Discovering the West of Sicily

REPORT

A foundation that promotes Western Sicily. Initiatives to promote the region where the Florio family made their fortune, the subject of Stefania Auci’s best sellers The coral sea, the Aegadian Islands, Erice and countless other wonders are waiting to welcome visitors who decide to spend their holidays in the province of Trapani. An Arab land whose popularity among foreign visitors is on the rise, particularly kitesurfing enthusiasts, who flock to the shallow waters of the Stagnone Lagoon, near the island of Mozia.

And few people are aware of the beauty of the Trapani countryside, the gentle rolling hills of Salemi dotted with bagli (traditional rural buildings), many of which have fallen into a state of disrepair, and expanses of yellow daisies and poppies whose beauty is only dwarfed by the vineyards. The city of Trapani, heavily bombed during World War II, has had to overcome many challenges, including a decreasing population. But all this is changing with a strong focus on the “West of Sicily”, aiming to shine a light on the entire region. The tour “West of Sicily: the land of the Florio family” was presented at the last International Tourism Exchange (BIT) on the wave of the best-selling books by author Stefania Auci. Production of a film directed by Paolo Genovese and starring Toni Servillo is also set to begin shortly, showing the world the beauty of this land that makes the best couscous in Sicily. A summer of culture is planned for Favignana. It will commence with the opening of the first floor of the former Florio tuna plant, home to the “Monsters and rostrums” maritime archaeology exhibition.