There are latitudes where August smells not of sunscreen, but of damp moss and saltpeter. They are islands of harsh, melancholic beauty that require reserving a space in your suitcase for cotton sweaters and even a fleece, and also winter jackets. From the vertiginous cliffs of the Faroe Islands to the polar horizon of Svalbard; from the volcanic energy of Iceland to the wooded labyrinth of the Åland Islands, passing through the rock spires of the Lofoten Islands and the Viking legacy of Shetland. In these territories, the ocean arrives with force, the meadows shine with an almost unreal green, and the cloudy skies act as the perfect backdrop for disconnection.

When Santorini recorded more than 550 tremors of magnitude greater than 3 at the beginning of the year, the Earth once again reminded us that it is alive. More than 9,000 people were evacuated, schools were closed, and a thick silence reigned between Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios. The alert quickly spread through the scientific community, although the experts were clear: the two active volcanoes beneath the island showed no imminent signs of eruption. But the episode left a clear warning: the fire of the Earth does not sleep and is closer than we imagine.