SAN VITO LO CAPO

On the north-western coast of Sicily, huddled in the shelter of the bay between the Zingaro Nature Reserve to the west and the Mount Cofano Nature Reserve to the east, lies the first international capital of couscous, the dish of peace that symbolises integration between different peoples and cultures. S. Vito, small town originally with an agricultural and sea economy, today it is known as one of the most important sea places of Sicily for the beauty of its coast and the wonderfully clean water of its sea. Here, light, perfumes and flavours mingle to produce a landscape with typically Mediterranean colours and waters: low white houses clad in bougainvillea and a beach of pure white sand whose unusual arc shape enfolds a turquoise blue sea concealing ancient treasures in a kilometre-long embrace towards the Mediterranean.

FAVIGNANA

This archipelago was already inhabited in prehistoric times, when it was still attached to the mainland, it never witnessed important historical events, but it has always attracted the attention of sailors in the Mediterraean, especially pirates who regularly called in here for the water.

It was thanks to tuna fishing that the three islands, and especially Favignana, in the space of a few decades prospered very much, to the benefit of everybody, from the shipowners to the humblest fisherman.

Thanks to the Florio , a powerful family of Palermo the "tunny-massacre", today object of many tourists, processing and conservation of tuna fish took a new lease of life. Of most recent institution it is the Reserve Marine of the Egadi, the whose sounding have several and peculiar charatteristics from being able itself to define only in their kind.

Various infinity of species of pelagics fish and stables, crustaceans and mollus, invertebrates and madrepore find in this angle of sea their ideal habitat. For he fond of sub the Egadi archipelago hasn't envy to the most famous tropical seas. In every period of the year, with whichever time, the sub it will be able to be dipped in the cold seas, whether from a reef whether the wide one of the coasts.

TRAPANI

Trapani sits directly opposite the Egadi Islands. Beside the ferry traffic, the well-protected harbour handles large consignments of salt gathered in the saltpans just south of the town and tuna fish processed at the important local canning factory.

Trapani, the ancient Drepanum, extends along a curving tongue of land that ends in two horns – one occupied by the Torre di Ligny, the other by a lazaretto (a house used to be used for the reception all the diseased poor, especially lepers). According to legend, this was formed by the sickle that was dropped by the goddess of agriculture Demeter (Ceres) while she desperately sought her daughter Persephone, who had been carried off by Hades. The inner edge of the sickle (north), sheltered by the Tramontana reef, provides protected anchorages and moorings for fishing-boats. Each morning, on the shore opposite is held a picturesque fish market (pescheria). The most exciting time to visit Trapani is undoubtedly over Easter when the old town is thronged with multitudes of people participating in the processions and festivities held during Holy Week. These celebrations culminate in the Processione dei Misteri on Good Friday as 20 groups of sculpted figures are borne round and through the streets all day and the following night. At other times, the statues are kept in the Church of the Purgatorio (in the town centre, in Via San Francesco); made of wood, cloth and glue by local craftsmen, they date from between 1650 and 1720.

In Via Pepoli at the far eastern end of town (in the direction of Palermo) stands the large Carmelite institution known as the Annunziata. The actual church adjoins the former convent which now houses the town's main museum, the Museo Pepoli and its fine collections of historic artefacts from prehistoric times to the 19C. The medium most favoured by the local artists and craftsmen is the Mediterranean red coral (pink coral comes from China). Examples displayed here include liturgical objects and various pieces of jewellery (look out for those made by Matteo Bavera, 17C). The local pottery is represented by a pair of fine maiolica panels depicting the Mattanza (the ritual killing of the tuna fish) and a view of Trapani (17C).

The medieval districts of the old part of town are situated on the headland pointing out to sea. The tip was developed by the Spanish in the 14C (Quartiere Palazzo) and remodelled in the Baroque style later. The oldest section built in true Moorish fashion around a tight network of interconnecting narrow streets, stretches back along the peninsula; this would originally have been enclosed by walls.

Museo della Preistoria e di Archeologia Marina – The Torre di Ligny, built in 1671 as a defensive bastion on the tip of the “sickle” houses a collection of archeological artefacts; informative panels complete with illustrations outline the prehistoric era in Sicily. Most of the medieval objects are recovered from the many shipwrecks found nearby. Among the most interesting things on display are the Spanish amphorae.
From the terrace at the top of the tower extends a fine view over the town and across to the Egadi Islands.

CORNINO

Endowed with a beautiful, unspoilt shore, Custonaci is an attractive destination for summer tourists. Particularly attractive are the seaside resorts of Cornino and Cala Buguto, the former being a lovely fishing village overshadowed by the Cofano Mount. From the coast, a trail facing the mount, winds its way past the 1500's Torre di San Giovanni di Cofano and the Piana di Frassino-Tuono.
The coastline is embellished with various grottoes and caves, among which are the Grotta Rumena and the Grotta Miceli, renowned for both their naturalistic charm and prehistoric relics. The Mangiapane – with a nice courtyard where every year in Christmas a Living Nativity is set up, the deep Maria di Custonaci, the Buffa, the Crocifisso and the Mandorle grottoes are also noteworthy. A host of old farms and villas with their typical inner courtyards known as baglio are scattered across the area testifying to its old agricultural roots. The Baglio Cofano, within the Riserva Monte Cofano, and the large Baglio Mangiapane, are especially worth-seeing.

BALESTRATE

It is the last town on Palermo's west coast. It has an extremely long beach (public beach/facilities available). The old town has a typical grid plan, with a lovely central square where you can enjoy a drink in one of the several cafés.The cleaned up sea, the sun all the year, the architectonic beauties, the incontaminat nature, the good food, the people friendly, the still alive traditions, you make of all this the frame of your next vacations...

Balestrate is a former fishing village with approximately 7.000 inhabitants and is situated only 35km west of Palermo in the Gulf of Castellammare. Magnificent, kilometre-long beaches stretch west and east along the coast from the village. Behind the beach to the west of the village, there is a wood with Eucalyptus and Tamarisk. Balestrate offers everything you might need. Restaurants, bars, pubs, discotheque, supermarkets, bank machine, internet cafe. Monday is market day. In Balestrate you will find everything you need for scuba diving, angling and for motor boot sport. It also has a yacht marina.

To 15 minutes from the airport of Palermo, optimal position for cultural excursions artistic. Splendid sun and charming sea waits for you.

The Common is placed to the center of the Gulf of Castellammare in the western part of the island between Palermo and Trapani, for the beauty of the places and the hospitality of the citizens, variety of attractions offers to the tourist one, between which the possibility to pass of the calm and pleasant days. This situated one is born from the requirement to make to know and to appreciate our Country for the splendid ones beaches, the pleasant points of meeting, the popular goodness of the products, traditions and above all the heat of people.