Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
CAR, SCOOTER & BICYCLE
Several places around town rent bicycles (€10 per day), scooters (€15 to €40) and cars
(€30 to €70), including Da Luigi (
090 988 05 40; www.noleggiolipari.it ; Marina Lunga) down at
the ferry dock.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Vulcano
POP 720 / ELEV 500M
Vulcano is a memorable island, not least because of the vile smell of sulphurous gases.
Once you escape the drab and dated tourist centre, Porto di Levante, there's a delightfully
tranquil, unspoilt quality to the landscape. Beyond the well-marked trail to the looming
Fossa di Vulcano, the landscape gives way to rural simplicity with vineyards, birdsong
and a surprising amount of greenery. The island is worshipped by Italians for its thera-
peutic mud baths and hot springs, and its black beaches and weird steaming landscape
make for an interesting day trip.
Boats dock at Porto di Levante. To the right, as you face the island, are the mud baths
and the small Vulcanello peninsula, to the left is the volcano. Straight ahead is Porto di
Ponente, 700m west, where you will find the Spiaggia Sabbia Nera (Black Sand Beach).
Activities
Fossa di Vulcano
(admission €3) Vulcano's top attraction is the straightforward, hour-long trek up its 391m
volcano (no guide required). Bring a hat, sunscreen and water and follow the signs south
along Strada Provinciale, then climb the zigzag gravel track to the crater's edge (290m).
From here, circle the rim to the summit for stunning views of the other Aeolians lined up
to the north.
WALKING
Laghetto di Fanghi
(admission €2, shower €1, towel €2.60; 7am-11pm summer, 8.30am-5pm winter) Vulcano's har-
bourside pool of warm coffee-coloured sulphurous gloop has long been prized for its
therapeutic qualities. If you don't mind smelling funny for a few days, dive on in, apply
some mud to your body and face, wait for the clay mask to dry, rinse off, then head for the
hot, bubbling springs in a small natural sea-water pool nearby.
MUD BATHS
 
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