Tour: Sizzling Sicily STEM

Destination: Sicily, Italy

Itinerary: 5-days / 4-nights in destination; arrival day at leisure

For travel during January through March, please know that Mount Etna

may be enveloped in snow and limit potential activities

Availability: Year-round

Evening

1 Dinner

2 Breakfast

Vulcano Is land

Master Class

Faragl ione di Levante &

Mud Baths

Aquarium Master

Class Dinner

3 Breakfast

Ciane River Cruise

Master Class

Museum of Papyrus

Master Class

Orange Plantation

Master Class Dinner

4 Breakfast

Mount Etna

Master Class Dinner

5 Breakfast Depart for Home

Fly to Catania, Sici ly; Check into Hotel ; Welcome & Safety Meeting

Sizzling Sicily STEM - Sample Itinerary

Morning Afternoon

Musuem of Lava Excurs ion & Master Class

Welcome to Visions STEM Discovery

As with all sample itineraries, please be advised that this is an ‘example’ of a schedule and that the activities and hotels shown may be variable dependent upon dates, weather, special requests and other factors. Itineraries will be confirmed prior to travel.

Sicily…. Sicily is a land of extremes and contrasts, a magnification of all things Italian. It is also an

island of enormous intensity, a concentrated distillation of history, architecture and gastronomic delights, where incandescent volcanoes light up the night skies, mountain ranges jostle for supremacy, and where the sea has sculpted a coastline of stunning variety and beauty. Expect to be enchanted... More of a sugar-spiked espresso than a milky cappuccino, Sicily will reward you with an intense bittersweet experience rather than anything lightweight and frothy. In Sicily it seems as though the sun shines brighter, the shadows are darker, and life is lived full-on and for the moment. Overloaded with art treasures and undersupplied with infrastructure, Sicily is an island to be visited with an open mind and a healthy appetite. One factor remains a constant… the uncompromisingly high quality of the cuisine. Sicily has long been a crossroads of Mediterranean culture and the island today is a fascinating palimpsest in which Greek temples, Norman churches and Baroque palazzos emerge from the rich fabric. But it also has natural wonders aplenty, from the smoking craters of Mount Etna to the still relatively undiscovered beaches of the southern coast. With parts of the island on the same latitude as the North African coast, Sicily’s mild climate makes it an attractive destination. Wherever you turn you will see evidence of Sicily’s 3,000 years of history as the strategic crossroads of Europe. Nowhere else have Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, French, Germans, Spanish, Italians, and even the British, left such an enormous collective legacy. The island is a vast open-air museum, a testament to nearly every Mediterranean civilisation of the past. The famous coastline of the island varies from sandy beaches and gulfs opening onto peaceful crystal clear bays, to steep cliffs, and crags. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, and the largest region in Italy. After some 25 centuries of foreign domination, Sicilians are heir to an impressive cultural legacy, from the refined architecture of Magna Graecia to a beguiling, if contradictory, artistic fusion of Arab craftsmanship and Norman austerity. This complexity of culture is matched by a startling diversity of landscape that includes the smouldering Mt Etna, an aquamarine coastline with a tiara of Aeolian Islands and Parco Naturale Regionale Delle Madonie. Ready to go? www.italyguides.it/us/sicily_italy/sicily_italy.htm

Day 1 Dinner

Vision schools will generally arrive in Sicily in the early afternoon. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to our hotel, check in and get settled, and have our Visions Welcome & Safety Meeting. Afterwards, we’ll have dinner and then the evening is ours for discovery!

