The Province of Trapani is really lovely - I can't tell you anything much about the town itself because we didn't go into the older part, which is basically medieval with some baroque rebuilds, and a touch of the arab influence. It would probably be a nice enough spot to stay if you are planning a beach holiday in August and just want to wander in the town in the evening, but I don't think it could be described as a 'destination'.
However, in the surroundings there are many agriturismos, and quite a few hotels, and lots of thngs to see if you want to travel about. Trapani is connected by rail with Palermo (and of course with other cities), and when it is workng there is a funicular from Trapani up to the lovely hill top town of Erice. There are also ferries to go and visit the Egadi islands, Favignana in particular, where there are scuba diving opportunties, grottos, beaches and hotels.
North of Trapani there is some nice coast, and the promontory of Capo San Vito which is a combination of tourist beaches and natural park (the calmer part is to the East, centred on Scopello). A little further east is Castellammare del Golfo - very large beaches, and a bustling sort of place.
South of Trapani, hugging the coast, are some fascinating saline works, and half way between Trapani and Marsala is the island of Mozia (you can take a short trip out there by boat). In Marsala you can visit the Marsala wine making establishments.
Inland, it isn't far to the Greek Temple at Segesta, and for a weird experience the towns of Poggioreale and Gibellina (both destroyed by an earthquake in 1968) are quite extraordinary. It is important to visit both the ruins and the 'new towns', which are many kilometres distant from their origins.
It seems quite common in Sicily for the holiday destinations to lay on coach day-tours, so if you haven't got a car and want to look at say Segesta and Monreale (even Palermo) with a lunch thrown in you will find an assortment on offer.
It is my preferred province in Sicily - Trapani even manages to do road signs! Beautiful countryside, empty roads, perhaps disappontingly civilised (at least compared with Palermo!) However, even the Italian guide books say avoid just about everywhere in Sicily in August....hot and very very crowded.
The Province of Trapani is really lovely - I can't tell you anything much about the town itself because we didn't go into the older part, which is basically medieval with some baroque rebuilds, and a touch of the arab influence. It would probably be a nice enough spot to stay if you are planning a beach holiday in August and just want to wander in the town in the evening, but I don't think it could be described as a 'destination'.
However, in the surroundings there are many agriturismos, and quite a few hotels, and lots of thngs to see if you want to travel about. Trapani is connected by rail with Palermo (and of course with other cities), and when it is workng there is a funicular from Trapani up to the lovely hill top town of Erice. There are also ferries to go and visit the Egadi islands, Favignana in particular, where there are scuba diving opportunties, grottos, beaches and hotels.
North of Trapani there is some nice coast, and the promontory of Capo San Vito which is a combination of tourist beaches and natural park (the calmer part is to the East, centred on Scopello). A little further east is Castellammare del Golfo - very large beaches, and a bustling sort of place.
South of Trapani, hugging the coast, are some fascinating saline works, and half way between Trapani and Marsala is the island of Mozia (you can take a short trip out there by boat). In Marsala you can visit the Marsala wine making establishments.
Inland, it isn't far to the Greek Temple at Segesta, and for a weird experience the towns of Poggioreale and Gibellina (both destroyed by an earthquake in 1968) are quite extraordinary. It is important to visit both the ruins and the 'new towns', which are many kilometres distant from their origins.
It seems quite common in Sicily for the holiday destinations to lay on coach day-tours, so if you haven't got a car and want to look at say Segesta and Monreale (even Palermo) with a lunch thrown in you will find an assortment on offer.
It is my preferred province in Sicily - Trapani even manages to do road signs! Beautiful countryside, empty roads, perhaps disappontingly civilised (at least compared with Palermo!) However, even the Italian guide books say avoid just about everywhere in Sicily in August....hot and very very crowded.