Archeology
Within 20 minutes driving you reach the archeological site of Selinunte – the Gods Ruins - with a surface area of 270 hectares with a vast quantità of ruins whose size and qualità are difficult to find all together in other parts of the western world. After 2,500 years many things have been brought to light to help us understand and relive the life and history of Selinunte. At first it was a colonial city of Magna Grecia and then an important commercial centre of Punic people. There are four temples, the remains of which are still to be seen in the area of the Acropolis and another three are situated on the eastern hill.
Within 45 minutes driving we find Segesta, the ancient rival of Selinunte, with its two striking legacy: the Doric Temple and the amphitheatre. The big temple appears in solitude and perfectly preserved in its aristocratic imposingness. At the eastern extremity the is the Greek theatre. A shell suspended in the void, facing the north this architectonic masterpiece boasts an unrivalled position and during summer nights great Latin dramas are performed regularly.
In 30 minutes driving opposite the white Marsala salt-pans you will find the archaeological miracle of the island of Mothia. Fragments of walls, steps and fortifications have at their immediate background the see and the heights of the other islands. This is a rich landscape, neither rugged nor soft, which encompasses the remains of a Punic city never again rebuilt after its defeat in 397 B.C.
The salt road and Erice the Medieval Town
Not to miss are the salt pans in Marsala which have been developed by man over the centuries. Today they are among the Sicilian Region Nature Reserves with an overall area of over eight hundred hectares and until the late 19th century the salt produced was exported all over Europe. Here an old windmill, now restored, houses the Museum of Salt, the white gold of Sicily.
Erice stands aloof at the peak of Monte San Giuliano, wrapped in a cloud which is only mist. Erice is no place for haste, its appearance is that of a Medieval village with stone houses and lanes with clamped cobbles. Silent and tidy, nothing is loud in these little lanes: the shop signs, the street lighting, the people. Less so the oriental fragrances of cinnamon and vanilla you can detect or the aromas of cakes produced by the nuns in the Convent of San Carlo. Other hand working women busy them selves on their ancient looms making arrases and carpets in clearly naïve style , weaving together old bits of coloured material and cotton thread.
The sea and the beaches
A journey in Sicily cannot end without having experienced the Mediterranea sea. Crystal clear waters with abundant sea flora and wild life, sandy beaches and rocky bays. The Natural Reserve of the Egadi Islands, just in front of the city of Marsala and Trapani, are easily accessible by forty minutes ferry ride. Favignana is the largest of the three main islands and often described as having a “butterfly” shape. The island is famous for its caves of volcanic rock and the ancient fishing technique of tonnara, originally of Arab origin, with the trapping and mattanza (massacre) of bluefin tuna.
White and blue painted fishing villages, caves, sandy beaches and rocky bays are all to be found here so to sample the true atmosphere of old marine traditions.
Selinunte & San Vito Lo Capo are among the most famous and sought after sandy beaches of western Sicily, that stretches along a few kilometres, suitable for relaxing and lazy sunbathing and swimming.
And not to miss our new Private Beach Lido Costanza located only fifteen minutes driving from our Resort.
Wine & Olive Oil
Flavours, scents and fragrances tell of a past that is still present. The P.D.O. (Protected Denomination of Origin) olive oils, the traditional sweets, and a huge variety of excellent Sicilian wines. Here you may truly star a journey of wine and olive oil discovery. Sicilian soils are suitable for vines growing and offer a high quality range of grapes, thanks to favourable weather conditions that encourage their ripening. In the past, the strong Sicilian wine was used for blending with other not full-bodied wines. Today, thanks to the passion and devotion of many wine makers, it holds an important position in the domestic and international wine panorama. In addition to the many autochthonous vines, the most important of which are the Nero d’Avola, the Inzolia and the Catarratto, it is possible to find excellent productions of Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Syrah and Chardonnay.
In far-off times, Sicily, was the navel of the Mediterranean and it contributed to the spread of the cultivation of the Olive tree and of its production technique in the rest of Europe. Oil pressing techniques started in the Phoenician times, the Arab rule in Sicily caused a sort of “decadence” of olive oil production and the activity resumed during the Norman rule.
The lands in the province of Trapani are particularly rich in olive cultivation, worldwide famous is the Nocellara del Belice top quality olives. You may recognize the different types of oil by their colour, smell and flavour.The Sicilian oil is particularly appreciated for its quality and taste. Hence, many Sicilian oil productions have already obtained the official P.D.O. label. The P.D.O. mark is guaranteed by the European Union and was created to promote a product as being produced in a well defined geographical area and containing specific characteristics. In addition, it also provide a comprehensive regulation on fixed and detailed natural and human factors that affect the product.
The Hotel
The Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza is nestled amidst 100,000 sqm of landscaped park.
Fountains, gazebos and water features together with endless olive groves and vineyards ssurround the resort to create a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
All 91 spacious guest rooms, including 13 suites, are located on the two storey wings of the building. The harmonious blend of typical Sicilian decor and warm colours is prominent in every room.
A refined resort experience that combines ultimate relaxation with its pools and Beach Club, one of a kind Nakhlah longevity, lifestyle & beauty Spa, childrens program and a wealth of excursions to discover a countless treasures and traditions dating back over 2000 years such as Erice, Segesta, Mothia.