Above Trapani on the top of a mountain sits Erice, originally settled in 1200 BC by Elymians (don’t know, so please don’t ask), a desirable (largely because it was defensible) cliff-top place to live in the Middle Ages. It was the place to live, with Trapani simply acting as its port. The tables have turned now and Erice is largely a tourist destination, with many of its houses unoccupied in the winter when it is cold & often cloaked in cloud. Meanwhile Trapani has grown into a sprawling city of over 70,000 residents. We had a clear and windless day and so as the cable car to the top of the mountain was operating we thought we’d give it a go. After a longish hot wait in the sun for a number 23 bus (Catering asked several times was I sure we were standing in the right spot, despite being stood next to a bus stop with 23 written on it) followed by a shortish but thankfully cool bus ride, we arrived at the funicular station and jumped straight into a pod. The view made the rather sweaty start to the day worth it.

The whole of the Trapani laid out below us with gorgeous views out to sea. We disembarked and walked into the walled town which although quite touristy has an interesting church and bell tower (or two). I managed to persuade Catering up the 1st one pictured below, but he was about to put his foot down regarding the second one, however it was shut for repairs.

Bell Tower 1 – climbed

Bell Tower 2 – closed

In between the two towers, I dragged the poor man round the back streets, so that we stayed away from the majority of the tourists (Catering tends to find the general public at large a bit irritating) and got a better feel for the town. Here he is (below) in a venula, a narrow passageway between houses designed to provide ventilation.

You can’t beat a good venula

Our walk ended at park at the top of the town with a café for a well-deserved coffee and then a bench with a view for our picnic lunch.

The streetlight by our picnic bench

After a quick church tour (lovely altar) and a stop to buy some of the almond biscuits Erice is famous for, we thought we deserved a cold alcoholic beverage. We located a lovely terrace with another super view, ordered our drinks and had just settled back for a civilised beer, when a family group of vocal Australian tourists descended upon us. I know I am an over-sharer, however it would appear I am junior dormitory compared to our new terrace companions, who had no issues with having a full blown disagreement over who was sitting where, followed by an elaborate game of Musical Chairs. Therein followed the quickest beer stop ever before we headed back down the hill to the funicular, thankful to be travelling as a pair and not with 20 family members, none of whom wanted to sit where they were told to.

Lovely altar