excursion Archives

Etna eruption on 6-14 august: is it really over?

Posted on 16/08/2026 (17/08/2026) by Grazia Musumeci

Etna is never over, not even when it’s over. This could be a motto of the future, referring to our vibrant volcano, which this summer of 2026—right at the peak of the tourist season—caused the worst disruption, creating serious economic damage to Catania Airport and accommodations on the east coast. Flights were diverted to Lamezia […]

It will be a long eruption. New updating

Posted on 11/08/2026 (11/08/2026) by Grazia Musumeci

Mount Etna’s new eruption, which began on August 6, appears to have become something “more”. It could be a protracted event, with consequences still unpredictable despite ongoing monitoring by the INGV Volcanology Institute. While the Voragine crater is once again spewing large columns of ash for the fourth consecutive time, the ground below 2,900 meters […]

Bivouac or refuge: all the pros and cons of each choice

Posted on 27/07/2026 by Grazia Musumeci

Bivouac or refuge? At first glance, they seem more or less the same thing, but they’re not. Generally speaking, they aren’t, and especially on Mount Etna, there’s a fundamental difference between the two that you need to know before venturing onto the trails. At first glance… little wooden or stone houses, small windows, cooking spaces… […]

Castles of Etna 3: Castiglione di Sicilia

Posted on 20/07/2026 (20/07/2026) by Grazia Musumeci

Castiglione di Sicilia is one of the most charming villages in eastern Sicily, located in the metropolitan district of Catania, on the slopes of Mount Etna and within the picturesque Alcantara Valley. Mass tourism isn’t always drawn to this unique setting, which they glimpse from afar on their way to the famous gorges, yet a […]

Etna from sunset to dawn: a night hiking

Posted on 13/07/2026 by Grazia Musumeci

There’s a special thrill to have on an active volcano: breathing in its vibrant energy at night. This experience is possible on Etna, naturally always accompanied by a local guide who knows the area and its secrets, even… without light. The allure of Etna at night goes far beyond the spectacle of an eruption (which […]