Mt Etna — Local services in Bronte

Reflecting on my visit with my beat friend to Mount Etna in Italy just a year ago, the memories of that incredible climb with my best friend are still vivid. Little did we know that our daring escapade would take on a whole new perspective in light of recent events.

Having embarked on this journey in Catania, Italy, the city where my family hails from, the decision to visit Mount Etna was driven by a desire to explore my roots. The climb itself was a challenging yet exhilarating experience, with me pushing my friend every step of the way. Saying you got this just breathe only a few more steps. Do you need me to carry you? We had a blast and laugh to this day about it all.

What adds a surreal twist to this tale is the realization that Mount Etna, the very volcano we conquered, has erupted this year in 2023. At the time of our visit, we were blissfully unaware that we were exploring the slopes of one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The sheer craziness of it all now strikes me as a stroke of luck mixed with a touch of divine protection.

Looking back, I'm happy we were oblivious to the volcano's heightened activity during our visit, but I also feel blessed that it chose not to erupt while we were there. The contrast between the joyous memories of our climb and the recent volcanic activity paints a vivid picture of the unpredictable forces of nature.

Our journey up Mount Etna was not just a physical feat but a cultural and emotional exploration intertwined with a dash of adventure. It's a tale I recount with a mix of gratitude, awe, and a newfound appreciation for the unpredictability that nature can throw our way. Visiting Mount Etna turned out to be a lot of fun and a uniquely different experience, leaving us with memories that will last a lifetime. #travelwithbobbiejean...

Our expedition to Mount Etna left us thoroughly amazed, as the scenery evoked a celestial oasis, transporting us to an ethereal dimension. Adding an extra layer of enchantment to this already extraordinary locale, our post-August 2023 excursion is an indispensable endeavor for all adventurous souls.

Here are some practical observations gleaned from our journey: Opting for an afternoon visit in August proved delightful, as the site was pleasantly serene. During our August excursion, we were taken aback by the summit's brisk chill. While a sweater sufficed for the 20-30 minutes atop, temperatures were milder below 2920m. Remarkably, we did not pre-book, yet encountered no hindrances. The panoramic vista from the summit is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The journey from Syracuse spans approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. For a fee of 78€, we indulged in a funicular ascent (15-20 minutes), followed by a bus ride (15-20 minutes), culminating in a 45-minute guided tour of Etna's primary craters. This option caters to those adept at independent navigation. The succinct exploration encapsulates Etna's key highlights (considering the cold, a lengthier tour may be less comfortable). Parking was both complimentary and conveniently located.

In conclusion, our experience at Mount Etna is a treasure trove of moments, meriting wholehearted endorsement to all Sicily-bound...

Cheap public transportation to go from Catania: We took the bus operated by AST S.p.A., Catania - Etna. There is only bus leaving from Catania at 8:30 and same bus coming back from Etna 16:30. You can buy ticket from the ticket office near the central station/ bus terminal, 6.6€ / person two-way, with a little commission fee. Local Tour: On the bus, they also offer Trekking Tour with local guide, which would allow you to hike to the top of the mountains. Without local guide, you are not allowed to go above ~3000m height. You might want to ask Italian or European travellers on the same bus to compare the price as we as Asian tourists were offered a slightly higher price than others. We didn't take that tour. After arrival, we purchased the cable car combined with mini bus to arrive at around 3000 meter hight and walked around there. Although the combined ticket should include some local guide, we only had a guy leading us the way up, no voice over. Other info : there is free toilet both at the entry and arrival points of the cable car. It's quite chill on top so bring a jacket along. Otherwise you can also rent jacket and hiking shoes at the arrival point of the cable car. Although it's chill and you might not realise it, the UV is quite strong there. So be careful to not get sunburn. It's quite dusty driving with the mini Bus, you might want a mask...