<strong>Hot destination: </strong>Out in the clear blue waters between Sicily and the Italian mainland lie the volcanic islands of Stromboli and Filicudi. Both are smoldering in more ways than one.
Hot destination: Out in the clear blue waters between Sicily and the Italian mainland lie the volcanic islands of Stromboli and Filicudi. Both are smoldering in more ways than one.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Smoke signals:</strong> One of the world's most active volcanoes, Stromboli is said by locals to stir deep passions among those who visit it.
Smoke signals: One of the world's most active volcanoes, Stromboli is said by locals to stir deep passions among those who visit it.
Silvia Marchetti
'<strong>Sex pilgrimage': </strong>Stromboli's neighbor, Filiduci, also has erotic qualities, locals say. They claim visitors arrive on "sex pilgrimages," hoping to find luck in love or conceiving children.
'Sex pilgrimage': Stromboli's neighbor, Filiduci, also has erotic qualities, locals say. They claim visitors arrive on "sex pilgrimages," hoping to find luck in love or conceiving children.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Natural beauty: </strong>Filicudi is a place of unspoilt nature. There's only a fishing village, Pecorini a Mare, with pastel-colored houses, two little harbors and one single road that circles the island.
Natural beauty: Filicudi is a place of unspoilt nature. There's only a fishing village, Pecorini a Mare, with pastel-colored houses, two little harbors and one single road that circles the island.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>'Orgasmic' cocktail:</strong> The islands' warm waters, the spectacular lava flow scars, its intriguing grottoes and mysterious flowers are considered an "orgasmic" cocktail that apparently turn people on.
'Orgasmic' cocktail: The islands' warm waters, the spectacular lava flow scars, its intriguing grottoes and mysterious flowers are considered an "orgasmic" cocktail that apparently turn people on.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Plant power: </strong>Stromboli is also home to an unusual plant, cestrum nocturnum, that's said to release a hypnotic fragrance during the night which boosts libido and is believed to help couples conceive.
Plant power: Stromboli is also home to an unusual plant, cestrum nocturnum, that's said to release a hypnotic fragrance during the night which boosts libido and is believed to help couples conceive.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Good vibrations: </strong>People attempting the eight-hour climb of Stromboli often strip off and lay naked on the ground to feel the volcano's vibrations, locals say.
Good vibrations: People attempting the eight-hour climb of Stromboli often strip off and lay naked on the ground to feel the volcano's vibrations, locals say.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Lovers' Cave: I</strong>t is said that if a man and a woman enter Filicudi's Lovers' Cave as two people, they will inevitably succumb to lust and come out as three -- with a baby just conceived.
Lovers' Cave: It is said that if a man and a woman enter Filicudi's Lovers' Cave as two people, they will inevitably succumb to lust and come out as three -- with a baby just conceived.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Erotic formations: </strong>The seas around Filicudi are filled with erotic formations, which draw visitors keen to touch them for luck.
Erotic formations: The seas around Filicudi are filled with erotic formations, which draw visitors keen to touch them for luck.
Silvia Marchetti
<strong>Rock solid: </strong>The highlight is an 85-meter sea stack known as La Canna -- Italian slang for a certain male appendage.
Rock solid: The highlight is an 85-meter sea stack known as La Canna -- Italian slang for a certain male appendage.
Silvia Marchetti