Julie Sagoskin navigates travel disruptions in Sicily caused by Mount Etna's volcanic eruption.
Julie Sagoskin, an American traveler and editor-in-chief of Park Magazine, faced a significant travel disruption in Sicily after the eruption of Mount Etna caused widespread flight cancellations at Catania International Airport. During the busy summer vacation season, more than a third of the scheduled flights were canceled between August 6 and August 12. Sagoskin's original return flight was canceled, forcing her to find an alternative route home to New York. She opted to book an 11-hour overnight train ride from Catania to Rome, which included a ferry crossing and periods without air conditioning. After arriving in Rome, she successfully caught a flight home on August 11. While other members of her group experienced different outcomes, Sagoskin emphasized the importance of being flexible and making decisions during natural disasters. Despite the logistical challenges and the ash-covered hotel grounds, she maintained that the experience was memorable and did not overshadow her positive experience in Sicily.