(Really Rita F, spouse of Bill D....) Naemanson, you haven't said what town you would go to, or where it is in relation to Mt. Aetna.

I spent a week or so in Taormina many many years ago, (1968!) I suspect it's by far the most beautiful spot in Sicily and not quite typical and some things will have changed; but I'll tell you a bit about it anyway. You should be close enough to visit there at least and some things are typical. It's on the Mediterranean (sp.?) and of course the water is the incredible peacock blue you see there, a gorgeous atmosphere. Along the shore there are huge chunks of grey volcanic rock that you can climb, very picturesque.

You have a good view of Aetna. At night you can see the red volcanic flames. It is active, as you know. You'd probably be far enough away to get plenty of advance warning if there were a major eruption.... Any info on that?

The town itself is a photographer's dream, old tiled roofs and stone stairways, flowers everywhere, above the town there are two fine antiquities: the "Saracen castle," apparently built when Sicily was under Saracen rule (1300's?); and the Greek ampitheater, built when Sicily was under the rule of the ancient Greeks (400AD?). (Taormina was in a very desirable spot, and strategically important too....) My dates are SWAGs, ignore 'em if they're too far off.

A friend and I climbed up to them both. Don't know how things are now, but it was all native stone pathways, olive trees, the local form of prickly pear cactus, and old stone farmhouses. Donkeys, friendly waves from the people who saw us.

If you learn even a small bit of Italian you will probably be welcomed warmly. Even though Sicilian will be quite different....

Well hope this at least whets your appetite to learn more...

Rita F