Seriously, the man they call Eddie had a lot to live up to.
Previously I'd tried to book a tour with another company but they were really bad at gettingn back to me. So I saw this on Trip Advisor and thought I'd drop them a line. I really wanted to make sure I booked before we went away.
Eddie was really quick to return my emails with lots of great information and help. And so I booked.
The day was brilliant. Picked up from our hotel in Giardini Naxos in a fab 4x4 and I luckily got to sit in the front seat with the legend that is Eddie himself. They use 2 4x4 so you end up in a very fun convoy on the way to Etna.
Eddie was so knowledgable and helpful and funny. You could tell that he really enjoyed the subject.
Driving over the lava flows is fab, climbing down into lava tubes is a great adventure. Treking across the 1865 lava field was brilliant fun (it felt a bit like a doctor who set).
And the afternoon at the gorge was a good giggle (be warned the water is FREEZING!)
I could not recommend this company enough and we plan to go back at some point in the future and do some of the other tours (particularly the craters of etna which wasn't available when we were there).

We visited Taormina as part of a package holiday in Sicily this year and can only say it was purely magical. The old town on the 2nd level of Taormina is full of lovely restaurants, cobbled streets, quirky shops, fantastic views and also has the necessary italian handbag/shoe shops. I would not like to drive or park there but apart from this we could have stayed for 2 weeks exploring the old town, certainly the best italian town I have ever been to.

Eddie had quite a lot to live up to given the reviews on trip advisor but he did not disappoint. The Alcantara off road trip was excellently organised so much was packed in( which I won’t repeat) and his enthusiasm and entertaining commentary were absorbing. The visit to the Alcantara gorge at the end of the excursion was really refreshing. In addition, as Etna was expected to erupt at any time soon he promised to text us as soon as it did, which he duly did at 9.00 am the following morning giving us time to get to Taormina, as we were staying in Mazarro (limited view of Etna) to observe. A highly recommended trip!

Pick up service. Eddy (the main guide) is as professional as it gets, very enjoyable. If you don't know much about volcanos and Etna, this is the trip to do it. Maybe it was a little too crowded, more of a personal guide would be nicer, but probably more costly :)