Erice
Ancient Eryx was founded by the Elymians and said to be named for their semi-legendary national hero, and later populated by Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Her multicultural history parallels that of Sicily, and the city was important to the Arabs and Normans. Today Erice is a charming hilltop town with winding stone streets, a castle and medieval churches. Parts of the Punic walls are still visible, dating from Carthaginian times, and the remains of a temple to the Phoenician goddess Astarte (identified with the Greek Aphrodite and Roman Venus). Hilltop Erice gives one the overwhelming impression of a medieval walled city, which it was. The stone streets and buildings are enchanting. Pepoli Castle (privately owned) is not much more than a shell of outer walls with a few inner chambers, but it's an attractive backdrop in this quiet medieval town.
Bottom Line: Often foggy in cooler months, but one of Sicily's secret jewels.
Getting There: Erice overlooks Trapani, where there's a cableway to reach it easily. From Palermo, take the A29 to Trapani and follow the signs for Erice. From Marsala take the SS115. From Castellamare del Golfo and Scopello, take the SS187.
Dining: La Pentolaccia, at Via Guarnotta 17, offers a number of local specialties, including seafood couscous, and the San Rocco a few steps away at number 23 is an equally fine choice. Another good one is the elegant restaurant at Hotel Elimo at Via Vittorio Emanuele 75. No visit to Erice could be complete without a visit to Pasticceria Grammatico at Via Vittorio Emanuele 14. Their specialties are chewy torrone and soft, delicious almond cookies.