” More than 25% of Sicily’s population lives on Etna’s slopes, and it is the main source of income for the island, both from agriculture (due to the rich volcanic soil) and tourism. Mount Etna is the highest and most active volcano in Europe. Towering above the city of Catania on the island of Sicily, it has been growing for about 500,000 years and is in the midst of a series of eruptions that began in 2013.” (https://geology.com/volcanoes/etna/)
Taormina is an ancient town of about eleven thousand people, 47 kilometres south of Messina, Sicily, Italy. It can be reached by train in forty five minutes for around ten dollars. Mount Etna is 35 kilometres by road or 25 kilometres as it throws the sparks from Taormina. Train travel is the recommended way to travel but the roads are great too.
Upon arriving at Taormina, I was not aware that Mount Etna would be on the horizon. I was interested in the views over the countryside and the coast of the Ionian Sea. The town was definitely historic, but when discovering the famous volcano was visible, I had to take an “I was here” picture.
Mount Etna is on the horizon above my head. I believe the white stuff is clouds and not smoke from the volcano, but the mountain does have a snow cap.
The Ionion Sea is on the left and people continue to build along the coast trusting the volcano will behave itself.
How far will you drive to get a good Sicilian Pizza? The sign says this is the “Tre Vie Osteria Pizzeria”.
Here is a short video of the countryside as seen from the bus ride between Taormina and Messina.
Wow! The sea is beautiful!! Looks like the houses are, too. And I would love to find out how good Sicilian pizza is. Bring me back a slice. 😉