Geography tour to Sicily by air: 5 days, 4 nights

The Cyclops Riviera is a stretch of coastline north of Catania leading from Aci Castello to Acireale. This beautiful part of Sicily is surrounded by myth and legends about the huge rocks protruding from the sea. According to one myth, Polyphemus, the giant son of Poseidon and one of the Cyclopes, threw these boulders in the sea to express his rage against Ulysses.

Some of the rocks are up to 70 metres high.

Geologists agree that Lipari was created by a succession of four volcanic movements. The last recorded eruptions occurred in the fifth century CE when airborne pumice, together with volcanic ash, covered the Roman villages of the island. The volcanoes are considered active with steaming fumaroles and hydrothermal activity which can still be seen. 

As a result of its volcanic origin, the island is covered with pumice and obsidian. Pumice mining is a large industry on the island with pumice from Lipari shipped worldwide.

Vulcano is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 25km north of Sicily and the southernmost of the eight Aeolian Islands.

The volcanic activity in the region is largely the result of the northward-moving African Plate meeting the Eurasian Plate. There are three volcanic centres on the island.

The Strait of Messina is a narrow passage between the eastern tip of Sicily and the southern tip of Italy. The currents and chemistry have created a unique ecosystem to explore.

This is a one off chance to explore an ecosystem affected by the physical and human geography of the area.

Tindari is a small coastal town situated on a rocky hill (Capo Tindari). Its strategic location has ancient sites and the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna. You will have the opportunity to examine the impact of tourism on such a small location and other issues related to human geography.

This is an interesting Italian village with much to offer groups to learn from.

Alcantara River Park, including the Alcantara River and the Alcantara gorges, was created when the river was blocked by a lava flow. The lava formed huge basalt columns and over time the river eroded them to form the gorges.

This is a picturesque and fascinating place in which to explore with much to study. It is interesting for students to imagine the forces and time needed to create the gorges.

A visit to Mount Etna gives a rare opportunity to get close to an active volcano. A local expert guide will discuss volcanic processes and landforms with examples on site. You will walk to 2000m above sea level – a walk of moderate difficulty - to view craters. You also have the opportunity to explore lava–flow caverns that formed during past eruptions.

How often do you get to stand so close the heart of the Earth? Molten lava, new land, tremendous views and the chance to learn at the site of the topic being studied.