Cities of Antiquity

Day 4 -
59 F / 15 C
Partly Cloudy, windy

SCENIC CRUISING: TYRRHENIAN SEA & STROMBOLI ISLAND
As we cruise the Tyrrhenian Sea, the magnificent island of Stromboli emerges. Its most prominent feature-at first a mere dot floating on the horizon, then a towering mass of land —is Iddu, a 3,000-foot volcano that has been continually erupting for 2,000 years. Stromboli is part of the Aeolian archipelago. These seven islands form a wide arc off Sicily's shores. Of all the Aeolians, Stromboli strikes the most dramatic pose for one immediately apparent reason: its hulking volcano doesn't appear to leave room for much else on these black-sand shores. Yet small communities of Italians live a simple existence in three villages. Many residents believe Iddu's steady release of pressure prevents a major eruption and are happy to share their backyard with Sicily's most distinctive neighbor.Read more