From Arab-Norman mosaic to archeology, from Baroque to temples: these are Palermo, Termini Imerese, Trapani and Porto Empedocle / Licata & Gela. From traditions to the landscape. But not only. There is a new way of traveling in the western Sicily, both for those who already know it and for those who get there for the first time. Both for those who want to move on classic itineraries and for those who want to experience less usual routes in this island-continent that holds millennia of history and which owns a quarter of the Italian cultural heritage. This way is a non-standard, non-stereotyped, non-trivial trip. Once you disembark in Sicily you’ll find out how Western Sicily is a really exciting story for everyone who comes from the sea. The Port System Authority of the Western Sicilian Sea – whose primary tasks are to direct, plan, coordinate and promote port operations and other commercial and industrial activities in the ports of Palermo, Termini Imerese, Trapani and Porto Empedocle – is dedicated to continuous improvement and high-quality facilities to meet the increase in services and to strengthen the overall efficiency of its ports.
Palermo is a world class destination with many fascinating old buildings and historic relics to be explored, in addition to a wide selection of shops, restaurants and theatres. Cruise passengers can also take an excursion into the spectacular hinterland of Sicily, with its dramatic mountains, scenic villages and fine seaside resorts. A quick step off the ship and you immediately feel the liveliness of the city around you. Palermo is a city of art, home of a living nation and of a people whose heritage goes back thousands of years, a history containing many contradictory elements, merged together, but recognizable in every gesture and movement used today. Arriving in Palermo is always an event, no matter where you come from, what mode of transport you use, no matter the season, nor the hour of day or night. It is the feeling of being in the heart of a fascinating and mysterious world, closed between a shining sun and a sparkling sea. Palermo enjoys an exceptionally long cruise ship season: the welcoming climate that lasts throughout the year, makes this a superb tourist spot.
The area of Termini Imerese presents attracting destinations, such as the Himera archaeological site and the Arabs thermae of Cefalà Diana. Also two port destinations like Trapani and Porto Empedocle are already attracting bigger and smaller cruise companies, due to their territories full of archaeology, arts, landscapes, wine-and-food of quality, but they need to be reorganised and requalified. Around Trapani you can visit the archaeological areas of Segesta and Selinunte and the Phoenician site on small island of Mozia, Trapani’s recovered old centre or Erice’s medieval village. Porto Empedocle is situated at few kilometres from Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, Pirandello’s home, the Turkeys’ stairs beach and the Platani river natural reserve, to mention the most interesting destinations in these areas.
