Etna, what's best? EMERGENCY

[Alameda]

um not actual emergency but feels quite pressing now I think about it

if you couldn't afford a helicopter ride over the crater what is the next best thing?

You can drive up and take a cable car to crater

can I do that without trekking gear do you think? Have an injured foot and it won't go in my boots yet, just occurred to me that ballet flats might not be too practical

It's not a hike, but it is rough stones underfoot, plus it's really windy, and dusty so wear a coat and a scarf. Probably trainers would be better than ballet flats.

ok, thanks

of course haven't brought anything very practical to wear so maybe will just admire from the ground this time and save for next trip

life is cruel

The cable car takes you part way, then there are buses that can take you to within sight of one of the craters. However it is snowy up there and can be very icy in parts. Also it's high up and if you are prone you can get a bit of altitude sickness
Tis a very splendid place and well worth it :)

You could go up on the cable car, and look from there, we took a minibus tour round the top, which was great, but you don't have to.

is it always best to go first thing in the morning do you think? They all seem to leave so early, suppose is not so cloudy then?

thanks again!

We did set off early but I've no idea why other than we hiked back down.