Raymond DiBiasi, a flight attendant based in Philadelphia, always knew Sicilian heritage was in his blood, but he never knew it would become a living part of his story. His grandfather emigrated to the U.S. more than a century ago, and family lore suggested no relatives remained in Sicily. But in 2015, his genealogy research revealed a thrilling truth: family members were still in Pozzallo, a picturesque seaside town in southeastern Sicily.

For years, Raymond built online relationships with his newfound relatives. In 2023, he finally planned his trip to Sicily, booking a discounted ticket with American to Rome, with a connection to Catania. Then, Mt. Etna erupted. “That volcano sure kept me on my toes,” he explained with a chuckle.