Aeolian Islands: one of the most magical places in the Mediterranean for a sailing holiday

The Aeolian Islands are one of the most magical places in Italy: located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, an archipelago of seven volcanic islands of various sizes that the world envies us, with crystalline sea and rocky cliffs with intense colors, made even more vivid by the contrast with black formations of volcanic origin; in addition, the celestial food that Sicilian culture knows how to offer and villages perched on the sea, which leave you breathless. In short, an incredible place that, like any archipelago, shows its most fascinating side if experienced on a sailing boat. From the moment you get on board to the moment you say goodbye to go home, the boat becomes a comfortable houseboat that gently takes you to discover the most hidden corners, the most breathtaking views, the most beautiful and less known beaches. . But what are the things to do absolutely in the Aeolian Islands, which those who visit this splendid archipelago on a sailing boat should not miss?

Discover the wilder side of the volcanoes of the Aeolian Islands

Each of these islands has a volcanic origin, and it is not difficult to notice: the typical conical shapes immediately betray even those that have been extinct for a long time, such as Filicudi. While others, such as Vulcano, are characterized by the unmistakable black beaches and pools of sulphurous mud. And therefore, it is not surprising that the volcanoes are the main attractions of the place: from the walk to the top of Panarea, which shows a much less mundane side of the island, passing through the trekking to the crater of the now extinct Vulcano , to finish with the extraordinary natural experience of Stromboli, few places in the world offer such scenarios. Seeing Stromboli is one of the things to do in the Aeolian Islands absolutely, because it offers truly rare emotions. Its volcano is the most active in Europe, and if you reach the island from the sea, when the activity is particularly intense, the spectacle of seeing the eruptions from your boat is priceless. With the impression of seeing natural fireworks illuminating the sky (at its best at dusk), from the sea you can observe the lava flow descending from one side of the volcano until it reaches the water, forming the so-called "Sciara del Fire". One cannot avoid being moved in front of so much beauty, and feeling tiny in comparison to the power of nature.

The more daring can approach the ascent to the crater followed by expert local guides: a trek that should not be underestimated, of about 3 hours to climb, but with a truly unique charm, especially at sunset.

However, if you are not a lover of intense trekking, but do not want to miss the spectacle of seeing the eruptions more closely, there is one thing to do in the Aeolian Islands that you cannot give up: having dinner at the Stromboli Observatory with the red lights of Iddu ("He", in Sicilian, as the locals refer to the volcano) that are reflected ... in your pizza! While the more daring climb the volcano, the rest of the crew enjoy an excellent dinner by candlelight (and eruption) in one of the most evocative places on the island. Discover the charm of even the smallest rocks of the Aeolian Islands Of course, the Aeolian Islands offer splendid beaches to be explored, but those who go there by boat should absolutely not limit themselves to these. Because the real charm of these islands is in the middle of the sea, and among the things to do in the Aeolian Islands there is certainly discovering these "sculptures". Usually, mooring the boat and staying a few hours anchored in the middle of the sea is not easy: you have to find a cove sheltered from the wind and waves, otherwise you can stop only for a few minutes. Thanks to the mild climatic conditions that are usually found here in summer, however, you can moor the boat even in less sheltered places, such as La Canna, in Filicudi. A tall and narrow stack that seems to have been sculpted by hand by some marine deity, and which instead is a 40,000-year reminder of the last eruptions of the island's volcano. Not far away, another incredible rock: the islet of Montenassari, in whose rocky wall there is a natural swimming pool! Mooring in the surroundings of places like this and setting off to explore them with the tender (the dinghy supplied) or swimming, armed only with fins and mask, is truly a luxury.

Enjoy life on land as much as life at sea

But where can you find a place with all these extraordinary natural beauties, which also combines exquisite and always varied cuisine, with fun and lively villages and towns? Here, in fact, practically nowhere else! The beauty of the Aeolian islands on a sailing boat is also this: in few other places it is possible to combine so well the pleasure and relaxation of life at sea during the day, with the fun and worldliness of going ashore in the evening. Virtually every night you go down to explore a different country: from Panarea, where the nightlife is at its best and seeing the sunrise is practically a must; in Lipari, which is perfect for trying all the variations of Sicilian cuisine; passing through Salina, known for the film “Il Postino” by Massimo Troisi, which offers tasty aperitifs in the most evocative places. In short, there is no better evening in the Aeolian Islands than the one started by boat and ended up on land! They are perfect islands to visit in a flotilla, to have the right mix of fun and relaxation: during the day you sail together and moor in the nearby harbor, sharing baths and games in the water with the other boats and then relaxing on your boat. In the evening, we all go ashore together and enjoy the unique atmosphere that is created in this type of group, laughing, toasting, joking. And we always end up further expanding the company, because all the locals, both tourists and locals, flock to the street to enjoy the inimitable vibe. The really unmissable things to do in the Aeolian Islands in the evenings ashore? For example, a real Sicilian aperitif in Filicudi: you moor at the buoys in front of Pecorina A Mare, where there is a little bar where the whole island goes at sunset. And while you sip a glass of wine, perhaps the prized Malvasia delle Lipari, you can take a plate of arancini or eggplant parmigiana from the rotisserie next door. Or explore Salina in search of the legendary Alfredo: from him you can taste real delicacies, such as the best cunzato (“seasoned”) bread in the area and the typical Sicilian granita. And yet in Lipari you cannot fail to make four jumps in one of the most panoramic discos there are: the Turmalin, perched on a cliff, where you can get lost in the music, the sea and the light of the stars.