So, where else can you enjoy a starry sky, reflecting moonlight, beautiful sunset and powerful lava eruptions – all at the same time??? Stromboli rules!
Tutto bene! I’m finally back at the Aeolian Islands – this amazing volcanic archipelago based north of beautiful Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea. These islands have spellbound me since I visited the islands Lipari and Vulcano 4 years ago, including mount Etna in Catania.
This time I once again was on a quick trip with only 3 whole days to spend on these islands, so I planned as well as possible ahead – and despite a flight delay spending 8 hours in Düsseldorf airport I managed to do what I really wanted to do thank’s to the wonderful Italian hospitality! Grazie!
Isola di Stromboli
Stromboli stratovolcano in daylight and a glimpse of the village church below it 
One of my dreams for a long time was a trek up to Stromboli’s craters to observe the still active volcano and lava eruptions. In the morning that day I went for a walk to the restaurant L’Osservatorio where you can enjoy a good meal(try a tasty spaghetti ala Stromboli), drink cappuchino’s or vino’s, and hear/observe Strombolis rumbling and eruptions (mostly visible at night from this place).
From this restaurant you can also trek up to about 400 meters to Sciara del Fuoco view point for a free view. But if you for some reason don’t want to trek anywhere at all – you can instead enjoy a nice boat trip around the island to view the eruptions from the sea side.
The evening before the top trek I joined a boat trip around Isola di Stromboli that included a 2h disembark to visit peaceful little Ginostra, which I warmly can recommend for those who seek some tranquility 
Top trek evening: It was not that comfortable to put on my trekking shoes in the sweaty afternoon heat, but fortunately the trek upwards Stromboli’s trail was mostly shadowed by trees and bushes – and by the time you reach the sandy and stony area the sun beams are no longer able to grill you.
The amazing views will also make you forget anything else. Pretty cool to look upwards and see the long zig zag serpentine trail of trekkers going upwards – Stromboli (3,031 ft) is one of the world’s most active volcanos, and also one of the most popular to visit – so you are certainly not alone up there!
Cant stop smiling – so happy to finally be up here – especially since the weather was absolutely brilliant 
Getting close to the crater area we could here Stromboli “roar” now and then – a lil’bit like the Balrog in The Ring. Now we where above the clouds, and the ongoing sunset was absolutely magnificent scattered with clouds. Steam and black smoke arisen from the craters and mix together with the surroundings in perfect harmony. For me this is pretty close to heaven – and you also get aware of and really feel that in the end the earth is in charge!
When beauty have no words…
We went further up and crossed along a sandy ridge to have a good view down to the active craters. There was a bunch of trekking groups lined up along the view points, but the mood was mostly low-voiced – people just waited and enjoyed this special moment of being so near powerful forces of nature. And Stromboli did not disappoint us!
The short, powerful and spectacular lava bombs/explosions occurred quick and with no forewarnings – Wow! So instead of panicky trying to catch the bursts on camera I decided to just enjoy the show instead. Weird how that feeling of being so small compared to nature forces also can be so wonderfully euphoric – respect!
Stromboli in the afternoon sun
The trail downwards again is steep – but safe – you will walk in very soft volcanic sand and also wear a mask for protection against the fine dust, everything enlightened with your own headlamp.
Back at the hotel you better strip off your clothing upside the room (if possible) – or else you will find volcano sand all over the place.. and sometimes on very unexpected places ..ha..ha.. 😉
Tips & Tricks:
- It is forbidden to trek up to the craters without an authorized guide – the penalty is 500 EUROS
- Wear good hiking boots (some showed up in soft summer shoes of textile) – or hire the boots
- Bring an extra sweater or a wind jacket – it can get windy up there
- The guide will provide you with a helmet and mask for a reason, use it
- Bring your own headlamp – you will need it in the streets too as there are barely any streetlights on this island
- Bring a packet lunch (I had bananas, bread sticks, prosciutto ham and lots of water)
- Prepare your fridge with some chilled drinks/foods before you leave for the trek in case the shops are closed when you get back (I was back in my room at 23:30 and went over to a nearby hotel to buy more chilled water)
Oh… don’t forget to see the cool volcanic plug Strombolicchio piling up about 2 km outside Stromboli. There are boat trips out and around this plug and it’s lighthouse, but you will not be allowed to disembark or walk up the steep stairs 
If you have any questions, you are welcome to ask and I will try to answer as best I can. You will find more information about Isola di Stromboli’s geology at Geology.com and Italysvolcanoes.com
I have another amazing trek from this are coming up here soon …so stay tuned as always my dear readers! 🙂
Have an awesome moment and view Stromboli live cam here: https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/sicilia/messina/stromboli.html
©Liss & Puppy's adventures 
Ton voyage a l’air vraiment fabuleux!
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