Islands

Paradises of untouched beauty, the Aeolian islands and its stunning scenery, some with an african charm, such as the Pelagie, in the province of Agrigento, and Pantelleria in the province of Trapani. , the pearls of the sea and its secrets, Levanzo, Favignana and Marettimo Egadi in the Trapani’s sea.

Egadi  The archipelago of the Egadi, in front of the west coast of Sicily, is formed by the islands of Favignana, Levanzo, Maritime and the Ant and Maraone islets. The beautiful waters surrounding the islands, rich in flora and fauna but also of archaeological finds, the pristine waters and beautiful coastline and wild make it a little paradise on earth, protected by the Marine Protected Area of ​​the Egadi Islands which makes it the most extensive marine reserve in Europe. magical backdrops and stunning coves, clear water rich in history, small reliefs, bays mysterious caves as well as the incredible variety of the seabed and marine species that inhabit them, make the reserve a unique destination and irresistible charm. The backdrops made magical by the sun’s rays, are covered with meadows of Posidonia and rich in marine species, inhabitants of a fascinating underwater world. Do not miss the seabed of Punta Bassana at Maritime, or the charm of the Secca del Toro walls, Favignana. The geographical location of the islands strategic way of the past, has made the area particularly rich in archaeological remains. Among the crystalline waters lurk underwater wrecks and ancient merchants and pirates boats. There are also many artifacts that date back to the prehistoric period and the rock carvings that adorn the walls of caves and inlets. In the depths of Cala Minnola at cance, including an encounter among the fascinating relics of an ancient Roman ship and browse through its cargo of amphorae, while Grosso Cape are still visible several stone anchors and lead. Favignana is the largest of the islands and is considered the pearl of Egadi. golden sands, majestic cliffs and hospitable coves make the scenic island suitable for all holiday needs.

Eolie  A very popular tourist destination because it offers outstanding landscape ideas and beautiful beaches, some accessible only by sea and attractiveness of the mild climate. The islands have more excellent hotel accommodation and food for interest related to the archaeological remains of the greek period, medieval, Norman and Baroque. The archipelago and ‘consists of seven inhabited islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Filicudi, Alicudi, Stromboli, surrounded by numerous rocks and numerous islets. The islands are of volcanic origin and today, apart from Stromboli and Vulcano, which are still active craters, volcanic phenomena are manifested by hot springs and fumaroles in Lipari and Panarea. The Aeolian Islands offer visitors a pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes, priceless beauty seabed and crystal clear sea. The characteristic vegetation is Mediterranean, oleander, myrtle, cysts brushwood, heather, gorse plants are the most widespread, are also to remember the aromatic shrubs of rosemary and thyme; They abound in almost all the Aeolian woody plants: the vine and the olive. Among the products that are exported they are worth emphasizing capers and malvasia, typical of Salina and derived from local grapes. The waters are full of life and abound mainly anchovies, sardines, mackerel, shellfish and crustaceans. Traditional, although with time it is slowly losing is the tuna fishing and the sword, which is practiced in late spring in Lipari and Stromboli. The climate of the Archipelago given the scarcity of precipitation, is mild in winter and not too high in the summer, it is remarkably arid, though mitigated by the pleasant coolness of the sea breezes.

Lampedusa e Pelagie  clear sea and beautiful backdrops, fine white sand, a warm African sun; the typical Mediterranean dammusi, turtles island of Rabbits, romantic coves, scented nights, landscapes unforgettable colors, the friendly and hospitable people. There are all the ingredients for a relaxing holiday, away from the organized fun and stress of holiday villages. Located in the African sea 200 km south-west of Sicily Lampedusa with Linosa and Lampione, constitute the extreme southern tip of the peninsula. The islands offer very evocative landscape views to the nature of the rocky coasts, creeks, beaches, beautiful coves bathed by a blue sea and the clear waters. Paradise for lovers of the sea, the sun and spear fishing, has rocky shores that open in beautiful inlets from the sea bed, rich in fish alternating with golden sandy coves.The warm season lasts from April to November. Accessible by plane from Palermo and by boat-ferry from Porto Empedocle. In May 1995 it set up the nature reserve “Island of Lampedusa” and inside it has been inserted the egg-laying turtles area. Every year the sea turtles come to lay their eggs in the famous Rabbit Island, a pristine environment with a fine sandy beach

