Morning: Alcantara Gorges visit (TECTONICS/ PROCESSES)

Afternoon: Transfer to airport for return flight to UK

Alcantara Gorges    

Groups flying home in the afternoon or evening will have time to spend their morning visiting the Alcantara Gorges which were formed by the volcanic activity of Mount Etna. The stunning basalt formation known as the Alcantara Gorge lies on the Alcantara River about 20 minutes’ drive south west of Taormina. Etna’s geological influence on the surrounding countryside has created a beautifully scenic site encircled by small luscious green woods.

Gorge Trek: By choosing to spend a little extra time at the gorge, groups have the opportunity to get stuck in and walk in the water through the gorge itself with local experts and provided kit. Trek through the immense natural canyons, 50m deep carved out by an ancient lava flow and observe its beautiful scenery where you can see the lava monoliths carved by water over the centuries. Fitness level options vary from ‘easy’ upwards.

This two night option provides a truly unique trip, with an opportunity to climb a volcano and see the continuous emission of blobs of lava shot a small distance into the air as ‘fire fountains’. Your ferry will take you into Stromboli village where you will walk to your accommodation. You’ll then have time to explore the village and observe the coastal rock formations. In the late afternoon you will meet your Local Guide and collect your trekking safety equipment before setting off on your trek around 5pm. You will hike to 400m, where a viewing platform is positioned for great views of the ‘Stream of Fire’. The darkening conditions make it the ideal time of day to see the lava movements.

The following morning you will take the ferry to Vulcano Island with the opportunity to walk up the smaller Fossa Volcano to the Grand Crater and visit the mud baths before returning to your hotel in Stromboli and returning to the mainland the following morning.

Enjoy a day’s visit to this popular Sicily attraction, which is embarking on a transformation from water park to a theme park. Your coach will drop you off and pick you up, leaving your group to enjoy a full day at this exciting amusement park.

Morning & afternoon: Strait of Messina and Tindari Lake full day visit

Evening: Evening meal and free time

Strait of Messina & Tindari Lake    

Head to Messina to an excellent position from where the Strait of Messina can be viewed clearly and discussed. The Strait is a narrow passage between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern tip of Italy which connects the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The intense currents and characteristic chemistry of the waters of the Strait determine an extraordinary ecosystem with a high abundance and diversity of species.

You will then move onto Tindari, in particular, the Black Madonna Sanctuary situated high on the cliff tops. Hear how the statue of the Black Madonna is said to have been created at the base of the cliffs. You will also have a fantastic viewpoint over this ‘linguetta di sabbia’ (tongue of sand), which stretches 1.5km into the sea, defiantly resisting the destructive, relentless raids of the Tyrrhenian. Clearly visible on satellite photos, the ‘tongue’ is raised about 4 metres above sea-level at its highest points and creates a kind of lagoon on its land side. Several small lakes dot the surface and provide an ideal home for a large variety of flora and fauna (indeed it is now a nature reserve).