Authentic Experience on Mount Etna: Under the Stars with a German Couple

Mario G Figlioli
Apr 18
2 min read

There are trips you plan.And then there are authentic experiences on Mount Etna, born from a deep desire:to live nature, silence, and the stars in a once-in-a-lifetime way.

During an introductory call, a couple of German travelers — mountain lovers, deeply fascinated by the Sicilian volcano — asked me:

“We want something no guide can offer.”

My answer was simple:

“Then I’ll take you where no one else goes.”

in tenda Tour Etna by night in Sicilia – Esperienza autentica | Sicily West by Mario

Day 1 – A Welcome Beyond Time: The Authentic Experience Begins on Mount Etna

We greeted them at Catania airport, my team and I. No anticipation, except for a smile and a promise.

After about an hour of travel towards the more remote slopes of Mount Etna, surrounded by wild greenery, they were welcomed by a traditional Mongolian tent set up in a quiet clearing. Next to it, a small table with a welcome refreshment: seasonal fruits, local cheeses, and wine from Etna. The sunset was approaching, and with it, the first gift.

That evening, a private dinner prepared on-site, lit by the fire, with the genuine flavors of the land — grilled vegetables, pane cunzato, and a glass of deep red wine. The stars, the silence, the warmth of the flames. No one else around. Only nature, intimacy, and magic.

Day 2 – Etna, the Wild Heart: An Authentic Experience of Nature and Taste

The morning was slow and fragrant.Breakfast, consumed under the first rays of sunlight, had the colors of red oranges, the scent of wild fennel, and the background music of birds singing.

Then, the exclusive trekking experience on Mount Etna, a path among ancient lava, aromatic plants, and silences that speak.A simple and delicious picnic lunch, immersed in nature.

In the evening, they were welcomed by an authentic dinner at a typical Etna trattoria: handmade pasta, local meats, warm ricotta cheese. All accompanied by a tasting of Etna wines, passionately told by the producer himself.

For the night, we led them to a charming hotel. Waiting for them in the room: their suitcases, carefully arranged.

Day 3 – Goodbyes and Wonder: The Authentic Experience Comes to an End on Mount Etna

The last day was sweet.After a slow breakfast, we walked through the alleys of Catania, visiting Castello Ursino and listening to stories of the sea and conquests.Then, as tradition goes, a fruit granita with a brioche marked the end of their journey.

We accompanied them to the airport. With teary eyes, hands full of flavors, and hearts full of gratitude, they said:“We didn’t expect anything like this.”And that’s the beauty of off-the-beaten-path experiences.