On Wednesday 10^th April, 25 excited Year 10 students and 3 staff (Mrs Dawson, Mrs Sweeting and Mrs Burdon) left GBHS at 3.30 a.m. bound for Catania, Sicily for the geography field trip.

On arrival in Sicily the group were met by their driver and began their first day at the Alcantara Gorge with a quick lunch, after which they explored the river and volcanic basalt columns. Students learnt about Sicilian (lunar) lemons which fruit 5 times a year. After a day of travelling, the lure of the beach and river was too enticing and so many of the students enjoyed a quick paddle and skimming stones before heading back to the coach and hotel to unpack and enjoy their first typical Italian dinner.

Day 2 saw another early start to catch the Hydrofoil to the island of Vulcano. A quick wander round the town of Milazzo, a boat trip over and they were soon listening to Manuelo the guide and trekking to the top of the 800m volcano. Looking across the 500m wide crater gave the students a breath-taking view of all the volcanic islands in the distance (over 200) and the sulphur gases at the summit. The students bought themselves a well-earned gelato when they descended to the base and some had a walk on the black sand beach and investigated the sulphurous thermal baths.

Friday was Mount Etna day. Everyone was excited about the prospect of seeing the mountain that dominated the view from the hotel. A coach to the Lava Fields first, followed by honey and olive tasting, then a further drive north to the base camp for the cable cars. After the cable cars, they boarded jeeps to the next level to meet an Alpine Guide who walked the group the final 100m. With snow all around, standing 3000m high, the students were eager to learn that the last lava eruption in December had left areas where the rocks were almost too hot to handle! They were all in awe of this magnificent volcano. They then returned to the hotel for some much-needed down time and a football game on the beach.

The last day dawned bright and sunny for some beach time and a delicious granita (sorbet) at Giardini Naxos. and then a drive to Taormina where the students all enjoyed making pizzas for lunch. The guide took the students through the history of the town and showed them the spectacular view from the Greek Amphitheatre overlooking the bay. Some free time for shopping was then on offer for those wanting to buy gifts after the final part of the itinerary.  The town even put on a parade for everyone to enjoy before the journey back to Catania airport.

“Sicily provided the group with a fabulous opportunity to test their geography knowledge, learn what else the island had to offer and try new food. The students were superbly behaved and a credit to the school (we had lots of favourable comments from hotel guests). They were fun to be with and a pleasure to support. We have all brought back memories that will last a lifetime.  

Arrivederci Sicily – until next time.”

Mrs Burdon