Sun 26 May  -  Taormina River
It had obviously rained during the night, but was not raining until we started walking to the bus and then only a light drizzle. It was 7 degrees C. Totally unseasonal. Of course winter is January/ February in these parts but this year it started snowing the week we arrived. I THOUGHT it was cold. As our bus zigged and zagged through the villages up the mountain there were vestiges of snow. Mt Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. Today there are 4 1/2 active craters. It is an example of a Strombolian volcano as it has a lot of spectacular high explosions . The last very strong  7.3 earthquake was in 2001 that did considerable damage but there was a smaller one just this last Christmas causing far less damage because of newly introduced building regulations. It has lateral craters as well. On the slopes of this wonderfully fertile landscape grow chestnut trees, broom, pink valerian.  Our guide was Vanessa who lives in the highest village of Zefferona where saffron grows. Broom is the symbol of Mt Etna. It is also famed for its honey which is offered in a variety of flavors. The Wildlife on the slopes are wild cats and rabbits, foxes and falcons. There are 2 ski resorts which open for seasons of 2 weeks to 2 months.
We stopped driving at 7,000 ft and disembarked for a coffee at an excellent large centre and it was then that we were hit with a bitterly icy blast and quite heavy rain. The coffee was so welcome and greatly enhanced by their very strong liqueur like drinking fire. I loved it.
We then we were driven a little way down for those who were prepared to brave the elements to view one of the lateral craters but I headed straight for the bar to mingle with the crowds of other tourists. By the time I emerged in search of our group members and bus the clouds had come down creating a whiteout. However it was such a very worthwhile trip contrasting dramatically with any other of our travel experience.
We cautiously zigged and zagged our way down through the clouds to our hotel where we quickly found a restaurant which served real Italian minestrone soup. Superb!!!!!
After a short break, we clambered back onto the coach again and set off to Taormina -  known as the Sicilian Monte Carlo  -  in the pouring rain.
It is a beautiful coastal town with a population of 11,000 people and is financed purely by the thousands of tourist who come year round to experience the Greek Theatre built in 3 BC. Miraculously, as we stepped into the city streets the rain stopped,  allowing as to enjoy these spectacular ruins which have been restored sufficiently to stage a season of Greek drama in the summer. The other attraction  is the public gardens which overlook the coastline. We then had time to wander through the rabbit warren of of the quaintest city streets all involving steps which were oh so hard on the joints. Definitely cause for large tubs of gelato.
At 6.00pm our dear coach driver took us further along the coast to a splendid castle restaurant for our farewell dinner.
What an exceptional tour that was!!!! Thank you Globus. I can recommend it to all of you but not, repeat NOT in July or August.