TRAVEL & LEISURE

He reassured one and all of us that this type of volcano, while it could be devastating to structures, had never caused any deaths. Still an active volcano, Etna’s lava flows are very slow. The advance of a lava front slows considerably the farther it gets from the source. At a distance of hundreds of metres or kilometres from the source, a lava front generally slows to a few metres or a few tens of metres per hour. This is slow enough to permit observations at close range and, if a lava flow is encroaching on buildings or population centres, to save human lives and often also property.

For this reason, lava flows at Etna almost never cause deaths and rarely cause injuries. When a lava flow approaches and consumes man-made structures, this process is often painfully slow and owners of homes often stay until the very last moment.

First stop on the trip is a lava flow cave. This is not easily accessible and as Jackie wasn’t able to go down, we opted for more pictures of the beautiful surrounding area.

Approaching Etna can be hit and miss during the winter months The day before our tour, roads had been impassable due to snow Luckily this had been cleared and our weather was clear and sunny. We were able to get up to the parking area and tours that would take you up higher. This is provided through a variety of transportation: cable cars, hikes and 4-wheelers.

Everywhere the cooled, black volcanic rock surrounds you. There are many local crafts and jewellery made of this stone Shops and restaurants surround the parking area and provide an alternate entertainment for those not wanting to go farther up the volcano.

Steam is still visible from the different vents on the mountain and frankly that’s as close as I wanted to get to an active volcano.

You spend about two hours here and after lunch, begin the drive back to Catania The last stop before returning to Catania, is an organic farm for a delicious sampling of typical products such as local honey, wine & olive oils. Labelled as a half-day tour, it started at 9 am and finished back at the square by our accommodation about 3 pm. So more than a good amount of time.

Sunday saw a sprawling open air market set up adjacent to the square and I spent a couple hours wandering here. Everything under the sun was available in this market that encompassed more than a few city blocks.

I was looking forward to sampling food in Sicily, but I found it not to my liking. Breakfast consists almost exclusively of pastries and sweets, along with very strong coffees. Neither of which is appealing to me. That said we found a lovely spot for our final lunch following the recommendation of our Etna guide, Francesco. So I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, thinking we just didn’t find the right spots initially

Heading back to Malta following our Sicilian stay really had the feeling of going home.

Everywhere the cooled, black volcanic rock surrounds you (left). There are many local crafts and jewellery made of this stone. Steam is still visible from the different vents on the mountain. Above a lava tube cave in Mt. Etna.

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –

You feel like you are finally on the right track You have been making plans for a while to make more permanent changes in your daily routine The first change you should start with is your health Book overdue medical appointments and stay on track.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) –You have some nervous energy around you. You are usually really good at predicting people and things around you, but you have been surprised that you have been wrong about a lot of things in the last couple weeks You have been finding comfort with your loved ones and that is a great comfort till this passes by the end of this week

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) – You are healing from disappointing news last week You are still feeling off balance about what you now know Your love life is just not the same and you will become distant You are taking time out to process and will use work and friends to keep you distracted till you feel solid again.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) –

You have been thrown off by someone showing an interest in you. You will need to take the week to process this new attention. You have been sorting your romantic feelings out for a while, so this week is a good time to deal with any issues you may be having in love Do this so you can focus on your career

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –

You are throwing off some very intriguing energy this week You may come off as flirtatious or just attracting all kinds of attention romantically. This can cause problems, especially with significant others if this energy is not pointed in the right direction Yes, you can use this to help your career, again tread lightly

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – You want some answers? Well, be careful what you wish for These answers come to you quickly and not always in the nicest manner Be prepared to have a thick skin and understand you need all these things to come to you, so you make the right choices to get on a happier life path.

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - There are strong communication gifts coming in your love life. Be bold, be expressive, voice all your wants and desires. Luck is on your side with love this week, so take advantage of it This is a rare gift so your career plans can wait till next week

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – Be flexible and brave this week Opportunities in love and career come to you and you will need to make a quick choice that could change your life for the better You can take a moment to decide, but this is not an offer that will come back around anytime soon, so do not hesitate on this

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21 (Fire) – You had some serious conversations the past month that have prepared you for the choices you will need to face in love this week. Some advice first, let go of this all or nothing attitude before you make a move. Your body is telling you all it needs to be healthy so pay attention to it this week

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – You have been playing catch up the past couple weeks. This week brings a more relaxed energy as you finally find a rhythm that works for you in your career and love Your love life is causing good and bad drama in your life lately, but by mid week you feel sure if this is worth fighting for

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – This a week of observing for you You want more from your life You will watch everything and everyone very carefully, deciding who you want to keep to get all the things you want this year. You will know when the right choices are finally made because you will strongly feel Yes, I'm ready now

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – You are attracting a lot of attention this week. You will sort through this energy and pick which serves you and what does not Your career will throw a big curveball at you, ask yourself before you react, is this really that bad or could this be actually good?

Tina Graziano was born an energy reader. She uses her gifts to heal and guide others as a life coach. If you need support and insight in life, contact Tina for an energy reading directly online at https://www.facebook.com/ Tina.Graziano.Energy.Reader /?ref=page_internal