*Alcàntara Park
Between Catania and Messina provinces,along the 50 Km of Alcàntara river, this place can us live again the prehistorical life of an uncontaminated territory. The Gorges and the cold river carry us back when here an ancient river flowed on a pug bed covered by a lava cast that caused the downfall of these sediments. The result are the magnificent colonnades today visible.
Alcantara Gorges
At 1200 meters, on the slopes of the Etna, there is a little volcanic river formed by an eruption: The Alcantara river. Miles of years ago a lava eruption covered the bed of the river.
The magma, cooling off, formed prism basaltic high walls and the erosion of the river transformed it in a canyon. Between the high and black lava walls, flow limpid small lakes, cascades and small beaches. The excursion to the gorges demands approximately an hour.
In the summer months you can walk entirely the bed of the river between 50 and i 200 m.
*Etna Park
It was born on 17th march 1987.
The extent of the Park start from the summit of crater and reah the higher borders of the etna villages.
Etna is situated on a place where thousands of years ago were a gulf between Iblei and Peloritani Mounts. Thanks to the many eruptions under the sea Etna was formed, and with the years has reached the present form.
In the Etna park there is a variegated landscape: lunar scaenario of the many eruptions, woods, ancient trees and Grottos, such as Intraleo grotto (Adrano), Palombe grotto, Grotta del gelo (Ice-Freeze Grotto).
Vegetation
Vineyards, oak tree, chestnut tree.
Above 2000 m of altitude there will be beech tree and birch trees.
Between 2500 and the summit any form of life is possible, and the only scenario is the volcanic desert such as a lunar landscape.
Animals
Many animals are visible, and many other are dying out:
fox, wild cat, furetto, dormouse, hare, rabbit, weasel, bat, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, long-eared owl, hedgehog and Viper are example of the animal living on the Etna.
Activity
It’s easy to walk in the park and fell the nature rinasance into the destructive scenery of the past eruptions, hear voices of animals and enjoy the peace. You can do an excursion in the paths inside the wood, or a walk until the grottos of the volcano.
Aside the classic pic nic in the pine forest, you can follow the suggestions for this itineraries:
-Piano Provenzana (in LInguaglossa territory).
Here it is possible to visit the pine forest “Ragabo”, the scenario of a old lava eruption and some beech tree.
The lencht of the route is 4/5 Km and it is practicable by everyone
- Piano dell’Acqua – Monte Calanna (in Zafferana territory).
The landscape that you’ll admire is the wild scenario of lava eruption that seems of being in a lunar soil.
The route’s lenght of 1 Km is of a mild difficult level
One of the famous activity done by inhabitant of the Catania province is the mushrooms hand picking. For the safety of every one it is better abstaining from this activity for inexperienced persons. In fact it is possible pick up some poisonous mushroom, and the cases of poisoning are not rare.
*Nebrodi Regional Park
It is situated between Catania and Messina province
The highest summit is Soro mount (1847 m)
Attractions
Forestes, magnificent trees, its extension arrive until Maniace and Bronte with its
Pisatchio cultivation.
Lago Bivere is a magnificent natural attraction you can’t lose, with its variegated flora and fauna.
*Madonie Regional Park
Vegetation: Fir tree of Madonie, oak chesnuts, beech tree.
The main paths for excursions are the three itinerary of southern, centre, northern part of the park
Also here it is possible seeing some mushroom, and its hand picking is a common activity
Natural Reserves
*Zingaro Natural Reserve (Trapani province)
Created in 1981, this wonderful area is one of the most interesting natural reserve of Sicily overlooking the Castellammare gulf.
Itineraries
Here two different itineraries are possible.
The first will consists in the visit of Naturalistic Museum, Equipped Area, Cala Capreria:
-Exhibition of local objects made by old craftsmans
-Herbarium, where all the types of veggies are preserved in the Zingaro
-Naturalistic Museum wich inside you will see all the fauna living in the reserve
-Area equipped for picnic where you can also cook.
Lenght
600 metres
The second will consists in a path near the sea with the view of Cala del Varo, Cala della Disa, Ethnographic Museum, Museum of marine Actvities:
-Specimen of dwarf Palm tree
-Water fount of Zingaro Reserve
-Ethnographic Museum containing traditional agricultural utensils. An activity that express the local folklore is the work of expert master doing different types of object by weaveing veggies fibres.
-Museum of marine Actvities will offer to you carrion-crowthe view of tolls used for fishing activity suc as the famous “Tonnara” used for tuna fish.
Lenght
6 Km
Other things worth a visit are:
-Pianello, the only artificial conifer wood attending in this natural area
-Speziale mount: from this panoramic point you can admire a large part of the reserve
-Tunnel and sunken grottos such as Colombaccio grotto, Corvina grotto, Craperia grotto, Mustia grotto and Ficarella grotto.
