For tourists, Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. For “us”, Mount Etna is our mountain, and in Sicilian we call it “a Muntagna”.

It was with this in mind that the logo for the pianoprovenzana.com website was created, representing the volcano Etna, but as a mountain.

The colours represent the blue of the Sky, the green of Nature and the blue of the Sea. These are the three elements that surround Piano Provenzana, which with its fiery heart dominates the Etna Nord – Linguaglossa slope, classifying it a World Heritage Site.

The birth of Pianoprovenza.com

The project Pianoprovenzana.it was born from the collaboration of two people, one born and linked to this area from birth, and one with a great desire to travel and discover new places to move to this magical place.

In this long period of stop due to covid we thought to transmit and make known our side of Mount Etna in an authentic way as we see it with our eyes.

Because our territory of Etna Nord needs only to be enhanced, for the rest it has all the credentials to be increasingly competitive and excel in the demands of visitors. Etna Nord is unique for its food and wine excellence, for its nature and for its volcanic aspect.

Etna Nord offers emotions. And we help you to experience these emotions! Etna Nord: a rollercoaster of emotions

About us – A project shaped by experience, guided by heart

Behind this website, there’s us: Anniek and Alessandro, brought together by a shared love for nature, Sicily, and Mount Etna.

Two different paths, two complementary professions, one shared vision: helping you experience Etna not as a tourist, but as a conscious traveller.

Everything you’ll find here — from the information we share to the excursions we offer — comes from direct experience, heartfelt choices, and deep respect for this extraordinary place.

Piano Provenzana is not just a booking platform. It’s our personal way of welcoming you to a living volcano, with authenticity and care.

Alessandro Lo Giudice – Over 25 years of Etna in his heart, step by step

My name is Alessandro, and for more than 25 years I’ve been walking the slopes of Mount Etna. I know this volcano like you’d know a dear old friend — through her silences, her fire, her moods and mysteries.

As a licensed volcanological guide, my job is not just to lead hikes, but to create a space where people can connect with the volcano on a deeper level.

With me, you won’t just “go on a tour” — you’ll enter a world shaped by lava, geology, silence and raw natural beauty. Every stone tells a story, and every crater holds emotion.

I believe in slow travel, small groups, and meaningful encounters. That’s why I guide with intention and respect, adapting each experience to the rhythm of the volcano and the people who walk with me.

🌋 If you feel the call of the fire and the earth, I’ll be there — ready to guide you where lava and heart meet.

Anniek Bakker – Marketing, emotions and a love story with Etna North

I was born in the Netherlands, but from an early age I’ve always felt a deep connection with Italy.

About ten years ago, right here on Mount Etna, I met the love of my life — and with him, I found my place in the world. So yes, it’s true what they say: Etna Nord really does stir emotions. I’m living proof.

I hold a degree in marketing, I’m a certified hiking guide, and for more than 18 years I’ve been working in international tourism and marketing, creating meaningful, authentic experiences for curious and sensitive travellers.

My mission? To move you, inspire you, and help you discover the most enchanting and often overlooked side of the volcano: the northern slope, where lava and nature meet in breathtaking contrast.

Through this website, I share handpicked excursions, honest tips and local secrets — because the most beautiful things in life deserve to be shared.

🌋 Just like it happened to me, you might be the next one to fall in love with this land. Etna North will welcome you, surprise you — and move you.

Etna Emotion

Climbing to the top of Mount Etna is truly an unparalleled experience. When you feel your breath quicken, not only because of the effort and the altitude but also because you can see the active crater getting closer and closer, your heart accelerates.

The paradox is that as you get closer to the summit, the rhythm of your steps becomes more and more cheerful, as if knowing that you have the top of the volcano at your fingertips recharges you with new energy, to the point of unloading your exhaustion.

You reach the top. If someone could look at you right now, they would only see a big smile of satisfaction painted on your face, expressing “I made it”!

The reward? The mythical view from above that makes you feel like the king of the world.