Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
PANTELLERIA
Halfway between Trapani and Tunisia, this volcanic outcrop is Sicily's largest offshore island. Buffeted
year-round by winds, Pantelleria is characterised by jagged lava stone, low-slung caper bushes, dwarf
vines, steaming fumaroles and mudbaths. There are no true beaches, but Pantelleria's gorgeous, se-
cluded coves - including
Cala Tramontana
,
Cala Levante
and
Balata dei Turchi
- are perfect for
snorkelling, diving and boat excursions.
The island has excellent hiking trails, along the coast and in the high vineyard country of
Piana di
Ghirlanda
. Near
Mursia
on the west coast, there are signposted but poorly maintained remnants of
sesi
(Bronze Age funerary monuments). Throughout the island you'll also find Pantelleria's famous
dammusi
(houses with thick, whitewashed walls and shallow cupolas). The island's exotic and remote
atmosphere has long made it popular with celebrities, including Truman Capote, Sting, Madonna and
Giorgio Armani.
Darwin (
Click here
) offers regular flights to Pantelleria from Palermo and Trapani, and
Siremar
(
www.siremar.it
) runs one ferry daily to/from Trapani (€34, six hours).
For further information about Pantelleria see
www.pantelleria.com
.
Information
The city centre has several banks with ATMs.
Ospedale Sant'Antonio Abate
(
092 380 91 11; Via Cosenza 82)
Police station
(
092 359 81 11; Piazza Vittoria Veneto)
Tourist office
( 092 354 45 33; point@stradadelvinoericedoc.it; Piazzetta Saturno; 9am-1pm &
4-7pm Mon-Sat)
Trapani's tourist office offers city maps, bike sightseeing tours, bike rental
(€8 per day), tour guides and information about wineries along the Strada del Vino Erice
DOC. The subsidiary Casina delle Palme
(Piazza Garibaldi;
9am-1pm & 4-7pm Mon-Sat)
branch is opposite the ferry terminal in Piazza Garibaldi.
Getting There & Around
For bus, plane and ferry tickets, try
Egatours
( 092 32 17 54;
www.egatourviaggi.it
;
Via Am-
miraglio Staiti 13)
, a travel agency located opposite the port.
AIR
European cities;
Air One
(flyairone.com)
serves cities on the Italian mainland, while
Darwin
