A “Sundowner” in a timeless place

An aperitif at sunset in Marsala

It’s often said that African sunrise and sunset are the best in the world and for a certain part I agree.  Seems I’m lucky enough because I have seen some of them .  But… Imagine a place in Sicily ,  where time seems to stop suddenly .. An immense expanse of pools that reflect the colors of the sea and the sky. Everything set in a wonderful landscape, gently formed by the wind during the centuries.

Salt worker

Salt Harvesting in Marsala

An evocative environment, especially for the fact that it’s still used today for the collection of salt.
In addition , salt is collected  in a still genuine and traditional way,  with a trade handed down from generation to generation.
This extraordinarily pristine and picturesque part of western Sicily is named : “Stagnone di Marsala” (Lagoon of Marsala)

Imagine, now,  to arrive in the middle of cloudless day where the glare coming from this white land can give  the feeling of blinding you  ( even if you are  wearing sunglasses). The backdrop is a deep blue sky, which takes on   bluish  colours  just before a sunset . Suddenly, the  “saline”  become  as one of the most beautiful, otherwordly places you can imagine.
In addition , before enjoying the sunset show, I suggest you to visit the Museum of salt placed in a windmill. Buy the different types of genuine salt that are produced there.

Where does salt come from ?

Sun and Salt

And now sit back and relax for the best “sundowner” you’ve ever had in your life.  Sundowner is a term used in Africa to indicate an alcoholic aperitif in front of a spectacular sunset . I think we can use this word as well for the Salt Pans of Marsala.

2 glasses of wine on table on sunset

Photo @Alessandro Caravello Focus on right glass

I know .. I talk like I’m madly in love with this place .. and it’s true ..
Do you know what  ? There are places that “call ” us  . Even from a long distance. We do not know the reason, but, even before we have seen them, we know that following their call we’ll find a piece of our soul.

Amazing sunset

photo @AngelaMacaluso Nothing beats a sicilian sunset by the salt

The first time I arrived at these salt pans, I was so enchanted , that I decided that this was one of the place most dear to my heart .
I came across an evocative elixir made up of images depicting the sun that set on a dazzling landscape. Some workers standing out on a sky tinged with orange and gold and piles of salt. This vision really caught my eye.
It was like something that belonged to me, which gave me a sort of inner peace and at the same time that made my heart beat fast.

What to expect on a sundowner in Marsala

Treasures of the earth

It is said that a place is never just “a” place: but that place is also a bit of us.
Somehow, without knowing it, we bring it inside, and one day, by chance, we get there and since then, we can no longer live  without it … This is “that place” for me.

And now, hold a good glass of wine in your hand.  Imagine in front of you, the sea as far as the eye can see and the sun that gradually disappearing, leaving as a legacy to the sky all its palette of romantic colors . You will have  the impression of being on another planet, in another era,away  from the daily “tram tram”.
Suddenly ,  those colors will capture your sight and your senses, your thoughts and your heart ..
Around you nothing but peace , beauty and love for that place.

Not snow .. this is salt

photo @Vittorio Catania Water turns into salt.. This is Magic!

Watch the white sea of ​​salt that is suddenly enveloped in an embrace of blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow .
The most beautiful colors of the sky I’ve ever seen .  Almost surreal.

From afar, the silhouettes of tourists and locals stand out through a sky tinged of different colours. At a distance the round ball of fire (the sun)  adds life to those images before slowly disappearing …

The incredible beauty of salt pans in Marsala

My name is salt

Whatever the reason, as the night nears over , a kaleidoscope of colors will electrify the water. The skyline  will be streaked with red and orange lights with a sky that will begin to turn  pink and purple. The landscape will hit you so hard that this somptuous  place will leave you speechless. It will enter  forever in your heart, making you fall madly in love ..

