Sicily’s most inspiring natural beauty spots are protected by numerous parks and reserves that dot the island. Walking trails abound in the parks and you can visit isolated beaches, pristine forests and active volcanoes.

Plus you can spot all manner of local wildlife and visit traditional villages where life is little-changed in decades. Here are eight of our favourite parks for exploring the natural world in Sicily.

Parco Naturale Regionale Delle Madonie

The 400 sq km (154 sq mi) Madonie regional park is an outdoor paradise that’s well suited to slow, culturally rich travel. The Madonie Mountains are crowned by Pizzo Carbonara, which is the highest mountain in Sicily after Mt Etna.

Spring here sees spectacular spreads of wildflowers carpeting the mountain slopes; autumn brings wild mushrooms and richly colored foliage; winter draws snow sports enthusiasts and summer offers an escape from the coastal crowds.

This is not just a nature reserve but an area where people live and work, so you can combine hiking with visits to historic hilltop towns. Castelbuono, the charming capital of the Madonie is set amid ancient manna ash and chestnut forests. A 15th-century castle dominates the town’s skyline.

Parco Nazionale Isola Di Pantelleria

One of Sicily’s national parks is halfway to Tunisia. A volcanic outcrop, Pantelleria is Sicily’s largest offshore island. It’s characterized by jagged lava rock formations, steaming fumaroles and mudbaths. The island’s unique agricultural traditions, featuring dwarf grapevines and olive trees laid out on terraces between dry stone walls, earned it Unesco World Heritage status in 2014. There are no true beaches, but Pantelleria’s gorgeous, secluded coves are perfect for snorkeling, diving and boat excursions.

The park protects over 80% of the island, including the unique dammusi – lava rock houses with thick, whitewashed walls and shallow cupolas. Exotic and remote, Pantelleria has long been an escape for top celebrities. It can be reached by ferry and plane.

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Parco Dell’etna

Dominating the landscape of eastern Sicily, Mt Etna is a massive brooding presence. At 3357m (11,013ft) it is Italy’s highest mountain south of the Alps and the largest active volcano in Europe. It’s in an almost constant state of activity and eruptions occur frequently, most spectacularly from the four summit craters, but more often, and more dangerously, from the fissures and old craters on the mountain’s flanks.

The volcano and its slopes comprise the Parco dell’Etna. Encompassing 580 sq km (224 sq mi) and some 21 towns, the park’s varied landscape ranges from the severe, snowcapped mountain top to lunar deserts of barren black lava, beech woods and lush vineyards.

Good bases for exploring Mt Etna include the gritty, medieval port city of Catania and the center of Sicily’s posh summertime society, Taormina.

Parco Regionale Dei Nebrodi

Encompassing the Nebrodi Mountains of northeastern Sicily, the Parco Regionale dei Nebrodi constitutes the single largest forested area in Sicily. It’s dotted with remote and traditional villages that host few visitors.

This lovely, off-the-beaten-track park encompasses an undulating landscape of beech, oak, elm, ash, cork, maple and yew trees that shelter the remnants of Sicily’s wildlife: porcupines, San Fratello horses and wildcats, as well as a healthy population of birds including golden eagles, herons and peregrine falcons. The high pastures are home to farms growing mushrooms and hazelnuts.

With your own vehicle, you can explore the timeless villages and access trailheads that plunge into the forest. Located on the park’s western border, Mistretta is a charming hilltop time capsule where the streets have hardly changed in 300 years.

Riserva Naturale Dello Zingaro

The tranquil Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro is the star attraction on the Golfo di Castellammare, drawing nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts. It’s a hiker’s paradise and a haven for wildlife, including some 40 bird species. Wild carob and bright-yellow euphorbia dust the hillsides, along with 700 other species of Mediterranean plants, while hidden coves provide tranquil swimming and snorkeling spots.

From the main coastal path, well-signposted gravel tracks cut through aromatic scrub and broom, almond trees and meadows to picturesque coves with pretty beaches. Only accessible by boat or on foot, top choices include Cala Capreria, with bright turquoise water and ample rocks to laze on, near the park’s southern Scopello entrance; and family-friendly Cala della Disa. Snorkelers favor Cala Marinella for its piercing emerald-green waters, accessed from rocks (there is no beach as such).

