| The sickle-shaped harbour of Trapani is just one of | | | | Trapani, are the three Egadi islands. Despite being so |
| the many idiosyncrasies that make this area of Sicily | | | | close to the mainland, they have very much their own |
| so attractive and appealing to visitors. Founded by the | | | | identity and have managed to preserved much of their |
| Elymians, it was created to serve as a port to the | | | | natural beauty and antiquated charm. It is possible to |
| more important, nearby city of Erice (then known as | | | | reach them by boat, hydrofoil or ferry and to stay on |
| Eryx). Today Trapani is re-known for its tuna fishing | | | | the islands, although the largest, Favignana, offers the |
| and salt production, with archaic manufacturing plants | | | | most tourist-friendly accommodation. In the evenings, |
| and salt-pans dotted along the coast, and a tourist | | | | the locals take their passeggiata (stroll) along the main |
| destination, with Trapani-Birgi Airport, Sicily's third largest | | | | street running between Piazza Madrice and Piazza |
| airport, located just 20km southwest of the town | | | | Europa which are full of shops, bars and eateries. |
| centre. In 2005, Trapani was also the location for | | | | However the main draw to these islands is their more |
| chapters 8 and 9 of the Louis Vuitton Cup, part of the | | | | untamed parts, full of isolated beaches, coves and |
| America's Cup. | | | | grottoes of which Grotta Azzurra is considered to be |
| Although the outer edges of Trapani are full of | | | | the most beautiful. For a small fee, local fishermen will |
| concrete edifices, go into the historic heart and the | | | | take visitors to see the best spots. |
| atmosphere changes into something altogether softer. | | | | One of the best beaches in the surrounding locale |
| Beautiful Baroque buildings, charming churches and the | | | | though is to be found at San Valo de Palo, roughly |
| usual pedestrian fare of shops and restaurants, | | | | 38km northeast of Trapani and a 50 minute drive. If |
| provide the perfect way to while away a summer's | | | | without a Trapani car hire then the Trapani buses do |
| afternoon. The delicious, local ice creams and pastries | | | | run to this age-old fishing town 8 times a day and |
| are enough to tempt even those with the strongest | | | | have a journey time of around 1 hour and 20 minutes. |
| willpower away from dieting and to cool down against | | | | San Valo de Palo has strong Arabic roots and cous |
| the sizzling Trapani weather, a traditional ice-cold | | | | cous is one of the primary food staples, but its biggest |
| slushy called a granita offers the perfect solution. | | | | attraction is the fine, pales sands and clear, blue |
| Flavours include almond, coffee and a variety of fruits, | | | | waters which mark its coastline. Snorkeling, scuba |
| although the most popular is generally lemon. | | | | diving and all manner of boating activities are popular |
| With amazing vistas over the city and the Gulf of | | | | here because of San Valo´s idyllic Sicily |
| Castellammare, the ancient town of Erice is situated | | | | weather, rich marine life and underwater archaeological |
| roughly 12 kilometres away and 2500 feet up Monte | | | | treasures. Close by are 2 stunning nature reserves, |
| San Giuliani. A cable car goes direct from Trapani to | | | | Zingaro and Mount Cofano, the later of which includes |
| Erice or for those who have arranged car hire at | | | | the Grotta Mangiapane; an 80 meter high by 70 meter |
| Trapani Airport, it is reachable via the Vito Carvini. Here | | | | deep cavern in the mountain containing small houses, |
| there are a fusion of historic styles to uncover yet the | | | | stables and a chapel. |
| labyrinth of winding, cobbled streets allow it to retain a | | | | A site that is definitely worth seeing is the ancient |
| predominantly medieval charm. Architecture of | | | | town of Segesta, just over half an hour away and |
| particular note is the 14th century cathedral, the Chiesa | | | | 40km east of Trapani. A fascinating archaeological |
| Matrice, the ruins of the Greek Temple of Aphrodite | | | | park takes centre stage here and includes |
| and the impressive 12th century Castello di Venere | | | | excavations from a mosque, chapel and roman |
| (Venus Castle), built by the Normans on the site of | | | | amphitheatre. The single most impressive building |
| another ancient temple dedicated to the goddess of | | | | though is the magnificent doric temple built around |
| love. Some of the best views out to the Egadi Islands | | | | 430-420 BC by the Elymian people. Although it remains |
| are afforded from the castle and from the surrounding | | | | unfinished with no roof, the structure is still breath-taking |
| Giardiani del Ballo (public gardens). | | | | and sits on top of a hill with unrestricted views over |
| Just a few thousand metres from the shores of | | | | the area below. |