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Aeolian Islands - Excursions

To the crater (about 3 hours, visitors must be accompanied by an authorised guide); to the Punta Labronzo observatory. The climb up to the top of volcano to watch the explosion is a uniquely exciting experience; since it actually involves climbing the rugged path up an active volcano, where weather conditions can change quite quickly, even in summer, visitors are obliged to be accompanied by a professional guide. The most traditional excursion lasts for about three hours and involves leaving in the afternoon and arriving at the top before sunset; around midnight, when you have seen the spectacle, the guide will lead you back along the same path or down the north-eastern slope to San Vincenzo, which takes about an hour and a half. If you wish, you can arrange with the guide to stay up on the top of the volcano overnight and make your way back the next morning along the sandy track of Forgia Vecchia, which leads you quite quickly down to the sea. Some groups return to the harbour of Scari by calling a boat, which also supplies nice hot brioches when you are on board. Scari is connected to Ficogrande by a beach composed of black volcanic sand. By contrast the coastline towards Piscità has large coastal rocks wasched by the sea and some small sandy beaches.

All around, you will see some old Aeolian houses that have been transformed into cosy residences. One sight you must see is the rock spur called Strombolicchio, which lies a kilometre and a half off the coast; once you have sailed past the district of Piscità, you will see the face of Sciara del Fuoco, a steep rock face scarred by torrents of lava. Just past Punta Chiappe you will see Timpone del Fuoco, on which Ginostra lies. Porto Pertuso allows just one boat at a time to enter into a tiny natural harbour that can hold no more than half a dozen craft. From there a stairway takes you up to some scattered cluster of houses lying in a natural amphitheatre where olive trees grow. A path leads you out of the village to Punta San Lazzaro, a small promontory used as a secondary harbour when sea conditions make it impossible to use the Pertuso landing area. If you wish you can make diving trips, mainly in the fish-filled waters of the Punta dell’Omo area, along the coral-covered sea bed around Strombolicchio. The most breathtaking underwater excursion is without doubt to be made along Sciara del Fuoco.

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