Trip Into The Lap of Mt. Etna – Sicily

Written by Nipun on . Posted in Europe, Landscapes, Travel experience


How about a trip into the lap of Mt. Etna in Sicily this winter? Sicily  is a rugged and attractive island on the southern tip of Italy, and is one of the country’s 20 regions. It is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 5 km Straits of Messina. It can get very hot during the summer, so it is better to visit during spring and autumn, while it is still quite pleasant during winter. So make Sicily a winter trip.

Best Romantic Things to do in Sicily

If you are in mood to have a romantic tour to Sicily, or you are looking for a  special Sicilian honeymoon, then Sicily is a great place to come. Here are some romantic ideas to set your pulses racing! All in the name of l’amore!

1. Sunset cruising

sunset at sicily
A private sunset cruise along Sicily’s beautiful coastline, or around the Egadi or Aeolian Islands. Crack open a bottle of chilled champagne or Passito di Pantelleria as you watch the sun melt into the western Mediterranean… Of course you will be free to take a dip on the way!

2. A volcanic sunrise

volcanic sunrise at sicliy
Make an early morning to witness the beauty of  sunrise from Mount Etna, an unforgettable, unique experience to be shared with someone special!

3. Go and fly with someone special!

mount etna from helicopter

Take a helicopter flight over Mount Etna and continue out to the Aeolian Islands for a bird’s eye view of the smoking volcanic island of Stromboli- The lighthouse of mediterranean . Stop off for a swim, lunch and a massage at Capofaro on Salina before whizzing back to your villa hideaway! Pure, unadulterated romance!

4. A romantic Dinner !

romantic-horizon

How about to have a romantic candle-lit dinner with your loved one,  rooftop restaurant, watching the sun set over the sea. Spend the day lounging by the pool, strolling through one of Sicily’s charming old town centres or lazing on the beach and come home to find an al fresco table laden with gastronomic delights, candles burning and a bottle of champagne on ice… Tour-travel agencies at Sicily can even arrange for chirping Mediterranean crickets to serenade you!

5. A night at the opera

opera night at sicily
Nothing is more romantic than a full-blooded Italian opera, especially when seen from your own private box in one of Europe’s finest theatres, the Teatro Massimo in Palermo! No Sicilian opera experience is complete, however, without a post-performance supper, so let us recommend one of the island’s finest romantic restaurants!

How to reach Mt. Etna, Sicily

By plane / airports

Catania-Fontanarossa-Airport-Sicily-Italy

Sicily’s main airports are in Palermo and Catania.

  • Catania (CTA) is the larger/busiest airport, with domestic flights to most parts of Italy, some international routes and many charter flights.
  • Palermo (PMO) is the second aiport, with a good range of domestic flights and international budget flights.
  • Trapani (TPS) is the third airport with a recent increase of traffic thanks to the low-cost Ryanair.
  • Ragusa/Comiso Airport (CIY) is a new airport and should open in near future for low-cost and charter flights.
  • There are also two other smaller airports in Sicily on the minor islands of Pantelleria (PNL) and Lampedusa(LMP) connected to Italy.
  • Palermo-Boccadifalco (LICP) is a military airport open to national civil traffic.

By train

trains at sicily

Sicily is connected to the main Italian train network at Messina. Long distance trains from Rome and Naples and Milano cross the Straits of Messina by railferry and continue on to Palermo and Catania.

How much time it takes from these stations -

From Naples -  8 hours

From Rome – 10 hours the train stops at Villa San Giovanni train station for about 10-15 minutes. Then it’s rolled down to the Villa S.G. ferry dock, where wait about 20 minutes before the train rolls onto one of the ferries.

You can also hire a ferry to Sicily, you should get on the deck and watch the sea. It’s a wonderful view, but don’t forget the number of your train.

There are some fast trains available to sicily according to 2010 timetable :

  • IC Roma – Napoli – Messina – Palermo / Siracusa 2 times daily
  • ICN Roma – Palermo InterCity Notte: Nighttrain, Seats, Couchette and Sleeper
  • ICN Roma – Siracusa InterCity Notte: Nighttrain, Seats, Couchette and Sleeper
  • E Venezia – Bologna – Firenze – Palermo/Siracusa Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
  • E Milano – Bologna – Firenze – Palermo/Siracusa ‘Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
  • E Turino – Genova – Palermo/Siracusa ‘Espresso: Fast-Train with Sleeper and Couchette only
  • E (Milano – ) Roma – Catania – Agrigento Espresso: Fast-Train only seating accommodation; from Milano 3x per week; from Roma daily

But you don’t have to take a direct train to Sicily. You can also take a train from Rome to Villa San Giovanni, and walk onboard the rail ferries (or another BLUVIA ferry), and take a local train from Messina centrale to Palermo and Catania

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Nipun

Nipun

An Amateur Traveler, photographer, writer and blogger. MBA from IMI Brussels, Belgium and a travel professinal. Currently stay in the capital city of Royal Rajasthan - Jaipur.

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