Experiences
A biologist and environmental hiking guide, Susanna is passionate about her homeland, especially Mount Etna, where she gained her main professional experience studying the volcano's typical flora and fauna. She loves spending time with her guests, offering directions and valuable advice on the area's most interesting itineraries.
Here are some of the authentic experiences you can enjoy during your stay in Viagrande:
Visit to the cellars and tasting of Etna wines
Etna isn't just wild nature and breathtaking views; it's also agriculture and, above all, viticulture. The Etna vineyards are a spectacle within a spectacle, with their twisted vines sinking their roots into the sand and volcanic rock, struggling against harsh environmental conditions. And the wines that come from this unique terroir have a strong and authentic character, which makes them special, sometimes truly excellent.
During your stay, you can spend a few hours or an entire day visiting the area's best wineries, including a tour of the vineyards and cellars in the company of expert winemakers and sommeliers. You'll then end with a tasting of each winery's finest products, which will be served over brunch, lunch, or dinner, featuring typical Sicilian dishes.
In Viagrande, there are 3 excellent wineries ( Terra Costantino, Tenute Mannino, Benanti ), but you can also plan a tour which also affects the other areas of the south-eastern side of Etna.
Guided excursions and Trekking on Etna
For those visiting eastern Sicily, an excursion to Etna is undoubtedly one of the experiences not to be missed. The highest active volcano in Europe, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, awaits you for a simple walk through its woods or for a more demanding excursion to discover breathtaking views. You can decide to spend only half a day on the volcano, but know that Etna is a real treasure chest and each side offers different scenarios. You can choose to make your excursion independently or contact the professional guides who will be able to prepare diversified itineraries for you or for small groups that also include destinations that are not purely naturalistic.
Among the experiences not to be missed, we recommend overlooking the Valle del Bove, a huge and deep depression originating from the collapse of a part of the eruptive system. The ridges of the valley can be reached from both the south and north sides, we will advise you which are the best paths to follow. And, once at the top, a fascinating spectacle will present itself that truly gives an idea of the grandeur and power of nature.
Visit to the summit craters of Etna
It's a unique experience that will make your holiday unforgettable. For safety reasons, it's not possible to reach the summit craters without the assistance of authorised volcanological guides, whom you'll meet at the Rifugio Sapienza square in Nicolosi.
There are various types of excursions that vary according to the season, ongoing volcanic activity, and the age and physical fitness of the participants.
To make it even easier for those of you who want to visit the summit craters, Casa Velardi collaborates with FUNIVIA DELL'ETNA, the only company on the southern side of Etna that offers excursions to the authorised crater areas: you can skip the line by purchasing your ticket directly at the facility.
An immersion in the fascinating world of insects: Butterflies and Bees
Why not become an entomologist for a day? Thanks to Susanna's experience as the former director of the Viagrande Butterfly House and an environmental educator, from June to October, you can experience a small and unusual adventure and discover the myriad secrets of the most important pollinating insects for the environment and for humanity.
The experience includes a visit to the Butterfly House, a true living museum where you can admire the world's most beautiful butterflies up close, living inside a greenhouse transformed into a slice of forest. Here, butterflies complete their entire life cycle and can be observed as they fly, feed, court, and reproduce. You will be provided with a personalised guide who will also reveal the behind-the-scenes secrets of insect breeding.
Afterwards, in complete safety and with the guidance of a beekeeper, you'll be able to observe the bees at work in their hives up close, learn to recognise the queen bee, the drones, and the workers, and discover all the hive products: honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and wax. A snack and tasting of local honey will follow.
To be booked well in advance
Wellness and relaxation: Yoga and massages
For those seeking true mental and physical well-being during their vacation, during the summer months, you can participate in Vinyasa Flow Yoga classes led by qualified teachers, wellness and relaxation experts. Engaging in a gentle yet dynamic physical practice, focusing on breathing and balancing body, mind, and spirit, will make your stay even more enjoyable and healthy!
After a yoga class or at the end of a day of physical activity, whether you've played a sport or gone on a nature hike, you can book a special Wellness Massage of your choice:
Ayurvedic Massage - Ayurveda is an ancient Indian science based on the pursuit of balance between body and mind through the use of natural remedies, and massage is the means by which one can release tension, rebalance the energies that govern the entire human body, and purify energy channels and centres.
In Ayurvedic massage, one of the essential components is oil, specific to each Dosha (constitution). It softens the skin and joints, while absorbing and retaining all the impurities and toxins released from the body during the massage.
Relaxation Massage – Relieves tension, stimulates circulation, and relieves stress. Particularly effective for back stiffness caused by tension and poor posture.
Draining Massage – Gentle and relaxing, thanks to a sequence of superficial movements, it reactivates lymphatic circulation, promotes the elimination of toxins and oxygenates the tissues.
Decontracting / Sports Massage – At the end of a day dedicated to intense physical activity, it helps relieve tension and restore elasticity to muscles and movement.
To be booked in advance