Sample Hotel: The Hotel San Pietro - The Hotel San Pietro in Letojanni is a 3-star hotel located directly on the sea in the village of Taormina. All of their 94 rooms have a refrigerator, satellite televisions, telephone, air conditioning / heating and private bathroom. Most of the rooms have a balcony with sea view; some have a mountain-view. Hotel guests enjoy a private beach complete with sun beds, umbrellas and showers. Breakfasts and evening meals are taken at the hotel daily. http://www.sanpietro-hotel.it

Sample Hotel: Hotel Baia degli Dei - This 3-star hotel is located by the sea in the beautiful Bay of Recanati - Giardini Naxos, just a few kilometres from Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian. The wonderful position of the hotel allows customers to escape views of Mount Etna (the highest volcano in Europe) and the Mediterranean Sea with its sunrises and clear horizons. The hotel also is also situated in a good location for reaching the historical centres of Syracuse, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone areas; rich in history and the greatest exponents of Norman architecture. Standard rooms sleep 3 and are equipped with a balcony or terrace, bathroom with shower, telephone, hair dryer, safe, televisions, and air conditioning / heating. Breakfasts and evening meals are taken at the hotel daily. http://www.hotelbaiadeglidei.it

Sample Hotel: Le Dune Sicily - Le Dune Sicily Hotel lies in an enchanting place between the golden sand of de La Plaia beach and a beautiful small Maritime pine forest. It perfectly fits into the landscape's colours with its Mediterranean style, set in a magnificent backdrop fully respecting the surrounding nature. The hotel has 57 rooms all furnished with extreme care and equipped with amenities such as air-conditioning, satellite televisions, mini-bar, hairdryer, telephone, fax and internet access. Le Dune Sicily Hotel was created to make its guest feel at ease in any situation since it combines comfort and tranquillity with efficiency. It has wide green areas, a breath-taking scenic terrace, a big swimming pool with sun lounge, bar, restaurant with typical Sicilian cuisine and international dishes and beach service. Breakfasts and evening meals are taken at the hotel daily. Please note that this hotel has outdoor corridors so may not be suitable for all school groups. http://www.ledunesicilyhotel.it Important Notes: 1) While we will happily accept your request for one of the specific hotels shown above, please know that hotels are only available based on open occupancy so we may not guarantee any specific property until your tour is fully booked. Once fully booked, you will receive your hotel confirmation within approximately 30-days. 2) Dinner meals include mineral water as a beverage. If groups would like any additional beverages, these are available at the hotels however must be paid for by the individual members at the time of service. Day 2 Breakfast & Dinner

Good morning Sicily! After breakfast, we’ll kick-off our incredible week with a private coach transfer to Milazzo and then a hydrofoil to the Island of Vulcano!

Hydrofoil Ride to Vulcano – After arriving at Milazzo we’ll have the opportunity to travel by hydrofoil. A hydrofoil is a watercraft that is supported on ski-like pontoons while in motion, with the bulk of the hull remaining entirely above the water; allowing the boat to move faster by getting the hull out of the water. For more information on hydrofoils, visit http://lancet.mit.edu/decavitator/Basics.html.

Upon arrival on the Island of Vulcano, we’ll meet with our Scientific Guide & Geologist! The Island of Vulcano Excursion & Master Class – Once we arrive and meet with our private guide we’ll start to explore the volcanic phenomena and mineralogy connections particular to the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands. During our special tour and walking Master Class we’ll walk to the summit of the volcano, up to the large crater, to observe the sulphurous vapours typical of the site.

Vulcano is a small volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 25 km (16 mi) north of Sicily and the southernmost of the eight Aeolian Islands. It is 21 km2 (8 sq mi) in area, rises to 499 m (1,637 ft) above sea level, and contains several volcanic centres, including one of four active non-submarine volcanoes in Italy. The Roman name for the island Vulcano has contributed the word for ‘volcano’ in most modern languages. The Romans used the island mainly for raw materials - harvesting wood and mining alum and sulphur – and this remained the principal activity on the island until the end of the 19th Century. When the Bourbon rule collapsed in 1860, a British man named James Stevenson bought the northern part of the island, built a villa, reopened the local mines and planted vineyards for grapes that would later be used to make Malmsey wine. Stevenson lived on Vulcano until the last major eruption on the island, in 1888, when Stevenson sold his property to the locals, moved and never returned. Currently, around 470 people live on the island, mainly deriving their income from tourism.

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:

At the southern end of the island are old stratovolcano cones, Monte Aria (501 m), Monte Saraceno (481 m) and Monte Luccia (188 m), which have partially collapsed into the Il Piano Caldera.

