Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and one of the largest in the world. It has a base diameter of 40 km and rises to a height of 3346 meters. This fascinating volcano lies in the north eastern part of Sicily near the city of Catania. Unlike Stromboli that is always active and Vesuvius that alternates between inactivity and periods of paroxsysmal activity, Etna always has a plume of smoke rising from the summit.