Trapani Province - Useful information about the place to visit

In a short time from Valderice you can reach many towns and villages of interest in the Trapani area. The places B&B “Mercurio” recommend are:

• Erice 6 km away
  Mountain 800m above sea level with a characteristic medieval town at the summit. Erice offers numerous architectural sights left by the various ancient colonies who lived there. Observing the churches, the castle, the city walls and the monuments we can see elements from the ancient dwellers of Erice, the Normans, the Romans and from the late middle ages. From the castle there is a view of the Trapani area and, weather conditions permitting, from here you can even see the coast of Africa and Ustica. One of the most important cultural centres of the world, “the Ettore Maiorana Centre” is situated in enchanting MountErice. Here heads of state and scientists from all over the world meet during the year.
  
• Trapani 12 km away
  City situated between the sea and MountErice, its beauty characterises the area. Today we can admire remains left by the many ancient colonisers of Trapani including the Phonecians, the Romans, the Arabs and many more. The port was built in Phonecian times and is today one of Trapani’smain tourist attractions. Over time it has undergone many changes with some work still in progress. Visiting Trapani is like diving into different historical eras. Walking in the historic centre we can admire monuments, churches and buildings which reveal the diversity of the city. The extreme point of the city is marked by the LignyTower, now home to the Museum of Prehistoryto reach it just follow the road flanked on both sides by the sea frequented in summertime by bathers. A small distance away we can see the fishing port where the fishermen with their boats fish in a traditional way using techniques handed down from father to son over centuries. At night they go to sea with their nets and return in the morning with their boats full of allkinds of fish. Here we can also find Villa Nasi, the ex.Leper Colony which today is the seat of the Italian Naval League. Off the coast we can see the Columbaia , one of the symbols of Trapani. Moving southwards along the Salt road, we can admire the Salt pans and windmills , some still fully functioning. At many times of the year you can witness the salt extraction, a technique which has been passed down from generation to generation by the “Maestri del sale” (salt workers). In Nubia there is the SaltMuseumsurrounded by salt pans and a nature reserve. Moving back into the centre of the city, you can visit the AnnunziataChurch, home to the Carmelite monks who worship the statue of St Mary, patron saint of the province of Trapani. The statue is famous for its beauty and for the numerous miracles it has bestowed. Legend has it that at the end of the 13th century the templar knights of Tolemaide brought the statue to the city. St Mary became the patron saint of the province because it was believedthat the statue protected and defended Trapani. For this reason, cardinals, bishops, kings and princes all visited the statue, bringing valuable gifts. Next to the church there is the PepoliMuseum where marvellous works in coral can be seen.
  
• Marsala 22 km away
  City rich in history and archaeology. In the Whitaker museum you can admire the marvellous marble statue“young man in tunic”, of Greek origin, dating back to the 5th century B.C. It was found during digs in the archaeological park which stretches from Porta Nuova to the end of the Boeo Seafront. Along the sea front we can find the Baglio Anselmi home to the Punic Ship. Nearby we can find mosaics of the insula Romana and the cave of the Sibilla Lilybetana. Also of interest, the islands of Mothia and Stagnone.

• Calatafimi-Segesta 30 km away
  Ancient Greek city where we can find the temples of Segesta and the amphitheatre where important plays are held during the summer season. Segesta became famous for the glorious victory of Garibaldi over the Borbonic army.

• Custonaci 8 km away
  A small town famous for the extraction of the precious Bothcino marble. Here you can find MountCofano. By following a pathway it is possible to reach the summit from where you can admire the beautiful views of the coastlines of Cornino, Bonagia, Casteluzzo, Macari and San Vito.

• San Vito lo Capo 25 km away
  Well known tourist attraction, San Vito is famous for its long coral sand beach. Every September the important “Cucus Festival” is held here. During the festival, the town receives chefs from all over the world who compete for the final prize.

• Zingaro Narture reserve 36 km away
  An area surrounded by greenery and crystalline sea. By walking round the reserve it is possible to reach small coves where you can bathe in the sea. The reserve is situated between San Vito Lo Capo and Castellamare

• The Egadi Islands ( Levanso, Favignana and Marittimo).
  It is possible to reach the islands by ferry or hydrofoil which leave from the port of Trapani.

• Pantelleria island
  Pantelleria can be reached from the port of Trapani, the port of Mazara and BirgiAirport (Trapani). The volcanic island positioned in the centre of the Mediterranean has become known as “the black pearl of the Mediterranean”. It is a tourist destination with visitors from all over the world including stars like Madonna or Armani. It is famous for its natural mud baths in the Lago di Venere (lake of Venus)

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