The Circumetnea railway below Mt. Etna. Photo: Alex Macbeth. From circumnavigating Mt. Etna, to views of lakes, rivers and natural reserves, classic trains remain a great way to see Italy in slow ...

It’s the Ferrovia Circumetnea, or simply “Round Etna Railway”, a relatively little-known, almost perfectly circular rail loop that has been traversing Mount Etna since the late 19th century.

The sleek wooden interiors and decor lamps inside the 1930s diesel-powered vintage carriages make this stretch of tourist railway a favourite among train enthusiasts and nature lovers. 2. Circumetnea ...