Holiday apartment in Messina: volcanic islands and island culture

The Aeolian Islands lie in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily’s northern coast and opposite Messina’s Tyrrhenian coast. The archipelago comprises seven main islands – Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Alicudi, Filicudi, Stromboli and Panarea – as well as five small islets: Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. Together, the islands preserve an outstanding record of the formation and destruction of volcanic islands. All the Aeolian Islands except Lipari are wholly or partly designated as nature reserves under the European Habitats and Birds Directives. Stromboli is the only island in the Aeolian Archipelago with ongoing volcanism.

Nature

On Salina, the Riserva Naturale Le Montagne delle Felci e dei Porri nature reserve protects the Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife of the extinct volcanoes Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri. Malvasia vineyards lie in the fertile depression of Valdichiesa. Lipari has numerous white pumice beaches along its coast. Climbing the crater of Vulcano offers panoramic views over the island and the other six Aeolian Islands.

Culture

The Isole Eolie are inscribed under UNESCO criterion (viii); their volcanic morphology is considered a classic example of the development of volcanology. On Lipari, the Castello di Lipari includes an old Norman cloister, while the Cattedrale di Lipari dates from the 13th century. The Terme San Calogero on Lipari preserve a tholos oven from the Early Bronze Age, as well as Greek and Roman pools and channels for conveying hot sulphur water.

The Museo Civico di Lingua brings together ethnographic-anthropological and archaeological departments in two buildings at Lake Lingua. In Pollara, the Chiesa di Sant'Onofrio is an example of local religious architecture dating from 1853. A small church on Lipari offers an exceptional view of Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi.

Experiences

Liberty Lines provides real-time departures from the Aeolian ports of Alicudi, Filicudi, Ginostra, Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano, as well as from Santa Marina and Rinella on Salina. On Stromboli, guides lead nighttime ascents gradually towards the summit, depending on the eruption phases. Off Vulcano, there are sulphurous areas in the open sea with warm water, described as natural bathing and thermal experiences. Near Panarea, there are intense underwater fumaroles, described in connection with diving activities. Boat excursions can explore the five islets near Panarea – Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca – up close.

Food and drink

Malvasia delle Lipari is a naturally sweet passito wine produced exclusively on the Aeolian Islands. In Lingua on Salina, “u pani cunzatu” is served with caper pesto, almonds, grilled aubergines, cucunci, tomatoes, mint and grated baked ricotta.

Other places: Rometta, Brolo, Capo D'orlando, Milazzo, Capri Leone, Castel Di Tusa, Gioiosa Marea, Messina, Mirto, Mongiove, Naso, Oliveri, Calderà, Rocca Di Capri Leone, Rodi Milici, Rometta Marea, Sant'alessio Siculo, Santa Teresa Di Riva, Taormina, Torrenova, Venetico, Terme Vigliatore, Sant'angelo Di Brolo, Letojanni, Giardini Naxos, Nizza Di Sicilia, Graniti, Motta Camastra, Sant Agata Di Militello, Tindari, Roccalumera, Torregrotta, Santa Domenica Vittoria, Montalbano Di Elicona, Malfa, Lingua, Leni, Francavilla Di Sicilia, Caronia, Lipari, Panarea, Castelmola, Fondachello, Patti, Piraino, Santo Stefano Di Camastra, Tripi, Longi, Marina Di Patti, San Cono, Scafa, Montagnareale, Castello, San Saba, Canneto, Cesarò, Villafranca Tirrena, Forza D'agrò, Mazzeo, Savoca, San Piero Patti, Basicò, Tusa, Furci Siculo, Alcara Li Fusi, Falcone, Pollara, Alì Terme, Santa Marina Salina, Librizzi, Condrò, Gaggi, Calvaruso, Campogrande, Barcellona Pozzo Di Gotto, Pettineo, Trappitello, Filicudi Porto, San Giorgio, Monforte San Giorgio, Acquedolci, Vulcano Porto, San Fratello, Fondachelli-Fantina, Stromboli, Monforte Marina, Mistretta, Ficarra, Galati Mamertino, Spadafora, San Filippo Del Mela, Castroreale, San Francesco Di Paola, San Pier Niceto, Calavà, Vulcano Piano, San Marco D'alunzio, Reitano, San Salvatore Di Fitalia, Ginostra, Santa Barbara, Raccuja, Quattropani, Alì, Roccella Valdemone, Faro Superiore, Moio Alcantara, Tortorici, Rodia, Salice, San Leonardo, San Nicolò, San Paolo, Pianoconte, Acquacalda, Mitta, Furnari, Roccavaldina, Scaletta Marina, Itala, Locadi, Pistunina, Sorrentini, Mongiuffi, Gallodoro, Capizzi, Rinella, Floresta, Chianchitta-pallio, Castel di Lucio, Fiumedinisi, Militello Rosmarino, Malvagna, Sparta, Alicudi Porto, Misserio, Contrada Lacco.

To the overarching travel overview: Sicily.