Travelogue in Sicily, west coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea
Guidaloca beach has been made available to us finally, as the sun has just rose.
The sea polished the stones, and the smell of the sea invites us to take a dip. It was pleasant to stroll along the narrow streets in Scopello on the evening before. The old village has a magical charm after sunset. You can also enjoy the long summer days by sitting under a fig tree.
After a refreshing swim in the morning, and no sunbathing, it’s time to get moving!
The first stop is , a hill on which the temple and the Greek theater stand. It’s an excellently preserved place.
The ancient Greeks were so skilled in selecting the best places to build their most important symbols. According to legend, the best time to visit these sites is in the morning. However, there are often plays that are performed between night and dawn. There We will return to this place to witness one of these performances. However, the most popular word we used in our trip to Sicily was ” Return“. After a brief pause, to re-arrange our thoughts and breathe in the ancient atmosphere, we move on towards the next destination.
San Vito lo Capo
It was a peaceful and quiet fishing village until a few years back. It was a small, white village with four houses. The problem was that it was located on a long shore, more than three meters in length. Also, the warm, clear waters that wash its shores look almost like Carabbean islands. This has made San Vito lo Capo one of Sicily’s most popular seaside destinations. These small houses have been enlarged with the addition of shops, restaurants, cafes, and buildings. Locals are trying to balance the development with the protection of their local area. It is a beautiful beach with a lot of amenities.
These same guests meet on the main street for an evening stroll. Between each evening stroll, there are two things you must see: The Cous Cous* (hot-cold )**.) and the caldo reddo. Perhaps San Vito’s spirit is to forget about the rest of the globe. You can wear swimwear, T-shirt or flip flops, but also barefoot, all day long. From a delicious caldo fresco to a long soak in the blue ocean and back to your evening stroll to the couscous for an endless happy hour.
COUS is a famous dish made of tiny steamed semolina balls that arrived from North Africa (perhaps due to the Sirocco winds?). Served with delicious fish soups, vegetables, or other meats. San Vito is home to the Couscous Festival, an international festival that celebrates this dish and the interaction of cultures.
Not equally well-known is the CALDO FREDDO. This delicious ice cream cup is the result of the creation of a Cafe in the City Centre that serves liqueur, cream, brioche and melted chocolate. It is available in most cafes around the city. You will need to find the one who invented it.
Gourmets should also be aware of the delicious cannoli from this region, such as Dattilo. These cannoli are known for their hand-made taste and light friable waffle.
We now face the majestic mountain of Erice, as we follow the sea to Trapani. It is one the oldest villages in Sicily. It was established by the Elimi, who are the island’s oldest inhabitants, eight centuries ago. For a relaxing walk in a special and intimate setting, it is worth climbing the bends.
After visiting the Belvedere gardens, the medieval towers and the Castle of Venus, you can also explore the narrow streets to find the almond sweets of Erice. You could also buy one of the multicoloured carpets made of “rags” and enjoy the Belvedere garden.
historic center is waiting for us, but we don’t want to miss the Saline Saltworks with their traditional windmills that we saw from Erice.
To protect the salt deposit from the wind, water is drawn into these large ponds by natural evaporation. In the salt museum, you can see the work tools and other objects from the past. After the visit, our program is to enjoy the traditional sea bass baked in salt.
We continue our journey towards Marsala and we will come upon Mozia. This small island is full of history.
Mozia – ph.Robianni
This tiny archaeological site is where we discover that it was the Punic Wars’ scene. It was then destroyed and buried until Whitaker, an English archeologist, discovered it and found the remains of an ancient Phoenician colony.
It is possible to reach it by boat, but it only takes a few minutes. You could travel by wagon or mule along a water trail in the past.
It is home to a small museum that contains a sculpture masterpiece, the Kuros, or the ” young man of Mozia“. This little gem is not well known. It is just as important for its exquisite workmanship than any of the most famous masterpieces.
“If Garibaldi’s army landed in Marsala, there must be a reason”, these are the words that appear to be written on the faces of the proud, elderly inhabitants of Marsala as they walk through the streets of this elegant, small city. We now have to see the Norman cathedral of St. Thomas of Canterbury as well as the remains of a Punic vessel at the Museum of Archaeology Baglio anselmi.
Marsala is also known for its sweet and dessert wine, which made the town famous. Marsala has been a “European City of Wine” since 2013.
