Sicily Trip

Visiting Sicily

Classics and Geography students had a wonderful five days in sunny Sicily at Easter. Twenty-nine girls from Years 10 to 13 visited a number of archaeological sites and geographical features on the island. After an early start, setting off from school at 3am, our first port of call was the fabulous ruins of the temple at Segesta, one of the best preserved in antiquity (though unfinished) and after a steep uphill climb we admired the views from the ancient theatre there too. After a lunch stop for pasta and a sample of traditional Sicilian dessert, cannoli, we explored the ruins of a vast site at Selinunte where the hilltop has the remains of numerous huge temples. The next day we visited the Valley of the Temples and the Archaeological museum at Agrigento, a world renowned site. The next few nights were spent with sea views in the town of Giardini Naxos. The girls explored the Roman Theatre at Taormina. This was followed by a trip up Etna by coach, cable car and mountain truck before finally walking through the snow around the crater. We visited the Alcantara Gorge, a beautiful river valley with rocks formed from lava into strange patterns, where our guide told us about the formation of the gorge, it’s unique climate, flora and fauna and its function as a tourist site. That visit culminated with skimming stones along the river at the base of the gorge. We also managed to squeeze in a boat trip to Lipari and Volcano and a bath in the thermal sulphur springs created by the volcanic activity that gives the island its name. The girls saw and took part in a vast amount of sights and experiences in just a few days, whilst also finding time to celebrate birthdays in the Sicilian style. Mrs Ball, Ms Noot and Mr Fitryzk accompanied the trip. Mrs Ball & Ms Noot