Welcome to Western Sicily and the historic island towns of Marsala, Trapani, Erice and Alcamo. This region of Italy has been influenced by the many peoples who have made it their home over the centuries: the Phoenicians and Romans, Arabs and Normans, Jews and Jesuits. Learn about the lasting legacies of these divergent cultures on a private Trapani tour with a friendly and knowledgeable local guide.

The old historic centre of Trapani is a lovely place to explore on foot and begin to learn the ancient history of Western Sicily. A car ride will take you up into the hills, where you can visit the medieval town of Erice, which sits spectacularly atop Mt Eryx. In Marsala, sample some of the sweet wines for which the region is famous, and walk along the imposing stone walls which fortified this city for many years against the Romans. And don't miss the island of Mozia, surrounded by sea-salt plains and picturesque windmills.

Enjoy exploring Western Sicily on your private Trapani tour!

Marsala-and-Trapani

Selinunte Half Day Tour: Seven Temples for Seven Gods

Selinunte was the most Western greek colony of Sicily and today it is the largest archaeological area all over Europe! But don't worry; we have not to visit all 660 acres! I prefer to share with you the emotions that nature and architecture of Selinunte inspires in everyone!

We will stand in front of temple E on the eastern hill side, trying to imagine that 2500 years ago on the same place the Greeks hold the worshiping in honour of goddess Era. Then we will sit on the the huge capital belonging to the columns of temple G and think of the hard work of the slaves in erecting these buildings.

We will talk about the terrific earthquake that in late ancient time destroyed the temples of Selinunte, walk along to the Acropolis and learn how to date a temple in counting the drum pieces of the columns of temple C. And as a last thing we will go to the Polis, standing on the main street, discovering that the ancient roads of Selinunte had been done with the same checkerboard street system as Manhattan

Prickly Pears and temple columns: Welcome to Selinunte!

temple E is the only temple in Sicily where we can go INSIDE!

Huge column pieces of temple G, in the back, one more time, temple E

View along the city wall up to the Spanish watch tower

on the Main Road, view to the Acropolis with Temple C

something remains from ancient every day life: the base of a mill for grinding the wheat

the beach of Marinella Selinunte seen from the Acropolis

On the floor of a house from the 3rd century b. C. the simple mosaic of the punic goddess Tanit

Temple C on the Acropolis is Selinunte's oldest monumental temple

A walk inside the most western colony of ancient Greeks in Sicily

Historical Full Day Tour in Trapani and Erice

The historical excursion is a journey through time in the places of Western Sicily
An example of such a tour is a walk in Trapani or in Erice
Trapani: the route weaves through the main streets of the historic center and other highlights in less frequented streets and alleys. You will meet various testimonies of civilizations of the past such as the city walls, the Colombaia tower, both of Punic origin. There is the possibility of entering the oldest churches in the city, first Greek Orthodox places of worship, then Muslim mosques, ending up being Latin Catholic churches
Erice: the historical tour of Erice (original name Eryx) starts from an ancestral past with the Elymians. We will visit the castles, the gardens, the old churches and main characteristic shops for ceramics, pastries and handcrafts
The tour will be a time travelling experience from the III millenium before Christ until today, facing main historical events happened from the Elymians to the Romans, Carthigians, Normans up to the Italians

Time travel in Trapani and Erice

Segesta Half Day Tour: a temple, a theatre and an agora.

The archaeological area of Segesta is laying in the center of the Gulf of Castellammare, not far away from Alcamo, where I'm living.

Visiting Segesta means "walking through history", I will talk about the very first beginning of the Elymian settlement in the Middle Bronze Era, we will see the excavations of the Roman Agora, the ruins of a mosque, a Norman castle and a church done in the Middle Age. And then we will sit on the steps of the Greek Roman Theater that the scholars date back to the 3rd century b. C. and from there enjoy the incredible view in direction of the Tirrenian Sea.

The temple of Segesta is one of the best conserved temples of the Greek Doric classic architecture. Built in the 5th century b. C. , never finished, the temple is standing . . . "in the center of a turbulent landscape like a stormy sea" (Vincent Scully "The Earth, the Temple and the Gods").

I would like to give you the time not only to understand this building, but also to feel the sensation of being in a special place!

the temple of Segesta seen from the north side

wild flowers inside the archaeological park

SEGESTA: view from the theatre in direction of the Gulf of Castellammare, the former harbor of the city

view from the city hill to the temple in spring

Theatre of Segesta, Poetry in the dawn; edition August 2016,

the columns of the temple are not fluted, for the scholars a sign that the temple is uncomplete

Theatre of Segesta, Poetry in the dawn, edition August 2013,

Theatre of Segesta, in scene Sophocles' Ajax, August 2019,

Walking through 3000 years of history!

