The most devastating eruption was in 1669, when the lava destroyed villages and crops, people and animals, reaching as far as Catania. During the 20th century, Etna woke up several times, threatening and in part destroying. In the 1970s and 80s, Milo, Sant’Alfio and Randazzo were saved at the last moment. In the end, during the eruption in 1983, the lava was deviated into an artificial channel. But Etna never sleeps and continues its activity: periodically the lava flows out from the countless craters that are on the slopes of the volcano. The last violent outburst was at the end of 2002, when a violent eruption seriously threatened the Sapienza Refuge, located at the foot of the volcano.
Venturing on to Etna is a unique and exciting experience: there is an excursion for everyone ! From the experience in all-terrain vehicles, to the fun-filled quads, from trekking to the tourist excursion in the old locomotive of the Circumetnea, as well as interesting itineraries to discover food and wines and adventure- packed excursions on mountain bikes off the beaten track. But visiting the craters on the summit of Etna is the most thrill- ing excursion of all. After reaching the peak, you can see a part of Sicily, from the Aeolian Islands to the Gulf of Augusta.
The luxuriant vegetation which grows on the slopes of Etna changes with the altitude: Mediterranean maquis, woods of chestnut trees, oaks and pines, beech trees and birches, and higher up, green pastures up to the perennial snow on the top.
Love for nature is not the only reason for a trip to Etna: many of the typical products of Sicilian gastronomy, as well as wines, are produced on this fertile and rich soil and they can be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants you will come across. The whole of the Etna area is well known for its wine production: Etna doc (Registered Designation of Origin) is a wine with a strong and decisive character, ideal to accompany the flavour some foods that are typical of this part of Sicily.
An excursion to Etna in conjunction with renowned Taormina has always been the most popular of the excursions offered in our programme: each year, it is chosen by about 1500 people!
