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Segesta (Egesta to the greeks) was one of the major cities of the Elymian people, one of the three indigenous peoples of Sicily. Segesta's ancient Greek temple is one of the best preserved in the world, and its amphitheatre boasts a hilltop position on Mount Barbaro second to none. The archeological site, about seventy kilometers southwest of Palermo, reflects the presence of several ancient civilizations, beginning with the elusive Elymians. While the magnificent Segesta Temple remains uncompleted (the roof was never added and the pillars never fluted), it is quite impressive and among the many highlights of a large archaeological park.

You'll have the opportunity to take the path, slightly inclined, to the temple and not only see its construction, but the fabulous view it offers. It is a short ride to your next stop, the lovely little town of Erice. Though Erice is the second of three cities of the Elymian people and its religious designation links it to the goddesses of fertility, it is more famous today for its ancient narrow streets and many bakeries, especially its marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastry.

It is a lovely place to spend some time wandering the medieval streets with their baroque balconies and flowering vines, and drinking in the vistas. The southwest corner of town contains the Villa Balio Gardens, originally laid out in the 19th century. Beyond the gardens, a path winds along the cliff's edge up to Erice's highest point, the Castello di Venere. Today, little more than crumbling Norman walls surround the sacred site where a temple to Venus once stood.

Next, we'll see another totally different side of Sicily when visiting the Salt Pans of Trapani. Here your interest will focus around the lagoons and marshes with shallow water The primary activity in the lagoons was, and still is to a certain extent today, the production of salt. The method is fairly simple and consists of channelling sea water into small ponds, allowing it to evaporate under the sun, and collecting the salt which is then left to dry in piles which are covered in terracotta tiles that take on the appearance of the roof of a house. You will learn how the historic salt pan works and see where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced.

We'll return you to the cruise ship pier after a rewarding day of discovery.