Given the relative calm, today let’s take a break from Mount Etna and go discover one of its “siblings volcanoes”, Stromboli. In the past we have already talked about this volcano-island, a submerged giant of which we can only see the top (total height 2926 meters, of which only 926 are above sea level). Restless and lively, with its explosions at a stable rate – about one every 15 or 20 minutes – it is a top summer tourist attraction. Stromboli is an island that allows you to do many things: beach life, nightlife, excursions, art workshops, music … But if you had to make a choice, which things will you do and which ones you shall never do?
Three things you absolutely must do in Stromboli
Circumnavigate the island
The main tourist tour of the island of Stromboli is circumnavigating the large body of the volcano by boat. You will admire its shapes, colours and above all the rhythmic lava explosions. Especially at sunset, or in the very early hours of the evening, watching the lava fountains from the sea is definitely a “must”. Of course, there are many tour operators and guides who organize these boat tours, but we recommend that you ask a local fisherman or someone who has a small boat for the favour. Sharing these emotions with a few close friends is better than doing it with the crowds.
Half-a-day in Ginostra
Even if the vital heart of the island is the town of San Vincenzo, with its small hamlets now taken by storm by tourists of all types, we recommend taking a trip to Ginostra. This village of a few white houses perched on the opposite side of Stromboli, compared to San Vincenzo, can only be reached by sea. An almost total isolation that makes Ginostra a quiet, rustic, special place. Only by sharing a few hours with the locals will you truly understand the concept of “living on an island”.
Dining at the observatory
When you say “observatory” in Stromboli you mean a bit of everything: the ancient observatory located in an ideal panoramic point, between the active craters of the volcano and the sea; the restaurant that took its name from the observatory and offers typical Aeolian cuisine with an “eruption view”; the ideal altitude from where to admire the explosions safely. Whether sitting at the table, with a waiter and candlelight, or eating a take-away sandwich, “dining at the observatory” is an experience you definitely have to do.
Three things you should never do in Stromboli
Never go on an excursion unprepared
Stromboli is a volcano-island, not a volcanic island. The island itself is the body of the mountain, so when you land you are already on the volcano. But if you want to admire the explosions up close you have to climb up steep, difficult and tiring paths to the craters. Led by a good local guide everything will be easier, but do not tackle the climb if you are not well prepared, or if you suffer from some respiratory or cardiac pathology. Even if Stromboli appears small, it is a real giant of rock. Climbing unprepared also means tackling the path in shorts and flip-flops! If you want to go on an excursion to Stromboli, leave your useless beachwear at home!
Never limit yourself to the beach
If you come to Stromboli just to lie on the sand and sunbathe… don’t even get off the hydrofoil! This island is too magical to waste all your holiday time at the beach! Come here with a plan of excursions, explorations, even just simple walks in the village to get to know and understand the beauty of the place and the uniqueness of its inhabitants. How could you discover the delightful heart- or lizard- shaped murals, painted here and there on the walls, if you don’t explore? How can you discover the typical Aeolian villas or the museum dedicated to Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman if you stay stretched out on the beach doing nothing?
Never stay too long under the Sciara del Fuoco
Admiring the Sciara del Fuoco – the steep slope along which the lava flows – from the sea is exciting and if you have the opportunity to go with your own boat, or a rented one, certainly drop anchor there and swim “challenging the volcano”. It is exciting, indeed! But it is not really recommended. Or rather, we suggest you avoid staying too long under the Sciara, especially if you are not good at maneuvering the boat coolly and quickly. In the event of a major eruption, that is, large explosions with columns of hot and burning material, in fact, that is the one place where you should never be. These single and dangerous explosions have now become more frequent on Stromboli … and in the past, avalanches of pyroclastic flows have poured into the sea at frightening speeds, almost reaching and overwhelming boats below (watch video here). It often happens without any warning. Make sure you are not there, in those circumstances. (PHOTOS BY GRAZIA MUSUMECI)