Mozia Along the salt road from Trapani to Marsala you reach a small island, Mozia, entirely occupied by the ruins of the Phoenician city, discovered only in 1800 by Joseph Whitaker, an Englishman who had planted a vineyard for the production of Marsala. It was founded in the seventh century BC by the Phoenicians who wanted to build a commercial basis system for their trade along the routes in the western Mediterranean. The remains occupying the whole island consists of long stretches of walls with towers and gates, in the ruins of houses and temples and a necropolis which provided jewelry, weapons, coins and pottery. Next to the old English manor house stands the Museum, which houses the finds of great interest and also the famous “young statue of Mozia”, discovered in 1979. Off the coast of Mozia, in the late ’70s, was found the wreck of a Punic ship, unique in the world, today exhibited at the Museum Baglio Anselmi of Marsala.

Pantelleria  So extraordinary as to be almost indescribable. Third largest among the smaller islands, not far from Tunisia, has a typical Mediterranean climate with hot summers, mild winters, low rainfall and almost constant wind. It ‘an island for all tastes: hiking, spa, sea holidays, fishing and underwater photography, bird-watching, archeology, mineral collecting. The island of Pantelleria is situated 70 km from the African coast and 85 km from Sicily. Its volcanic nature is evidenced by still active thermal springs since the entire area on which stands Pantelleria was the center of intense volcanic activity that created a varied underwater mountain range. Volcanoes protagonists of the most recent eruptions, over fifty, with time formed the Mount Gibele, the Big Mountain, and so-called “Cuddie”. With the Arabs who lived here for 400 years and called “the wind’s daughter”it blows impetuous for about 337 days a year, lives a new period of well-being thanks to the cultivation of olives, cotton, figs and vines. In 1123 began the Norman Conquest that is evidenced by the “Barbican” castle still exists today. In Pantelleria all crops must be protected, as the screws that are planted in small pits or underground olive trees that are pruned in such a way that the branches crawl on the ground or citrus fruits that need, to grow, to be sheltered by tall circular walls. The buildings, built of stone with a domed roof, said to “dammuso”, Arabic tradition with a bulge made to better collect rainwater to be carried in tanks and to create an air gap insulation, are now largely part adapted to tourist homes. The island, in addition to the exceptional beauty of the landscape is renowned for its wine from zibibo’s grapes. 

Ustica  The first marine reserve in Sicily, the protected area of Ustica is also known as the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean” because of its lava rocks. Located 67 km. north of Palermo, was called by the ancient geographers and historians Ustica because of volcano wreck off (Ustum: burned). A popular destination for divers is rich in natural coves and sheltered coves, everyone has the opportunity to find the most suitable place to enjoy the beauty of this beach. Lava, rocks and volcanic peaks draw a jagged coastline dotted with numerous coves and semi-submerged caves. The main attraction are the magnificent backdrops, already a few meters deep color offer a unique show and a museum of shipwrecks, old galleons and vessels inabissatisi many centuries ago. In 1990 it was created the underwater archaeological itinerary of Punta Gavazzi, one of the first guided tour experiments and submarine didactic, during which you can see the wrecks, in their original discovery site. The establishment of the reserve has preserved the marine flora and fauna. Rocks on the seabed is the black coral, or Gerardia savaglia, while on the seabed dominates the oceanic Posidonia, considered the “lungs of the Mediterranean” because of its significant properties to transform the oxygen in the water. Thanks to bans on fishing, fish species have multiplied and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the reserve is easy to find bream, mullet, sea bream, sea bass, scorpion fish and splendid examples of groupers, but also rare species such as sunfish and turtles. The island is full of diving centers that organize in the sea surrounding the island wonderful diving, quite varied and divers of all levels of experience, really is a little piece of paradise. The purpose of the reserve is to preserve and study the environment by directing the observation sporting activities of its waters among the most beautiful in the world, rich in plant species and populated by numerous species of fish. The reserves of the Regulation is very rigid and fishing is limited to the fishing line to catch and trawl, is only allowed in the area between Punta Cavazzi Punta Omo Morto. While in the stretch of sea that goes from Cala Spalmatore Punta Megna within 350 meters from the coast, is strictly forbidden access or parking of any boat, as well as bathing and fishing of any kind, to avoid damage to the formations geological and minerals. The small town lies in an amphitheater around a bay that is the home for the port.