The most recently active centre is the Gran Crater at the top of the Fossa cone, the cone having grown in the Lentia Caldera in the middle of the island, and has had at least 9 major eruptions in the last 6000 years.

At the north of the island is Vulcanello, 123 metres high, connected to the rest of the island by an isthmus which is flooded in bad weather. It emerged from the sea during an eruption in 183 BC as a separate islet. Occasional eruptions from its three cones with both pyroclastic flow deposits and lavas occurred from then until 1550, the last eruption creating a narrow isthmus connecting it to Vulcano.

Vulcano has been quiet since the eruption of the Fossa cone on 3 August 1888 to 1890, which deposited about 5 metres of pyroclastic material on the summit. The style of eruption seen on the Fossa cone is called a Vulcanian eruption, being the explosive emission of pyroclastic fragments of viscous magmas caused by the high viscosity preventing gases from escaping easily. This eruption of Vulcano was carefully documented at the time by Giuseppe Mercalli, “Explosions sounding like a canon at irregular intervals..." As a result, Vulcanian eruptions are based on this description. A typical Vulcanian eruption can hurl blocks of solid material several hundreds of metres from the vent. Mercalli reported blocks from the 1888-1890 eruption fell in the sea between Vulcano and Lipari, several were photographed by him or his assistants that had fallen on the island of Vulcano. Since Vulcano Island has volcanic activity, this island is a place where thermophiles and hyperthermophiles are likely to be found. In fact, the hyperthermophilic archaea Pyrococcus furiosus was described for the first time when it was isolated from sediments of this island.

Next, we’ll visit Faraglione di Levante; an important historic site for the extraction of alum.

Faraglione di Levante - The island of Vulcano, in the flat ( Vulcano Porto ) facing to the east, has the remains of a volcano called Faraglioni of the Levant , consisting of a rock element that rises vertically to a height of about 60m and a spur that stretches along the coast. The volcanic formation can be traced back to the first century BC and is made up of rocks and lavas pirocla statistics. Today, the complex is profoundly high-rato by persistent fumarolic activity that, if the time has profoundly changed the rocks that originally constituted it, has given to the whole complex looks from the point of view of landscape has connotations altogether singular: ‘the phantasmagoria of colours present, the presence of active fumaroles, bubbling waters are what today, in a different form and flashy, they attract the visitor.’ But what is most interesting to point out here is that ethno anthropological activity in this area has developed since ancient times and today, in another form, is practiced taking advantage of the natural thermal resources. Next, we’ll visit the mud baths!

Vulcano Mud Baths - This island is the holiday destination of choice for many Italians drawn by its therapeutic sulphur mud baths and steaming hot springs. Strong volcanic activity on Vulcano Island and deep under the sea is the natural wonder thought to possess healing and soothing qualities for the skin and to cure rheumatic pain and skin diseases. To view this activity, there are areas near the monolithic rocks where bubbles spewing up from the sea floor create an atmosphere similar to lounging in a luxurious spa … as good for the spirit as for the body. A modest 1.5 euro access fee and change for the showers will contribute to your total experience.

Swim daily in the pool (once or twice as advised) then cover your face and body with the mud (only as directed), let it dry to form a mask, then rinse it off. Next to the mud baths, hot springs make the sea warm and bubbly, like a natural Jacuzzi. Very hot vents of air also spring up through the rocks around the pool, so take care where you place your feet! Please be aware that the smell of sulphur, a direct characteristic of a trip Vulcano, may be overpowering at times, however this smell is absolutely safe for humans and absolutely non-toxic. It’s best not to wear clothes or swimming attire that you want to keep as the smell may linger and the mud could stain.

After bathing in the glorious mud, we’ll transfer back to Sicily by hydrofoil and then take a coach to visit the Sicily Aquarium.

