Etna Alcantara tour: the majestic lava landscape

Our tour was only four people which was amazing. We were picked up easily at the port in Messina and drove towards Mt. Etna. We stopped at a bakery for an included breakfast. I didn’t know this was part of the trip but we were able to get a cafe and your choice of baked items: croissants, cookies, cannolis or arancini. Then we continued to the base of Mt. Etna trails. Because this was a small group we were able to get to an area that the big tours aren’t so as a result our experience was very private. It is a very beautiful and different experience. It reminded me a little of climbing dunes as the lava rocks were kind of like sand. I learned you can’t go to the summit without a geologist or volcanologist so you only go to the lateral craters about 8500 feet. It is cool and windy so be prepared even in hot July. After our hike we were brought to the natural river park. I didn’t know that was part of the trip. We were able to buy lunch there. The food options were good but not as amazing as the bakery from the morning. It was a cloudy afternoon otherwise you would want to pack a swimsuit, water shoes and towel to enjoy this park to its fullest. Our driver took us back to the ship without any issues.