Aeolian Islands, UNESCO World Heritage archipelago in Sicily, Italy.
Aeolian Islands is an archipelago of seven volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea northeast of Sicily, including Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, and Panarea. The islands rise from deep waters with cliffs of black lava rock, white pumice deposits, and beaches of coarse dark sand.
Greek settlers from Knidos and Rhodes founded colonies on several islands in the 6th century BC and named them after Aeolus, the mythical ruler of the winds. Pirates retreated to the remote coves for centuries until Spain built fortresses in the 16th century to protect the trade routes.
The islands provide the sweet grapes for Malvasia delle Lipari, an amber dessert wine dried on straw mats under the sun. Many winemakers still tend the ancient terraced fields carved into steep slopes that protect the land from erosion.
Ferry connections run between the islands and Milazzo on the Sicilian mainland, with journey times ranging from 40 minutes to several hours depending on the destination. Walking trails often cross rough volcanic surfaces, so sturdy footwear and sun protection should be brought along.
Alicudi has no paved roads or cars, and all paths consist of stone steps used by donkeys to carry supplies and luggage. The westernmost island shows a clear starry sky at night due to the absence of electric lighting along the trails.
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