Mt. Etna & Catania

Syracuse, Sicily

Meal included

by coach & on foot

This experience shows you some of what Sicily is famous for, its Baroque architecture, countryside and of course its volcano. Mt. Etna is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Etna has, over the years, displayed a variety of eruption styles including explosions and voluminous lava flows. Etna has also produced pyroclastic flows, ashfalls and mudflows, but the lava flows are the most immediately hazardous type of activity, especially to the city of Catania. More than 25% of Sicily’s population lives on Etna’s slopes.

Departing from the pier by coach, your experience begins with a short sightseeing drive through Syracuse, during which you will see the small island of Ortigia, separated from the main part of the city by a narrow channel. Having navigated through some of the main streets of the city, your journey continues on to Catania.

Reaching Catania, after a brief city drive you will embark on a short, guided walk starting in the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square). This is the city’s central piazza featuring an elephant fountain that dates from the 1730s when locals revered a basalt elephant called ‘U Liotru’, said to possess magical powers and the ability to predict the eruptions of nearby Mt. Etna.

Re-joining your coach, your drive then continues up Mt. Etna to the Crateri Silvestri area, approximately 1950m (6398ft) above sea level.

Mt. Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano, with slopes that soar up to over 3296m (10813ft) and whose flanks are covered with scores of cones and craters. From here, you will be able to gaze out across the Catania Gulf and to view vast woods, orchards and vineyards from the vantage point. However, the major attraction is the Silvestri Crater and the remnants of the awe-inspiring streams of lava.

Following this stop, a traditional Sicilian lunch will be served in a local restaurant, accompanied with a glass of wine, water and a cup of coffee.

Fully refreshed, you will be able to relax and enjoy the passing scenery as you make the return

Why book with us?

Plan ahead, pay later
Pre-register for your experiences online before you sail and they’ll be added to your shipboard account, with nothing to pay until the end of your cruise (or at regular intervals on longer voyages).
Competitive prices
Enjoy great-value experiences without the worry of arranging everything independently.
Protected if plans change
If we’re unable to visit a port, you’ll receive a full refund for any affected experience. And if itinerary timings change, we’ll work with our local partners to minimise disruption.
Local expertise you can trust
Our experiences are operated by experienced, responsible local partners with the appropriate insurance and expertise.
Complete peace of mind
If your experience is delayed returning to the ship, our onboard team will be kept informed and will make the necessary arrangements.
We’re with you every step of the way
Our dedicated Destination Experiences team is on hand to help you choose the right experience and ensure everything runs smoothly from ship to shore and back again.

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