Mount Etna in Sicily is like nowhere else. The ancient volcano looms over the city of Catania but its huge size means it can be seen for hundreds of miles. The most active volcano in Europe, its frequent rumblings remind everyone who visits the area that Mt Etna is very much alive. We have lots of different experiences that allow you to learn more about all the ways Etna has shaped the culture, food and landscape of Sicily, and spoke to a recent guest, George W, about his Mount Etna tour:
What Is Your Travel Style And Have You Done Private Tours Before?
I can’t stay still even at home, so when I travel I always make sure to have plenty of activities planned. If I’m by the sea I look for opportunities to go out kayaking or on a boat trip, in other places I plan walking tours or look for hiking routes. I have slowed down a little, adding some downtime to my itineraries, but for me travel is about making the most of all the things to see and do.
My partner and I have done many private tours before. In the past we went for cheaper options in large groups as we thought they were better value, but after switching to small group and private tours we found the quality and overall experience for us to be so much better.
As we travel a lot, we know exactly what we want to see or experience and it is far easier to tailor a tour itinerary to our preferences on a private tour!
Why Did You Choose To Do A Mount Etna Tour?
I’ve visited Sicily many times in the past and have always been fascinated by Mount Etna. The way the local people talk about her as Mamma Etna, the impact the volcanic soil has on the food and wine produced here and the sheer size of the volcano make it a constant presence in people’s lives there.
To me it was clear that getting to know Mount Etna better was essential to get to know Sicily better.
Also, ever since I was a child I have been interested in geology, fossils, dinosaurs and the different types of volcanoes and earthquakes. I would go fossil hunting when I was younger (and still have some of the best finds at home) and read every book I could find. This has carried on into adulthood, so if there is a chance of learning more, I’ll take it.
I recently hiked part of Mount Vesuvius in Naples and that really inspired me to want to take on more of a challenge, so Mt Etna was the logical choice!
Why Did You Choose To Do A Casa Mia Tour?
As soon as I started researching Mount Etna tour options I realized that most would not offer me what I was looking for. A lot of advertized tours take you up Etna in a car or bus, you take some photos and then you’re done. I wanted to really experience Mount Etna, hike some of the lesser-used trails and see for myself what the volcano was like.
I found the Casa Mia Etna tours and knew straight away I was in the right place. They had a few Etna tours with different focuses, there was a cooking experience, one focused on the local pistachios and some vineyard ones (which my partner was very keen to pursue if we’d had more time!).
The hiking tour stood out for me however. The use of a local geologist guide and opportunity to see a different part of the volcano was exciting, so I got in touch to see whether I could tailor the tour further. Casa Mia could not have been more helpful and between them and the local guide, Johnny, we came up with an extensive hiking route of Etna that covered everything I wanted to see.
What Was Your Favorite Part Of The Tour?
While the whole day was absolutely fantastic, there were a few highlights that really stood out for me:
The Lava Tube
This was so cool to see. The lava tube was created by hot molten magma being pushed through gaps in the rock at high pressure during intense volcanic activity. This process carved out this underground tunnel which we were able to walk inside for about 100 meters. Just one of many tunnel caves like this under Etna’s surface, this one stretched on for 4000 meters.
Being able to see the hidden elements of a volcano up close was truly special, and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
Reaching the Caldera
We had been trekking for a little while to reach the caldera, one of the huge areas on Mount Etna where there is evident volcanic activity. There was a good amount of mist and cloud the day of our tour so it wasn’t really until we reached the caldera that the sheer scale of the volcano became clear.
Seeing the steam and sulfur outlets was fascinating and we walked around part of the caldera edge to see it better. The way the clouds were moving around us and combining with the steam and sulfur made everything seem even more unusual and other-worldly.
Seeing the Summit of Mount Etna
Not long after we’d seen the caldera, the clouds suddenly parted and we had the most incredible view of the summit of Etna. The view up was completely clear and the summit was framed by blue sky.
At this point we’d been hiking for around three and a half hours but weren’t anywhere near the summit, which helped give some context to just how huge Etna really is!
What Were You Most Surprised By On Your Mount Etna Tour?
For me the most surprising thing about Mount Etna was how much the landscape kept changing.
On the way to the small town which was our meeting point, everything was green and fertile, with lots of different plants, trees, bushes and vines everywhere. As we started to go up Mount Etna, I could see the damage caused by past lava flows, with big empty patches in the forests.
After that the landscape changed again to birch trees (Etna is the location of the most southern birch forest in Europe) and then slowly all the trees and plants disappear and it feels like you’re on another world. I knew that parts of the volcano slopes were rocky and didn’t have vegetation, but seeing the different layers of the environment was really surprising to me.
Would You Do Another Custom Tour?
Without a doubt, yes I would book another custom tour without hesitation. I was able to tailor the Casa Mia tour to my exact specifications, organizing an experience that exceeded all my expectations.
If you would like to visit Etna and the surrounding region for yourself, take a look at all our different Mount Etna tour options here. Whether you want to hike or relax in a vineyard, and remember that we can tailor any and all of these to meet your specific interests, needs and activity levels.
