Our favorite go to restaurant in the St. Louis area is Trattoria Guiseppe in Hillsboro. Owned and run by Joe and Grace Prezzavento it is a conventional Italian restaurant only better. Don't try to get a table on Tuesday night without a reservation. So Joe has known for quite a while that we have been to Sicily and when we told him we were going back he offered to connect us to his brother, Tommaso. This sounded like a great idea except one little thing. Tommaso spoke no English and we don't speak Italian. But we charged ahead and decided to do our best with simple words and Google translate. It all worked out fine.

The Prezzavento boys were born and raised in Belpasso, right on the southern slopes of Mt Etna. Tommaso took us around town and showed us his and Joe's childhood home, took us to the cathedral and got permission to climb the bell tower. 

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Did I mention that this town is literally in the shadow of an active volcano?

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Then after taking us for coffee and pastries to the pride of Belpasso, Condorelli's, we embarked on our assault of Etna. Jeanne Marie and I would both admit that this was not in our plans and we were a bit hesitant to do it. We were afraid it would be too challenging for her knees and then she would have to wait for us or something like that. We shouldn't have worried. It all worked out and it was an exhilarating experience. And the mountain didn't blow up or even belch. In fact the weather was ideal. Sunny, great visibility, and not much wind. 

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Our assault on the mountain was executed flawlessly. We took a cable car to the base camp at about 7500 ft. Then the final push by diesel powered bus to 9000 ft. (Etna is just under 11,000 ft.) Further ascent by foot with a guide is sometimes permitted but due to recent activity it was not allowed that day. We were disappointed, of course, but you can't challenge Mother Nature too much. We were pleased with our accomplishment. 

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_8504054 Then we went back to Tommaso's home to relax and taste some of the wine he makes. The southern slopes of Mt Etna are an up and coming fine wine region and Tommaso is doing his bit for the Prezzavento family's commitment to good Sicilian cuisine. Joe does the food, Tommaso does the wine. The wine he's making is quite good and he's planted more vines which should start yielding next year.

We also got to meet his youngest, Carlo. Meeting Tommaso was a big bonus. We sure hope to see him again when we go back.