The crimson flame illuminates the thick forest. As the smoke begins to drift over the bright summits of the distant volcano, the rainforest rumbles. Soon hot lava begins to pour. If the unique allure of a volcano holiday calls, the following locations are suggested.
Kilauea Hawaii
While Hawaii is home to a number of volcanoes, including Hawaii’s Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, Kilauea is one of the most popular locations. Kilauea is the most renowned and most active volcano in the Hawaiian Islands and has been continuously erupting since 1983, although being smaller than the neighbouring Mauna Loa. According to legend, Pelehonuamea, the Hawaiian goddess of fire, resides there. Volcano House, a motel located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is a popular lodging option. The hotel overlooks Halema’uma’u Crater at the top of Kilauea, and its restaurant, The Rim, provides not only superb locally sourced cuisine but also breathtaking views of the volcano in all its splendour a must-see.
Arenal Costa Rica
Arenal, located in Costa Rica, is another renowned volcanic location. The view of this volcano is reminiscent of a scene from an adventure story, with a dense jungle, a body of water, and a perfectly shaped mountain peak topped with smoke. The volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano until 2010 when it entered an extended resting period. In addition to hiking through the rainforest at Arenal National Park, zip lining through the jungle, white water rafting across rivers, and seeing adjacent waterfalls, travellers still love visiting this gorgeous destination.
Mt. St. Helens Washington USA
Mt. St. Helens in Washington State is a well-known volcano inside the continental United States. Near the Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center, in addition to a restaurant and helicopter rides, visitors may stop at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake.
The Johnston Ridge Observatory provides excellent views of the volcano’s north face. Approximately 2,000 years ago, Mount St. Helens erupted, forming the 2.5-mile-long Ape Cave Washington nearby.
Mount Vesuvius Italy
Mount Vesuvius in Italy, which devastated the city of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE, is another notable volcanic site. Even though Mount Vesuvius has not erupted since 1944, it periodically produces lava vapour. The neighbouring remains of Pompeii are a remarkable destination to explore, both somberly tragic and archaeologically astounding. Furthermore, Stromboli, located off the northern coast of Sicily, is not too distant from Mount Vesuvius. Stromboli, one of Italy’s three active volcanoes, has been continuously erupting for the past two thousand years. Guided excursions transport travellers to the summit of the volcano, where they may gaze into the crater and enjoy a nighttime boat cruise to observe the burning lava.
Krafla Iceland
In Iceland, Krafla is yet another popular volcanic location. As you traverse fields of black lava and geothermal pits, you’ll see breathtaking vistas. Tourists compare it to being on another planet. Iceland is also a spot where one may enjoy the Northern Lights, a natural bonus.
When planning a volcanic holiday, keep in mind that while the accessible volcanoes are open for tourists because scientists deem them safe, eruptions can and do occur without notice. To ensure that your holiday is memorable for all the right reasons, safety experts urge that you stay on the paths and observe the laws – several sites only permit guided tours or viewing from specified areas.