The subsequent port cease on our cruise was Trapani, Sicily. Right here’s a recap of our go to to the Salt Museum, a vineyard, and Marsala.Take a look at my Explora II cruise submit right here.
Trapani, Sicily
Sicily was close to the highest of our bucket listing of locations we wished to go to on this journey. We nearly did every week right here as an alternative of a cruise, however determined to try to see extra as an alternative. Thomas’s nice nice grandparents have been Sicilian (the place our Christmas pizza recipe comes from!) and so he was notably desirous about visiting. I’m not kidding after I say that a number of of the locals we met had related options to him (pores and skin coloring, facial options), and through our stroll round Marsala, we joked at what number of “John Donne’s” (Thomas’s dad) we noticed.
(I additionally began this guide on the journey that takes place in Sicily each in olden instances and fashionable instances and extremely advocate!)
Our ship docked in Trapani, which is on the western coast of Sicily. We have now realized that numerous the extra touristy locations are on the Jap aspect (like Taormina the place White Lotus was filmed) and Trapani was a bit extra rustic. The local weather was dry – nearly desert-like! And except for Monte Erice, it was pretty flat.
We booked a vacation spot expertise organized by Explora for at the present time that began with a go to to a salt museum, took us to a vineyard for lunch, after which ended with a tour of the city of Marsala.
Breakfast + a pleasant observe stroll earlier than we disembarked!
Museo Del Sale
We have been in a gaggle of about 25 folks for this tour, and we took a bus to the Museo Del Sale first.
We realized all about salt making and the way salt was a major forex for Sicilians. It was additionally again breaking labor to reap and carry it out!
Outdated windmill items
Donna Franca
Our second cease was a drive to the Baglio Donna Franca vineyard, which can be a resort with visitor rooms and has a restaurant. The household who owned the property was stated to have launched Marsala wine to the world. It’s named for Franca Florio, a distinguished determine within the household.
The Ansaldi farm produces natural bread and pasta with historical grains from its personal property, and the wines are additionally natural. They don’t even use irrigation as a result of the property is on a really particular kind of clay that holds water very effectively.
We received to tour the cellar and be taught all concerning the historical past of Sicilian winemaking.
After our tour, we had an attractive lunch within the restaurant. The wines have been glorious!!
Gimme all of the appetizers!!!
Cherished the lemon preserves made on the property!
We had two sorts of pasta for the primary course
Marsala
Our last cease on the tour was a go to to the city of Marsala. It was a little bit sleepy with most of the retailers closed (maybe as a result of we have been there mid-week?) but it surely was enjoyable to see a smaller metropolis.
There was a marriage taking place within the church shortly after we arrived!
Lemon gelato all day, daily.
Fil Rouge
Again on Explora II, we rested and showered and had dinner at Fil Rouge, the French-themed restaurant.
I had a crab cake appetizer
Seabass in puff pastry
and a white chocolate tart!
(It’s loopy writing about this meal as a result of I keep in mind being too full to essentially take pleasure in it, however at this second (11am on a Thursday), I’d LOVE to eat these meals and drink that wine!!!)
