Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Mt. Etna

Catania, Sicily

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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Mt. Etna is located on the eastern coast of Sicily and is the highest active volcano in Europe. 

Dominating the city of Catania, it has reshaped the surrounding landscape due to its many eruptions over the centuries.  

The height of the volcano’s varies over time due to these violent lava and ash expulsions, which deposit new material and sometimes cause the summit to collapse. For instance, in 2021, its height increased by 100 feet in  6-months.

Documented records of this volcano's explosions are available dating all the way back to 1500BC, and there are Greek and Roman myths, legends and superstitions regarding Mt. Etna.

Let's take a look.

Countryside leading to Mt. Etna

One of the notable advantages of having Mt. Etna close by is the deposited volcanic soil, rich in minerals and nutrients which has supported agriculture for centuries. Extensive vineyards, olive groves and citrus orchards have spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south

Additionally, the unique landscape and geothermal activity associated with Etna have attracted tourists and spurred economic development.

Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity. 

There are five distinct craters and more than 300 vents on the flanks. These vents are holes in the ground of various sizes, and while the summit eruptions can be highly explosive and spectacular to view, it's the side vents which cause the most damage to the inhabited areas.

A house covered in lava and ash

Etna and its eruptions can be sudden and destructive. The risk of property damage and loss of life is always present.

A particularly explosive summit eruption occurred in 122 BCE, and caused heavy expulsions of rock and ash to fall to the southeast, including the town of Catania. Many roofs collapsed.

This was so devastating that the Roman government exempted the population of Catania from paying taxes for ten years.

Another famous eruption in 1669 produced lava flows that destroyed at least 10 villages on its southern flank before reaching the city walls of the town of Catania five weeks later. The lava was largely diverted by these walls into the sea, filling the harbor of Catania. 

Billy and Catya

Catya is the Russian host of our apartment in Catania, and she drove us up to the volcano in her car.  

She and her family like to hike the park area of Mt. Etna, and some friends of hers own a couple of shops at the Sapienza Refuge.

There was a time in 2002 where one of Etna's eruptions threw up a column of ash that could easily be seen from space and fell as far away as Libya, 370 miles south across the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of these eruptions have lasted 6 months, and the Catania airport has needed to shut down due to lack of visibility and for safety concerns.

Terrazza Deli

Catya drove us up the mountain and dropped us off here at this deli in the Sapienza Refuge.

At this altitude, it was quite chilly and breezy. In fact, the day before, it had snowed!

There are two ski resorts on Etna: one at the Sapienza Refuge, and a smaller one on the north, at Piano Provenzana near Linguaglossa.

Map showing the distance from the peak to the small Etna Village Refuge

There are hiking trails, a small tourist train that takes you farther up the mountain, and there are also overnight treks to the top.

At the bottom center of this map you can clearly see the Terrazza Deli marked.

Tourist train

This tourist train was very popular. Our traveling companion chose to ride it, hoping to see more of the expansive view from a higher elevation.

It could have been the weather for that day, but basically, our friend said it was more of the same that we saw at this Refuge.

The cloud cover, winds and even the possibility of snow around Etna can change rapidly.

Sundial

As you can see by this sundial, we took the photo at about 9:30AM.

I'm unclear as to why it only measures time until 1PM, but perhaps the weather gets darker after this time, or that the clouds come in...

I really don't have a clue.

The weather surrounding the peak

This gives you a good idea of the weather we experienced on the day we visited the higher slopes of Mt. Etna.

Clouds rolled in and out, covering the summit of Etna and exposing it off and on.

Our friend who took the tourist train pretty much saw the same scenery, except from higher above. The summit did not clear for him, as it was enshrouded completely in clouds.

Do we recommend you visit Mt. Etna?

Sure!

(But check the weather before you go!)

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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