A Tour of Sicily and Naples – Mt. Etna

It was time to meet the volcano that dominates so much of Sicily, particularly the areas we are visiting on the east coast.

Sicilians have a love-hate relationship with Mt. Etna. When it erupts – it has already done so four times this year – the destruction can be massive. But the volcano, now part of a national park, provides jobs and many recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and during the winter, skiing. There’s actually a ski lift which can be viewed on the way to the top of the crater. And, of course, the volcano is a tourist attraction which helps to pour money into the local economy. 

All terrain vehicle

We took a bus to Etna and had the chance to visit restrooms before boarding an all-terrain vehicle for what would prove to be a rough, rocky ride. Our guide, Maurizio, was knowledgeable and entertaining, while our driver, Nino, kept his hands on the wheel and his eyes on the road. Since the path was narrow and the incline steep, there were many moments when, in the hands of a less skilled driver, the entire vehicle with all its passengers would go tumbling into one of the large crevices created by lava flow. 

Vegetation on the mountain

The terrain changed dramatically as we found our way to the top. Trees and lots of colorful flowers covered parts of the mountain near the bottom. As we got higher up, there was less vegetation and the deep craters and massive amounts of lava, which created incredible shapes, caught our attention. Nearing the top, piles of snow could be seen, most of it gray or black due to the lava. 

We made several stops for photos as we ascended. Those who wanted to hike, did so, others took their time to take in the scenery. Everywhere we looked, the views were breathtaking. Finally at the top, we could see wisps of white smoke coming from one of the craters. The scene was peaceful, not at all threatening, at least for a while.

Making our way down the steep hill was just as tense, maybe more so, as the climb. Nino picked up speed and, at one point, our vehicle and another had to jockey for position to pass. Maurizio kept us entertained by singing some well known Italian songs. Some on our tour said Mt. Etna resembled other volcanoes they have seen, like the one on Hawaii’s Maui. Eruptions on Mt. Etna are not as violent as ones say on Mt. Vesuvius, located on the Gulf of Naples, our next stop, and we hope that volcano remains quiet during our stay there.

After an exciting visit to a volcano, we needed to relax. A visit to the Tenuta San Michele winery for lunch and a tasting was the perfect choice. We enjoyed several of their wines and a lunch of chick pea fritters, panzanella, frittata, sausages, and carrot cake. Afterwards we were taken on a brief tour of the winery itself to learn about the process of wine making.

To read Charlene’s other stories from A Tour of Sicily and Naples, go to the Living Around section on Woman Around Town.