Siracusa Aquarium & Master Class - The Aquarium of Syracuse is divided into several sectors. Among these sectors, an important part is reserved for the marine life of the Mediterranean, which is reproduced in its unique beauty. In the tanks, see recreations of the marine biotypes found in the sea that laps the shores of the province; also view some of the most beautiful shells of the Mare Nostrum. Guests will be able to admire the baths, reproducing the tropical aquatic life, divided into two sectors. The first concerns the fish and tropical plants that live in fresh water (African Great Lakes Amazonian rivers). The second is fish and marine invertebrates, characterizing the strangest shapes and the most garish livery. http://web.tiscali.it/acquario_sr While here, Vision groups will participate in a lab activity on one of the three following subjects:

Marine Environmental Education

Global Climate Change and Ocean Acidification

The Fish of the Strait of Messina; from Anatomy to Classification After our aquarium visit, we’ll head back to the hotel for dinner. We’ll have the remainder of the evening as free time for fun and exploration! Day 3 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Rise and shine Italy! After breakfast served at our hotel, we’re off to visit Syracuse! Today we’ll get a first-hand look at the Ciane River Natural Reserve, Papyrus and other aquatic plants of the area, as well as discover a unique Orange Plantation!

Ciane River Natural Reserve & River Cruise – The Ciane River, the salt-works and the papyrus plants all make the natural reserve in Siracusa a remarkable attraction. In a little area near Siracusa, some of that natural reserve still remains. Not only is it a natural reserve, but it also protects and preserves a site interlaced with the town’s history, ancient legend and cultural tradition. This area has always been a place for ritual celebrations, worships and legends since the 8th century BC when it was first discovered by Greek settlers. An interesting part of this reserve is the salt works which were built at the beginning of the XVII century. The salt-works, evidence of a typical Sicilian tradition that has almost disappeared nowadays, stretch for 50 hectares and are now a great place for waterbird-watching.

More fascinating is the presence of the papyrus plant whose appearance in Sicily is still questioned to this day. Papyrus, originally a plant from North Africa, now flourishes here and Sicily is the only place in Europe where it thrives as a wild plant. This river plant was valuable because working its pith produced the ancient equivalent of paper, the very “papyrus” from which the word "paper" in many European languages (paper, papel, papier...) derives its name. An erudite Syracusan even managed, in the 18th century, to rediscover the secret of "papyrus" production, which has continued since then in Syracuse both for scholarship and for the production of souvenirs, and has reached such a level of competence that the Papyrus Museum of Syracuse, our next stop, is also entrusted with the restoration of precious and fragile ancient Egyptian papyri.

Legend has it that the papyrus plant was imported to Sicily as a gift from the Egyptian kings to their ally, Hieron II. In the 19th century, a visit to the papyrus plant was considered a ‘must’ for every tourist… equally as important as Greek and Roman monuments, the Quarries or the Duomo. Tourists drifted in rowboats between plants as high as six meters, which rose, and continue to rise, directly from the water, enjoying "North African" nature. Today tourists can travel by boat along these rivers in which the papyrus plants are splendid, to the point of turning the river into a sort of "tunnel" lined with vegetation; a natural setting unique in Europe. While exploring by boat, we’ll also have an opportunity to investigate the common reed – Phragmites Australis, and the aquatic iris – Iris Pseudacorus. Our boat captain will be explaining the environment while we glide through the natural reserve. Next – we’re off to the Museum of Papyrus in Syracuse. The Museum of Papyrus & Master Class - Saverio Landolina rediscovered papyrus in the 18th century and began the manufacture of paper at this plant for all to enjoy. At the museum, you’ll get to see a fascinating multimedia exhibition on the history of papyrus and its use. In addition to a section dedicated to ancient papyrus scrolls, from the 15th century B.C. to 8th century A.D., the museum also displays objects made of papyrus in Africa (such as boats, ropes, mats) and items used to make papyrus paper and to write on it in ancient times. This is truly a unique centre for the study of papyrus, its production, its preservation, and its restoration.

