Europe

[Visited: September 2020]

Arriving on the first, early morning boat from Milazzo, the sun is barely up when I reach the island of Stromboli. After enjoying my first view of the famous volcano, I decide to walk to the far side of the village in search of accommodation. In fact, there are two villages which have become one: San Bartolo on the west and San Vincenzo on the east side of the island. I am struck by the attractive houses and the abundance of flowers, the scent of jasmin is ubiquitous in the narrow streets and alleys. The only traffic on Stromboli are the Api, the small pick-up scooters ubiquitous in Italy. I walk up the street leading to the church of San Vincenzo, the main church of the island. There is a terrace in front of it, and the volcano and its accompanying cloud above it loom high above the tower. There is a good view of the eastern part of town, as well as Strombolicchio, the small basalt remainder of the ancient volcano which shifted further southwest to the present Stromboli volcano.
Just around the corner, I find the house where Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini lived while filming the Stromboli movie in 1949, and continue west. I find some attractive houses, a football field, gardens, restaurants and a few shops. When I finally reach the hotel I had wanted to stay in, it appears full. I follow the directions of the owner, but those hotels are full, too. Even though the high season is over, and the Covid-19 pandemic is still going on, it turns out to be more difficult than I had thought to find a place to sleep - perhaps because it is a Saturday; I end up in a lovely beachfront hotel. Finally liberated from my bag, I continue my exploration, criss-crossing the streets, avoiding the main street where a steady stream of people now walks up, and end up walking a sandy street above the beach towards the south. At the far south, I find a place to enjoy the sun. Walking to and from the sea is tricky, as the black sand is scorching hot, but once in the transparent water, it is bliss - until a jellyfish bites me.
After the refreshing time on the beach, I walk the promenade, past shops, restaurants, and hotels, walk on a pier for a better view of Strombolicchio, and then am back to wandering the flower-filled streets of this curious village of around 500 inhabitants. This is considered the safe side of the island, and indeed, the heavy eruptions that happened on Stromboli have only caused minor damage to the village. Still, the very active volcano looms high over the village, almost constantly emitting smoke and with the occasional rumble to remind every villager of its presence. Volcanic rocks are used everywhere in construction: the village has integrated itself with the volcano. Stromboli village has several shops, minimarkets, and there are plenty of good restaurants to choose from for lunch or dinner, although to my disappointment, the only gelateria has closed doors the year before.

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Stromboli village > Italy > Europe

[Visited: September 2020]

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