Arete

The Area

Some of Sicily's best beaches run along the coast between Mazara del Vallo and Agrigento and many of these, including the ones at the Belice Nature Reserve, Porto Palo and Menfi, are just a few minutes drive from Arete.

Not to be missed is the superb archaeological site of Selinunte and the Cave di Cusa, followed, maybe, by a superb lunch or dinner at the seafront restaurant La Pineta in the Belice Nature Reserve). Several of the towns nearby are also well worth a visit. Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo both have charming old centres, some great restaurants and working ports with large fishing fleets that work the Mediterranean daily. A little further afield but still in easy day-trip distance are Marsala, Trapani and Erice. Caltabellotta is spectacularly situated in the craggy hills overlooking both coast and interior, while Menfi itself is an up-and-coming centre of excellence for the wine trade.

The beaches in the area of Porto Palo-Menfi have received 20 consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.

Cycling in the Menfi area is a very pleasurable pastime, thanks to both the quiet back roads and the purpose-built cycle track along and around the old railway line between Menfi, Porto Palo and Sciacca. We’d be delighted to have bikes delivered to your villa and, if anyone in your group is an inveterate pedaller, arrange for a local guide to show them the best routes.