T
here’s just oneplace in the
worldwhere youcan spend
themorningwalking amid
themosaics of a fourth–
centuryRoman villa, then
lunchondelicacies of freshfish and local
wine; where youcanpass throughMedieval
villages on yourway down tocrystal-clear
seas and sandy beaches; or end theday
watching a classical play in aGreek
amphitheatre, all thewhile in the looming
presenceof Europe’s largest active
volcano. Theenchanting streets of this land
echowith the footsteps of thosewhohave
fallen in lovewith it before: FedericoFellini
andGretaGarbo, OscarWilde andGoethe
– all artists in their own right, seducedby
its beauty. That place is Sicily.
Thesquat volcano that isMountEtnasits
proudlyoverlooking thesurroundingcities,
occasionallysplutteringoutcloudsof ash
and vermilion lava. Localscall it iddu (him), as
though referring toanunmentionabledeity.
The volcano isamixedblessing; on theone
hand is itsbarrenblack lavabasaltdesert,
whileon theotherare itshighly-fertilesoils,
producingcitrus fruits, almonds,pistachios
and itsworld-famousvineyards.
At over 3,300metres high, Mount
Etna is amust for trekking enthusiasts.
Trails are surroundedby lush forests
and regimented lines of fir trees, which
then giveway to sparse and surreal
landscapes, illuminatedby the volcano’s
intermittent eruptions. Etna, declared
anUNESCOWorldHeritage Site in 2013,
gives its name to theNational Park, which
– like theother three in Sicily (Madonie,
Nebrodi, Alcantara) – is environmentally
sustainable. This ensures thepreservation
of its natural beauty, which canbe
explored inmany different ways, frombike
tours towinter sports – Iddu’s northern
slopes evenoffer the very unusual
experienceof skiingwith a sea view.
Eruptingwithculture
Home to the imposingMountEtnaandmanyother
UNESCOWorldHeritageSites, it seemssublimeSicily is full
toburstwith incredible things todoandsee
