In the fall of 2022, my three associates and I set out for Catania to oversee our seven souvenir shops across Eastern Sicily and plan for the upcoming tourism season. We envisioned a day filled with business meetings followed by a relaxing dinner by the sea and a stay at the Romano Palace Luxury Hotel, one of our favourites. Massimiliano, our chauffeur, greeted us at Catania airport with a spotless Mercedes V Class, a remarkable feat given the layer of ash covering the streets from the recent eruption of Mount Etna.
As we began our route, I asked Massimiliano to book a table at Ristorante Sicilia in Bocca alla Marina for lunch, and he assured us he’d handle everything. The morning passed in a succession of meetings, and soon the four of us were enjoying a delightful lunch, discussing potential dinner venues for the evening.
However, upon picking us up after lunch, Massimiliano’s keen observation of the thickening ash in the air led him to advise that the airport might soon close. Despite no official notice, my instinct told me to trust his expertise, and I decided we should return to Milan that evening instead of the following day.
With our two final meetings concluded, Massimiliano confirmed he had succeeded, at my request, in cancelling our rooms without charges, while my secretary Greta sent our new boarding passes to my smartphone. As we headed to the airport, the air visibly thickened, and news of possible cancellations began to circulate. Thanks to Massimiliano’s foresight, we departed just in time, narrowly avoiding the airport closure that stranded many travellers in the following days.
Upon landing in Malpensa, we realized we had indeed managed a narrow escape. Since then, every business trip I do to Catania I remind myself of two things: Never underestimate the power of volcanoes and nature, nor the expertise of a dedicated chauffeur!
“As a chauffeur, my goal is to ensure my clients’ safety and comfort. I trust my experience to advise my passengers, helping them avoid delays and potential disruptions.”