What to
Visit
The
'Montagna Grande':
natural park and green heart of the island, home of near 600 endemic botanic
species, including the Limonium
Cosyrese, the
Helichrysm Errarae and the Mattiola
Incana.This park is also the only nesting place in
Europe of the so graceful and highly colored Cinciarella
Algerina and Beccamoschino.
At sunset, from the 'Montagna Grande', the sight of the Sicilian Channel, with
an occasional view of the African coast, is spectucular. The farming
villages: groups of 'dammusi'
with their 'giardini',
enclosures for citrus fruit trees, shltered from the wind by their partcular
lava-stone walls. There are 11 villages located all
over the island; they still use their original Arab names, Khamma,
Rekhale, Bukkuram,
Bugeber... The 'Specchio
di Venere': this tiny lake, of volcanic origin and
of outstanding colors, is fed by thermal springs:
Not only does it offer plenty of possibilities for water sports and fango
therapy, in spring and autumn it becomes a natural observatory for many species
of migratory birds. The 'Khagiar':
an exuberant vegetation of mediterranean bush, made up of myrtle, arbutus, lentl
and heather, grows low to the ground, shaped into fantastic forms by the wind,
on an ancient lava flow, 3 kilometers long. A great number of wild
rabbits live here, as well as the so-called Greek
turtle. 'Dietro Isola':
the southern part of the island, where there is a pine wood (Aleppo, Maritime),
challenging the sea from the cliffs. An explosion of scents persist in this
continuation of the forest of the 'Montagna Grande'.'Salto
la Vecchia':these cliffs of the unforgettable name
rise 300 meters above the sea,offering a spectacular panorama. Several species
of birds nest in them. The 'Piana di Ghirlanda':
this fertile plain, sheltered from the winds by the surrounding ancient
volcanoes, is considered the garden of the island. After some searching, bizantine
tombs can be found carved
in the rocks of a peaceful, small wood. The lava-stone
walls: the typical agricultural architecture is
rendered by the vast network of stone fences, which create cultivable terraces
on the sides of volcanoes all over the island. The 'cantine':
the many cellars where the famous 'Moscato'
and 'Passito' are
produced. The caper Co-op:
where the so tasty capers are processed and sold. The 'Bagno
Asciutto': literallythe dry bath, but one is far
from dry after a few minutes in this natural sauna, a beautiful cave, seemingly
lost in a tumble of rocks near a mountain path: The bathing
spots along the coast: Karuscia,
Campobello, Khattibuali,
Cala Cinque Denti , Cala
Gadir with its thermal springs, Cala
Tramontana, the
Faraglione, Cala
Levante, the incredible Arco
dell'Elefante, Pantelleria's natural monument (legend
would have it that when the island lacks water the elephant pumps it in from the
sea....). The tour continues with the Cala Rotonda,
the Balata dei Turchi
and its obsidian cave, Nicą,
where the thermal springs are at almost 100°C, the ancient Roman port of Scauri,
the thermal baths of Sateria,
Suvaki, Punta
Fram with its fantastically sculpted lava forms, Mursia
and the Cala Bue Marino.
And absolutely not to be missed: a boat trip around the island , not only for a
different view of it, but also to visit the numerous
marine caves, some as vast as cathedrals, where the
colors of the sea play from deep blue to emerald green. The smaller boats weave
in and out of these caves; one can also lower the anchor and dive
in for a closer view of the beautiful underwater life.