Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and last year, just after my visit, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As recently as last month it was putting on a pyrotechnic display, closing the nearby airport at Catania. All was calm when I was there. Travelling friend and I stayed in an hotel with a distant view – if you craned your neck a little on the balcony, and ignored the buildings in the way.
We went up twice, first of all independently and we couldn’t resist a guided tour a couple of days later.
Here are some photos taken at about 2000 metres, cool and grey with mile after mile of lava from various past eruptions.
In June there were miles of empty roads, lots of stopping places for photos and an almost creepy stillness.
You quite quickly descend to sunshine and there the flora and fauna is pretty.
Etna can be seen from all over the east of Sicily and when you’re up there the views down are amazing.
Going down.
Towards the sea.
I enjoyed looking back on my time on Etna, I’ll post some photos of the guided tour soon!
Lucid Gypsy 
I loved Mt Etna too. I can’t wait to see your photos! The bus drivers are all dare devils!
The photos are wonderful. Can’t wait for the rest. I can’t get over the hues of blue and the storm clouds. It feels spooky driving on unfamiliar roads with hardly a car in sight. You’re awfully brave. ❤
Sicily has been on my wish list for a long time, Gilly. And volcanos are quite incredible things aren’t they? Quite strange to think of what bubbles beneath us! Looking forward to more 🙂
Beautiful photos, my dear Gilly. Must have been wonderful being there! 🙂
Please do – because I missed the guided tour!
It is so good to see nature sitting alongside such a power.
Beautiful views, Gilly. I shuddered at your mention of a “creepy stillness.” Volcanoes are always fascinating to see, and the knowledge of that lurking danger does add a certain thrill, doesn’t it?
The view as you go down looks stunning …. but … steep. Eeekkk !!!!
I so want to see it for myself. Can you go up to the crater Gilly?
I have been up there on a trip from Malta, it’s probably the most bleak place I have been in.
Mount Etna is one of my missed oppotunity after being in Italy for 2 years. Part of it because I didn’t know about it then. 🙂 And I had so much adoration to Mt. Vesuvius. When I found out about after, I’ve been so curious.