-Amazing is the view of the sea with its crystal-clear water and its particular fishes.
-The animals living here demonstrate how the creation of the Reserve has an important function for ecosystem. Amazing will be the view of Seagulls, Pigeons, grey Carrion-crow, Magpie, Nightingale, Hoot owl, Fox, Rabbit, Weasel
*Vendicari Natural Reserve
this magic place is situated on the Syracuse province, between Noto and Marzamemi.
The bogs of this place are useful as a break place for the migratory birds that come from Africa and are directed to other Europe places.
Landscape
-Rocky coast, sandy coast, Mediterranean scrub, bogs, salt mines, cultivated areas.
What to see
-Archaeological settlements, Necropolis
-Ruins of Byzantine period such as churches, catacombs, small houses and Necropolis
-Other hisotic symbol is the Sveva Tower, built under Pietro d’Aragona order.
-Vendicari Tonnara, a old bulding dated at XVIII century around.
Birdwatching
A particular activity to do in Vendicari is Birdwatching of that species of birds that take a break in Vendicari Reserve during their travel from Sarah to North Europe.
What kind of birds?
-Wading birds
-Storks
-Gulls
-Herons
-Cormorants
When?
The best period to do this activity is the month of December
Other animals are here visible, such as Green Toad, Biacco snake, turtles, fox, wild rabbit.
*Oasi del Simeto (Catania)
A protected area of Catania territory crossed by the longer Sicily river Simeto, that starts its route in the Nebrodi mounts.
The reserve is an ecosystem rich of fauna and flora where many interesting natural activities will accompany your visit.
The reserve was created in 1984 to preserve vegetation and animals dying out.
One of the most important thing after the institution of the reserve was the demolition of unauthorized constructions that treathened the life of flora and fauna of this area.
Description and landscape
The landascape consists in the view of dunas and pine forest immersed in a territory where sea, Simeto river and sandy beach dominate.
The flat country undergoes floods in winter and dehydration in summer, and a variegated flora and fauna will make you visit more interesting, in fact here you can admire the rare slimy soil vegetation such as wetland reed, stuoia bulrush, Lische with tight leafs.
Activity
-Birdwatching
One of the most practicable acitivity of the reserve is Birdwatching of the many birds that use this reserve such as a stage of their migration. The types of birds are Ash Heron cenerino, White Heron, Red Heron, goldfinch, chaffinch and mmany others
-Excursions
Your route will consists in a visit of the pine forest in front of the sea coast, the Gomalunga lake and the beautiful coast where Simeto ends its route. Thanks to the panorama your experience seems to be in a mediterranean paradise, an exotic and uncountaminated reserve where the green pine forest, the sea and the river encounter in a unique and amazing natural place.
How reach the reserve?
From Catania centre go the south part of the city (industrial zone), arouund 10m Km until Ponte Primosole. Here is the entrance of the reserve
Equipment
binoculars
camera
lotion against gnats
hiking boots
The right behaviour
It is better every visitor doesn’t disturb the quiet of the reserve by an inadequate behaviours such as screaming, trampleing upon vegetation, bringing radios, bothering animals and dumping.
*Beaches
Sicily is the goal of who want to enjoy of the mediterranean scenario that none other place can offers.
The variegated sicilian coast wiil hit your attention offering to your the ppossibility of different types of landscape such as different types of sandy beaches and amazing rocky beaches.
Marina di Ragusa
* Marina di Modica, paradise for windsurfers
* Pozzallo, 30 km from Ragusa
* Sampieri, close to Scicli and Modica
Cefalù Some beaches of Cefalù, are:
* Salinelle, 7 km from Cefalù in Palermo direction, advised to who want to do windsurf.
* Capo Playa, 4 km from the Cefalù center.
* Mazzaforno/Ogliastrillo, 3 km from Cefalù.
* Caldura, 20 minute on foot from the historical center of Cefalù.
* S.Ambrogio, 6 km from Cefalù in Messina direction.
* Finale di Pollina, in Messina direction to approximately 12 km from the Cefalù center.
Catania
*Plaja beach (with a lengh of 25 Km in the southern part of Catania), with its many summer facilities that on night become discos the sandy beach.
*Fondachello, 25 Km in the northen part of the province
*Rocky coast of Acireale where you can visit the Timpa and its natural landscape
*Acitrezza, the fisherman villages famous for the setting of the Malavoglia Family, protagonist of the Verga’s novel.
Other beaches worth a visit are Mondello in Palermo, Giardini Naxos and south Taormina