On my recent Silversea Mediterranean cruise, we docked for one day in Trapani, Sicily, and what better way to spend a lazy Sunday than at an olive oil farm in the countryside.
Our Panoramic Trapani and Olive Oil Tasting Tour took us on a short tour around Trapani’s harbour. Our guide explained about the city’s fishing industry and pointed out the Ligny Tower, built by Prince di Ligny in 1671.
We then drove along the salt road towards Paceco to Fontanasalsa, an olive oil farm and charming bed and breakfast owned by Mrs Burgherella.
Walking through the olive trees and bougainvillea, we were greeted in the courtyard by one of our hosts singing traditional Sicilian folk songs with a guitar from a top window.
After short time perking up with an espresso or a glass of chilled mineral water in the orange garden, we were taken on a tour of the olive oil factory and talked through the pressing process.
In the beautiful converted barn dining room, we tasted four different olive oils served with freshly-baked bread and coarse sea salt.
This was followed by a stunning lunch of Sicilian delicacies and local wine. We helped ourselves to plates of traditional lasagne, tomato and basil pasta, local cheeses, rice salad, roasted vegetables, olive tapenade and caponata. All of the dishes were tasty and beautifully-prepared, plus we got to try some ice cream made with olive oil for dessert.
While munching away, we were serenaded with Sicilian folk songs and all ended up having a jolly sing-along. We picked up some bottles of olive oil and tapenade from the small shop before the coach took us back to the port.
I spent a short time wandering around Trapani’s pretty streets and the town’s central beach before boarding the Silverwind. Trapani was very quiet on a Sunday, so the olive oil farm excursion was a great way to spend the day and a perfect, idyllic Sicilian experience.
Silversea’s Silver Wind departs on 9th August 2014 for a 9-day cruise from Venice to Rome and prices start from $4,450 per person. Calling at Venice, Koper, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Sorrento and Rome. For more information and booking, visit:www.silversea.com / tel: 0844 251 0837
Read more about my Silversea Cruise around the Mediterranean:
- What is a Silversea luxury cruise around the Mediterranean really like?
- A day in Sorrento, Capri and Anacapri
- A morning walk around historic Valletta in Malta.
Chérie City was a guest of Silversea
All photos by Chérie City
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