as they appear today, emerged 150 thousand of years ago; the stratifications of lava emissions , and pyroclastic, in the course of millennia, created what today is the second highest peak of the Aeolians.

The climb towards the peak of Stromboli (named after the local idiom “Iddu”) can occur only if you are accompanied by a volcanologic guide, and starts from San Vincenzo Square. The whole route is an unmatched inebriation of colours and fragrances, surrounded by unique landscapes which transform it into an exciting experience. The climb lasts around 2,5 hours, with stretches of elevated slopes alternated with those more plain, useful for rest. Once reached the peak the view is assured, the explosions follow one another, and the starry sky is like the frame of the volcanic activity of Iddu (He), which with its rumbles, is able to strike terror even to the most fearless of the explorers. For those who do not want to afford this demanding climb, but at the same time do not want to give up this amazing view, anyway they can admire it from the sea. During the sunset there are various boats who organize excursions under the Sciara del fuoco; it is properly in the sea that the pyroclastic materials of the eruptions are poured. The eruptions provoke amazing clouds of water vapour. The excursion via sea finishes quite always with an aperitif in a small village of Ginostra, where in past the littlest port of the world was situated. Another option is that of the dinner at Osservatorio, an old building “converted” into a restaurant-pizzeria, where it is possible to have a characteristic dinner at candlelight, enjoying the lights and the rumbles of volcanic eruptions under the limpid and unmatched starry sky.

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.

Foaming sea, roaring volcanoes, white mountains of pumice, stacks, and thermal springs, each of them are expression of a land forged in the deepest bowels of the Tyrrhenian sea in the workshop of Hephaestus, the Olympian god of Fire. The volcanic origin of this archipelago is so unique and tangible to deserve the prestigious reward of the UNESCO, as the World Heritage Site. This tour is directed towards the discover of places where the volcanic activity has marked, and continues to permanently mark the Aeolian landscape.

Day 1: The suggested tour sets as the first halt the Island of Salina where it is possible to observe traces of its past volcanic activity. It starts with the excursion on Mount Fossa delle Felci, the highest peak of the whole archipelago (968m above sea level). The climbing is not difficult, in about two hours it is possible to reach the peak, where to admire an evocative landscape. On the horizon, the Sicilian coasts, surmounted by Etna, Alicudi, Filicudi, Stromboli, Panarea, Lipari, and Vulcano constitute a frame for a sumptuousness of the crater.
In the afternoon they visit Pollara, one of the most suggestive corners of the island. The village is situated over the extinct volcano, currently partly collapsed; a beach surrounded by a steep cliff is all what remains of it. From this site it is possible to observe the evident lava stratification, the volcanic neck (solidified volcanic eruption channel), and Perciato Arch. In this place, according to many, it is possible to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets of the Aeolian Islands. For the lovers of curiosities it is recommended to visit the house where Pablo Neruda lived in the film “Il Postino” (The Postman) with Massimo Troisi.

Day 2: During the second day the trip towards Vulcano, the halt in pursuit of relax, is planned. A reinvigorating bath into geothermal springs is the perfect way to relax yourselves after the trip. Thermal spring, rich of mineral salts, is extracted in subsoil, at 50m of depth, and it flows at temperature of 50°C.

Apart from benefit effects for the skin, thermal spring is advisable for a post-operation rehabilitation, for circulation problems, low back pain, and cervical-brachial pains. In late afternoon the climbing of the crater is planned. The route is of medium difficulty, and a small tax for climbing is to be paid. It does not need a particular training or specific equipment. It is advisable to avoid climbing during the hottest hours, the better time is around 6pm, when the temperatures low while it is possible to enjoy the landscape and the sunset. Advices: put on comfortable shoes, and bring supplies of water and a torch with you.

Day 3: The third day is dedicated to volcanic activities which occur spontaneously on the terrestrial surface. We start with a bath in a thermal mud lake, a natural swimming pool where ground water flows; sulphuric emissions, anhydrides, metal salts, and natural radioactivity have therapeutic effects, already known during the Roman Age. It would seem impossible to immerse yourselves into waters of the place, where the strong smell of sulphur can be perceived in the distance, but the landscape’s grandeur and the therapeutic effects of volcanic muds instil a sensation of great well-being, so the unique immersion experience in muds is not to be missed.

Not far away from thermal lake there is Delle Fumarole Beach, so peculiar because it is bathed by waters warmed by sulphuric emissions. In many points water foams because of these underwater gas springs which make swimming very pleasant. Another beach situated in neighbouring zones is that of Black Sands (Sabbie Nere), called so for its sand’s colour of volcanic origin.

Day 4: the fourth day we move to Stromboli to immediately join the Sciara del Fuoco and the Strombolicchio. The guided tour or one of the many charterers on the island will lead us via sea to discover of volcanic explosive manifestations. One of the first performances we are going to admire on this island is surely the Shaiara del Fuoco, a place where Iddu pours lapilli, coming from its explosion.

Via sea we can reach the Strombolicchio, a neck (solidified volcanic eruption channel). The Strombolichhio is the little island with the walls towering the sea, and it is surmounted by a lighthouse supplied by solar energy. It is a wonderful place where to swim in deep waters of an intense blue colours, or for snorkelling activities! To conclude the tour we advise you a dinner at Osservatorio. It is a little restaurant situated in one of the highest and more evocative corners of the island of Stromboli, from where it is possible to enjoy, from a small distance, the explosive activity of Iddu while drinking a good glass of local Malvasia!

Day 5: As the last day of our charming tour in the wake of the Aeolian volcanoes we advise to our readers to take time to visit the village’s centre and eventually to take a reinvigorating bath before you climb to see the crater of Stromboli. The departure from Saint Vincenzo Square is expected to take place in late afternoon (around 5pm–

6pm). The ascent of the crater occurs only if you are accompanied by authorized guides, the route is enough curvy, long, and not suitable for whoever. After two hours and a half of a steep climb we reach the peak where a lunar-like landscape constitutes the frame for amazing eruption of Stromboli.