Italy > Sicily > Aeolian Islands : On a Wing and a Prayer

Photographer Nino Bartuccio experiences the joy of flight on a 'vespa with wings' over the Aeolian Islands . . .

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Photo: Antonino Bartuccio  

Spreading out in a graceful arc from the north coast of Sicily, the Aeolians are a series of small volcanic islands of tremendous beauty. Especially when seen from the air. Their name comes from the Greek 'Aiolas' which refers either to the son of Poseiden, god of the sea in Greek mythology, or to Aeolus 'Keeper of the Winds' in Homer's Odyssey. Either way, god of the sea or god of the wind, flying a micro-light plane over the length of the archipelago seems a fitting tribute.
The tiny plane, not much more than a 'vespa with wings' with pilot and photographer strapped on board, takes off at 5am from Capo d'Orlando on the coast of Sicily. It criuses above the sea at 80km/h but the feeling is one of being still, suspended in mid-air. Within 50 minutes it's flying over the island of Alicudi, tranquil with just a scattering of houses and a small beach. From there it heads towards Filicudi, flying over the remains of a civilisation which sprang up three and a half thousand years ago. And on over Salina, the green island, over the VIP beaches of Panarea, and the smoking crater of Stromboli - the only volcano currently active among the islands.
The flight is a surreal experience and as the micro-light heads back towards Sicily, using the peak of Mount Etna as its guide, there is a feeling of having taken a step away from reality. Away from the labyrinth of streets and houses where we live our daily lives. A step closer to the gods of wind and sea that watch over this extraordinary place.

NOTE: Text on commission only.