When you walk on Etna’s craters you can imagine how rich the mineral-filled lavic soil will one day become. It takes 100 to 700 years for lava soil to support new vegetation growth. One of the first natural plants to return (and pictured here) is Sicilian astragalus. Others include camomile flowers, Etna rennet, and tansy…
Tag: crater
The Silvestri Craters Of Etna
The Silvestri Craters of the volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily are inactive. They were formed from an eruption in 1892.
Get Up Close To Mount Etna
No, Jason is not walking on the moon! He’s walking on the rim of the extinct Silvestri Crater on Mount Etna, Europe’s largest, most active volcano (a UNESCO site). The Silvestri Craters (There are two.) are about 6200 feet above sea level. They were formed with an eruption in 1892. There’s a lot to learn…
Packed With Punch in Cefalù
Some of the most extraordinary treasures can be found in tiny museums in Sicily, so don’t overlook them! An example is this crater featuring an illustration of a tuna fisherman/fishmonger from 370 to 380 A.D., found in the Mandralisca museum in Cefalù.
Crater to Me
Sicily hosts the largest, most active volcano in Europe, Etna, aka, Mount Etna. The Silvestri Craters, one of which is pictured, were formed on Etna’s south slope during the eruption of 1892. Accessable from Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi, they are 6233 feet above sea level. You can walk along the rims of the two craters…
Ancient Origins
In ancient Greek times in Sicily, especially in the eastern coastal cities such as Catania and Siracusa, extending to Enna, in the island’s center, Demeter and her daughter Persephone were venerated with fervor. Pictured here on this krater (a cistern used for mixing water with fermented grapes to make wine) from 425-400 BCE, now in…
Bewitching and Beautiful: Mongibello
The surface of Etna, Europe’s largest, most active volcano, is an ever changing scene. This month I visited this spot twice, and each time it felt and looked different to me … The color of the earth, weather, light, temperature… Mother nature is bewitching and beautiful. I’m going again in September. Join me for Enchanting…
Etna Speaks
Yes, Etna, Europe’s largest, most active volcano is erupting! I’m so thrilled to be here to see the peak glowing at night. It’s very cool, but sadly, impossible to photograph. However, here’s my daytime view from Taormina. Note the smoke flowing left. The volcano has multiple vents, so look at from where it is spewing!…
Savoring Sicily, Day 7: We Learned Who’s Boss
We savored Etna today. Our expert guide Fabrizio was fantastic, driving off-road, taking us into a dark, dark lava cave, and leading us around the Silvestri crater… All followed by picnic lunch of typical foods, many made by his friends and family. Savoring Sicily, Day 7 was nature powered! Time for dinner!
Get Your Shoes Dirty
Truth be told, I’m in Alaska as I write this. But all-the-while I’m traveling here, I’m thinking of Sicily. And I’m thinking about how to provide our guests with a multi-sensory experience in the land that I love. Today, we traveled to the Yukon territory in a bus and then returned by old-fashioned train. We…