The park can be easily reached in under an hour from Palermo.

Riserva Naturale Saline Di Trapani E Paceco

Administered by the World Wildlife Fund, this vital bird sanctuary protects 10 sq km of saline (salt pans), divided into two zones, extending from Trapani’s southern outskirts to the hamlet of Saline Grande.

With a couple of weeks’ advance notice, WWF guides can sometimes offer free two-hour tours of the reserve, focusing on migratory waterfowl in spring and fall. In summer, they’ll take you to see the salt harvest.

Besides this reserve near Trapani, the salt pans are also protected by the Riserva Naturale di Stagnone to the south near Marsala. The latter includes San Pantaleo island, home to the noted Phoenician archaeological site of Mozia.

Parco Minerario Floristella Grottacalda

The historic remains of sulfur mining that was active in Central Sicily until the mid-20th century are now hidden amidst this pleasantly verdant and forested park. A poignant reminder of the industry’s harsh realities is the black-and-white photography in the park’s compelling museum, showing child miners forced to work in very dangerous conditions. It’s a stark reminder of how poverty has shaped Sicily’s history.

The park is about 15km (9.3 mi) north of Piazza Armerina, an unmissable medieval labyrinth and a good base for the region.

Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa

With your own wheels, you’ll find some stunning beaches and beauty spots west of Agrigento. This includes Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa, a beautiful 7.6 sq km (2.9 sq miles) nature park administered by the World Wildlife Fund.

The site offers plenty of scope for walkers, with well-marked trails and sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and coast. The long, deserted Torre Salsa beach is especially beautiful and the rough access road keeps the people count low. (Nearby Siculiana Marina has its own great sandy beach).

The beach is reached from the reserve’s northern entrance, which in turn is under 45 minutes from Agrigento. The city makes a fine base for exploring the rest of the region as well, including the world-renowned Valley of Temples.

Decked with white sand beaches, aquamarine waters, and a lush volcanic landscape Fiji makes for a truly paradisiacal setting.

The far-flung archipelago, made up of more than 300 islands, has a rich culture with good food and a joie de vivre attitude at its heart. Here we reveal the best places to visit in this picture-perfect corner of the world.

The Eclectic Gateway City Of Nadi

Best For Multicultural Fiji

On landing into Fiji you’ll see Nadi from the air. This pint-sized city is located just a short drive from the international airport and is a great spot to kick off your Fijian adventure. A mix of stores in a rainbow of colors line the roads, with everything from electronics to handicrafts on offer.

The covered market is a real treat for the senses with an array of local produce on offer. Another must-visit spot in the city is the spectacular Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu temple, which is located downtown at the southern end of the main road. This spectacular temple, the largest in the Pacific, features intricate carvings that could keep your eyes busy for days.

Palm-Lined Beaches On The Yasawa Islands

The Most Beautiful Region

Yasawa means “heaven” in Fijian and this string of islands is certainly heavenly. The archipelago, located in the northwest, comprises around 20 islands of varying size with palm-lined beaches, aquamarine waters, and dramatic topography being the running theme. Despite their remote location, the majority of the islands are inhabited and many feature hotels. To get there, the Yasawa Flyer ferry departs daily from Port Denarau Marina close to the airport and stops at more than 12 of the islands. South Sea Cruises also runs ferry services and excursions in the area. 

Determined to bridge the housing deficit and create affordable accommodation for residents, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday delivered and commissioned a 480-unit housing project in Ikorodu division.

Sanwo-Olu named the LagosHOMS project built in Ibeshe after the late former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Asiwaju of Ikorodu, Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson, SAN.

The Governor described the project as “a modern style” accommodation initiated to improve the residents’ comfort and wellbeing.

The project comprises 40 blocks of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three bedrooms apartments, with fully fitted kitchen, store and guest toilets.

The estate also has ample space for parking, a water treatment plant, overhead water tanks, borehole, central sewage system, seven transformers, one injection station and two dumpsites, as well as buildings for generator house and central hall.

Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritising development of housing projects that would enhance comfort and strengthen the aesthetic of the environment. The event, he said, was a testimony to the fulfillment of his electoral promises.

The Governor, who also performed groundbreaking of Ibeshe Scheme II, said that his administration had created 17,000 direct jobs and 18,000 indirect jobs through the construction of various housing schemes. He said the State’s housing projects had direct engagement of consultants, contractors and artisans in the State.

