Aeolian Islands
Share
Paradise may not exist on earth, but the Aeolian Islands come close.
A volcanic archipelago just off the northern coast of Sicily, its seven islands and five small islets provide a wealth of activities: hiking, fishing, canoeing, snorkelling, diving, swimming and sailing, or just the chance to kick back and relax on black sandy beaches or in tiny pebbly coves. A concoction of steaming craters, bubbling mud baths, white pumice mountains, hot springs, grottoes, crystal-clear waters and craggy cliffs, the Aeolian Islands caters for most tastes, and to cap it all you can climb volcanoes or just gaze at the lava spouting from Stromboli in the evenings. For gastronomes the islands provide specialities based on the local capers, its famous stuffed ‘totani’ (squid) and sweet malvasia wine.
The Aeolian Islands’ many charms have meant they have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and those charms include its rich cultural history. The islands received their name from Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of the winds, who welcomed Odysseus to what was the deity’s island home. The islands have been inhabited since 5,000 BC, and have a chequered history for such a small patch of the world: they were fought over by the ancients, attacked by medieval pirates, and under Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime served as a place of exile for political prisoners.
Each island has something slightly different to offer. The upmarket Panarea attracts the wealthy and chic, the green Salina is known for its peacefulness, Lipari offers bustle and the fascinating Aeolian Museum, while Vulcano offers mud baths and fumaroles, Stromboli a highly-active volcano and Filicudi its prehistoric ruins. The tiny, virtually unspoilt Alicudi is the most remote of all, and home to only 140 people with transport provided by donkeys. The islands are accessible by hydrofoil and ferry from the Italian peninsula and ports across northern Sicily.
Average customer rating
awaiting 5 vote(s)...
Email
Add to your Pocket Guide
Why Register?
