Sicily’s volcanoes, as sumptuous as they are dangerous.

Once upon a time, in northern Sicily, there were two rocks so great and majestic that even the gods feared them. Here you are transported to a place where the forces of nature rule, leaving no respite for the people who live under the protection of these volcanoes. Taormina is the perfect place for a luxurious stay. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the volcano and the Mediterranean, and rent a dream villa for a wedding or anniversary.

The great Sicilian volcanic epic begins not far from Taormina. Etna, great, majestic and feared, has many names. Aetna, Monte de Catania or Mount Gibel Utlamat, the latter a direct descendant of the Arab and Byzantine invasions. Its original name obviously comes from the Greek. Etna having colonized the entire Mediterranean, the extraordinary culture left behind is still more than present today. In the language of Zeus, αἴθω (aïtho) means I burn, which is how this volcano will be named from now on.

The volcano’s reputation has not been stolen, as eruptions, lava flows and fiery clouds follow one another. The eruption of 1669 left a traumatic memory for future generations, thanks to a now-famous drawing of the city of Catania under fire. The town’s castle, which was supposed to repel lava flows, was buried under almost two meters of water. Etna has always aroused passions, and many an artist has tried his hand at drawing it on canvas. Today, the world is still amazed when satellite photos of its eruptions reach us. Just a stone’s throw from Taormina and its beautiful beaches, you can take advantage of the warm weather to relax on the beautiful coves and beach of Giardini Naxos once your excursion is over.

If you would like to continue your exploration of Etna, we recommend Alexandre Dumas’ Spéronare, published in 1842. You’ll also love Guy de Maupassant’s La Vie Errante. Sicily is a summer destination, but also a winter one. On the western flank, you can enjoy the white expanses and ski on powder snow as soon as the sun rises.

Then there’s the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands. In Italy, the Isole Eolie refer directly to the wind god Ἠώς, Éos. This should tip you off, you’ll have confetti of islands where it’s difficult to dock. Let’s just say they have to be earned! The Stromboli peaks at 926 metres, and the numerous lava flows are no accident. The original name comes from the Greek (Στρογγύλη), which simply means the round one, and its Sicilian equivalent is Struògnuli.

The weather is rarely warm, so on this site you’ll need a heavy coat and hiking boots. When Italy’s most active volcano is not closed to the public, you can climb to the summit of Stromboli. Many inhabitants of the Aeolian archipelago had to take refuge on the waves when Stromboli began to shake and rumble. During the 1910s, blocks weighing several tons fell on the houses below. A dozen people died as a result, but there were also numerous eruptions. But northern Sicily will always be one of Italy’s most beautiful places, and a must-see. If you want to climb Stromboli, consider the Sciara del Fuoco, a great alternative for less experienced hikers.

In recent history, the eruptions of 1955, 1967 and 1986 are the most notable. It was Roberto Rossellini who popularized the volcano with his neo-classical Italian film, Stromboli. The story tells of a Lithuanian woman, Karen, held in Italian camps in the aftermath of the Second World War because of her affair with a German officer. Antonio, a villager, courts her, but Karen dreams of going to Argentina. When her visa is refused, she agrees to marry and settle with Antonio on the island of Stromboli. A film to watch before you fly to Italy.

Not far away, still in the Aeolian archipelago, you’ll find the Vulcano volcano. This is the closest island to Sicily, and the one you’ll see if you set sail from Milazzo. The volcano is 500 metres high. It last erupted in 1890. It’s on this small island that you can indulge in a special kind of relaxation in a sulphurous mud bath. The other islands in the archipelago are Salina, Lipari and Panarea. The rocky coves of these islands offer a wealth of views. The Lipari marina is an idyllic spot, and what could be better than a stroll with an authentic gelato? You’ll see many pumice stone quarries, the result of numerous volcanic flows in the past.