A high bluff broken in to small beaches with black sand alternating between caves and inlets. The white Mediterranean houses, the green from palm and olive trees and citrus trees all rest on a baron but fascinating volcanic cone, in the middle o fan intense blue sea. This is the black pearl that has always attracted people looking for uncontaminated nature and total relax.

“Iddu” and incredible volcanic island on the sea bubbles giving a unique show that reaches it’s peak during the night with explosions and lapilli launches, with a starry sky as it’s background.

A mile from Stromboli, a small volcanic island stands out like a fort and rapresents the most northern point of the Sicilian region. Baron and an uninhabited Strombolicchio is up to 50 m high and extends over a surface of 300m2. Not to forget Ginostra the small town on the southeast bank of the island, reachable only via sea and has a number of only 30/40 resisdents during the winter. the harbour called “il pertuso” – “the hole” known for it’s size is set in the rocks and opens to a ripid stairway that leads to the tiny urban town with a unique atmosphere of relax and peace that surrounds it.

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.

Once arrived at Scari , where the port is located, you immediately notice the charm of this island surrounded by the colors and flavors unique to this high cliffs broken by small jet-black sand beaches and caves, the white Mediterranean houses, the green palm trees, olive trees, citrus trees resting upon a harsh but fascinating volcanic cone in a sea of ​​intense blue.

Leaving the port there is a road that leads directly into the town, this steep slope plunges into the green prickly pears, the caper plants, the colorful geraniums and bougainvilleas and typical shops where you can taste local delicacies, all that will accompany you until you get to Piazza San Vincenzo from which the Church takes its name. Facing the square there is the view out of the harbor and the beach of Scaria and the Strombolicchio, the oldest volcano of the Aoelian islands which stands like a fortress on the sea. From this square a horizontal climb leads to top of Stromboli, a path up to level 450 is very simple passing the traffic light in San Vincenzo up to 195 Prima Rina , all lined with vegetation consisting mainly of shrubs. The next section called Liscone is more challenging, the passage becomes rocky landslide, so you should have a guide accompany you, The effort for the two-hour walk will be repaid at some point when you are in a lunar landscape with craters where the continuous eruptions dominate the landscape. The trail continues up to the summit of Stromboli, following the path up to Pizzo and onward to Vancori.The landscape that promises to remain imprinted in your memory, you will be hanging over Ginostra, and on days with good visibility you can see the coast of Sicily, Mount Etna, the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast to Scalea.

Returning to the church of San Vincenzo along Via Vittorio Emanuele, you’ll be right in front of the house where Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, stayed during the filming of Stromboli Land of God in 1949, was their love nest, now remembered by a plaque. The road broken up into smaller roads that lead you to the sea, full of charm, leading to the church of St. Bartholomew, built in 1801, in front there is a statue of the saint .

Continuing from the church you can easily get Piscità, residential area known for its numerous coves and beach nestled between the ridges of black lava rock. The road leads up to a wide beach that marks the end of the urban and the beginning of the Sciara del Fuoco. One of the most fascinating experiences is during the sunset, the sun as it descends acquires a reddish color that illuminates the sky and then goes out on the water. At the end of Piscità there is a narrow and dusty but quite rich in Mediterranean vegetation, which leads to the observatory, now a restaurant (find transport with one ofthe classic “apette”), the place is just 100 m from the crater and at night you can comfortably enjoy your dinner while you can see explosion and lapilli, events that are repeated on average every 15/20 min. When travelling at night do not forget to bring a flashlight, the island is not lit and it allows you to see a carpet of stars as if you were out at sea.