Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
connections for Rinella, Pollara, Valdichiesa and Leni. Fares are €1.80 to €2.50 depending
on destination. Timetables are posted at the ports and bus stops.
CAR, SCOOTER & BICYCLE
Above Santa Marina Salina's port,
Antonio Bongiorno
( 090 984 34 09;
www.rentbongiorno.it
; Via
Risorgimento 222, Santa Marina Salina)
rents bikes (per day from €8), scooters (from €20) and cars
(from €50). Several agencies in Rinella offer similar services - look for signs at the ferry
dock.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Stromboli
POP 400 / ELEV 924M
Stromboli's perfect triangle of a volcano juts dramatically out of the sea. It's the only is-
land whose smouldering cone is permanently active, attracting a steady stream of visitors
like moths to its massive flame. Volcanic activity has scarred and blackened the northwest
side of the island, while the eastern side is untamed, ruggedly green and dotted with low-
rise whitewashed houses.
The youngest of the Aeolian volcanoes, Stromboli was formed a mere 40,000 years ago
and its gases continue to send up an almost constant spray of liquid magma, a process
defined by vulcanologists as
attività stromboliana
(Strombolian activity). The most recent
major eruptions took place on 27 February 2007 when two new craters opened on the vol-
cano's summit, producing two scalding lava flows down the mountain's western flank. Al-
though seismic activity, including rock falls, continued for several days, fortunately no
mass evacuation was deemed necessary. Previously, an eruption in April 2003 showered
the village of Ginostra with rocks, and activity in December 2002 produced a tsunami,
causing damage to Stromboli town, injuring six people and closing the island to visitors
for a few months.
Boats arrive at Porto Scari-San Vincenzo, downhill from the town. Most accommoda-
tion, as well as the meeting point for guided hikes up the volcano, is a short walk up the
Scalo Scari to Via Roma.
Sights & Activities
Stromboli Crater
VOLCANO
