Provide us some of your information and requirements so your consutant can contact you immediately
We offer fun-filled tours with top notch local experts who will guide you every step of the way. You will experience it all through the eyes of the locals. Our promise – white glove concierge service and beautiful memories and friendships which will last a lifetime.
![Gina[2][1]](https://atescapes.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Gina21-pvri8q69tccisbyr1fqmyzews8rvxsuaxm93zzhtwu.png "Gina[2][1]")
Gina Casella, the President/Managing Director of AT Escapes has been going back and forth between the US and Italy ever since she was a child. Adriana Trigiani Tours later became AT Escapes, a full service boutique travel company, whose offerings include customized travel across the globe and small group tours in New York and throughout Europe. Gina couples her knowledge and creativity to develop travel experiences which allow you to indulge, be pampered, kick back and relax.
An Experience Like No Other In May 2023, the Evangelista family traveled with AT Escapes to Italy. They spent two weeks traveling to some of the most remarkable places the country has to offer, such as Venice, Rome, Florence, and Capri. Some highlights of their trip included picking lemons on the Amalfi coast, wine tasting
In the Midst of Legends and Myths Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. I must admit that ever since ninth grade English class, I’ve been fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology. I read all the myths, Homer, and the modern versions and
In Awe of MOunt Etna Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. I had never seen an active volcano, let alone hiked on one. Or watched the smoke billowing from the top. Or eaten honey harvested on its slopeside orchards. Or eaten a
Stunning Sicilian Vistas Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. Have you ever wanted to spend time at the seashore, in awe of the many hues of blue and turquoise? How about hiking a volcano? Do you enjoy vistas of golden wheat or
Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip.
I had never seen an active volcano, let alone hiked on one. Or watched the smoke billowing from the top. Or eaten honey harvested on its slopeside orchards. Or eaten a gourmet lunch at one of its wineries. But that’s what we did one fine day on our tour to Mt. Etna, one of the highest active volcanoes in Europe.
Mt. Etna rises approximately 11,000 feet or 3,500 meters above sea level and is located on the eastern side of Sicily. It is the most active volcano in Europe and has been designated a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Our driver, D, picked us up from our Taormina hotel for our day on Etna. The drive alone was spectacular, with panoramic vistas of the sea, the valley, Messina, and even Catania in the far distance. Because we had other stops for the day, we started our trek at 6,000 feet. From there, we hiked to a small old crater. It was cool, with a breeze, but it was also a welcome relief from the heat we had been experiencing at lower altitudes.
Walking on the trails of fine lava was an adventure. Looking below, we delighted in the fantastic views stretching for miles. Looking up, we marveled at the hikers we saw tackling the steep trails at higher altitudes above us. As I marveled at these views, I felt like a small speck in the huge scheme of the landscape.
On our way down Mt. Etna, D treated us to a stop at a local honey producer. They’ve been in business for over 30 years and produce many flavors of the honey Sicily is known for – orange, lemon, sulla, millefiori, achillea (yarrow), honeydew, eucalyptus, thyme, and chestnut. After tasting almost every flavor, and their creams and olives, and sampling honey body products, we couldn’t resist buying a few to take home!
On we went to our final Etna destination which was the winery where we did a wine tasting and had lunch with paired wines. What a wonderful experience. The family has been working the soil of Mt. Etna since the early 1700s.
Touring the winery and learning the history of the family and the winery was fascinating. To imagine generations of the same family, for hundreds of years, living and working on this same land, successfully carrying on a legacy, is a little overwhelming. So much history. So much responsibility. So much pride. So much wine!
We tasted four of the wines that have become symbolic of the Etna DOC. They were excellent! And the meal was fabulous. Four courses, paired with wine, each delectable and beautifully presented, served to us al fresco as we sat looking over the expansive valley.
That evening, back in Taormina, I sat looking at Mt. Etna in the distance. The day had made me seek more information about this important place in the history of Sicily, and I was fascinated with what I learned. It played a significant role in Greek mythology. The myths, stories, and legends about this volcano, from Greek times to today, are numerous and have played significant roles for thousands of years. But that’s a topic for another blog! Meanwhile, I continue to marvel at the memories of this day on the slopes of Europe’s most active volcano.
To discover the best of this magnificent island yourself, feel free to contact AT Escapes today to discuss your dream trip to Sicily!
Please fill out this form below and an AT Escapes expert will contact you shortly.
