The Province of Messina, in the northeastern corner of the Island of Sicily, sits on two different seas, each in their own right a chest of natural treasures.
Excursions over land and sea allow for the discovery of every corner and angle of the Aeolian Islands, rich in beaches and tiny coves where one can stop to explore, even if just for a few hours.
One definite must is Pollara Beach on the island of Salina; Pollara was the result of a crater formed by the six volcanoes making up Salina, around 13,000 years ago.
Here, one can take a hot bath of mud and saltwater that forms from the fumaroles (lava and gas emissions) of nearby Vulcano Island.
Those arriving with a boat can circumnavigate the coasts and enjoy the spectacular natural hollows and giant boulders, rocks and mounds that surround the islands' shores.
The Aeolian Archipelago is a true paradise for trekkers. Hiking trails go on forever here, and take hikers on a journey of landscapes, putting the islands' diverse beauty on full display.
Lava deposits are a work of art in themselves, having been shaped by flowing seawater to create a splendid show of Mother Nature's talent for special effects.
Indescribable colors and suffused rays of light become an intense chiaroscuro that combines with the rich island vegetation and the shadows of the deep sea floor. Colors that range from white to stone and black pumice put in play a seemingly-infinite merry-go-round of marvels and delights.
In a moment when you might think you have seen all that the islands have to offer, an ancient relict or an anomaly of nature just might surprise you, rendering your journey ever more fascinating. After all, the Aeolians are considered one of the best places in the world for scuba-diving!
Birdwatchers, too, will find that the Aeolians are a dream destination for their interests. During the hottest months, pelicans, red herons, grey parrots, wild geese, cormorants, flamingoes and quails make their transits in the skies above. This is also an ideal locality to watch for diverse species of falcon, such as the Mediterranean falcon and the cuckoo.
Another excellent site for spotting rare, winged creatures is the Regional Park of Nebrodi; in Italian, this park is known as the "lungs" of Sicily, so-called because of its vegetation and monumentally-high trees. This is where Sicily breathes!
In spring, the park's numerous peaks, cliffs and valleys bloom in the colors and scents of the Mediterranean, and numerous small, very-blue lakes alternate with bounteous woods.
Those looking for an even cooler gulp of water can head to the Gole di Alcantara, made up of gorges and ravines that run with the cold waters from the river of the same name.
