Sicily's Etna National Park is home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and if you're staying at one of the many villas in Italy this fall, you'll have the chance to get up close and personal with Mother Nature's heated fury. The park itself is about 224 square miles, and many active areas are open to the public so you can treat your eyes to the glowing magma from a safe distance.

A History of Etna

There aren't many volcanoes with such a raucous history as Mount Etna, which has been thoroughly documented for more than three millennia. Since the first eruption was recorded about 3,500 years ago, about 200 additional events have been transcribed, whether on petroglyphs or medieval scrolls. Don't worry - despite the volcano's continuous activity, it rarely affects villages and neighborhoods below, largely because residents have learned from the past and know how to steer clear of its path.

Best Time to Visit

Visiting Mount Etna during its dormant periods will surely be unforgettable, but you may want to try to visit when the volcano is active. Although it might be hard to plan your trip itinerary around an eruption, you should definitely keep your travel plans open for the potential to witness lava flows. In the spring of 2011, for example, the mountain erupted and spewed out fountains of lava from the central crater, giving scientists and brave travelers the rare chance to see piping hot lava contend with the icy snow-capped mountain.

Of course, the mountain is back to its tranquil self today, so you can gaze up at it from your luxury villa rental without having to witness anything other than its majestic beauty.

Getting There

Thankfully, many luxury rentals in Sicily are located close to the Circumetnea Railway, which takes a leisurely three hours to make its way around the mountain. This charming red-and-white locomotive, which was built in 1898, travels from Catania to Riposto, and offers stunning views that will have you entranced by the towering volcano. During your trip, you can fix your cameras toward the small villages that line the perimeter of the mountain as you pass through charming towns where Italian families have lived for generations.

Are you interested in luxury vacation rentals?  Contact Villas of Distinction today at 800.289.0900 where a qualified villa expert will help you explore which luxury villa best suits your lifestyle.