Salina, Aeolian Islands

The seven Aeolian Islands are of volcanic formation and they rise from the Tyrrhenian sea. Their history dates back thousands of years and is rich with mythological legends. Vulcano, Lipari and Salina are the largest islands. Filicudi and Alicudi are the smallest ones with Panarea. Each island has its own identity with a common denominator: Paradise for lovers of the sea, nature and diving. Some of them are just as famous for their nightlife that come alive in August.
Salina is the greenest of the islands and it offers both a beautiful clear sea and a landscape made of verdant mountains. This makes it ideal for trekking in the lush countryside well known for growing grapes and capers, the famous local produce. The island comprises three communes – Santa Marina, Leni and Malfa. The area of Lingua is closest to Santa Marina.
Santa Marina exudes a gentle holiday feel and lies somewhere in between the less elegant Vulcano and the VIP Panarea. Via Risorgimento has some lovely shops and some great restaurants. In Malfa is the beach of Pollara where the popular film “Il Postino” with Massimo Troisi was filmed.

One of our more opiniated contributing editors, remarqued that only a girl could write about the Aeolian islands and completely fail to mention that you can walk up and around the rim of a smoking hot volcano on vulcano , AND if you are lucky you can sit on a boat after dark off Stromboli watching red hot lava and boulders the size of vans crashing into the steaming sea right in front of you! Thank you Dan.
As usual, the most beautiful places are often the most difficult ones to reach. You can reach the islands by hydrofoil or ferry from Milazzo, Messina, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Naples. The hydrofoil takes about 90 minutes from Milazzo to Salina. The ferry takes twice as long but is more convenient if you’re planning to take a car. The nearest airports are Catania and Lamezia.