Page 197 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

NOR THEASTERN SICIL Y  195

a nature reserve, created to the ruins of a
protect the two ancient Neolithic village,
volcanoes of Monte dei Porri founded at Cala
and Fossa delle Felci. The Junco. Interesting
dominant vegetation here is finds such as
maquis, as the inhabitants have My cenaean pottery,
almost exterminated the forests tools and other items
that grew here in antiquity. The are on display in the
starting point for a visit to the local museum. A half-
reserve is the Madonna del hour walk will take
Terzito Sanctuary, the object of you to the village,
colourful pilgrimages. Salina, starting off from San
and, in particular, the steep Pietro and passing
walls of the Pizzo di Corvo, is through Drautto and
also a regular nesting ground the Spiaggia degli
for colonies of the rare Eleonora’s Zimmari beach. This
falcon, which migrate to this island now has luxury
spot every year from Madagascar. tourist facilities.
Among the best-known local
products is a highly prized } Stromboli
sweet Malvasia wine. Road map F1. The Stromboli volcano, active for 2,000 years
The still-active crater
of the northeasternmost island eruptions are best seen in the
in the archipelago has been dark. The climb is not always
described by travellers for accessible, and the volcano can
more than 2,000 years. Italian be dangerous. It is best to go
volcanoes have always been with a guide and to wear heavy
both famous and feared. The shoes (or hiking boots) and
ancient Greeks believed that suitable clothing. There are
Hephaestus, the god of fire also boats offering evening
(known as Vulcan to the excursions to take visitors close
Romans), lived in the depths of to the Sciara del Fuoco lava field
Mount Etna. Boats call either for the unforgettable spectacle
at Scari or Ginostra, but the of lava flowing into the sea.
Santa Maria di Salina, one of the three island has other villages: San
villages on the island Vincenzo, Ficogrande and Filicudi
Piscità. The characteristic Road map E1.
} Panarea features of Stromboli are its Halfway between Salina and
Road map E1. stunning craggy coast (the deep Alicudi, this extremely quiet
The smallest Aeolian island is waters are a favourite with island has three villages:
surrounded by cliffs and stacks. swimmers and divers) and Porto, Pecorini a Mare and
Visitors land at the small its famous volcano. For an Val di Chiesa. You can make
harbour of San Pietro (the excursion to the crater, start excursions into the interior or,
other villages are Drautto and off from Piscità; you first come even better, take a boat trip
Ditella). At Capo Milazzese, in to the old Vulcanological around the island and visit the
one of the most fascinating Obser vatory and then the top Faraglione della Canna basalt
spots in the Aeolian Islands, of the crater. The best time to stack, Punta del Perciato,
archaeologists have un covered go is around evening, as the Grotta del Bue Marino and
Capo Graziano.
} Alicudi
Road map D1.
This island was abandoned for
the entire Middle Ages and was
colonized again only in the
Spanish period. Tourism is a
relatively recent arrival, and
there are no vehicles. The steps
and paths are covered on foot,
and accommodation can be
found in private homes. There
is no nightlife, making this an
ideal spot for those in search of
Typical Aeolian landscape at Cala Junco, on Panarea a peaceful, relaxing break.

194-195_EW_Sicily.indd 195 11/3/16 2:10 PM