Erice - Sicily's Fairytale City

If you're thinking of traveling to Sicily this year, make sure you add Erice to your itinerary.  Erice is Sicily's fairytale city with breathtaking views, pretty, ancient winding streets, central square with coffee shops or pasticceria serving mouthwatering pastries.

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Erice - Sicily's Fairytale City - Papa Vince

Set up high on a cliff top with spectacular views across the Mediterranean to even as far as Tunisia on a clear day, Erice is a fairytale medieval town that is still shrouded in mystery. 

If you pay close attention to one of the legends, you’ll hear that Erice was named after the mythological Eryx, the son of Aphrodite and Butes, who founded the island more than 3000 years ago and became its king until he was vanquished by Hercules.

Today if you wander along the winding ancient streets, passing through the narrow archways and under flower clad balconies, there’s a sense of history in the air and maybe you’ll catch a whisper of other legends.

How about the secrets hidden by the Castello di Venere, the domineering twelfth century castle which has become the symbol of Erice.  It was built by the Normans on the sacred site and even using materials from the Temple of Venus after which it was named.  This was a landmark that the Normans wanted to remove from their landscape as they introduced christianity onto the island … you see in times of antiquity this temple enjoyed quite a reputation and made Erice a Mediterranean hotspot for sailors who had come to seek out the goddess of love.  Their frequent journeys made Erice an important and wealthy city.  Today only the legend remains as stories are passed down from one generation to the next.

The Normans must have succeeded in their quest to spread Christianity because Erice is famed for its numerous churches and is known as the ‘city with one hundred churches.’  Probably the most important is the Chiesa Matrice which dates back to the 14th century, adjacent to which is the mighty campanile or bell tower.  A somewhat perilously steep climb will take you to the top and those who venture here are rewarded with spectacular views over the surrounding area.  Who knows, this was once possibly a watch tower for the Sicilians to keep an eye on any potential invaders who came along frequently to this fought over island.

At the heart of Erice is the town square, Piazza Umberto I which is a great place to rest and soak up the atmosphere of this delightful town.  Of course you can’t pass by the wonderful pasticceria filled with mouth watering pastries, without being tempted to enter.  There is Maria Grammatico’s famous pastry shop in Vittorio Emanuele which opened in 1950 and has become legendary due to the owner’s book ‘Bitter Almonds’ which tells the stories of her childhood in a convent and the recipes she learned. There are so many delicacies to choose from: marzipan sweets decorated like lace, almond liqueur cookies, Genovesi Ericine which are filled with hot custard and sprinkled with sugar or cassatella which resemble fried dumplings filled with ricotta and powdered with cinnamon and sugar.  Wash them down with some fresh Italian coffee, iced or hot or why not try the Monte Erice local liquor which is famous for its green color.  There are so many new things to try!

At the end of the day as you prepare to head back down to Trapani, if the weather is favorable, take a quiet moment to enjoy the breathtaking sunset and savor the memories of an unforgettable day in Erice.

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Experience Erice with us in the video below.

