SummerSimo Travel Troubles Notes and The Purring Page

There are many inhabited islands in Italy, but I will try to name some of the most well-known ones and provide some information about them. According to one source, Italy has 350 sea islands, of which not all are inhabited. The two largest and most famous islands are Sicily and Sardinia, which are also autonomous regions of Italy. Here are some details about them and other inhabited islands:

• Sicily: Sicily is the largest island in Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,711 sq km (9,927 sq mi). It is located in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian Peninsula and north of Tunisia and Libya. It has a population of about 5 million people and a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is famous for its volcanoes, especially Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. It is also known for its cuisine, art, architecture, and literature. To reach Sicily, you can take a ferry from various ports in mainland Italy or other Mediterranean countries, or fly to one of its airports, such as Palermo or Catania.
• Sardinia: Sardinia is the second-largest island in Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 24,090 sq km (9,300 sq mi). It is located west of the Italian Peninsula and south of Corsica. It has a population of about 1.6 million people and a distinctive culture and language. It is famous for its beaches, mountains, forests, and wildlife. It is also known for its ancient monuments, such as the nuraghi, stone towers built by the Nuragic civilization. To reach Sardinia, you can take a ferry from various ports in mainland Italy or other Mediterranean countries, or fly to one of its airports, such as Cagliari or Olbia.
• Elba: Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan Archipelago, a group of islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Tuscany. It has an area of 223 sq km (86 sq mi) and a population of about 30,000 people. It is famous for being the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled for almost a year in 1814-1815. It is also known for its iron mines, wine production, and tourism. To reach Elba, you can take a ferry from Piombino on the mainland or fly to its airport in Marina di Campo.
• Capri: Capri is an island in the Bay of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Campania. It has an area of 10 sq km (4 sq mi) and a population of about 12,000 people. It is famous for its natural beauty, especially its caves, cliffs, and rock formations. It is also known for its luxury resorts, villas, and shops. To reach Capri, you can take a ferry or a hydrofoil from Naples or Sorrento on the mainland.
• Ischia: Ischia is another island in the Bay of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the coast of Campania. It has an area of 46 sq km (18 sq mi) and a population of about 60,000 people. It is famous for its volcanic activity, especially its hot springs and thermal baths. It is also known for its castles, gardens, and beaches. To reach Ischia, you can take a ferry or a hydrofoil from Naples or Pozzuoli on the mainland.
• Lampedusa: Lampedusa is the largest island of the Pelagie Islands, a group of islands in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and Tunisia. It has an area of 20 sq km (8 sq mi) and a population of about 6,000 people. It is famous for being a destination for migrants and refugees from Africa and the Middle East who try to reach Europe by boat. It is also known for its wildlife reserve and its sea turtles. To reach Lampedusa, you can take a ferry from Porto Empedocle on Sicily or fly to its airport.
• Venetian Lagoon Islands: The Venetian Lagoon is a large body of water connected to the Adriatic Sea by three inlets near Venice in northeastern Italy. It contains many small islands, some of which are inhabited by people who preserve their traditional culture and crafts. Some of the most well-known islands are Murano (famous for its glass-making), Burano (famous for its lace-making), Torcello (famous for its basilica), San Michele (famous for its cemetery), and San Giorgio Maggiore (famous for its church).
• Aeolian Islands: The Aeolian Islands are a group of volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily. They have a total area of 115 sq km (44 sq mi) and a population of about 14,000 people. They are famous for their geological features, such as craters, lava flows, and fumaroles. They are also known for their history, mythology, and culture. Some of the most well-known islands are Stromboli (famous for its active volcano), Lipari (famous for its archaeological museum), Vulcano (famous for its mud baths), and Salina (famous for its wine production).
• Tremiti Islands: The Tremiti Islands are a group of islands in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Apulia in southeastern Italy. They have a total area of 3 sq km (1 sq mi) and a population of about 500 people. They are famous for their natural beauty, especially their clear water and marine life. They are also known for their history, as they were used as a place of exile and imprisonment by various rulers. Some of the most well-known islands are San Domino (famous for its caves), San Nicola (famous for its abbey), and Capraia (famous for its lighthouse).

ITALIAN DESERTED ISLANDS’

Some of the most well-known deserted islands in Italy are:

Poveglia: A small island located between Venice and Lido in the Venetian Lagoon. It was used as a quarantine station for plague victims and later as a mental hospital. It is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the thousands of people who died there. It is forbidden to visit the island, but some people have managed to sneak in and explore its ruins.

Asinara: A large island off the northwestern coast of Sardinia. It was used as a prison camp for Italian and Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war during World War I, and later as a high-security prison for mafia members and terrorists. It was closed in 1997 and turned into a national park and wildlife reserve. It is home to rare albino donkeys and other animals. It is possible to visit the island with guided tours or by staying at a hostel or camping site.

Gaiola: A pair of small islands connected by a bridge in the Gulf of Naples. It was once a popular resort for wealthy Romans and later for celebrities and aristocrats. However, it also has a reputation for being cursed, as many of its owners met tragic fates, such as murder, suicide, bankruptcy, or imprisonment. The island is now abandoned and protected as part of a marine reserve. It can be seen from the shore or by boat, but landing on the island is prohibited.