Laghetto Di Fanghi Mud Baths
This is where Hephaestus, the god of fire, placed his forge and performed his duties as a blacksmith. This is Vulcano and you are welcome to this land of Gods. All 21sqm of this island result from the fusion of four volcanoes; the largest and most dominant being, Vulcano della Fossa which is composed of reddish rock and the smaller being Vulcanello which erupted on the north side in 183 BC.
If you want to see natural phenomenon at your very feet, Vulcano is the place to be. Even today you will spot fumaroles, steam and jets on the sea bed and on water, and sulphurous mud. Sulphur mud is high on therapeutic properties and is a special attraction at Vulcano.
Ten minutes away from Lipari are the Laghetto di Fanghi sulphur mud baths. This is where you enter with a weary body and soul, yet emerge rejuvenated by the therapeutic properties of the smelly mud. From the mud, it's into the hot natural Jacuzzi created by the underwater springs in the warm sea. Wondering why the mud made you feel so good? Well, the mineral properties of the mud ease skin disorders and alleviate arthritic complaints. But beware, the mud is radioactive. So, the dips should be short. Also, children, elderly persons and expectant mothers should avoid a dip. Please check your condition against the advisory before taking a mud bath. More advice - do not take a mud bath for longer than 20 minutes and rinse eyes immediately if mud comes in contact with eyes.
After the mud bath and a relaxing Jacuzzi experience, it's off to check the island's jagged shoreline that changes color from place to place - red to ocher, it mesmerizes you makes sure it is etched in your memory for life.
Next, for quaint shops and contemporary structures fashioned form lava stone, check out Porto di Levante.
Save up some energy to hike up the slope amidst enchanting views. Stand boldly at the edge of the crater Cratere della Fossa as you watch its southern rim covered in a cloud of hot sulphurous vapours emanating from cracks in its crust. The accompanying whistling sound comes echoing from deep within. The crater's rock is turned ochre and red by the condensation of hot fumes. To the left you will see Salina with its characteristic two humps. On the way up did you notice that spot of compacted red earth engraved with deep furrows? As you climbed higher, did you sense the smell of sulphur getting stronger? Did you notice those clouds of steam?
Form the high crater to the sea level; you can enjoy the double pleasure at the twin beaches of Vulcano which sit snugly near the main town. The sabbie nere or black beaches, is a beautiful beach covered with black sand formed by the volcanic activity. Fumarole, the other beach, experiences waters warmed by sulphurous steam. These waters can also get scalding hot. Another very charming beach, reachable by sea, is the Gelso beach. Do not forget to check it out.
As you tour Vulcano, save up a dawn or dusk for a trip to La Valle dei Mostri to check out the rock formations as the rays of the sun play on them. See if you can find the monsters and the bear reared up on its hind legs.
