B&B Sicily - Tired of crowded hotels? Perhaps you prefer your holidays quieter and less expensive? Then try this comfortable, well-equipped bed and breakfast in Trapani, north-west Sicily.
The Bed and Breakfast Delle Palme offers all the comforts of 3-star accommodation in a friendly and comfortable environment. All the rooms are air conditioned, with en-suite bathroom and TV. Every room has its own parking place.
There is even a kitchen and TV room for your use: this is the perfect base for your expeditions to discover western Sicily and its delights. Marsala and Palermo are within easy driving distance and the setting is ideal for a Mediterranean holiday in Italy. Nightly rental of a single room is EURO €25, rising to €35 in August. Double rooms are €50, or €65 in August.
Trapani, surrounded by the sea on three sides, remains cool even under the Mediterranean sun. With lovely beaches, ruins of Greek temples, and the breathtaking mountain town of Erice, there's something for everyone. This area of the island is distinct even from the rest of Sicily. The whitewashed boxes of the houses, the palm trees and lively fishing harbours nod more to Africa than Europe. This was the earliest developed part of Sicily, dominated by the Punic influence, the Carthaginians and the Saracens, with the Greeks largely restricting themselves to the east of the island. And western Sicily today still has strong traces of its Arabic past.
Scale Mount San Giuliano and you discover Erice itself. Originally it was founded by the Elymians (refugees from Troy in around 1250BC), who erected a temple to the goddess of love. Successive invaders used this building to worship Tanit, Astarte, Aphrodite and Venus in turn.
In the mediaeval villages of the area you will find the continuing practice of traditional arts and crafts, with finely decorated pottery, colourful hand-woven rugs and traditional cakes made of almond paste and candied fruit.
There is San Vito Lo Capo, where the climate, the beaches, the sea, the streets full of flowers and breathtaking views provide the visitor with unforgettable memories. Or the Zingaro nature reserve, where narrow paths traverse the slopes, lead to the sea or climb up the hills, allowing you to view an intact and unspoiled Mediterranean ecosystem.
Take a boat out to the Egadi Islands, just off the coast of Trapani. You can reach them in just a few minutes and once there you are far from everything, surrounded by a wild and unspoiled environment of beauty. Visit the unspoiled island of Mozia and the cellars where the local Marsala wine is produced.
Or explore the archaeological sites at Segesta and Selinunte. Everywhere in Trapani, you are confronted by millennia of history and myth, and a delightful, unspoiled present day. There is marvellous cuisine here, a mix of all the cultures that have colonised Sicily. Sicily is renowned for its sweets, such as the rich cassata ice cream dish, and cannoli: fried pastries stuff with ricotta and rolled in chocolate. Orange salads and couscous nod to North Africa, and street food is everywhere, with potato croquettes, rice balls and bite-sized pizzas. And of course fish features heavily on the menu, with swordfish, anchovies, sardines, tuna and more.
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To discover more about a holiday in this idyllic and unspoiled corner of western Sicily, just click below.
