Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Apr-Oct)
, hire out boats from
Centro Nautico Baia di Levante
(
339 337 27 95;
www.baialevante.it
;
a shed on the beach to the left of the hydrofoil dock.
Sicily in Kayak
( 329 538 12 29;
www.sicilyinkayak.com
)
offers kayaking tours of Vulcano and
the neighbouring islands.
CAR, SCOOTER & BICYCLE
Sprint
( 090 985 22 08; Via Provinciale, Porto di Levante)
rent out scooters (per day from €20), bi-
cycles (from €5) and small cars (from €40) from their base well signposted near the hy-
drofoil dock. Friendly multilingual owners Luigi and Nidra offer tips for exploring the is-
land and also rent out an apartment (€40-70 per night) in Vulcano's tranquil interior.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Salina
POP 2200 / ELEV 962M
In stark contrast to Vulcano's barren landscape, Salina's twin craters of Monte dei Porri
and Monte Fossa delle Felci are lushly wooded, a result of the numerous freshwater
springs on the island. Wildflowers, thick yellow gorse bushes and serried ranks of grapev-
ines carpet the hillsides in vibrant colours and cool greens, while its high coastal cliffs
plunge dramatically towards beaches. The famous Aeolian capers grow plentifully here,
as do the grapes used for making Malvasia wine.
Sights & Activities
Monte Fossa delle Felci
For jaw-dropping views, climb to the Aeolians' highest point, Monte Fossa delle Felci
(962m). The two-hour ascent starts from the
Santuario della Madonna del Terzito
, an imposing
19th-century church at Valdichiesa, in the valley separating the island's two volcanoes. Up
top, gorgeous perspectives unfold on the symmetrically arrayed volcanic cones of Monte
dei Porri, Filicudi and a distant Alicudi.
HIKING
Salus Per Aquam
SPA
(Wellness Center; 090 984 42 22;
www.hotelsignum.it
;
Via Scalo 15, Malfa; admission €45, treatments extra;
Oct-Mar)
Enjoy a revitalising hot-spring soak or a cleansing sweat in a traditional adobe-
walled steam house at Hotel Signum's fabulous spa. The complex includes several stylish
