1936 On the Continent

to-day there is already a magnificent autostrada leading up the mountain to the fringe of the lava deposits, so that you can view in comfort the grimly majestic area of one of the world’s greatest volcanoes, where life flourishes charmingly and picturesquely side by side with traces of destruction. In this region the life and destiny of the population has been closely linked with Aetna for thousands of years, and it is therefore not surprising that there should be thousands of superstitions, tales and legends concerning the eruptions and devastations of Aetna throughout the centuries.
    The causes of these eruptions are, of course, the same as in the case of all the other volcanoes. Up till now Aetna has erupted about eighty times, sweeping away whole towns and villages, and destroying their inhabitants, yet the towns and villages have sprung up anew and the people have returned to begin life all over again. The highest peak of Aetna is 10,000 feet above sea-level. The peaks are eternally covered with snow, and in recent years they have become a ski-ing ground of great popularity. From a distance Aetna looks a regular cone, yet in addition to the principal crater there are some 200 secondary craters on the mountain, from the interior of which lava and ashes are constantly thrown up to the surface. The slopes of the mountain are covered with vegetable gardens up to a height of 1,500 feet, and with orchards and vineyards up to some 4,000 feet. Aetna wines and fruits are far-famed products, and it is no small pleasure at the time of the fruit harvest to pick golden oranges and luscious grapes with your own hand. Up to 6,300 feet there are forests, but beyond that there is only the humble flower known as Astragatus Aetnensis.
    Climbing Aetna is not a particularly tiring business, especially as the motor road has already been completed as far as the refuge of Casa Cantoniera. You must start inthe early morning from Catania to Nicolosi, where you can arrange the details, engaging a guide, etc., unless you have already made arrangements in Catania with one of the travel agencies who organise conducted parties for a visit to Aetna. While travelling by the motor road is undoubtedly the most convenient, it is far more interesting to walk or to ride on a mule as far as Casa Cantoniera, then on to the Osservatorio, where you can spend the night. From the Observatory you must, if possible, set out about two hours before sunrise on the road leading to the crater. You will be amply compensated for rising so early by the glorious sight of sunrise on Aetna, and the equally glorious view. From here you can see quite clearly the whole of Sicily, Calabria and most of the islands. But even the most experienced Alpinists are strongly advised not to attempt Aetna alone. In addition to the topographical difficulties the volcano itself has dangers which none but experienced guides know and are able to avoid.
Syracuse
    The main line railway will take you from Catania to Syracuse, the former mighty centre of Hellenic culture, through Lentini and the important naval base of Augusta. Italy has some cities which the foreigner may visit purely for the purpose of recuperation, regardless of any art treasures, and other cities that are only worth visiting on account of the latter. Syracuse belongs to this category, which has a great deal to offer to lovers of the Greco-Roman and Renaissance civilisations, but nothing at all to those who are in search of amusement. Yet the immense tourist traffic and the prosperity of the hotels of Syracuse show that, contrary to the universal view, there are still large numbers of art lovers left. The best hotel in Syracuse is the “Grand Hotel Villa Politi,” which is situated in a lovely garden. The principal season lasts from October to the end of April or the middle of May. After this time some of the first-class hotels are closed, but those that are open all the year round reduce their prices very considerably after the end of the season.
    Syracuse is one of the most important centres of the African trade and of the traffic flowing towards Tipolitania. There is a comfortable twenty-four hour steamer servicebetween Syracuse and Tripoli, and the tourist with four or five days to spare will do well to visit this rapidly developing North African city as well. In Tripoli he can enjoy all that is pleasant, edifying and beautiful, from the magnificent seaside places to the interesting, colourful life of the Arab