Amazing Volcanic Landscape Walking by Andrew Mundy

Highlights of Andrew Mundy's walking in Italy with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays in Sicily, including the formidable Mount Etna, still erupting..... 
He reports back; “I really enjoyed it. Really lovely weather, a pleasant group and lovely walks.” Read on for his highlights of walking this amazing volcanic landscape. Helen, Community Co-ordiantor for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays.

The highlight of my holiday was visiting Mount Etna. Etna was visible from the plane from 500 miles away; a slightly brooding presence with its upper slopes cloaked in snow.

The hotel bus took us up a steep road with hairpin bends; the journey being an experience in itself. We passed through the village of Bronte with its Lord Nelson connections.

The extent of the 2001 / 2002 eruptions and lava flows were evident and made one aware of the sheer force of nature. Etna dominates the island at 3323 metres high. In March there was still snow around so the walk was always going to be interesting.

We started our climb fortified with hot chocolate. The walking was easy with the ground being a mixture of soft snow and volcanic ash.

We climbed to about 2000 metres and rested, taking in the views and just enjoying the fresh air tinged with a slight smell of sulphur. We all enjoyed pointing out where we had walked on other days. It was interesting walking past two craters and looking down into their depths.
We all enjoyed running down a steep path. It was a question of leaning back and just going for it. There was lots of boot emptying at the bottom with black volcanic ash being the main offender.

This holiday has everything: enjoyable walks, and a comfortable hotel with excellent food. It was Easter and the flowers were beautiful, we saw many orchids.
On the free day choices include Syracuse, Taormina or just chilling out. I explored a disused railway line but could have visited the Circumetnea railway which circles the base of Etna.

And every day the delightful chore of watching Carlo making your lunch, he made it into an art form.

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More Music More Sport More For Clean Energy A Better World, In Sicily Next Week

Palermo in Sicily, Italy hosts the World festival on the beach next week. The twenty sixth World festival on the beach event starts on the 16 May and runs through to the 22 May 2011.

There is a fantastic combination of water sports contests as well a beach sports complemented by air displays and live music, their motto is “More Music More Sport .. .. More for Clean Energy a Better World”. What more could you ask for?

The World festival on the beach attracts contestants from far and wide to the beautiful north coast of Sicily where they battle it out in the water either sailing, windsurfing, wakeboard, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddle or zipping around in A class Hobie Cats. A great spectacle in the bay of Palermo.

The golf driving contest, the fencing events and volley ball take place on the beach. Look to the blue skies and you can enjoy watching the air show, sky diving and paragliding. The beach stage is taken by the musicians who offer classic, jazz and contemporary entertainment into the evening.

It is unusual to come across an event with quite so much variety and in many ways it highlights just how much the Italian island of Sicily has to offer apart from the rich culture and natural wonders for which it is well known. Perhaps explaining why Sicily has become such a popular holiday destination in recent years. For more information visit wwfestival.com

Villas Worldwide has a fabulous selection of over thirty holiday villas in Sicily on the northern coast, many of which have their own private swimming pool. Why not enjoy a relaxing break in a villa in Sicily combined with a lively day or two at the World festival on the beach?


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