In Sicily there are three big natural areas and other little ones.

The first one in the Etna Park. Mount Etna is not only a volcano - it also has a lot of paths and trekking opportunities. The best ones are the excursions on the summit craters on the south side starting from Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi (Catania).

The second park is the Nebrodi Mounts. This is between Messina and Catania. This park is full of forests the most known is the "Bosco di Malabotta". The park is a little less accessible so it's advised to use a four-wheel drive vehicle and take a good map.

The latest park is the park of the Alcantara river. This is a river formed in a lava eruption thousand years ago. The river is walkable.

Etna Park - Nicolosi (Catania)
Nebrodi Park - Between Messina and Catania
Alcantara River - Near Francavilla di Sicilia (Very near to Taormina)

The nearest station for Etna Park is the Circumetnea. From here, a rail road goes around Etna and its villages. You can take it in the Catania central railways station (Piazza della Repubblica) or in the Station of Giarre if you come from Messina by train.

More info here:
www.volcanoetna.com

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Every town we visited on the island seemed to have an abundance of beautiful public gardens. The best ones are probably the ones you stumble on by accident just by walking around, but make the effort to find Giardino Garibaldi (complete with a bust of the man himself) when in Palermo - the incredible visible roots on the fig trees are worth going in search of.

If you find yourself in Taormina (which is where most tourists end up) make sure you find the wandering road down to Giardino Pubblico (the public park). As well as stunning flowers and great views out over the sea and Etna, you'll also find many little brick follies round each and every corner, and various bits of war paraphenalia, including a mini-submarine. Bizarre, and fascinating.

Giardino Garibaldi is on Piazza Marina, just off Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo and Giardino Pubblico is on Via Bagnoli Croce, Taormina.

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