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Tours organized

The Nature Reserve of “Salt-Pans of Trapani and Paceco”

Distance: 5 km from Trapani Total time by bus: approx. 10 min
It can be visited in 2 hours, by walking & bird watching
The Nature Reserve of “Salt-Pans of Trapani
and Paceco”
Sun, sea and wind, guided by man through centuries of work and talent, are the
natural ingredients for the production of salt, one of the richness of the past.
The famous network of salt-roads is still to walk now, all over Europe, from the
salt.pans of the past to the most important towns and cities.
At only 5 km from Trapani there are the Salt-Pans of Trapani-Paceco, one of
the oldest in Sicily, a huge, beautiful extension of water geometries.
Now this salt-pan is a nature reserve, managed by WWF, created to protect the
last wetlands of western Sicily, its botanical peculiarities and richness of fauna
The richness of the salt
Sites of Human Activity
27
last wetlands of western Sicily, its botanical peculiarities and richness of fauna
(flamingos, spoonbills, ducks..). The reserve protects also the salt works from the
actual risks of urban and industrial expansion, dumps and illegal buildings. Part of
the old tools used for producing salt are kept in the Salt Museum in a specific
zone of the reserve. Shovels, baskets, Archimede's coils, stone and wooden rollers
are set in a beautiful windmill, close to the sea, while illustrated panels explain
also the function and the structure of the salt-works.
Shop possibilities:
•Marine salt
•Garlic from Nubia

Marsala, history and wine - The territory of Marsala is one of the most famous of the world for its wine productions

Distance: 31 km from Trapani
Total time by bus: approx. 45 min
Total inhabitants: approx. 55.000
It can be visited in 2,5 hours.

The ancient town Lilybaeon was founded in the III cent. BC by survivors, that escaped from the Phoenician colony of Mothia, after its total destruction.
The actual name comes from “Marsah el Ali” – a harbour of Ali – underlining the maritime importance of the town.

To visit:
the Archaeologic Museum, hosed in the Anselmi “Baglio”, an old wine cellar that today preserves a part of Carthaginian war ship from the III cent BC, found near the coast of Stagnone Marsala, history and wine Distance: 31 km from Trapani
Total time by bus: approx. 45 min
Total inhabitants: approx. 55.000
It can be visited in 2,5 hours
The wine production
Sites of Human Activity
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found near the coast of Stagnone
The town Centro Storico:
Piazza Repubblica
Palazzo Senatorio (XVII Cent)
The St Thomas of Canterbury Cathedral, built in the XVII-XVIII
cent over a Norman edifice
The Monastery of San Pietro
The local fish market

The Aegades Islands  Can visit the tourist boat tours from the port of Trapani daily
Distance: 6 marine miles from Trapani
Total time by hydrofoil: 15 min to Levanzo, 25 min to Favignana, and approx. 1 hour to Marettimo.

Favignana
The island – with butterfly shape - is the largest in the archipelago of the Aegades islands, and is a popular tourist destination because of its wonderful sea, characterised by many coves. The island is rich in history too (the famous naval battle between the Romans and the Carthaginians was fought here). Favignana is also famous all over the world for its “mattanza” tradition (slaughter of tuna fish). In the area of San Nicola, is possible to visit archaeological sites containing remains of prehistoric period, and a necropolis VIII century BC, and the Boasco district sites with
remains of Punic era. Diving and snorkelling – Best places : Punta Marsala, Secca del Toro, the submerged cave between Cala Rotonda and Scoglio Corrente, and the rocks off Punta Fanfalo and Punta Ferro.
Levanzo
The smallest of the Aegades Islands, it is an ideal place for trekking, thanks to its numerous paths. Do not miss: the visit to the Genovese Cave, on foot or by boat, where to admire prehistoric graffiti. A boat trip around the island enables to reach many coves for swimming and snorkelling.

Marettimo
Among the Aegades Islands, Marettimo is the furthest from Trapani: therefore it stillis a real natural paradise, with a rugged and enchanting landscape and a crystal sea. It is also well known for its archaeological sites, characterised by caves which can bereached by a ride on a fisherman’s boats. It is ideal place for those who want holidays in close contact with nature and with traditions, with ways of life and customs that no longer exist in urban environments.
Caves to see : the “Grotta del Cammello”, the “Grotta del Tuono”, the “Grotta Perciata” , the “Grotta del Presepio”, similar to a Nativity scene due to rocks crafted by the wind and the waves.

Segesta , the mystery of the “Elymians”

Archaeological area located on Mount Barbaro (430 m) , in a charming position between green hills and fields, dominated by the view of the Doric temple and the Roman theatre.
It was (together with Erice) one of the most important settlements of the Elyminians. It  is also interesting the visit to the new excavations of a medieval Segesta (called at that time Calatabarbaro)
Legend tells us that it was founded by Alceste, son of the Trojan Egesta, who hosted Aeneas during his voyage after the fall of Troy.
To visit:
-- the Temple, built in Doric-style in 420-430 BC, with 36 columns made with local
“travertino” marble.
-- on the summit of Monte Barbaro (by small shuttle), there is the ancient city, with
•the Greek Theatre built in Hellenistic style (II century BC)
•The medieval Castle
•the ruins of an ancient mosque.

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