He said: “In the past two and half years, we have been earnestly addressing the huge housing deficit in Lagos. There is no doubt that this administration is passionate about building decent and durable homes for our people. Actually, the provision of more housing facilities is a major aspect in our transformational agenda tagged THEMES.

“Through our development blueprint, the State is focusing on the Built sector as a driving factor for economic development, social inclusion and job creation. In deepening our activities in this sector, the economy of the State has been greatly revitalised. This is because building homes is a capital-intensive activity that positively affects every sector of the economy.

“We are here because every responsive government knows about the impact of good and decent homes on the welfare of the people. This has a ripple effect on other areas of life by adding meaning and essence to living. It is in acknowledgment of this fact that this administration considers housing development to be a priority on its agenda.”

Sanwo-Olu, while reiterating his administration commitment to affordable housing for Lagosians, said private sector involvement in housing development is vital to robust housing delivery.

The Governor said by the time of his administration’s third anniversary, a total of 7,000 homes would have been delivered by the State under his leadership, adding that the Government was embarking on a partnership with the private sector to provide more housing needs for the people.

“About five weeks ago, we commissioned an estate of 100 homes constructed through a joint venture in Lekki.

Today, we are here again to release another set of 480 homes delivered through direct budgetary allocation.

In utilising these two strategies of partnership with the private sector and budgetary allocation, we have been able to deliver 13 major housing schemes all over the State.

“We are still counting because we are still at work in a number of housing construction sites all over the State. Apart from the one being commissioned today, three schemes are virtually ready and awaiting commissioning at Sangotedo, Odo-Onosa Ayandelu, and Agbowa.

It is our expectation that by the time this administration is marking the third anniversary, a total of 7,000 homes would have been delivered to the people

“Within this location, there is also a joint venture housing scheme which is being constructed in collaboration with a private investor. This is just one of the partnership efforts of this administration.

There are still other joint venture schemes at Ijora-Badia, Tolu-Ajegunle, Lekki and Ajah to mention a few. By involving the private sector, the State is widening the home provision net and opening the door wider for more homeownership opportunities.

“The private sector involvement in housing development is vital to a robust housing delivery policy. In creating opportunities for private investors through various reforms, the State Government is aiding vibrancy in the economy.

Together both government and private investors are meeting a basic human need while galvanizing the economy at the same time,” the governor said.

On the development of Ibeshe Phase II, Sanwo-Olu said the scheme would yield a total of 192 flats with supporting infrastructure, which will include a network of roads, drainage system, car park, electricity and water reticulation system.

Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said the ceremony demonstrated the readiness of the Sanwo-Olu administration to improve the wellbeing of residents through the supply of affordable housing units across the State.

He said the location of the project, developed through budgetary allocation, would give the allottees a level of environmental protection and comfort, as the scheme was developed close to a shoreline thereby making it a good choice.

The project, he said, has also improved socio-economic indices of the area.

“it is worthy of mention that housing development comes under the pillar of making Lagos a 21st Century economy in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda.

Based on this policy thrust, the State Government has been working on the completion of all the housing schemes initiated but left unfinished by previous administrations in the State,” the Commissioner said.

A rescue team searching for 35 miners who are trapped deep underground following an explosion at a mine in Eastern Russia have failed to return to the surface.

The blast took place 820ft below the surface at Listvyazhnaya coal mine in Siberia shortly after 9am Thursday, when coal dust in the ventilation ducts caught fire.

The huge explosion has killed at least 11 miners – including a 23-year-old – who were ‘wiped off the earth’ in the blast, and injured 43 others, four of whom are in a serious condition.

But 35 miners remain unaccounted for and are feared trapped, prompting a massive search effort involving 154 rescuers.

Efforts to rescue those trapped in the mine were halted on Thursday afternoon because of an explosion threat, and rescuers were rushed out of the mine, administrators told the Interfax news agency. It is unclear how long the search will be halted.

But a single group of rescuers with up to four hours of oxygen did not reappear at the surface, and were lost in the mine, according to local reports. Each team comprises four or five searchers.

There were also local reports of a second explosion at the coal mine this afternoon, around 12 hours after the first.