Nature holiday destination: Sicily is the best for you vacation

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A trip surrounded by nature: a tour between the sea, volcanoes, mountains in Sicily, Italy for holidays nature

Intense experiences amongst nature and culture, in the discovery of Sicily: sea, volcanoes, islands, forests, art and history, all dedicated to sustainable tourism. Adventure vacations, tours and hi ...king trails, itineraries that will take you through unusual and extraordinary scenery, birdwatching, bike trips, and guided tours which in every season uniquely combine nature, travel and culture. And then there are the true experiences of ecotourism in Sicily: guided nature trails, natural retreats, trekking through the rocks and volcanic ash of Etna. 'Sicily, (...) the green island of Trinacria, where the sun grazes the flock.' Homer - Odyssey, XI, 140 - XII, 165.
A nature vacation in Sicily, discovering a corner of paradise
It’s rare to find a land that is as complete as Sicily: the island is a real paradise, divided between sea and mountains, canyons and volcanoes, overflowing with history, culture, traditions and events. It's not possible to close Sicily off in a single image. The seasons come and paint a palette of colours ranging from yellow broom and mimosas to red poppies and purple bougainvillea, from the green meadows to the sun-scorched ochre of the earth. In springtime the air is filled with the scent of orange blossoms and broom, the senses exalt and become lost before the absolute beauty of a never-dull landscape, from which you can pass in just a few kilometres from 3,000 metres, on Etna, to a sandy cove.
Not only, therefore, one of the most varied and stunning seas of the Mediterranean, but also unique mountain scenery, extraordinary corners of nature, where life stirs great emotions.
And as such, the volcanic landscape and sea horizon make Etna (or Mongibeddu as the Sicilians still love to call it) a great destination for adventure trips during your vacation in Sicily. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe, still in constant motion. It is located in one of the 5 Natural Protected Areas of Sicily and is part of the Etna Park.
The north side of the volcano is the most green, the predominance of birch trees giving colour to a stunning landscape; on this side of Etna there is one of the main lava flows, that of 2002-2003, which poured down onto Piano Provenzana, leading to the formation of 25 new eruptive crater vents, in a “buttonhole” pattern. The southern slope is instead one of the more typical destinations, where you find some of the most famous craters, such as the Silvestri Craters. The other slopes also offer visitors the chance to explore the volcano, showing-off beautiful landscapes: on the east slope lies the Bove Valley, a huge volcanic depression created around 65,000 years ago, into which most recent lava flows pour. Etna also offers accessible caves, an unmissable experience for an adventure vacation. Many cavities are formed by lava as it has cooled and built-up, creating extraordinary spaces and forms. The adventure vacation packages selected by Sicilying offer different levels of difficulty, giving you the chance to choose the trip most tailored to your needs and level of fitness. The “Cave of the Raspberries” (Grotta dei Lamponi), close to Castiglione di Sicilia, is a must-see; the “Cave of the Snow” (Grotta della Neve) is a small geological jewel, historically important for the economic activity of snow storage and trading; and the “Cave of the Three Levels” (Grotta dei Tre Livelli), at an altitude of 1,630 metres, is one of the most extensive lava flow caves in the world.
The Nebrodi Park rather is characterised by lush vegetation, damp environments and gentle rolling hills. Some of finest places to see include: Portella Femmina Morta, Monte Soro, Biviere di Cesarò, Portella Balestra, Portella Dagara, Lago di Trearie, Masseria di Trearie.
The Madonie Park has been called a real “botanical garden in the central Mediterranean basin”, with peaks that reach 1,980 metres above sea level (Pizzo Carbonara) and an extremely varied landscape. The coastal strip is populated by chestnut trees, olive groves and oak forests; the south side, sunny and barren in summer, greens during the wetter seasons. Equally varied is the fauna: countless species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates inhabit this territory. Some of these species, such as the wild boar, the italica hare, the fallow deer, and the red fox, are endemic, rare and protected.
The Alcantara Gorges are the most famous volcanic canyons in Europe, with its basalt walls up to 50 metres high, hidden in the beautiful natural setting of the Botanical and Geological Alcantara Gorges Park. The drainage basin of the Alcantara river lies between the massive Mount Etna to the south, and the southern foothills of the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountains to the north, reaching the Ionian Sea after a run of about 52 km. This amazing watercourse and its clear water was celebrated by all those ancient peoples who passed this land: the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Romans, and the Arabs, who called it 'Al Qantarah' ('arch bridge'). Retracing the course of the Alcantara river means exploring not only one of the most fascinating natural environments of the Mediterranean, but also the ancient history of these waters: the little towns that have sprung up along the watercourse are testimonies to its history, all meriting of a visit, and the famous Alcantara Gorges are only thirty minutes from the well-known Taormina, the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean.' The river then forms the border between the provinces of Messina and Catania, both characterized by places of great historical-artistic interest and unparalleled natural beauty.
Carefully selected trips, adventures and naturalistic experiences
What do you want to see in Sicily? Sicilying has chosen for you guided tours, escursions and extraordinary natural retreats amongst nature, history and stunning landscapes.
FOR THOSE IN SEARCH OF UNFORGETTABLE EMOTIONS, our adventure vacation offers will let you discover the mysteries of the largest active volcano in Europe by bike, jeep or snowmobile. You can explore the depths of the Cave of the Three Levels, closed to the public but made accessible to you thanks to expert guides. Or you could live the excitement of a nature vacation sleeping in a tent on a blanket of snow or under a starry sky, like real adventurers; or enjoy beautiful landscapes made even more magnificent by the light of dawn or sunset. FOR BIKE LOVERS, we offer many opportunities for bike touring, cycling holidays, and travel by bike: you will be able to live the thrill of being in close contact with the countryside and its many charms. A true nature retreat. You can explore the lush vegetation of Etna, amongst forests, caves and refuges and, if you're lucky, come across wild fauna such as foxes, hares or rabbits. Or live the unique experience of travel and culture: with excursions in the Valley of Noto, in the discovery of the Sicilian towns of Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Ragusa, Pozzallo, Portopalo and Syracuse; or a city tour of Palermo, accompanied by an expert guide along its streets, to discover its monuments and tradition.
FOR SUMMER AND WINTER CAMPS, our Sicilying offers give you the chance to experience accommodation and day trips immersed in the most incredible natural surroundings of Sicily. There are numerous parks and reserves, some of which are managed by the WWF: to take part in a WWF summer camp means exploring some of the most interesting protected natural areas of the island.
FOR LOVERS OF BIRDWATCHING, Sicily is one of the key regions for observing the migration of birds. With wetlands, salt marshes and coastline scattered throughout the territory, you will have the chance to admire the typical sedentary and migratory fauna of the island, including the flamingo, the Great White Heron and many other species.
FOR THOSE IN SEARCH OF A FULL IMMERSION IN NATURE, our excursions and trekking offers allow you to discover stunning and extraordinary landscapes within the parks and nature reserves of the island.