BACK TO THE PAST

Meet your private guide and driver at your accommodation and relax on the ride to the unforgettable medieval town of Erice.

Nestled on the top of a mountain on the northwestern tip of Sicily, about 750 metres above sea level, Erice affords sweeping views of the surrounding landscape extending all the way to Mount Cofano, the city of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands. The town is located less than two hours drive from Palermo, but its culture, history and lifestyle are so totally different from those of Sicily’s capital that the visitor experiences the sensation of having travelled in a time capsule to another dimension. Soak up the magical atmosphere of Erice as you follow your guide through narrow winding streets adorned with blooming balconies and bordered by craft shops, cafes and churches. Every now and then a sudden opening between the buildings reveals a wonderful glimpse of the sun-parched countryside and cobalt-blue Mediterranean Sea beyond. Not to be missed are the 12th century Castle of Venus, built by the Normans on the site of a long lost Roman temple, the 14th century Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its splendid lace-patterned ceiling in stucco and the artisan stores selling brightly coloured woven carpets and minutely hand-painted ceramic pieces of irresistible charm.

No visit to Erice would be complete without tasting the town’s delicious, internationally acclaimed pastries. Sugary morsels of Bocconcini di Erice marzipan stuffed with jam, Genovesi ericine filled with cream, Mostaccioli cookies flavored with cinnamon and clove will ensure you carry away sweet memories of a delightful Sicilian morning.

After some free time for lunch, rejoin your guide and driver and reach the fascinating remains of the ancient town of Segesta, situated in an unspoiled setting amidst peaceful green hills, north of Calatafimi. Although Segesta’s early beginnings are wrapped in mystery and legend, we know it was once the most powerful and prosperous settlement of the Elymians, a population that inhabited Western Sicily during the classical era. Your guide will lead you through the ruins and relate the history of the town, from its disputes with the nearby rival Greek colony of Selinunte, through timely alliances with Athens, Carthage and Rome, to its decline and abandonment in the Middle Ages.

Quite astoundingly, after 2,500 years, traces of Segesta’s glorious 5th and 4th century BC heyday still survive, allowing visitors insight into the customs and beliefs of the island’s early dwellers. The archaeological site features two impressive ancient monuments. The extraordinarily well preserved Doric temple, dating between 430 and 420 BC, boasts thirty-six original columns and sits solemnly in an isolated spot atop a 304-metre-high hill. The semicircular theatre, built between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC, perches 400 metres above sea level on the northern slope of Mount Barbaro and still continues to stage theatrical events and Greek dramas throughout the summer months delighting spectators with the striking natural backdrop of the Gulf of Castellammare.

After your visit down the centuries turn the clock forward again to the present day as you return to your accommodation in Palermo.