Sicily has long been a crossroads and melting pot 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. In this Field Learning activity, students will have the opportunity to visit the second largest metropolitan city of Sicily, Catania; Sicily’s Mount Etna volcano (Europe’s largest and most active volcano) and the charming town of Taormina: the perfect combination of history, sea, and nature.
Itinerary:
Departure from Florence to Sicily on Thursday evening. Arrival in Catania on Friday morning, guided visit of the city-center and food tasting in the morning, visit to a local wine producer and wine tasting (light meal) in the afternoon. Full day excursion on Mount Etna on Saturday and return to Catania in the early evening. Transfer to Taormina on Sunday morning, guided visit, group dinner, and transfer to the train station in the early evening. Return to Florence on Sunday night, arrival in Florence on Monday morning.
The activity includes:
- Round trip transportation
- All transfers by public or private transport
- 2 nights in hotel (shared rooms) with breakfast
- Entry fees and guided visit of selected sites
- Food tasting
- 3 meals
- Field learning staff on-site
- Insurance
The activity does not include:
- Meals not listed above
- Entrance fees or costs associated to sites/activities visited on own during free time
Learning outcomes:
- Become familiar with the history of Catania, Taormina and the wider region of Sicily
- Define Italian “regionalism” and understand that there are many “Italies” and many “capitals” in the history of Italy
- Explore the Sicilian countryside and create connections among nature, biodiversity, and human health and wellness
- Assess the achievements of Renaissance and Baroque architecture outside Florence
- Trace the origins of many aspects of Western European culture and of modern Western society in general
- Place artworks and other archaeological evidence in the context that created them
- Gain a broader knowledge of food culture and products that are unique to Italy, including their history
- Increase critical thinking, especially in relation to the role tourism plays in marketing the history, food and culture of Italy
- Develop team-building and collaborative skills
- Increase awareness of cultural similarities/differences
For availability and payment deadline, please contact EFL office at efl@fua.it
