Italy: Western Sicily

With a treasure of natural and multicultural riches waiting to be discovered, the west coast of Sicily entices the adventurous traveler to its unique coastal geography and an ancient history. Archaeological wonders and timeless hamlets line the route, forging a fascinating link with a dramatic, distant past. In medieval Erice, originally settled by an ancient mountain community known as the Elymians, the impressive Castello di Venere (Castle of Venus) fires the imagination. Traveling by boat, you reach the shores of remote Mozia, once an important Phoenician stronghold. The ancient Greeks whisper all around you—especially in the temple complex at Malophorus. In the embrace of Western Sicily’s gentle climate, a rugged landscape stirs the wanderer’s soul with dazzling sea and mountain views, island-hopping opportunities, and pristine pathways lined with abundant wildflowers. Rare plant- and birdlife add vibrancy to the journey through the Zingaro Nature Reserve, which hugs the Mediterranean’s shoreline.

You are rewarded every step of the way with the island’s multi-ethnic culinary traditions, as well as accommodations showcasing the region’s splendor—stunning views and always within walking distance of beaches, town piazzas, or temples.