Lo Zingaro’s spectacular faraglioni (needles) starred in the final sequence of the film, Ocean’s Twelve. This wonderful nature reserve starts at Scopello and runs to San Vito Lo Capo in north-western Sicily, offering an amazing coastal path and tiny secluded beaches, as well as sightings of rare birds, animals and plants. Here, Bonelli eagles and peregrine falcons ride the thermals and swoop to scoop up their catch of the day. If you’re not into walking, access it by sea – there are plenty of boat trips.

It is never difficult to find Sicily’s wilder places. The one-time hunting grounds of the nobility are still rich in wildlife and flora, like in Le Madonie National Park, in the mountains above Cefalu. Bird-lovers will be in their element in the marshy Vendicari Nature Reserve below Noto, a haven for migrating seabirds from Africa.

Even if your nature rambles are by car, in spring you can tour through a fleece of wildflowers on the northern slopes of Etna or in the hillsides around Segesta. One can’t speak about Sicily without mentioning its volcanos – Etna reigns supreme but off shore Sicily’s island of Stromboli is home to Europe’s most active volcano.