Looking forward to our Best of Sicily tour that starts on November 5th. Question for tour alumni: for the Mt. Etna portion of the tour, will we be going to a significant higher elevation requiring hats and gloves? Layers aren't a problem, but I don't want to waste packing space if they aren't likely to be necessary. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
100 posts
Was not on the tour, however was staying at a Hilton below Mt. Etna with wife and GS and we could see the top around Thanksgiving and the top was snow covered.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8990 posts
When we did the tour (February), the bus took us to a coffee/gift shop about halfway up, where you could climb further if you wanted, or just hang around there. It was windy more than cold, but gloves and a hat were welcome. Some people just stayed right there at the coffee shop so you have options.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2547 posts
We went up Mt. Etna on our Sicily tour in April 2022. It was windy and chilly then. I would bring a warm hat at least.
Posted by
Chicago
2086 posts
We are doing the Gastronomic/Winery tour on the slopes of Etna next April 13. We will have already been in Florence, Rome & Salerno starting on April 1. I'm trying to pack as light as possible, so will bring fleeces and a windbreaker with a hat/gloves. Average temps in Taormina for April are 65/52. So figure worst case scenario up on the mountain would be the 40s. It could also be 75...
Posted by
Tennessee
441 posts
My experience on the Rick Steves Sicily tour in May 2024 were the same as what Stan described. Because of the possibility of windy conditions, if I were going on the tour in November, I would take a hat to fit snugly over my ears....maybe or maybe not gloves (assuming you wear pants with pockets.)