Explore the timeless charm of Erice, a captivating hilltop village whose origins stretch back through Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Arab civilizations, before passing into Norman and Spanish hands. Today, Erice enchants visitors with its medieval center, cobblestone streets, and panoramic views over western Sicily that are simply unforgettable. A highlight of your visit will be a tasting at one of Sicily’s most renowned pastry shops, founded by a master pastry chef who learned her craft from the nuns of a local convent—an authentic taste of Sicilian sweet tradition.
After descending from the heights of Erice, your journey takes you to the vast and evocative salt pans between Trapani and Marsala. With a history dating back 2,700 years, these salt flats flourished in the 19th century, when Sicilian salt was exported as far as Russia and Norway. Though modern preservation methods have reduced demand, the salt produced here is now prized as a gourmet finishing salt, coveted by chefs and food enthusiasts worldwide.
The landscape is strikingly otherworldly—shallow, mirror-like pools shimmer under the sun, dotted with ancient windmills once used to pump water across the pans, creating a magical, lunar-like atmosphere.
Your experience culminates in Marsala, famous for its eponymous fortified wine. The story goes that in 1773 a British merchant, forced ashore by a storm, discovered the local red wine’s rich character. To stabilize it for export to England, he fortified it with brandy, giving birth to the celebrated Marsala wine—available in both sweet and dry styles. Enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by a wine tasting at a local winery, savoring the flavors that have made this region world-famous.
Inclusions: Private vehicle with driver + private local guide in Erice and Salt pans + pastry tasting in Erice + 5 course lunch with Sicilian wine pairing at winery in Marsala
Duration: 9 hrs
Pick up time: 08:00AM
