Daytime: By day there are the beaches to lounge around on and the bars to sit in, but there is also some local history. Turning right along the coast at the old Torre di Mezzo lighthouse next to La Perla the road eventually ends at the old fishing harbour of Marausa and Nubia. It’s a 20 minute walk from the villas, or a 5 minute drive. Until the early 1970s when there was no resort to speak of, people still came here to fish, make salt and farm. The fleets of trawlers and fishermen have gone now - but what is left of the old salt windmills and pans can be explored, as can the remains of the old harbour walls. If you like photography, come here at sunset to catch tranquil windmills and boats silhouetted against the Egadi Islands and setting sun. You might even catch fleeting images of just-married couples who come here to have professional ‘atmospheric photos’ taken of them. There is a well preserved Salt Museum and restaurant at Nubia on the Trapani road, 15 minutes drive from the villas. In summer months the local ‘3 Towers Association’ stages volleyball tournaments and beach games for children.

Evening: In terms of culture and nightlife, the two bars in Marausa Lido become beach discos in the summer evenings. In summer months the ‘3TA’ stages open air plays, concerts and traditional dances. The plays are often in the evening by the lighthouse and in the Sicilian dialect - but like most Italian things, watch the gestures and you will understand what is going on! Many Sicilian villages and town organise free open air events throughout July and August evenings.

A small village famous for its purple garlic and wine – both are available to buy in local shops. There are 3 large Wine Cantinas on the outskirts of Paceco where you can buy strong local wines for about €1 a litre. In good years, some of these wines find their way to the shelves of your local Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons. Paceco has a weekly food and clothing market (check with us), and between July and August there are events every evening in the town square such as bazaars, basketball, dancing, music, comedy and drama.

Daytime: Trapani is the capital city of the province and comprises about 70,000 people. It is famous for its fish and salt. As you approach the town, you will drive past the 'saline' salt-pans and salt museum & restaurant in Nubia. The Historic Moorish and Baroque parts of the city can be explored on foot via the narrow, cobbled pedestrianised streets. There are several historical Palazzos, Churches and Cathedrals to visit. Notably the ‘Chiesa del Purgatorio’ which contains the wooden ‘Misteri’ statues of Christ and Mary that are used in the world famous Easter parades through the city. Trapani’s ancient name is Drepanon, meaning ‘scythe’. At the tip of this scythe you can also visit the museum of Prehistory in the Torre di Ligny lighthouse on the most seaward point of Trapani. Along the approach roads to Trapani sit three large supermarkets, with the weekly produce market not far away alongside the port. Most shops are located along the Via GB Fardella Boulevard that dissects the town. Trapani is also where you can catch the Hydrofoil and/or ferry to the Egadi Islands and the cable-cars up Monte Erice. There is a new Lido beach east of the centre. Visit www.trapaniwelcome.it or www.visitrapani.com for more details.

Evening: The central boulevard in has many Ice Cream Bars and piazzas. You can take a €5 return cable car ride up to Erice. In the older part of Trapani you will find an array of restaurants on the small cobbled streets. They may not look that grand, but inside the food is fresh, local and delicious.

A city (village) steeped in history and atmosphere, you won't be able to miss seeing 751m high Monte Erice, which has a medieval village, castle, museum and some wonderful restaurants & bars - perfect for a romantic evening out or to tire your kids out on all the hilly cobbled streets! The villagers and monks make their own speciality cakes, marzipan and liqueur up there, so treat yourself. There are ATMs in the town square if you need to refill your wallet… Whether it's night or day the views of western Sicily and the Egadi Islands are great from up here as on clear days its rumoured that you can see Africa (Trapani is closer to Africa than it is to mainland Italy).

If you are going to propose anytime soon, plan it for here! In summer months there are many open air concerts and plays performed here alongside the ruined monastery, cathederal and castle. In the evening it can get cool so remember a jumper or light jacket - And don't forget your camera! We recommend driving to Trapani and catching the cable-car up to the top to save all that carbon and gear crunching – with the added benefit that no one has to keep an eye on the road and miss the views!

Despite a population of just 29,000 Erice has nearly 60 churches, although some are in ruins and no longer used for worship. Pop John Paul II visited Erice in 2002 and was awarded a peace prize from the International Centre for Scientific Culture (based on Erice) the following year.