Next – we’re off to visit Catania! Catania Orange Plantation Excursion & Master Class – The Orange Plantation is an eco-touristic activity with the aim of spreading the culture of the ancient Sicilian farming tradition about the most representative cultivation: the orange. To completely understand the plantation, the visit will be conducted by an agronomist who will introduce the peculiarities of the trees and their fruits as well as the growing process, from irrigation to collection. In the evening we’ll have dinner and then the remainder of the evening is free for exploration.

Day 4 Breakfast & Dinner

Good morning Sicily! After breakfast, we’re off to visit Etna! Mount Etna Master Class - Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, close to Messina and Catania. It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate and is the tallest active volcano on the European continent, currently 3,329 m (10,922 ft) high, though this varies with summit eruptions. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps and covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, being about two and a half times the height of the next largest, Mount Vesuvius. Only Mount Teide in Tenerife surpasses it in the whole of the European–North-African region. In Greek Mythology, the deadly monster Typhon was trapped under this mountain by Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder and king of gods, and the forges of Hephaestus were said to also be located underneath it.

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations. In June 2013, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

While here, we’ll explore the craters of Sartorius mounts located on the north side of Etna with a geologist and naturalist guide. We’ll also have the opportunity to explore one of the caves, fully equipped with protective helmets and safety ropes, to understand the lava flow. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Museum of the Mula! The Museum of Lava Master Class – The Mula, The Museum of Lava and Volcano, is a permanent exhibition on volcanism and human activities. The museum offers a unique opportunity to go to the heart of a volcanic eruption, an event closely linked with the very geological history of the Mediterranean area. A modern museum, the Museum of Lava boasts more than 1500 square meters of exhibitions with a goal to educate, appreciate the beauty and promote the conservation of the planet. The structure, comfortable and spacious, is equipped with two screening rooms, games room, shop and services. The ‘Journey into the Earth’ is a guided tour to discover how volcanoes are born, how and why earthquakes occur, and explaining the theories regarding the plate tectonics and the continental drift through simulations and videos; multimedia displays as well as a 3D cinema delivering spectacular visual effects. Along the route interactive learning is ‘inspired edutainment’ (the new methodology exhibition that aims to educate amusingly). Accompanied by an expert, students review simulations of lava flows, puffs of geysers and gorges carved into the basalt lava, and gain an understanding of why and how the volcanoes erupt. Particular attention is paid to education of volcanic and seismic risk with the project EDURISK Civil Protection. The Museum is also home to a first class planetarium. www.museodellalava.it/Mula_English.html Afterwards, we’ll transfer back to the hotel. In the evening, we’ll have dinner and then the remainder of the night is free for exploration.

Day 5 Breakfast

Rise and shine Italy! After breakfast we’ll pack our bags, check-out of our hotel and make our way via private coach to the airport. We’ll start to say goodbye to this fine city as we wave to our new friends and leave, taking away memories that will last a lifetime!

SIZZLING SICILY

Minimum Booking Numbers: 20 students What’s Included: Round-trip flights

4-nights’ 3-star accommodation in Sicily Breakfasts & dinners in destination 1 Lunch on Day 3 Transportation to activities shown in Itinerary Hydrofoil to the Island of Vulcano Vulcano Island Master Class Faraglione di Levante & Mud Bath Excursion Aquarium Master Class Ciane River Natural Preserve – Boat Cruise Master Class Museum of Papyrus Master Class Orange Plantation Master Class Mount Etna Master Class Museum of Lava Excursion & Master Class

Visions Tour Ambassador 24-hour emergency cover What’s Not Included: Fully comprehensive insurance (mandatory)

Transfers to/from home airport if travelling via air Transportation for activities not shown in the itinerary Cost of visas, full or collective passports Cost of inoculations or medication required for travel

Sightseeing / Entertainment Options not shown in Itinerary Hotel incidental deposits & bills – meals, mini-bar items,

recreation charges, purchases billed to room, etc Any gratuities – coach drivers, maid service, bellman

service, area guides

As always, our staff are always available to you to answer any questions you may have regarding programming. If we may serve you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.

United Kingdom: info@visionsineducation.co.uk / 01444 226348 The Americas: info@visions-in-education.com / 802.239.3010