TO THE SOUTHWEST

Archeology,
Nature and Bike

From the high plateau to the sea: amongst archaeological sites, nature and food.

Monte Adranone, Sambuca, Menfi and Selinunte.

DURATION

3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS

RECOMMENDED SEASON

SPRING - AUTUMN

REQUEST INFO AND QUOTE

A thorough guided exploration of the territory on Monte Adranone. We stop for a break at a local cheesemaking farm where you will savour the “Vastedda del Belice”, filled with a sheep’s milk cheese which carries the Slowfood label, together with other local specialities.

A visit to the delightful Sambuca di Sicilia founded in the year 827 by the Islamic Prince Zabut, which is surrounded by vineyards and in direct view of Lake Arancio.

Take a stop off at the town’s pastry shop and taste the Minne di Vergini, an ancient pastry with the form of a woman’s breast, that goes back to 1725 when a nun created a pastry for a noble wedding. She was inspired by the hills that rolled along from Castellaccio to the coast of Minnulazza and created their shape in pastry, filling them with the sweet delicious products from the land, “so as to awake the senses when tasting and alleviate the spirit.” The pastry has a cream filling, with a cedar confiture, clove and cinnamon essences and chocolate, all covered in glacé icing. This pastry is recognised and protected by the local Authority of Agrigento as the typical pastry of Sambuca di Sicilia.

In the Belice Valley, we reach Menfi, a small agricultural town surrounded by acres and acres of rolling hills of vineyards that descend down to a crystal clear sea of turquoise blue sea and white sands; for which Menfi has been awarded the Blue Flag for the last 20 years.

Menfi is the city of wine 2023; producing 17 different types of DOC wines. The city was reconstructed in a grid design after the earthquake of 1968 destroyed most of the buildings including Federico II’s castle, now rebuilt in a more modern style; but some surviving buildings of interest include Palazzo Baronale Pignatelli, the 18th Century Palazzo Ravidá and Palazzo Planeta, a cultural hub of enogastronomy, an art gallery and an education centre.

Then take on an excursion by bike along the coast, on the cycle track, amidst artichoke fields and vineyards with the splendid Mediterranean in the background. Along the way, taste the precious Menfi spiny artichoke and stop for lunch among the vines and the olive trees.

Visit Selinunte and immerse yourself in the Greek city with a hike through the temples up to the fortified city walls, between Mediterranean vegetation and cultivated fields of wheat.

We reach the nearby town of Marinella and together with the local fishermen, on one of their fishing boats, we go for a trip along the coast, from the mouth of the Belice river to the temples, which includes an aperitif on board, local sardines with the Castelvetrano black bread and some red wine.