The Aeolian Islands
Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea, Stromboli.
The Aeolian archipelago has volcanic origins, and it is on the north side of Sicily, made of 7 different beautiful islands: Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, the biggest , at west Filicudi and Alicudi, and at the north-side Panarea and Stromboli. Filicudi and Alicudi are the oldest islands of the archipelago, born about one million years ago. While the youngest are Vulcano and Stromboli, on these islands the volcanic activity is very intensive. On the other islands the volcanic activity is evidenced by hot waters, underwater springs and thermal muds.
Alicudi
For its nature, bare and not easy to live in, has never been a populated island. The name comes from the word ?Ericusa? , which means heather, the island is very rich of this plant, from which the very few inhabitants get handcraft . Making the circumnavigation of Alicudi you could not notice the beauty of its sea and its rich depths. For many centuries, Alicudi was the target of frequent incursions by pirates, consequently, the island?s population was forced to find shelter in small houses constructed on high terraces. Donkeys still remain one of the preferred method of transportation.
Filicudi
is with Alicudi is the oldest of the 7 islands, 16 miles far form Lipari and 9,5 km of surface. There are 3 towns for 300 inhabitants, but the island is the most interesting from an archaeological point of view. Amongst its caves must be remembered the one of the ?Bue Marino? ? one time home of the disappeared Mediterranean Monk Seal ? according to the legend inside the cave there is a monster and you can hear its voice….the play of the water against the rock. For great snorkelling anchor near ?Scoglio di Montenassari ? just a few meters from ? la Canna? a towering rock formation.
Salina
For its population and surface it is the second island of the archipelago, 27 km of surface, 7 km long, far from Lipari only 2 miles. Here the volcanic nature is well visible from the 2 twins volcanos: Monte dei Porri and Fossa delle Felci. The name Salina derives from a lake of salt water, on the south side of the island, one time used to make eating salt. But, at the same time, this is the only one island
which has fresh water. For this reason, when you arrive from the sea, the island appears you as a mountain of emerald green leaves, also Salina is very famous for the vineyards. In fact the precious wine Malvasia comes from here. Who affirms that Pollara is the only suggestive area to visit here, is wrong. With 13 miles of coast around Salina there are alternatively fishing towns, caves, shores all to discover, among the most beautiful Rinella and Leni, with their colours changing from blue of the sea to the green of plants.
Salina

For its population and surface it is the second island of the archipelago, 27 km of surface, 7 km long, far from Lipari only 2 miles. Here the volcanic nature is well visible from the 2 twins volcanos: Monte dei Porri and Fossa delle Felci. The name Salina derives from a lake of salt water, on the south side of the island, one time used to make eating salt. But, at the same time, this is the only one island
which has fresh water. For this reason, when you arrive from the sea, the island appears you as a mountain of emerald green leaves, also Salina is very famous for the vineyards. In fact the precious wine Malvasia comes from here. Who affirms that Pollara is the only suggestive area to visit here, is wrong. With 13 miles of coast around Salina there are alternatively fishing towns, caves, shores all to discover, among the most beautiful Rinella and Leni, with their colours changing from blue of the sea to the green of plants.
Lipari

Is the most important and the biggest island of the Aeolian archipelago, 37,6 kmq of surface, 9,5 km long. Like the other islands, the nature of Lipari is also volcanic. There are, in fact, 12 volcanic systems. Moreover it is rich of volcanic springs and volcanic materials as for example obsidian and pumice. Lipari is the most populated island of the Aeolians, 9.000 inhabitants, who quadruplicate in summer. There are 4 towns: Acquacalde, Canneto, Piano Corto and Quattropiani. For those people who loves archaeology, Lipari is worth a visit : the Castle, the ancient acropolis of
Lipari, the Archaeological Park, the Archaeological Aeolian Museum and the archaeological park of Contrada Diana, are all rich of ancient ruins and Roman buildings. All the story of the Aeolian Islands has passed through here. The most beautiful shore of the island is Spiaggia Bianca (white shore) named so because of its depths made of pumice. Crossing the rocks of Formiche there are the rocks of Pietra Enala and Pietra
Lunga, very loved by scuba divers. Following the coast there are many bays to visit and creeks to discover.
Vulcano

is a half mile far from Lipari. The island is marked by 4 volcanic structures 2 of which are still active: Gran Cratere and Vulcanello. Vulcano is the wildest island of the Aeolian archipelago , and the one which changes look according the colours of the sky. On the left side of Porto Levante there is Vulcanello, a promontory born by a violent underwater eruption. Along the isthmus that separates Vulcanello from the island, you find the bays of Porto Levante and Porto Ponente. The last one is well known because of its very hot water made by underwater boils, while Porto Levante is famous for its black thin sandy. To make a sailing trip around the island you could start it from P.te Nere le tre Dita and after that you enter in Raja coast under the volcano itself. All around white and yellow rocks. Near P.ta Luccia starts a plot of caves, following them you will be in front of the shores of Cannitello, Pra?e l?ufali, Pra? e l?asinu a Scario, all places of crystalline waters.
Panarea

is well known in all Europe for some of its famous guests. The island is only 3 ml far from Lipari and 3 are the main towns on it: San Pietro, Drauto and Ditella. Among the rich Mediterranean vegetation there are thermal springs. We can define Panarea as an archipelago within the archipelago, because of the little minor islands that surround it: Basiluzzo, Spinazzola, Dattilo, Bottaio, Lisca Nera, Formiche, Panarelli and Lisca Bianca. They are a paradise for divers because of the clear and crystalline waters. Panarea is also rich of caves all to visit, the biggest one is Cala Junco.
Stromboli

The island is 22 miles far from Lipari, the water around is 1.200 m deep. The island is made by the volcano Stromboli, the highest dry volcano in Europe. Stromboli is inhabited only because the lava runs on the north ? east side of the island. All the island should be visited and a particular attention must be paid to Ginostra. The circumnavigation of the island could start from Fico Grande to reach Strombolicchio, a rock 50mt high and far from the island about half a mile. Sailing along the coast of the island, after P.ta Lebranzo, you will find many shores and caves till the moment in which you will arrive in the point where the lava dives into the sea. A wonderful show, especially by night from the sea.