Aeolian Islands - Stromboli

If you arrive on Stromboli during the night, you might not know it. Lustrous black sand beaches and dark lavic rocks creep out from the warm waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and quietly lead tourists onto an island infamous for one of the world's most active volcanoes. No matter when you arrive, your first breath will probably be a sharp one as you take in Stromboli's pristine beauty, noting immediately the vivid colors of the island that you thought only existed within your imagination. A first glance will remind any visitor that they've entered paradise, but what you'll only discover after exploring the island is that this paradise offers what few others can: unspoiled beauty, the chance to cozy up to an active volcano and residents warm enough to melt Midwestern snow.

There's more to Stromboli than the volcano, although the showers of rock and lava that erupt from this great volcano (which rises out of the sea about 2000 feet) do attract more visitors than your average volcano. Of course, the exotic locale of the volcano doesn't hurt. You'll find a lot of photographers on the island, each hoping to capture the flaming bursts (visible only at night, unfortunately) that occur approximately every 20 minutes. Aeolians believe the most memorable eruptions were those in 1891, 1907, 1919, and 1930. But in 1955, scientists noted the most interesting eruption: a lateral lava flow that appeared level (and slightly below level) with the Sciara del Fuoco. Several Italian universities now believe that the island will see significant eruptions once again, shortly after the turn of the century.

Until the mid-1800s, the residential area of the island extended to the sea along three main beaches: Scari, Ficogrande and Piscith (which is mainly composed of lavic rock.) Today, however, you'll find island residents nestled closer to the hill in the midst of a picturesque plain. You'll find quaint, white-washed houses dripping with fragrant and plentiful bougainvilleas and wisteria, and friendly residents who love nothing more than to share a meaningful chat and perhaps a glass of dark Sicilian wine with an outgoing tourist. In this area, architecture buffs can also explore one of the few original cubic homes, a long-time fascination of tourists and island residents alike. If you're wondering how residents can live alongside an active volcano, you can just quit guessing now: Lave streams don't present any type of threat since the lava flows along the Sciara del Fuoco. There's no room to deviate into other areas given the Sciara's raised edges.

If you're not at the volcano or basking amidst a few wealthy Northern Italians in the glittering black sand, a walk around the island (which is about 12.6 square kilometers) will offer many different and exciting stops. Close to the inhabited area, you'll find a tower (complete with an incredible bell tower and several domes) and two rather artistic temples. Keep exploring and you'll discover the naves of S. Vincenzo Ferreri (the Catholic saint Vincent Ferrer) and S. Bartolomeo (Saint Bartholomew.) Both are definitely worth exploration, Across from the Church of S. Vincenzo Ferreri you'll find the remnants of a magnificent wooden cross, erected by French nobles in 1902 on their way to the Holy Land. This visit was repeated each year, and the majority of those who made this rather unusual pilgrimage to the summit and crater of the hill have always made up one of the largest tourist demographics on the island.

You'll find that Stromboli, despite the volcanic interruptions, is a calm, serene haven where one can truly relax in peace. The slight breeze gives way to a stillness that words simply cannot describe. You'll lie on the hot black sand and you'll think of how to describe the moment to your family and friends - but the words won't come. The natural harmony and crystal-clear water ensure a relaxing vacation like no other. I came back to the states thinking the term "peace and quiet" was coined here - when you visit, you'll see what I mean.

To get tips on how to photograph the frequent and stunning eruptions, visit Stromboli.net: Volcanic Photography. For see Stromboli volcanoes live, click ahead to Stromboli Online.