A view of Trapani, Sicily and the Egadi Islands from Erice. Erice is perched on the top of Mount Erice. It seems close, but it is remote at about 2400 feet above sea level. Approached by two roads of switchbacks or a funicular, it was developed by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BCE, yet…
Tag: erice
Southern Secrets, Days 5&6: Embracing Sicily
On days five and six of our combined Feast on History and Experience Sicily tour we dove in to Sicily! We flew from bella Napoli to Sicily to embrace the sea and the sun. Our home base is the village of Scopello, where we had a wine-pairing dinner featuring the varietals of our agriturismo. Cinzia,…
Day 11 of Experience Sicily Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Loving Kindness
Day 11 of Experience Sicily Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Loving Kindness. We started the day with an out-of-this-world cannolo. Got salty at the Trapani salt flats. Erice, the land of Aphrodite-Venus bewitched us with its panoramas and labyrinth of alleyways. In this sacred place, in the shadow of where a…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving! I appreciate all of the support and love I’ve received from you, my dear followers, on this winding, unpredictable road of being a small business owner. Thank you! Warm wishes to you and your loved ones! May you enjoy a peaceful and wonderful Thanksgiving!
Shrouded In Fog
When I visited the Castello di Venere of Erice in September, it was shrouded in fog, which is a sight scene often because its position 2460 feet above sea level. Come with me to pay homage to Venus, who was worshiped at this spot, where a temple existed for centuries, on Day 12 of our…
The Goddess’ View
If you were to build a temple to the Goddess of Love, wouldn’t it have a view like this? From Erice’s Castello di Venere, where there once was a Temple to Venus, the views of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mare Tirreno) and Monte Cofano are stupendous. I’m seduced by the view, how about you?
What The Ancients Did For Love
The town of Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) boasts a 12th century Norman castle, pictured, top, Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of Venus, which was built over an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love. Those seeking romance and success with procreation would climb 2460 feet to the top of Mount Eryx’s magnificent…
Seeking Aphrodite, Goddess of Love
In ancient Sicily, Aphrodite was one of the most venerated Greek goddesses. The goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure, she was especially important in western Sicily, where in Erice, her temple–known since Roman times as the Temple of Venus (her Roman name)–was a destination of pilgrims for centuries. Those seeking romance and success with love…
Be Enchanted by Sicily in September 2017
We’re thrilled to announce Enchanting Sicily, our September 14-28, 2017 tour. During Enchanting Sicily, our group of less than 12 guests will discover the region’s hidden corners, interact with locals, immerse ourselves in Sicilian culture and history, and explore UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Valley of the Temples, the Roman Villa of Casale, Mount…
Meet Alessandro
Meet Alessandro Castro, a master accordion player and singer who calls himself “Il Carrettiere di Erice,” or the Cart Driver of Erice. Alessandro specializes in performing Sicilian and Neopolitan songs. You can find him in front of the Castello di Venere at the top of Mount San Giuliano in Erice. I was fortunate enough to…