Best of Western Sicily coast: Trapani, Saline, Marsala and Wines

A private and personalised tour, particularly suitable for visitors in Western Sicily for one day. The tour is exclusive and private

1)Historical centre in Trapani, walking tour in the main streets and visit of some churches
2) Driving tour around the landscape places of Trapani centre
3) Historical centre of Marsala, walking tour in the main streets and visit of the main church
4) Winery visit with wine tasting
5) Lunch (within the winery of at a fish restaurant)
6) Driving tour in the salt flats (Saline) from Marsala to Trapani

Experiencing the glimpses of Western Sicily coast with the option to visit a winery with wine tasting and a Sicilian lunch

West Sicily Tour: Selinunte and Segesta in a day!

Selinunte was the most Western greek colony on Sicily, today it is the largest archaeological area all over Europe! But don't worry; we don't have to visit all 660 acres!
I prefer to share with you the emotions that nature and architecture of Selinunte inspires in everyone! I will show you the temple ruins of the Eastern hill side, the Acropolis with Selinunte's oldest temple in honor of god Apollo and part of the former Polis: the main road and foundations of punic houses dated to the 4th century b. C.

Visiting Segesta means a walk through 3000 years of history! On the top of the former city hill we will see roman and medieval ruins and sitting in the theater we enjoy the incredible view in direction of the Gulf of Castellammare!
The temple of Segesta is one of the best conserved temples of the Greek Doric classic architecture, built in the 5th century b. C. and never finished.
I would give you the time not only to understand this building, but also to feel the sensation of being in a special place.

Selinunte: The temple E on the Eastern Hill side was rebuild 60 years ago, we have the permission to go inside!

In front some of the huge stones of temple G and the view to temple E

The excavations of the Segesta Agorà in spring

Segesta's temple is considerate one of the best greek doric classic buildings of the 5th century b.C.

View from the city hill to the temple of Segesta

View down to the beach of Marinella Selinunte

On the main road of Selinunte, in the background the ruin of temple C dedicated to god Apollo

An old farmhouse on the way from Selinunte to Segesta

The two not to miss archaeological highlights of West Sicily!

Western Sicily Grillo Wines Tour from Trapani

Living and Drinking are two different words in English, but they turn to be the same word in Sicilian language: Vìviri. It has been like this since ages, from generation to generation, like Ariddu, which means grape-seed in Sicilian, translated in the italian word Grillo.

What is the history behind that comes alive in this tour?

Western Sicily is one of the top wine producer not only for Sicily or Italy or even Europe, it is one of the leading area around the world. A land of white wine, where the Grillo grape is the most produced one.

The tour will bring us to the vineyards, the wineries, both old and new, where we will experience the Grillo grape and the wines, including the Marsala wine. We can meet professional wine workers, visit traditional wine shops, wine tasting, lunch and/or dinner.

Discovering and tasting the most important white wine in Western Sicily

Full day tour from Trapani to Segesta, Erice and Salt Pans of Nubia.

An exclusive full day tour accompanied by your local guide, born and raised in West Sicily, ready to show you all the beauty of these places!

Leaving the Mediterranean Sea for the hillside inland, headed for Segesta's Archaeological Park. House of the significant Doric Temple and Stone Theatre, you will visit precious signs for the history of ancient Sicily. After reaching the top of Erice's mount, you will be led into a picturesque medieval village with its typical pebble-stones alleys, to visit the beautiful Mother Church and the Norman Castle, boasting dramatic views of the coast. To end with the sightseeing of the great Saltpans of Nubia, near Trapani.

Let us discover together these great destinations of West Sicily!

View of The Norman Castle and Little Pepoli Tower

A picturesque pebblestone street of Erice

Ancient roman coin with the famous temple on the reverse

Annunciation of Holy Vergin, marble work in Erice

Cutaway of a windmill for salt cultivation

Sight of Erice near Public Garden and Norman Castle

Sight of Erice near Mother Church and Cableway Station

Satellite Photo of Erice with track of ancient walls

Sketch of Segesta's Theatre with scene building

Photo taken inside the ancient theatre of Segesta

A journey through millennia from the Segesta's Temple to Erice's Medieval village overlooking the Western coast of Salt Pans

The archaeological park of Segesta is located in the center of the Gulf of Castellammare not far away from Alcamo. Visiting Segesta means a walk through 3000 years of history!

