Our journey takes us to the Western side of Sicily; a varied and wild coastline with a strong North African influence. Our first destination is the Riserva dello Zingaro a 1,600 hectare natural reserve sloping down to the sea. It is a paradise for raptors such as Bonelli’s eagles, Peregrine falcons and kites. We continue further into the park to visit Scopello – once an 18th century Fort this beautiful sea inlet is the site of the old ‘Tonnara’ where large quantities of tuna are still fished today using ancient methods.
Segesta: founded on the rolling green hills of the Castellammare del Golfo region by exiles from Troy and built in the 3rd century B.C. Its Doric Temple stands in splendid isolation on a hill facing Monte Barbaro. The city built above the temple on the top of the mountain has a Greek Theatre which continues to host ancient Greek plays to this very day.
Trapani and the famous Le Saline di Nubia (Salt Marshes of Nubia) where sea salt production has been active for over 300 years even if salt was mined here since Roman times. The landscape is dominated by huge Windmills that in the past were used to power machines for processing the salt. The Saline di Nubia are situated on the Stagnone Lagoon and house an interesting museum featuring old machinery and salt mining tools. This is a ‘must visit’.
Erice: this charming and mysterious medieval town is perched on top of Monte San Giuliano. From here view Castellammare del Golfo, the Egadi Islands and the picturesque coastline from Castello Pepoli and Castello di Venere, Erice’s magnificent Norman Castle. Walk around the streets visiting shopkeepers displaying their ‘Frazzata’ carpets hand–woven from colourful strips of cotton. An weaving craft unique to Erice.
One Day
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