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Geography Trips to Sicily

Sicily is the largest of the Mediterranean islands and has a precious geographical diversity. Its coastline and unspoilt sea-beds combined with fertile volcanic slopes, make it an ideal location for a geography field trip. Be sure to visit Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, and enjoy breath-taking views of the volcanic landscape from its summit. Learn how the population cope with this constant shadow which both threatens and sustains the farming community. Fishing and tourism play a large part on the island and provide ample case studies for human geographers. With a fantastic climate and Italian hospitality your field trip is guaranteed to be both enjoyable and educational.

Curriculum Topics Key Stage 4

  • Tectonic Hazards
  • Content of the World Around Us

Curriculum Topics Key Stage 5

  • Coastal Landscapes and Change
  • Tectonic Processes and Hazards

Prices start from£645pp

Sample itinerary

Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.

Morning Afternoon Evening
1 Daytime flight and transfer to accommodation, independent exploration of local area Free time to settle in, evening meal
2 Full day excursion to Mount Etna (TECTONICS/HAZARD MANAGEMENT) Evening meal and free time
3 Full day excursion to Lipari and Vulcano Islands (TECTONICS/COASTS/TOURISM) Evening Meal followed by freetime
4 Alcantara Gorges visit (TECTONICS/ PROCESSES) Return Flight to UK
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Morning Daytime flight and transfer to accommodation, independent exploration of local area
Afternoon
Evening Free time to settle in, evening meal
Morning Full day excursion to Mount Etna (TECTONICS/HAZARD MANAGEMENT)
Afternoon
Evening Evening meal and free time
Morning Full day excursion to Lipari and Vulcano Islands (TECTONICS/COASTS/TOURISM)
Afternoon
Evening Evening Meal followed by freetime
Morning Alcantara Gorges visit (TECTONICS/ PROCESSES)
Afternoon Return Flight to UK
Evening

Price Shown includes

  • Return Air Travel
  • 4 nights Half Board Accommodation
  • Specialist Group Travel Insurance
  • Free Place Ratios
  • Live Trip Tracking
  • Online trip organiser & Travel App
  • 24/7 support whilst you are away

Places to Stay


Reasons to Visit

Catania

Since the eighteenth century, Catania has been the second most important city of Sicily, supplanting Messina in that respect. Subjected to Etna's fickle temperament, Catania has been damaged by lava flows and earthquakes on several occasions. A particularly destructive volcanic eruption in 1669 was followed by a serious earthquake in 1693.

Full day excursion to Etna

Mount Etna is Europe's largest active volcano and uniquely formed on a boundary between the European and African continental plates. This excursion allows students an amazing viewpoint of the volcanic landscape from the summit of the still active volcano.

Lipari

Lipari is the largest island in the Aeolian archipelago known as a volcanic arc and although still active, has not erupted for 1400 years. It is known for its remarkable scenery combining green vegetation, white pumice stone and the black and red of the volcanoes.

Ortigia Island and Archaeological Park

The park contains some of the most extraordinary monuments that classical antiquity has left us and, given their degree of interest and importance, has few equals elsewhere in Italy.

Alcantara Gorge

Situated to the south-west of Taormina is the Alcantara Gorge. This natural monument of basalt rock was created by the eruption of a volcano that once stood between Mount Etna and the Peloritani Mountains, and is an absolute must for geography students. The black lava walls of the Alcantara Gorge stretch 50m high, amidst an unspoiled parkland landscape of flora and fauna.

Vulcano Island

Vulcano is located north-east of Sicily and south of the Island of Lipari.The island of Vulcano is made up of three volcanic units: Vulcanello (123 metres) in the north, coming from an eruption during II century B.C., it is linked with the island by a strip of land made up of lava flows. In the middle, you can find the Gran Crater or Vulcanic Cone (385 metres) which is stll active; in the south there is the Mount Aria (499 metres), inactive, it is the top summit of the island. Vulcano is a very interesting island due to its volcanic and post-volcanic phenomena. Its plateau, the widest of the Aeolian Islands, is surrounded by hills, falling towards the sea. Vulcanello is made up of three lined-up craters in direction North-East/South-West. Vulcanello is constantly monitored by the Institute of Volcanology of the University of Catania. The islands of Vulcano counts around 450 inhabitants who are involved in tourism and viticulture.

Palermo

Noted for its rich history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its 2,700 year existence.

Agrigento

Can be found in the south west of Sicily. It is a medieval town which is home to ruined Greek temples that stand, or partially stand, against a backdrop of the sea.

Syracuse

Founded in 733BC, and became one of the first Greek colonies on the island.


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