Messina, Taormina and Mount Etna

07/19/2019

AIDA Western Mediterranean Cruise

We had already booked the Etna and Taormina excursion through the private provider 'Sicily with Mario' for Messina before the trip. We started at 9:30 am with a group of 20 people, most of whom were from our Facebook group.

We drove along the coast for 2.5 hours towards the volcano, and our German-speaking tour guide used the time to inform us about Sicily and the volcanoes in southern Italy.

Just half a year earlier, there was an eruption of the northern crater, which caused damage in the surrounding area. Scientifically, there is no connection between the activities of the surrounding volcanoes. According to 'old' Sicilians, eruptions of Stromboli usually lead to eruptions of Mount Etna. During our trip, Stromboli was active, and fellow travelers had seen the spectacle of nature from the ship the previous night. Unfortunately, we missed it.

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and its magma chambers are enormous. We certainly gained a lot of respect. The fact that the volcano consists of four summit craters and that we are visiting the longest dormant eastern crater (last eruption in 1979) reassured us.

At an altitude of 1900 m, there is a parking lot called Refugio Sapienza, most of which was affected by the eruption of the main crater 'Bocca Nuova' (new throat). The cable car to this crater, which was shrouded in fog, is located nearby.

Ash particles rained down, according to the tour guide, which is a very rare phenomenon.

From the parking lot, you can follow some paths, each of which leads to the circumnavigation of one of the numerous subsidiary craters. Our group split up, and we tackled different altitudes. From almost everywhere, you have a beautiful, sometimes bizarre view of the mountain range and down into the valley.

A stay of about 1.5 hours was sufficient for short detours around the craters. It is advisable to wear closed shoes, as the loose gravel makes it difficult to walk, and small lava stones often get into open trekking sandals. Due to the low temperatures, a warmer jacket is also advisable.

From Mount Etna, we drove back downhill to warmer areas to a beekeeping farm with direct sales. Here, you could taste Sicilian products such as olive oil, wine, capers, olives, honey, and much more. We took advantage of the opportunity to provide ourselves and those at home with these delicacies.

From here, we continued for about 40 minutes towards Taormina. Due to the beautiful landscape, the sights, and the picturesque alleys, this place is worth seeing.

Taormina is located about 200 m above sea level and offers impressive views of the coast and the sea.

A stay of 1.5 hours was enough to stroll along the main street. We strolled extremely slowly and stopped for ice cream and homemade frozen yogurt, so we skipped the highlight of the place, the ancient amphitheater. Besides, it was hot, and our feet were already hurting.

Back in Messina, 20 minutes before 'all on board,' there was a short photo stop at the cathedral. We found this to be very tight, and it once again showed that tours that you undertake individually can be quite exciting. The calmness of the tour guide (we also had to settle the bill) proved her right. The port was only 2 minutes away, and everyone arrived on time to the ship, unsuspecting of the special event that awaited us this evening, which does not have a fixed place in any travel description.

When we passed Mount Etna around 10:00 pm, the captain stopped the ship, and we witnessed a rare, eerie spectacle. From the northeast crater of the mountain, we saw glowing eruptions and streams of lava flowing down in the darkness. This is certainly one of the experiences of the trip that will remain unforgettable for us.

Conclusion: The most beautiful moments are not planned. 'Sicily with Mario' is recommended. The booking was very easy via email. However, a smaller tour group was promised to us. The large group was not disturbing in retrospect. The process went smoothly, and the ship's docking time was optimally utilized. The excursion is also worthwhile for those with limited mobility.

Cost: €90.00 per person, reduced to €70.00 due to the group size. Deposit of €10.00 via PayPal.