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.

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.

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.

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.