Distances from Valderice

Trapani 8 km

Trapani is an extraordinary place. It feels more like Africa than Europe, hardly surprising in a way as it’s closer to Tunis than Milan. It’s a city surrounded by water on three sides and has an end of the line feel to it. And, indeed, the spit of Torre Ligny in Trapani is regarded by most people as the end of Italy. In fact, Trapani is one of Europe’s oldest settlements and was already a flourishing trading centre in Phoenician times.

Erice 5 km

The hilltop city of Erice was also founded by the Phoenicians. It then became an important Greek settlement where sailors worshipped Aphrodite and purchased “favours” from the priestesses to protect them from storms. The city has two castles, a cathedral and a myriad of churches and the remains of the Phoenician walls can still be seen in the north east quarter of the city.

Segesta 33 km

The Doric temple at Segesta, sitting majestically on top of a low hill in rolling countryside, is one of the finest in the world. Further up the mountain are the remains of the city of Segesta and the Greek amphitheatre, equally fine, set in commanding position above the main route from Palermo to the West of the Island.

Saline (Salt Pans) 17 km

Western civilization started with the Phonicians and the trade routes they opened up around the Mediterranean. That was only possible because they understood the value of salt in preserving food for a long voyage and discovered how to make it on an industrial stale. So in a sense the salt pans built by the Phonicians here in Trapani mark the beginning of Western civilization. Well worth a visit.

Edagi Islands

Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, the Egadi Islands, lie just off the coast of Trapani and they each have their distinctive character. Favignana is the busiest. Tourists are attracted by its party atmosphere and sandy beaches. Levanzo is smaller and quieter, but its harbour is very picturesque (see pic) and it has a spectacular restaurant, Romano, right on the waterside. Marettimo is further away than the other two and it feels exotically remote, a place to go if you want to escape the crowds and get close to nature. They are all fabulously beautiful in their own way.

By fast ferry from Trapani: Favignana 30 mins; Levanzo 25 mins; Marettimo 1 hour 20 mins

Mozia 28 km

The island of Mozia (also known as San Pantaleo) was an important Phoenician settlement and has a very rare collection of Phoenician ruins. It’s one of only three Phonician sites that wasn’t subsequently built over. There’s also an archaeological museum and a tiny vineyard which produces a spectacularly good grillo. The vineyard was originally planted by an Englishman, Joseph Whitaker, but is now part of the Tasca group.

Marsala 38 km

Marsala was originally a Phoenician settlement, but today it’s the wine capital of Sicily and home to some its biggest wineries including Donnafugata, Florio and Pellegrino and Marsala wine originates from here. The city is also known as the point where Garibaldi landed to start his campaign to unify Italy and there’s an elaborate gate to commemorate his entry into the city, just visible in the photo. The elegant baroque centre is a pedestrian precinct.

San Vito Lo Capo 29 km

San Vito lo Capo has one of the finest beaches in the whole of Italy, a wide curving stretch of white sand lapped by waters of azure blue sea and overshadowed by the sheer rockface of Monte Monaco, 532 m high. It’s also marks the northern end of the Zingaro Nature Reserve, a wonderful piece of unspoilt coast stretching south towards Castellammare where no cars or development are allowed. But it’s seems almost never to be out of season and finding a place of your own on the beach in July and August can be challenging.

Palermo

You can’t come to Sicily without a visit to Palermo. It’s 95 km or 1 hour 30 mins.