Jolly Good Travel
Photostories
Articles
About us
Contact
Italy (southern volcanos photostory)
We arrive in Sicily to admire the volcanic landscapes of Europe's largest active volcano Etna (3357 m) and nearby volcanic Aeolian islands. We climb the winding road up the slopes of Etna to our first night stay.
Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza is a convenient starting point to explore Etna. Paths lead from the parking area into an unearthly surrounding of Crateri Silvestri, Monti Calcarazzi and other larger and smaller cones. The experience is like walking on another planet.
Next day w chose south-western slopes for a walk at the lower parts of the mountain. It was a foggy day, first disappointing, but we soon learned that the fog adds a mysterious touch to the already unearthly surroundings.
For a summit attempt of Etna volcano we set out from the parking area of Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza. We take a foot path east of the main road and enjoy the scenery. We start below the cloud level and climbing slowly up reach the clouds.
After another hour we reach the area above the cloud celling - a rewarding experience.
On reaching Torre del Filosofo, a recent lava flow blocks what used to be a road leading past the major cones to the northern summit approach. The stones are not yet weathered - sharp and unpleasant for walking.
We admire the smoking main summits and the nearby smaller craters.
From Etna we set out for Aeolian islands, a stretch of volcanic islands off the north coast of Sicily. Stromboli volcano seen from the ferry exemplifies a perfect mountain as drawn by little children.
One may find convenient accommodation in many nice houses located at the sea shore to spend a night listening to the not so distant thunder of volcanic explosions and occasional flashes of larger lava plumes.
Stromboli is one of the most convenient places in the world to relatively safely admire the volcanic activity from a close distance. Watching volcanic explosions at our feet is an amazing experience!
The Vulcano island is another Aeolian island famous for its volcanic activity. Vulcano does not spit plumes of fire from any its several craters, but allows to enjoy the desolate volcanic landscape and very interesting fumaroles (underground gas exhausts).
Another attraction is a mud lake, heated by warm air fumaroles it is a great place to rest bathing after the volcano climb.
Eucalyptus tree with its familiar scent of the leaf.
On our way back we stay a day in Catania an interesting southern town with laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere.
Hope you enjoyed the account of our journey!
Share the experience of our other journeys at our
webpage
.
