I love Sicily, and it’s competing hard with Puglia to be my favorite region in Italy. This summer unfortunately I won’t be visiting Sicily, as I have the past two years, but I still have quite a few pictures to share.
I already told you about our boat trip around Marettimo Island and the fisherman we encountered there. A year later, we went for the day to Favignana Island, just off the Trapani coast, and the largest of the Aegadian Islands.
Marettimo felt much more intimate since it’s so tiny, but I enjoyed all the action on Favignana island, and it felt like there was much more to explore autonomously. The colors, while not as vibrant as Greece, are still a sight to see. Favignana doesn’t have very many picturesque beaches, but lots of areas to do scuba diving and enjoy the view.
While some parts of the island were accessible by public transportation, and the little city Praia was cute, our group decided to rent scooters (motorini), that way we could see more of the island and be free to move on if it was too crowded or we didn’t like it. And you know I love riding Vespa scooters!
I thought I would take more pictures from the bike, but the roads are pretty winding and when you’re in a group, it’s not as easy to stop and snap a picture without losing the rest of the group!
The first stop on our rented scooters was Cala Rossa. It’s not actually red but one of the more picturesque spots on the island. In fact many sailboats were docked there, as you can see.
Some of the rock formations behind us were fascinating. If it hadn’t been so hot I might have explored the nooks and crannies a little more.
Not that many people were in the water at Cala Rossa, which, after making a long trek to an open space on the rocks for our group, we discovered was due to the presence of medusa, jellyfish, in the water. We risked it anyway and jumped just to get rid of the road grime. A few minutes later we spotted a medusa and the party was over. Everyone got out and spent most of the time laying on the rocks. Then we moved on.
Cala Azzurra was by far the easiest water to enter and it was very cold (by Mediterranean standards) which was great because it was blazing hot that day. Here, though, we encountered little “friendly” fish that liked to nip at your legs. I felt quite a few nips before we kept up a constant movement the whole time we were in the water. Funny how we adjust when it’s necessary.
Cala Rotonda was our last stop on the tour around the island. It had quick a rocky “beach” and it was a kilometer or two of unpaved road to get there, but it was a peaceful end to our pretty hectic day.
To top off the afternoon, one of our group members did get stung by a jellyfish here. Luckily it wasn’t me!
Before getting on the boat to go back to the mainland, you can pick up some fish from the local fishmongers. Favignana is one of the few places where they still have tonnare (sing. tonnara) – tuna fisheries, and I recommend picking up a little jar of tonno con olio di oliva (tuna with olive oil) before you go home.
As for buying fresh fish, there are plenty of fishmongers near the ferries, but I can’t guarantee that you’ll be getting a good price. The fishmongers know tourists when they see them.
But it doesn’t cost anything to look.
You may even see a fish you’ve never seen before!
Afterwards, we sat down and had an aperitivo, and enjoyed the scenery in the port town of Praia. I spotted a forno with excellent pizza a taglio, sliced pizza and picked up a few slices as we recovered from our busy day.
After riding around in the motorino / scooter all day, you’ll need a little rest. That’s the mainland of Sicily there in the background.
16 responses so far ↓
Wow that sounds like a great trip!! We loved Sicily too, only went for a week though, maybe longer next time. Have your read Sweet Honey Bitter Lemons by Matthew Fort, he is a Food Writer for the Guardian..Country Living amongst others, and a judge on Great British Menu BBC 2 UK.
This book was recommended to me by Welshcakes Limoncello – Sicily Scene is her blog, I bought it, last month, Its great!!
This is all about his travels on a VESPA around Sicily..first time with his brother..and then on his own!
I literally blocked everything around me out and just pretended I was in the pictures. Amazing pictures!
wow, those pictures are breathtaking!!!
Those pictures look spectacular! But I bet its a whole lot more wonderful to be at the place itself :-)
The picture of the fishes with the gaping mouth draws to me for some reason
i really don’t know if water could be more blue :)
@Anne, thanks, I haven’t read it!
Thanks everyone…it was a great day. To think I almost didn’t go because I think I got like 3 hours sleep the night before and it was a very early start! :)
I have a good friend here in the states who is from Favignana. I’ve always wanted to visit there and your gorgeous photos reinforce that desire.
Yessiree…those medusa thingies can be so NASTY! I got stung once (as a kid), but the ones in the islands were itty bitty things. Anyway…just had to stop by here because when I read your comment about the €xpensiv€ mochi (1.50 each?), I went into shock. That’s highway robbery..mochi is easy to make if you’ve got a microwave. If you can make pasta, you can make mochi. The problem now is finding more sweet rice flour….
Thank you so much-your photos are fabulous and I feel like I’m there.
Sicily is on my “Places to visit list” although Puglia will be first as my friend keeps nagging me to stay in her trulli…has to be done right?
I enjoyed reading your blog & can’t wait to come to Italy…although I am really a Brit lol
Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures… Come sempre.
My heavens that fish looks like it is still in rigor mortis! How wonderful that you have access to such gorgeously fresh fish…here in New York it is always somewhat of a challenge to find…
Wow. I don’t think I’d have been able to resist that water either. Simply gah-jus.
We l ove the rocky shores of Puglia. Especially they have some life to it, added with the colors of the marine life. After reading you, feels like visiting Sicily. Should, some time. We are living at Bologna.
Do the ferries from Trapani to Favignana board cars aswell.
How is the transport system in Trapani. Will it be worth it to hire a car in Trapani.
Thanks
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