Euro Etna Tourism

ITALY TOUR Rome Mount Etna Mt. Etna

Mount Etna (Αἴτνη (Aítnē) in Classical Greek,[2] Aetna in Latin, also known as Muncibeḍḍu in Sicilian and Mongibello in Italian, a combination of Latin mons and Arabic gibel, both meaning mountain[3]) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. Its Arabic name was Jebel Utlamat (the Mountain of Fire). It is the second largest active volcano in Europe, currently standing 3,329 metres (10,922 ft) high, though this varies with summit eruptions; the mountain is 21 m (69 ft) lower now than it was in 1981. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km² (460 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, being about two and a half times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. Only Mount Teide in Tenerife surpasses it in the whole of the European region (though geographically Tenerife is an island of Africa). [4]
Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of eruption. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.[5]
The excursions to the summit zone of Mt. Etna consist of one of the most interesting destinations for tourists who visit Sicily. The excursion service to the craters enters into activity at the end of the winter season, and extends through the period between March and November.
Using the modern installations of the cable-cars on the slopes of Southern Mt. Etna, in only 15 minutes it is possible to reach the height of 2,504 meters. Following the ascent to 581 m., the second part of the excursions begins. The service is carried out with special off-road vehicles driven by expert conductors who calmly drive up even the most difficult paths, reaching in only 20 minutes, the height of 2,900 m. above sea level.
Here, one finds themselves in front of an incomparable panorama suspended over the sea, from where it is possible to admire the majestic central crater and the historic lava flows which characterize the landscape of Mt. Etna.
Here, the tourist guides of Mt. Etna are available to assist and take you to the places where the volcanic activity flourishes, completely respecting the express normatives issued by the authorities which protect the zone.
Such activity has been recently increased through the acquisition of new vehicles, and with the organization of excursions even until the late hours of the afternoon. This enables us to affront the ever-growing interest of the above mentioned services, principally during the months of July, August and September.
In fact, many Italian and foreign tourist agencies and tour operators increasingly promote similar itineraries annually, therefore obtaining an elevated number of fascinated adventurers, in particular, from Great Britain, France, Germany the U.S.A. and Russia.

Mount Etna Cable Car - Italy 2014

Filmed on a recent visit to Italy to visit Mount Etna!
Mount Etna (Italian: Etna, Sicilian: Mungibeddu or 'a Muntagna, Latin: Aetna) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, close to Messina and Catania. It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate. It is the tallest active volcano on the European continent, currently 3,329 m (10,922 ft) high, though this varies with summit eruptions. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Etna covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, being about two and a half times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. Only Mount Teide in Tenerife surpasses it in the whole of the European--North-African region. In Greek Mythology, the deadly monster Typhon was trapped under this mountain by Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder and king of gods, and the forges of Hephaestus were said to also be located underneath it.

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Monkeys Spinning Monkeys Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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