Three Fermanagh teenagers have begin a 10 day quest for a belt, which will require them to trek together through a part of the Italian countryside as yet unrevealed to them.

Keri Monaghan, from Kesh, and Sinead Boylan and Michelle McPike, both from Irvinestown, are Venturers with the Scout Association of Ireland and are taking part in the Explorer Belt Expedition, an annual challenge which, if successfully completed, will result in the awarding of the prestigious Belt.

Keri and Sinead are making up one of the 28 Irish team, while Michelle is teaming up with Elaine Sexton from Cork.

The teams only found out their destination, the area they are to travel through and the projects they must complete when they arrived in Rome. Officially, the girls didn't even know which city they were heading to.

Before they left yesterday, the girls made it clear that although they are getting a nice two week break in Italy, attempting to get the Explorer Belt is not exactly a relaxing holiday. After being dropped off at unknown destination they will be given a map showing their point of departure and their target - a campsite approximately 120km away. They will have 10 days to get from one tot the other, but they must actually cover 200km to qualify for the belt.

Along the way the girls are expected to also complete daily projects reporting on Italian culture and life they have learnt about.