Geography School Trip To Sicily

The quiet fishing port has become a popular tourist seaside resort. The beautiful hillside town of Taormina is situated above Giardini Naxos and attracts visitors due to its Greek Theatre and proximity to Etna. Giardini Naxos provides the ideal area to carry out a case study exploring the impact of tourism on a community.

When Mount Etna erupted thousands of years ago, the river Alcantra was blocked by a lava flow. As the lava cooled it became crystallised by the water and over the next millennia the river eroded it, resulting in impressive gorges and ravines. Today, the stunning basalt formations set in luscious woodlands are fine examples of Etna’s geological influence.

One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Etna is known as a stratovolcano due to its conical shape made of layers of hardened lava and ash. The fertile soil supports agriculture with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes. There is an option to take the cable car and jeeps to approach the crater with a mountain guide.

Lying as part of a volcanic archipelago between Vesuvius on the mainland and Mount Etna, students will learn about the hydroactivity and pumice found throughout Lipari island. The island of Vulcano is made from four overlapping volcanic centres including one of the only four active non-submarine volcanoes in Italy. (Available mid-March to mid-October)