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Papa Vince Unfiltered EVOO - First Cold Pressed, Single Estate, High Polyphenols, Peppery Finish Papa Vince EVOO - Unfiltered, Unrefined, High Polyphenols, Vit E+K1, Low Acidity
Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - Unblended, Family Harvest, High...
$39.77
[NEW HARVEST] ** GIFT READY ** Add a personalized message in the note section when viewing your cart and your gift will be delivered with a special gift box at no additional cost. This will make sure that your recipient knows it is a gift from you! ** NOTE ** Papa Vince's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is juice; the juice of the olives. Therefore, each harvest will taste different. Be ready for a pleasant surprise! Product Features VOLUME: 16.91 fl oz 100% UNBLENDED, NON-BLENDED Extra Virgin Olive Oil HARVEST DATE: FALL 2022-2023. We harvest from Oct - Dec every year SINGLE ESTATE, SINGLE SOURCED, FAMILY MADE: from our Orchards in Santa Ninfa, Sicily, Italy CONTAINS POLYPHENOL: 350 mg/kg as of Dec 2022. IMPORTANT: Content of polyphenols decreases with time EARLY HARVEST HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Vitamin E (20% DV) - ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CONTAINS VITAMINS FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - We literally press the juice of the olives into the bottle LOW ACIDITY (FFA < .26) - the lower the acidity, the higher the quality CLEAN TASTE: with hints of tomatoes, artichokes & peppery finish! DELICIOUS PEPPERY FINISH - Yes, the peppery kick at the back of your throat is your assurance that it's loaded with polyphenols. 4-YEAR SHELF LIFE before opening; 1-Year after opening. ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ENJOYS SUCH ANLONG SHELF-LIFE 100% RAW, NON-BLENDED, UNFILTERED, UNREFINED Extra Virgin Olive Oil SMOKE POINT > 375º F - The greater the smoke point, the higher the quality IDEAL FOR KETO, VEGAN, PALEO, & WHOLE 30 How to use extra virgin olive oil Daily shot every morning: Clean taste and peppery finish that makes it an absolute delight. Salad Dressing: Mix with Papa Vince Moscato Vinegar & Sea Salt to make a salad dressing that is not only delicious but healthy. Seasoning: Yes, season all your foods with a drizzle of Papa Vince. Believe me, it will make your veggies, soups, pasta, fish,...and even fruit taste awesome. Have you tried oranges with Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil? What a treat!! Dipping: simply mix with your favorite spices for an unforgettable dipping experience. Baking - healthy replacement for butter and other oils Cooking - Papa Vince enjoys a very high smoking point. Used for roasting, pan-frying and more. Believe me, you will taste the difference! Storage Notes: HARVEST: FALL 2022-2023 Best Used before Jan 2027 Use within 12 months after opening Store away from light & heat
Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 3Bottles Save $13.00 with Subscription - Papa Vinc Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 3Bottles Save $13.00 with Subscription - Papa Vinc
Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 3Bottles Save $13.00 with...
$119.01
** NOTE ** Papa Vince's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is juice; the juice of the olives. Therefore, each harvest will taste different. Be ready for a pleasant surprise! Subscription Features INCLUDES: 3 bottlesOFFER AVAILABLE WITH SUBSCRIPTION ONLYSUBSCRIPTION CAN BE CANCELLED ANYTIME Product Features VOLUME: 16.91 fl oz each 100% UNBLENDED, NON-BLENDED Extra Virgin Olive Oil HARVEST DATE: FALL 2022-2023. We harvest from Oct - Dec every year SINGLE ESTATE, SINGLE SOURCED, FAMILY MADE: from our Orchards in Santa Ninfa, Sicily, Italy CONTAINS POLYPHENOL: 350 mg/kg as of Dec 2022. IMPORTANT: Content of polyphenols decreases with time HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Vitamin E (20% DV) - ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CONTAINS VITAMINS FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - We literally press the juice of the olives into the bottle LOW ACIDITY (FFA < .26) - the lower the acidity, the higher the quality CLEAN TASTE: with hints of tomatoes, artichokes & peppery finish! DELICIOUS PEPPERY FINISH - Yes, the peppery kick at the back of your throat is your assurance that it's loaded with polyphenols. 4-YEAR SHELF LIFE before opening; 1-Year after opening. ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ENJOYS SUCH ANLONG SHELF-LIFE 100% RAW, NON-BLENDED, UNFILTERED, UNREFINED Extra Virgin Olive Oil SMOKE POINT > 375º F - The greater the smoke point, the higher the quality IDEAL FOR KETO, VEGAN, PALEO, & WHOLE 30 How to use extra virgin olive oil Daily shot every morning: Clean taste and peppery finish that makes it an absolute delight. Salad Dressing: Mix with Papa Vince Moscato Vinegar & Sea Salt to make a salad dressing that is not only delicious but healthy. Seasoning: Yes, season all your foods with a drizzle of Papa Vince. Believe me, it will make your veggies, soups, pasta, fish,...and even fruit taste awesome. Have you tried oranges with Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil? What a treat!! Dipping: simply mix with your favorite spices for an unforgettable dipping experience. Baking - healthy replacement for butter and other oils Cooking - Papa Vince enjoys a very high smoking point. Used for roasting, pan-frying and more. Believe me, you will taste the difference! Storage Notes: HARVEST: FALL 2022-2023 Best Used before Jan 2027 Use within 12 months after opening Store away from light & heat
Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 4Bottles Save $23.00 with Subscription - Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 4Bottles Save $23.00 with Subscription - Papa Vince
Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin - 4Bottles Save $23.00 with...
$158.68
** NOTE ** Papa Vince's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is juice; the juice of the olives. Therefore, each harvest will taste different. Be ready for a pleasant surprise! Product Features INCLUDES 4 bottles VOLUME: 16.91 fl oz each 100% UNBLENDED, NON-BLENDED Extra Virgin Olive Oil HARVEST DATE: FALL 2022-2023. We harvest from Oct - Dec every year SINGLE ESTATE, SINGLE SOURCED, FAMILY MADE: from our Orchards in Santa Ninfa, Sicily, Italy CONTAINS POLYPHENOL: 350 mg/kg as of Dec 2022. IMPORTANT: Content of polyphenols decreases with time HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Vitamin E (20% DV) - ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CONTAINS VITAMINS FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - We literally press the juice of the olives into the bottle LOW ACIDITY (FFA < .26) - the lower the acidity, the higher the quality CLEAN TASTE: with hints of tomatoes, artichokes & peppery finish! DELICIOUS PEPPERY FINISH - Yes, the peppery kick at the back of your throat is your assurance that it's loaded with polyphenols. 4-YEAR SHELF LIFE before opening; 1-Year after opening. ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ENJOYS SUCH ANLONG SHELF-LIFE 100% RAW, NON-BLENDED, UNFILTERED, UNREFINED Extra Virgin Olive Oil SMOKE POINT > 375º F - The greater the smoke point, the higher the quality IDEAL FOR KETO, VEGAN, PALEO, & WHOLE 30 How to use extra virgin olive oil Daily shot every morning: Clean taste and peppery finish that makes it an absolute delight. Salad Dressing: Mix with Papa Vince Moscato Vinegar & Sea Salt to make a salad dressing that is not only delicious but healthy. Seasoning: Yes, season all your foods with a drizzle of Papa Vince. Believe me, it will make your veggies, soups, pasta, fish,...and even fruit taste awesome. Have you tried oranges with Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil? What a treat!! Dipping: simply mix with your favorite spices for an unforgettable dipping experience. Baking - healthy replacement for butter and other oils Cooking - Papa Vince enjoys a very high smoking point. Used for roasting, pan-frying and more. Believe me, you will taste the difference! Storage Notes: HARVEST: FALL 2022-2023 Best Used before Jan 2027 Use within 12 months after opening Store away from light & heat
Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin Gift - Unblended, Family Harvest 2022/23, High in Polyphenols, Single Estate, First Cold Pressed, Sicily, Italy, Peppery Finish, Unfiltered, Unrefined, Green Bag - Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin Gift - Unblended, Family Harvest 2022/23, High in Polyphenols, Single Estate, First Cold Pressed, Sicily, Italy, Peppery Finish, Unfiltered, Unrefined, Green Bag - Papa Vince
Papa Vince Papa Vince Olive Oil Extra Virgin Gift - Unblended, Family Harvest...
$41.97
** GIFT READY ** Add a Personalized Message in the note section when viewing your cart and your gift will be delivered in a special gift box at no additional cost. This will make sure that your recipient knows it is a gift from you! ** NOTE ** Papa Vince's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is juice; the juice of the olives. Therefore, each harvest will taste different. Be ready for a pleasant surprise! PRODUCT FEATURES VOLUME: 16.91 fl oz GIFT OPTION: Natural Burlat Green Bag 100% UNBLENDED, NON-BLENDED Extra Virgin Olive Oil HARVEST DATE: FALL 2022-2023. We harvest from Oct - Dec every year SINGLE ESTATE, SINGLE SOURCED: from our Family Orchards in Santa Ninfa, Sicily, Italy CONTAINS POLYPHENOL: 350 mg/kg as of Dec 2022. IMPORTANT: Content of polyphenols decreases with time HIGH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Vitamin E (20% DV) - ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL CONTAINS VITAMINS FIRST COLD PRESSED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - We literally press the juice of the olives into the bottle LOW ACIDITY (FFA < .26) - the lower the acidity, the higher the quality CLEAN TASTE: with hints of tomatoes, artichokes & peppery finish! DELICIOUS PEPPERY FINISH - Yes, the peppery kick at the back of your throat is your assurance that it's loaded with polyphenols. 4-YEAR SHELF LIFE before opening; 1-Year after opening. ONLY PREMIUM QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL ENJOYS SUCH ANLONG SHELF-LIFE RAW, NON-BLENDED, UNFILTERED, UNREFINED Extra Virgin Olive Oil SMOKE POINT > 375º F - The greater the smoke point, the higher the quality IDEAL FOR KETO, VEGAN, PALEO, & WHOLE 30 HOW TO USE PAPA VINCE EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Daily shot every morning: Clean taste and peppery finish that makes it an absolute delight. Salad Dressing: Mix with Papa Vince Moscato Vinegar & Sea Salt to make a salad dressing that is not only delicious but healthy. Seasoning: Yes, season all your foods with a drizzle of Papa Vince. Believe me, it will make your veggies, soups, pasta, fish,...and even fruit taste awesome. Have you tried oranges with Papa Vince Extra Virgin Olive Oil? What a treat!! Dipping: simply mix with your favorite spices for an unforgettable dipping experience. Baking - healthy replacement for butter and other oils Cooking - Papa Vince enjoys a very high smoking point. Used for roasting, pan-frying and more. Believe me, you will taste the difference! Condition Note: HARVEST: FALL 2022-2023 Best Used before Jan 2027 Use within 12 months after opening Store away from light & heat Legal Disclaimer: Papa Vince's Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a harvested product. It tastes different every year. Import Designation: Imported Country as Labeled: Santa Ninfa, Sicily, Italy  
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