Filmed October 2022
Cost breakdown:
Accommodation: €0
Bus: €4,60
Lunch including drink and tip: €15
Breakfast (2 croissants and 2 bananas from Penny Market): €1
Snacks: €3 approx
Cremoncello (half bottle): €3,50
Total: €27,10, approx £23.50
I'd arrived into Catania the previous day and had planned to travel to the north of Parco dell'Etna, the National Park encompassing the mighty Mount Etna, one of the world's highest active volcanoes.
I started recording in Catania Docks and after a walk around the city centre and several of the tourist attractions, I made my way to the bus station to catch the bus to Bronte. The bus left and arrived punctually (unlike Lidl that morning which opened at 8:30 as opposed to the advertised time of 8:00). Bronte is known as the 'Pistachio City' due to the cultivation of the nut in the local hills. The volcanic soil is said to give the pistachio a distinctive taste. I had a delicious lunch at highly regarded Gennarino's Bistro, including free samples of Pistachio Pesto and a Pistachio Paste similar to Peanut Butter. Both were good, unfortunately I had no room in my pack for such luxuries.
Fed and watered, I headed uphill out of the village into the hills. This part of the park was densely forested and had a magical autumn feel to it, with the volcanic soil underfoot to remind you of where you are. I got lost a few times due to trails on my app leading me to paths that were private or didn't exist, and therefore was delayed in my plan to visit three refuges and find one that was open.
The one refuge I made it to before dark was unfortunately locked, but I still made use of the picnic table to have some dinner and enjoy some beautiful Cremoncello, listening to the owls and other birds, before it got rather cold and I went to 'bed'. I had the luxury of an extra hour tonight as the clocks were going back, ready for a full day's hiking the following day.
#italy #sicily #etna
