Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Here's an excursion that offers a little bit of everything you look for while on vacation: breathtaking sights, a chance to soak up the local culture, a fascinating factory tour, shopping and eating!

To thoroughly enjoy your fun and unique outing, be sure to wear warm clothes, comfortable hiking shoes, and a hat. If you wear contact lenses it's advised that you bring a pair of glasses to keep the volcanic dust out of your eyes. Of course, no excursion would be complete without a photo stop at a scenic viewpoint so be sure to have your camera to commemorate the moment.


Your adventure begins as you board your coach for a scenic drive to the base of Mount Etna, whose circumference stretches out over 90 miles. As you steadily climb up the volcano's slopes you'll pass through the charming villages that live at the bottom of the mountain and marvel at the life and vegetation that appears to thrive in its massive shadow. In fact, Mount Etna's rich volcanic soil is ideal for growing plump and tasty grapes for some of Sicily's finest wines and is home to the Sicilian blood orange, a sweet fruit that only grows on the hillsides of Etna.

But while Etna's lower slopes overflow with terraced vineyards and groves of chestnut trees the higher elevations boast an otherworldly landscape of craters and hardened lava unable to sustain vital nutrients.

From the comfort of your coach, you'll see remnants of past eruptions and streams of solidified lava - a black, petrified river that flows from the top of the mountain. Slowly, you'll wind your way up 6,233 feet above sea level past the lava fields to the Silvestri Craters. Created by lava flow, these small craters, inactive since the massive eruption of 1892, are set amid bare fields of gray lava that stretch for miles.

Once you disembark you'll walk up to the edge of the craters. From this unique vantage point you have jaw-dropping 360-degree views of earth, sea and sky, as well as Europe's highest volcano.

Photos taken, you'll begin the drive down the slope and on to the town of Giarre for a tour of the Gival jewelry workshop. First, you'll be greeted with a refreshing cocktail when you arrive followed by a first hand look at the elegant earrings, necklaces and rings made from precious stones, Mediterranean coral and lava stone, observing the process that goes into the creation of every piece.

After your tour you can visit the exhibition room where you can purchase one of these works of wearable art.

Your day ends with a drive back to Messina, laden with gifts and new memories to take home.