What you need to know if you travel to a country with active volcanoes

Traveling to different places allows us to see things we haven't seen before, such as volcanoes.

According to the British Geological Survey, there are more than 1,500 active volcanoes worldwide, and around 50-70 of them erupt each year.

Then there's the Ring of Fire, which accounts for 75 percent of the world's volcanoes and 90 percent of its earthquakes, with volcanoes and seismic activity stretching 25,000 miles around the Pacific Ocean.

Meanwhile, there are over 82 volcanoes in Europe, and some of their activity can affect travel plans. One such case occurred in 2010 when Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, resulting in major disruptions to air travel across Europe at the time.

Some of the most recent examples of volcanic eruptions include one that occurred last month on Mount Etna on the Italian island of Sicily, which could even be seen from space.

Etna is the largest and most active volcano in Europe, and with this latest eruption, tourists could be seen running away as the volcano spewed smoke.

The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) described how the volcano was having "intense and almost continuous" Strombolian eruptions.

Here's what you need to know when traveling to a country with active volcanoes:

It's always best to plan ahead and check for warnings of volcanic activity – although nature can be unpredictable and eruptions can happen without much warning, which is another thing to consider.

In particular, knowing the various potential hazards, for example, the recent eruption on Mount Etna was the result of a pyroclastic flow (a fast-moving combination of hot gas and volcanic material) that was seen falling down one of the mountain's sides after material collapsed from part of the crater.

Similarly, it is also important to check what the weather will be like before your visit because of how this can affect trail conditions and visibility.

Although going out to explore can be tempting, it's best to follow the safest recommended routes and marked trails when climbing an active volcano.

If you are unsure, then joining a tour guide would be a great way to see the sights from someone who knows the area.

It's never a bad idea to have a medical kit ready to use if needed, especially if you're on an active volcano, and this should include the standard band-aids, bandages, medication, along with emergency supplies of food and water and useful tools like a flashlight.

It goes without saying, but when you go for a walk in nature, it's important to have the right shoes, especially when there are active volcanoes, where the situation can change at any minute.

We all saw how tourists were forced to flee when Mount Etna spewed smoke last month, the last thing you want is your shoes slowing you down.