Sicily boasts one challenging and enjoyable 18 hole courses at 25 km from Taormina and offers an opportunity to play golf in a wonderful location with great climate, slow play and high green fees that are typical of many of the more established golfing destinations elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Il Picciolo is the oldest course in Sicily and has played host to a number of international tournaments, including Ladies’ European Tour events. There can be very few courses in the world that can boast a smoking volcano as a backdrop but Il Picciolo is one, laid out as it is in a stunning location on the slopes of Mount Etna. The proximity to Etna and its regular eruptions provides the unusual hazard of lava floes on many of the holes and, with trees and vineyards also constantly in play, there is a premium on accurate driving. As a result the course is more challenging than its relatively modest length (5,800 metres) might suggest. For many golfers the biggest challenge may well be keeping their mind on the golf and away from the scenery.