In the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northern-east coast of Sicily, there is a corner of paradise, where the mystery of nature is reflected seven times in the water of a very clear sea : the Aeolian Islands archipelago. The natural beauty, unique landscape and volcanic aspects together with the archipelago millenary history, prehistoric villages and the Lipari Museum, make the archipelago one of the most original and interesting resorts to visit.

ARCHITECTURE
The Aeolian house is a modular cube that can be added horizontally or vertically to other cubes giving rise to a compact building, perforated from small openings. The roof allows rainwater harvesting. The house is surrounded by terraces (Bagghi) and cylindrical pillars, called “Pulèra”. On the “Pulèra” are positioned wooden beams covered with canes or pergola vine (Loggia) provide shade during the day and protect from moisture at night. Along the terrace (Bagghiu) there is a raised stone step, used as a seat (Bisola), a cistern, a wood-burning oven and a stone wash-tub (Pila ).
Often around the house there are some cottages, used in different ways by the family: the cellar, small windmill to grind barley and wheat, the millstone (oil mill), the “Pinnate” (only three sides closed stables) and the “Mannere” (straw and stone stables). 

THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS: UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
The year 2000 was a very important year for the Aeolian Islands. Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, added them to the “World Heritage List”, a list including 878 sites that the World Heritage Committee considers having extraordinary universal value.
They’ve chosen the Aeolian Island based on the morphology of the volcanic islands that represents a historical model in the evolution of world volcanological studies.    
The volcanic explosions of Stromboli and Vulcano islands gave the name to two eruption activities:
STROMBOLIAN ACTIVITY, characterized by the emissions at regular intervals of lava flows and lava rocks that reach a hundred meters high and by lapillus and throws volcanic bombs;
VULCANIAN ACTIVITY, explosive eruptions in which lava bombs and ash clouds are emitted.

LIPARI
Lipari, the ancient Greek Meligunis, is the biggest and densely-populated island of the archipelago. Its actual look is the result of many eruptions and very long periods of inactivity. Today, volcanic phenomena are limited to the presence of fumarole activity and hot spring waters.
The main monuments to visit are: The Castle with its powerful boundary wall, the Norman Cathedral built in 1080, the old Benedectine cloister, The acropolis and the tomb’s ruins of Greek-Roman Age.
The entire history of the Aeolian Islands passed by Lipari, that today is internationally known and of extraordinary value to the Archaeological Museum. A very important stop during your stay on the island is a visit to the San Calogero thermal baths – known since Greek-Roman Age for their therapeutic properties and considered the oldest baths in the Mediterranean area.
The waters (mud volcano-phosphate-bicarbonate) flow at a temperature of 60°. They have been used to cure arthritis, dermatitis, acne and other skin diseases. The establishment, recently restored, is not working now.
In fact, you can visit two Greek-Roman Age baths and a nineteenth century one, a roman thermal pool and a 3500-year old Mycenaean Tholos, used as a thermal sauna. Along the coast from Canneto to Acquacalda there are several beaches of white pumice and turquoise-blue sea that create an evocative and unique landscape. In the past, those areas were used for the extraction of obsidian, a very important stone for the Aeolian Islands, whereas some years ago the pumice was excavated and exported all around the world. Touristically, the boat tour around the Island is an experience not to be missed, especially to admire the northern coast where the beautiful Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda “faraglioni” (stacks) rise from the sea.

VULCANO
The old Island of Efesto, Greek god of fire, today consists of 4 volcanos. The most striking one is the “Gran Cratere”, characterized by volcanic activity with fumaroles. Along the Isthmus that parts Vulcanello (extinguished crater) from the Island and overlooking the Porto Ponente and Porto Levante bays. Hot water due to submarine boiling caused by the leak of hot gas from the depths make this beach unique.
Porto Ponente’s peculiarity lies in its very fine black sand. Near the Levante port the famous “pozza termale”(thermal pool) can be found. Bubbling and steaming, the brackish water and clay mud, high in Sulphur is said to cure rheumatism and skin diseases.

PANAREA
Panarea is the smallest Island of the archipelago. It is characterized by a remarkable variety of landscape and flora. It proves a very interesting naturalistic destination.
Panarea is an archipelago in an archipelago due to its surrounding small island: Basiluzzo, Spinazzola, Dattilo, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. Among those small islands you can admire fumarole activity.

 STROMBOLI
Stromboli is the only Island of the archipelago with a permanent volcanic activity. There are alternating eruptions called “strombolian activity”, this famous definition reported on all the main geologic and volcanic texts.
San Vincenzo and San Bartolo villages, located in the northern-east part of the island, constitute the island inhabited place.
On the southern part of the island is the village of Ginostra, a wonderful village that can only be reached by sea or by mule-track going to the top of the crater and then down to the village. Ginostra is characterized by small alleys, on stone or dirt road , where the only transports are mules.
Before the construction of the present marina, the hydrofoil was forced to stop off the coast, and the inhabitants and the visitors disembarked onto small boats which shuttle between hydrofoil and the island. Just off to Stromboli, near the lighthouse, is the small Island of Strombolicchio.
Accessed through a small staircase and steep steps excavated into the rock. This small island is a desired destination for scuba divers attracted to this paradise of sponges, corals, red gorgonians and starfish.

FILICUDI
On this Island there are lots of beautiful marine caves. The most famous is the “Bue Marino” cave. Inside the cave you can admire light games and hear special sounds. In fact, the name of this cave derives from the sea sounds similar to that of a lowing ox. Along the route to Alicudi rises the “Canna”: an imposing 85 m high “faraglione” (stack), where a small statue representing the Virgin is placed.
For lovers of history and archaeology, along the side of Capo Graziano, the archaeological ruins of a prehistoric village dating back the Bronze Age can be seen.

ALICUDI
Alicudi is the old “Ericusa”. The Island first colonists, the Greeks, decided to baptize it with this name, due to the huge amount of Heather: a wild plant covering the entire territory. Today the Island is barely populated and misses of a carriage road.
The lava stone flight of steps which characterizes the Island can be climbed on foot or with aid of donkey’s reared on the island. Especially impassable, Alicudi provides a unique and irresistible charm which attracts or repels without half measures.

SALINA
The first colonists of Ancient Greece , named this Island “Didyme”, due to the unmistakable look of its mountains: Monte Fossa delle felci and Monte Porri.
Today its name is derived from an old small salt lake where salt was extracted.
The entire island is full of typical mediterranean vegetation. Vine growing is really important because from this plant is extracted a very vintage wine: the Malvasia. Production of capers is important as well: Salina capers, used in the typical Aeolian recipes, are characterized by their compactness, perfume, similarity, and the almost total absence of anti-parasitic treatments or chemical fertilizer; a guarantee of product quality. On the Island, which administratively is the only one in the archipelago not dependant on Lipari, there are three self-governing municipal districts: Malfa, Leni and Santa Marina Salina.