Etna Blog & Insider Guides
Practical route insights and tips from my years guiding on Mount Etna — what you actually need to plan your trek.
Private Etna Summit or Cable-Car Excursion: How to Choose
Choose between Vincenzo Modica’s private summit and cable-car excursions by comparing the intended endpoint, walking and transport. Private guiding does not guarantee summit access or private transport.
Before Booking a Private Etna Excursion: What to Check
Choose between summit craters, cable car, Sartorius and 2002 craters by comparing the details that matter to your party. Check suitability, inclusions and confirmation instructions before using the direct booking calendar.
Sartorius or the 2002 Craters: Choosing a Private Etna Walk
Birch woods and the 1865 side craters, or lava fields associated with the 1923 and 2002 eruptions? Compare these two private Etna walks before choosing your booking calendar.
Etna Without a Car: Public Transport and Private Tours
Reaching Etna without a car starts with choosing the right destination, then checking seasonal services, travel-day restrictions and the last return. Public transport sightseeing is separate from Vincenzo Modica’s private tours, which require independent arrival in a rental car.
Etna Volcanic Tremor: How to Read the INGV Chart
Volcanic tremor is Mount Etna's background heartbeat, and the INGV chart that displays it is one of the most-watched pages among volcano enthusiasts. As a volcanological guide I check it every morning together with the webcam: here is how to read it, what it really tells you, and why it should never be used to announce eruptions.
Etna North or South Side? Where I Work as a Guide — and Why
Almost every guest asks me sooner or later: north or south side of Etna? I don't have a favourite — I have two different offices. Here is which side I choose for each of my tours, what really changes up there between the two flanks, and my honest way of picking one for you.
Messina Cruise Call: Planning Etna Before Booking
An Etna visit from a Messina cruise call depends on the whole journey, not just the mountain excursion. Match your ship’s instructions with independently arranged travel, the correct north or south meeting point, and a realistic return plan before booking.
Catania Cruise Call: Does a Private Etna Excursion Fit?
A Catania cruise call does not automatically leave enough time for a private Etna excursion. Work backwards from your ship’s all-aboard instructions, allowing for terminal exit, rental-car collection, the correct mountain meeting point and the full return process.
How to reach Etna from Catania: car, bus and meeting points
Plan travel from Catania to the right Etna meeting point. Check current buses, mountain roads and the difference between the cable-car visit and summit trek.