A 20 minute hydrofoil ride from Trapani will take you to Favignana - the largest of three islands and the best equipped for families. The other two are called Levanzo and Marettimo. You can hire bikes or mopeds here (take photo ID) to whizz you round the island's many beaches, bars and maze of streets - or catch a hopper bus. Tuna was once Favignana's main industry and in May/June you can catch the annual Tuna Mattanza - a centuries old method where tuna are surrounded by a ring of boats and caught in a large net. 100 year old quarries can also be explored. Culture aside, the water out here is crystal clear, and the sun is baking hot. The waters are ideal for diving and swimming, and there are boat trips around the islands grottos from the quayside. There are very few trees on the island, so cover yourself in cream as it's very easy to burn. Enjoy an ice cream or caldo-freddo in the town's tranquil cobbled square before you catch the boat home. If you stay late then you'll see the square come alive at night with music, families and couples ambling around.

On the way to Marsala you will pass Mothia - a Pheonecian island archipelago with excavated Roman mosaics, Pheonecian harbour and Whittaker archaeological museum. Take the ferry or hire sea kayaks for a fun short journey across the waist-deep channel and explore the island. A causeway lies just below the surface of the sea and you may see one of the horses and carts that still use it. As well as the archaeology on the island, there is a small free salt museum, much like the one in Nubia near Trapani anda small bar.

The Arabic influence in Western Sicily can be traced back to Marsala. The city takes its name from Mars-Allah, the old Arabic name meaning 'Port of Allah' on account of its strategic position on the old Trade Routes to the Middle East. Inside the old walled city you will find daily markets and jewellers lining the marble-paved streets, yes, marble streets – this was once a very affluent city! One of the world's only examples of a preserved Phoenician boat can be found in one of the three well sign posted museums here. Marsala is where they make the delicious dessert wine of the same name and there are many wine houses and cantinas to explore in the city and its suburbs - most of which offer organised tours, wine tasting and dinner.

There are many touristy and fun activities on the beach for children and adults here. Aside from the activities on the 2km long stretch of white sand and clear azure water, this beach is annually awarded the prestigious Blue Flag from the EU for cleanliness and desirability. Alongside the beach, in the many restaurants Cous-Cous is served as this is also the home of the annual World Cous-Cous Festival every September. Cous-cous has been adopted by the Sicilians from the Arab trade sailors who used to call into the port centuries ago. You’ll also pass through San Vito on the way to the Zingaro Nature Reserve..

A little bit further on along the coast from San Vito and before Castellammare DG is ‘lo Zingaro. As nature reserves go, this is Sicily’s most famous. In 1980, locals campaigned against a coastal road that was set to destroy this coastline. Bowing to public pressure, a law was passed in 1981 safeguarding the 1,700ha area for future generations to enjoy. With a score of beaches, marine life, caves, rocky inlets, indigenous flora and fauna and mountain paths there is something for everyone here. Within the Zingaro, there is also the Uzzo cave, a natural monument, which still bears traces of the first prehistoric settlements in Sicily. The Reserve can only be visited by foot once you have left your car at the entrance www.riservazingaro.it. In summer months there is a park & ride bus. It is well organised with paths, signs and staff and it’s well worth the trek. Take lots of water and stay for memorable day.

Castellammare del Golfo dominates the wide gulf, seat of the ancient emporium of Segesta, it was the main port for Erice and Segesta during the pre-Hellenic period. In the 1970s the port was exposed as the Mafia’s secret transfer point for USA-bound drugs. It is now enjoying a renaissance in exporting agricultural products and salted tuna. There’s a Cathederal and castle to explore with C15th fresco’s and statues. Nearby is Scopello, an evocative little bay sheltered by ‘faraglioni’ and protected by the ruins of the old Tuna Cannery complex. Catherine Zeta Jones’ swimming scenes in Ocean’s 12 were filmed in this romantic resort.

On the way from Palermo Airport the snaking viaduct motorway will take you across valleys and through tunnels. One tunnel measures 1.5km long and was built to preserve Segesta - an intact Roman amphitheatre & temple. Set in a spectacular valley the views of it and from it are inspiring - even the motorway fits in with the stunning vista. During Spring and Summer, the 2000 year old amphitheatre is still used for live performances of plays and music www.festivalsegesta.com.

Nearby lies the hilltop cathederal town of Alcamo and the volcanic thermal springs, mud ponds and swimming pool. Once famous for its Mafia connections, now reinventing itself with its tasty bread and long wide surfing beach at Alcamo Marina. The town had three cathedrals, but if you are in need of rest and recouperation after all that sightseeing, directions are provided to our booking guests for the hard to find volcanic thermal springs and mud baths only really known to locals.