Four catamaran tickets to Sicily for new word game winner - June 19, 2010

The winner of the new word game series, which kicks off today, will be whisked off to Sicily with another three members of his family or friends.

Virtu Ferries are offering four return passenger catamaran tickets valid until December. The prize excludes the fuel surcharge and port service charge.

The winner can make his own way around Sicily or decide to take up one of the tours being offered by Virtu.

Virtu Ferries have introduced a number of excursions that cater for the different tastes of passengers. They range from adventure trips to cultural visits to the Sicilian southwest Unesco world heritage sites and gastronomic tours to sample the popular Sicilian cuisine, increasingly recognised as the finest example of a healthy Mediterranean diet.

Despite the variety, the excursions have two things in common: they are based on the very diverse but beautiful countryside of Ragusa and on passenger feedback that reflects the ever-changing and exciting world of travel.

It is not every day that it is possible to visit a volcano, in Sicily's case the Etna; the characteristic hill-top towns rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693 and the affluence of picturesque Taormina.

The winner might decide to try some delicacies like the torroncini (nougat) or paste di mandorla (almond cakes). There are also local liquors: limoncello (lemon), vino alla mandorla (almond wine), both served well chilled, or an amaro Averna (bitter liquor).

Sicily is steeped in history: the Greek temples of Agrigento are a unique experience as are the Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina; the archaeological sites of Siracusa include the Greek and Roman theatres and the cathedral, a former temple of Athena in the ancient city of Ortegia. The baroque cities of Noto, Ragusa and Modica are minutes away from Pozzallo. Palermo, the capital is a treasure trove; Erice and Cefalù are within easy reach.

Shopping in Catania is an experience while the Iblei mountain range is arguably one of the most picturesque areas of Sicily, with a variety of rivers, valleys, canyons and lakes that bring with them vast flora and fauna.

Virtu Ferries have been operating high speed ferries between Malta and Sicily since 1988. The Maria Dolores makes over 500 round trips every year between Valletta and Pozzallo (90 minutes) and Catania (three hours) effectively making Malta part of mainland Europe.

The six winning words of the last word game were gerundive, deaconess, outermost, intercept, carnivore and optometry.