L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 11 When most think about Sicily, they think of ancient Greek ruins by the bluest of seas; they think of the temples in Agrigento or of the chaotic street markets in Palermo. Yet, there is a quieter side to Sicily: the sleepy town of Erice, perched on a mountain top of the same name, is a small retreat that bears little in com- mon with nearby beach side towns and resorts. At more than 2000 feet above sea level, this small village offers breathtaking views of the Mediterranean –from Trapani to the west all the way to rugged Punta del Saraceno and Capo San Vito to the north east- and gives visitors a chance to get away from everything and relax in a beauti- ful medieval setting. Although small, Erice is cer- tainly rich in history: founded by the Phoenicians, it was later destroyed during the First Punic War, and then rebuilt and ruled by the Arabs until the Norman conquest in 1167. To this day the town center, inside the thick for- tification walls, has the distinct, manicured look of a picture per- fect town from the Middle Ages. What makes it even better and easier to explore is that Erice is a pedestrian only zone and its streets and alleys are paved with well-kept cobblestones. Wandering around with no rhyme or reason is certainly one of the best things to do in Erice, as is crossing the whole village and walking to the very top of the mountain, where the Castello di Venere sits, dominating the whole town and the valley below. The castle is a Norman fortress built between the 12 th and 13 th century that rises from the ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to Venus. The high walls, the pretty courtyards and the effortlessly elegant shape of the towers give way to amazing views of the Mediterranean and a small café serves drinks and food for those who want to linger and enjoy the castle's beauty a little longer. On the opposite side of town stands the gorgeous Duomo of Erice, commissioned in 1312 by Frederick the 2 nd , grateful to the villagers because they had wel- comed and sheltered him during the Vespri riots of 1282. The inside of the church has been remodeled several times and fea- tures different styles from differ- ent eras, but there are still some original side chapels from the 1400 and 1500s. Yet the best the Duomo has to offer is the view from the top of the bell tower, which one can reach by climbing a steep staircase up to the top, about 90 feet over the church square. It may seem like a lot of steps, but Erice is also famous for its food, which means there are plenty of culinary rewards to be enjoyed after the long climb. If you are in the mood for a snack, Erice is dotted with small bars and cafés, but if you want to taste a bit of history look no fur- ther than Maria Grammatico's. In the early 50s, Maria's father died suddenly, leaving his wife behind, pregnant with their sixth child. Poor and desperate, she gave up Maria, who at the time was 11, to the St. Charles' orphanage where she and her younger sister learned the art of pastry making from the nuns. By the time she turned 22 she had mastered it and opened her café, which is still considered one of the very best in Sicily: try her almond paste pastries, her cook- ies and her homemade mar- malades and jams with a cup of strong coffee and unwind for an hour or two as the locals do. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a more substantial, traditional meal, you might want to steer clear of the restaurants in the main square and head to Ristorante Monte San Giuliano. This charming restaurant is a local favorite and, although slightly difficult to find as it is hidden behind the town's main drag, is definitely worth it as it serves an amazing seafood cous- cous, a beloved staple from near- by Trapani. Your best bet to reach Erice is taking the gondola that shuttles people from the outskirts of Trapani to the top of the moun- tain since 2005. The views on the way up are simply incredible and it saves you the hassle of finding a parking spot outside the city walls, which can be a relief especially in the summer when the village is more crowd- ed with visitors. Otherwise, reg- ular bus services are available between Trapani, Erice and San Vito lo Capo. Planning a trip to Italy but don't know exactly which places to visit or how to combine more destinations in an effective man- ner? If you are looking for advice or wish to find the best value-for-money solution for your next vacation, Stay and Visit Italy can be the answer. This Italian travel company based in Sarasota, Florida, was founded in 1996 by Giorgio Orofino, who has been working in the hospitality industry for over forty years, the last twenty serving the U.S. market. Thanks to a profound knowl- edge of and passion for Italy, its beautiful landscape, history, and artistic treasures, he can guaran- tee an authentic Italian experi- ence to his customers, very far from the exhausting tours de force that many tourists embark on. "Italy is an emotion that must be lived and shared. Think of me as if I was your favorite native Italian cousin whose family has always lived there, and who can guide you through the main attractions and the true essence of Italy." Stay and Visit Italy tours are designed to allow flexibility and meet all customers' needs, at an extremely competitive price. In fact, it isn't just another travel agency. The Orofino family is in the business since the year 1965, when Giorgio's father and uncle built up the Grand Hotel Suisse Resort and Spa in Ischia, in the Bay of Naples. Years later, Giorgio and his brothers joined their father and started one of the largest family- owned 4-star hotel chains in Italy: the Aurum Hotels. At pre- sent, they host over 10,000 guests on a weekly basis, and are located in major tourist areas such as Rome, Tuscany, Sardinia and Sicily Islands, the Bay of Naples, and Sestriere in Piedmont region. By owning the hotels, resorts, and restaurants, Giorgio's Stay and Visit Italy can provide exclusive tours and luxury vaca- tions at an affordable price - he says 70% less compared with other agencies. Stay and Visit Italy currently offers three different regional tours in Italy: the Rome Tour, the Amalfi Coast and Rome Tour, and the Tuscany, Umbria, and Rome Tour. These are usu- ally 9-day escorted tours with transfers and meals included. Among the destinations in the Amalfi Coast are Naples, Ischia, Sorrento, Positano, Capri, and Pompeii; while in Tuscany and Umbria some of them are Siena, Pisa, Orvieto, and Assisi. Just like his great-grandparents - native of the Abruzzi and Sicily regions, who moved to Delaware in 1906 to pursue a better life and more opportuni- ties for their family -, Giorgio Orofino came to the U.S. and worked hard to fulfill his dream. Today, he lives with his family On a mountain above the sea: Erice is one of Sicily's best kept secrets Stay and Visit Italy with the Orofino family chIARA ASSI SILVIA SIMONETTI Castello di Venere, Erice, Sicily Maria Grammatico's pastry shop between Sarasota and Naples, his city of origin. For more information on Stay and Visit Italy or Orofino Tours visit www.stayandvisit.co m or www.orofinotours.com.

• Cover