As part of our Aeolian islands trip we headed for Stromboli. Now anyone that’s ever seen a picture of this island will know it looks just like a volcano and the island is a volcano and we were going to climb it! The hydrofoil from Lipari to Stromboli was around £20 and took around an hour. Visiting this island was always going to be part of our trip as the opportunity to climb an active volcano was just too good to miss.
The fantastic thing about the way we travel is we sometimes just leave things to chance. We disembarked from the boat and there were a few people milling around the quayside offering accommodation. We were really spoiled for choice. Locals offering rooms and holiday apartments.
We spotted this young chap who went running to his mum, waving for us to come with him and after a quick chat we found ourselves staying for 3 nights in his aunt’s house. His aunt was on holiday so the house was empty. They only charged us around €50 so it was an absolutely bargain. The best thing was that it had a washing machine so we could freshen up our clothes.
Well our main reason for visiting the island was to climb the volcano. We’d been in touch with a company that guided you up and were looking forward to a fantastic hike. Some other things to do on the Island is:
Our visit to the island of Stromboli was for one purpose and one purpose only. To climb the volcano and see the much anticipated lava spurts which were on every piece of marketing relating to Stromboli. The island is the volcano and has 2 small villages, Stromboli & Ginostra. Both villages are built into the mountain side on opposite sides of the crater.
There are signs throughout the island that tell you what to do incase of eruption and/or tsunami and the islanders live their lives day to day in the shadow of a lava spurting and booming monster. Will there be another major eruption, well yes of course their will be, no one knows when. Behind our little holiday house the puffs of smoke every 20 mins or so constantly reminded you of its presence.
We had paid to climb the mountain with a guided tour from Magmatrek as its not permitted to venture up there without a guide but we didnt get off to a great start having been given the wrong time to arrive at the starting point and then having to rush up the fairly steep path to catch up with the group ahead (check with trip advisor before choosing a guide). The first 20/30 mins of the walk was at a fair pace and in the heat and with the steepness of the path I was just about done in before we’d even really started.
When we’d finally caught up with the group we found they were mainly American with one particular loud chap in the group who talked constantly at a level that I’m sure the villagers below could hear. As annoying as he was he was a great distraction from the relentless march up the side of the mountain. Stromboli is about the hight of Snowdon and we started at sea level. I’ve climbed Snowdon a couple of times now but never at this pace and never in this heat. What a challenge.
We made several stops on route, one to taste some figs from a bush that was growing at the side of the path. I found them delicious (albeit minus the nice bit of melted brie that would have made them perfect) but Chris didnt like them at all really.The light was beginning to fade and just before the final path to the summit we stopped and layered up before the last of the sun dissapeared behind the horizon.
The last part of the walk would be in darkness and beyond the peak we could already see the rising smoke coming from the crater. It was at this point I heard the low gutteral boom of the lava spurts. The boom was something that got you right in your chest. It was a noise that meant danger but exciting, a noise that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end and I only wish I’d taken a recording of it as it was quite indescribable.
Arriving at the top we sat in rows on the top of the mountain and there in front of us was the crater. We could see the with sparks, smoke and frequent lava spurts of course always accompanied with that boom. It was mesmerising and you really had to pinch yourself to remind yourself where you were. This is not a sight I’ll ever forget as long as I live. We sat there for the best part of an hour watching the show in front of our eyes. All to quickly it was time to head down.
The path down was a different one to the one we’d come up. Head torches guiding our way it was a steep march down in quite deep black sand which was being scooped by the bucketload into our boots as we walked. There was a guide at the front of the group and one at the back and before long the 20 of us were split up over quite a distance. The lead guide just took off like a rocket and it was quite hard work to keep up. There were a few people behind us who fell and just couldnt keep up and by the time we arrived back at the start point in the village we could still see the head torches of people still quite a way up the mountain. A harrowing descent but we got back safely.
After a lovely meal of pizza it took us quite a time to come down from the adrenalin rush that was our Stromboli trek. A trip to remember and worth every penny, even if our guides weren’t the best the experience was amazing…………
After our Stromboli trek it was time to leave the Aeolian Islands and make our way back to Naples. To do this we had to be up early to catch the hydrofoil to Milazzo. Here we’d catch a train over to Messina and then jump on a train to Naples. Now Sicily is an island and never before have I taken a train over water. Yes over water and this is done by putting the train on a ferry, sailing across the straits of Messina and then driving the train off again at the other side. Absolutely incredible and yet another experience that we’ll never forget.
It’s not very often you can hike up a live volcano, Stromboli gives you the opportunity. If your lucky you will get a big display, hopefully not too big. Make sure you check the reviews carefully and know what your in for it’s a quite physical hike.
We have always tended to use Booking.com having said that if your on a tight budget another good site to try as a comparison is Hostelworld, If your looking to compare different sites you can do that on Hotellook, we tend to look on here first to make sure we are getting the best deal.
You can book your visits as you go at the entrance to your chosen attraction or site. Or you could use the following links to book in advance or just to find out what your choices are in the area. GetYourGuide and Tiqets are our go to choices you could try Viator to see how they compare.
For a full list check out our resources page. Don’t forget always shop around to find the best deal for you. What works for us should be good for you but it’s always reassuring to check.
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Agrigento is known for the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas in the Valley of the Temples, a vast archaeological site with well-preserved Greek temples.
Ragusa is one of the most picturesque towns in Sicily. the view from the upper town over Ragusa Ibla on its own separate hill top is quite breathtaking.
We had no accommodation on Lipari pre booked. As it was the morning when we travelled from Vulcano and the journey was only 20 mins we had plenty time to find somewhere.
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