On the top of the former city hill we will see roman and medieval ruins and sitting in the theater we enjoy the incredible view in direction of the Tirrenean Sea! The temple of Segesta is one of the best conserved temples of the Greek Doric classic architecture, built in the 5th century b. C. and never finished. We will take our time and feel the sensation of being in a special place!

Selinunte was the most Western greek colony on Sicily, today it is the largest archaeological area all over Europe! I would like to share with you the emotions that nature and architecture of Selinunte inspires in everyone!

I will show you the temple ruins of the Eastern hill side, the Acropolis with Selinunte's oldest temple in honor of god Apollo and part of the former Polis: the main road and foundations of punic houses.

On the way from Segesta to Selinunte ...some sheep passing

On the main road of Selinunte, in the background the ruin of temple C on the Acropolis

From the beach of Marinella Selinunte, view to the Acropolis

Where today the ruins lay, once was a big city

The two archaeological highlights of West Sicily in one day

Segesta and Selinunte - Full Day Tour

Best of Marsala, Saltflats, Trapani and more in nearly a full day tour

A private and personalised tour, particularly suitable for visitors in Western Sicily for one day The tour is exclusive and private

I am a certified cultural tourist guide and certified driver

I particularly enjoy planning a private and personalized experience, therefore, I encourage you to write to me on what you are really looking to discover in Western Sicily and I will do my best to let you appreciate my side of the island!

Discovering best of Marsala, Saltflats, Trapani and more

City Tours in Trapani & Marsala across the Sicilian West Coast

A private excursion with a knowledgeable local guide by your side during the whole day of escursion, I will be at your disposal for your curiosity!

You will be accompanied by your personal Driver/Guide to explore the city centre of Trapani, dividing the Mediterranean Sea like a scythe: Baroque churches and monumental palaces will take you to the breath-taking promenade of Tramontana Walls.

At the extreme west cape of Sicily, dotted by salt-pans pools and windmills, Marsala will welcome you with its elegant and charming historic centre where in one of the several quaint stores it is possible to try the legendary Marsala liquor.

Let me show you the landscapes and flavors of this part of Sicily!

An Exclusive Full Day Trip between Art, Architecture and Delicatessen

Segesta, Erice and Trapani Salt Pans - Full Day Tour

SEGESTA ERICE TRAPANI SALT PANS
Full Day (maximum 7 hours)with private car or van

I will meet you at the port of Trapani or any hotel in the area. After one hour drive along the beautiful coastal motorway, we will arrive in Segesta. Visit the splendid Greek Temple built in the 5th Century B. C. Continue to Erice, perched on top of the hill. Walking tour, visit of the main Church. Stop at the Norman-Spanish castle to enjoy the splendid view. Free time for lunch. Next, return towards Trapani and last stop at the salt pans, that are scattered all along the scenic drive called "Salt way".

Ancient art and history meet the wonder of the sea...

During this fullday tour we will meet one of the most interesting prehistoric civilizations of Sicily: The Elymians.
Called by ancient greek and later roman historians "refugees from Troy" this population had their main city in Segesta, their "sacred mountain " was Erice.

We will start our tour in the archeological park of Segesta, visiting the former city hill with the roman and medieval excavations and the so called greek roman theater. Than we will walk up to the hill where the temple of Segesta is standing, one of the best conserved temples of the Greek Doric classic architecture, built in the 5th century b. C. and never finished.

Visiting Erice by walking in the cobbled stone roads, having a look to the main church and the ruin of the norman castle, where in ancient times the temple of goddess Aphrodite was standing, is like walking in a stonen history book!
We can also do a stop in the famous almond pastry bakery of Maria Grammatico.

The temple of Segesta is considerated one of the best greek doric classic temples done in the 5th century b.C.

The main church of Erice done in the year 1314 by the King of Aragon

Where today the ruin of the Norman castle is standing in ancient time was the temple of goddess Aphrodite with the "sacred girls" inside

The old courtyards help us to understand how in former times the people of Erice lived

The sweet Marzipan fruits done by hand in Signora Maria's almond pastry bakery...we should try them!

Marsala tours

Explore with 36 tours and 6 guides.

Regina H.

$ 230 (USD)

Gianni G.

$ 920 (USD)

Regina H.

$ 230 (USD)

Gianni G.

$ 690 (USD)

Regina H.

$ 402 (USD)

Gianni G.

$ 722 (USD)

Gianluca G.

$ 805 (USD)

Regina H.

$ 402 (USD)

Gianni G.

$ 920 (USD)

Gianluca G.

$ 805 (USD)

Josie N.

$ 678 (USD)

Regina H.

$ 402 (USD)

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