Sunset across the saltpans and windmills

I think it is nearly impossible to capture the exact amount of magic

In conclusion, if you don’t want to miss this and other experiences in one of the most interesting corners of Western Sicily, contact me. Since I’m  your Sicily’s Expert , write to  isidepa@tiscali.it
Maybe you can book through my agency Sicily By Experts (www.sicilybyexperts.it)  the tour dedicated to those places,  called “On the road of flavors in Western Sicily“.

I  wait for you in this paradise where love is on the air
Angela

Nighttime in Marsala

photo @Usvi Richard There is so much to watch! I’ll say no more

About the Author:

I’m Angela and I was born and bred some years in Novara ( Piemonte). Then my parents decided to get back to Sicily and I grew up on a small mountain village in the Madonie park : Polizzi Generosa . Nothing incredibly exciting happened there and for this reason I decided to move in an other city where I live happily: Cefalù . A beautiful medieval town, included in the World Heritage List in 2015 I was a smart girl in school and I loved to learn . I like music and books , animals , dance and most of all to know people and get in touch with the real soul of a place. I also love photography , gelato and writing . And naturally I like to travel and everything it’s in between.

25 Comments

  1. Giacomo 10 January 2018 at 16:14 - Reply

    Viviamo in un territorio fantastico dove tu hai quelle capacità che diventano elemento guida per la scoperta di luoghi e tradizioni. Ti faccio un grossissimo in bocca a lupo per questa nuova avventura e sono convinto che basterà leggere le tue “esperienze” per farci immergere nella cultura del luogo in cui ti troverai, “la morbidezza dell’assieme, il digradare dei toni, l’armonia del cielo, del mare e della terra….”,.chi ha avuto la fortuna o chi avrà la fortuna di vedere , vivere questi posti, non lo dimenticherà più…..
    Un progetto ambizioso come questo non poteva che essere opera tua! Se insisti e resisti, raggiungi e conquisti. Che questo traguardo sia solo l’inizio di un grande futuro.

  2. Marilyn Jones 12 January 2018 at 18:36 - Reply

    What a wonderful article and your photos are amazing!! Sicily is so beautiful!!

    • Angela Macaluso 12 January 2018 at 18:39 - Reply

      My bella Marilyn
      I’m happy you loved it . I wanted my readers and followers were impressed and I did it .. so .. I’m happy!
      Sicily is a wonderful land and I hope I can see you soon here and we can start a great collaboration

  3. Dan Dorn 12 January 2018 at 18:44 - Reply

    I have never had the good fortune of visiting Sicily but after reading this article, I hope to experience this part of Italy very soon. At first glance, you look at the photos and they are amazing but with Angela’s words, they bring those photos to life. I look forward to enjoying a Sundowner in the near future.

    • Angela Macaluso 12 January 2018 at 18:59 - Reply

      My dear Dan
      This place is really amazing and I’m happy that you loved it
      The intention was to let people fall in love of this wonderful spot and I did it..
      I hope you will come soon in Sicily … the island is incredibly beautiful so I really hope you will be able to visit it soon.
      I will be happy to share a “sundowner” with you at the salt pans

  4. Coreen Doucett 15 January 2018 at 16:07 - Reply

    #CoreensTravels loves Sicily – completely breathtaking. Our clients come back rejuvenated.

    • Angela Macaluso 15 January 2018 at 16:43 - Reply

      Hello Coreen
      Sicily is a wonderful place to suggest to clients . And yes.. I completly agree with you.. this particular place is breathtaking and clients will be ravished by it..
      I’m at your disposal if you want to bring clients in Sicily and .. I hope you will continue to follow me
      Kiss

  5. Anne 15 January 2018 at 17:30 - Reply

    A wonderful article. Great information.

    • Angela Macaluso 15 January 2018 at 17:58 - Reply

      Hello Anne
      Thank you for your comment . I’m happy you appreciated the article. Hope you will follow me to learn more about Sicily

  6. Drew Santiago 15 January 2018 at 21:42 - Reply

    Beautiful photos, wonderful article, incredible culture. Thank you for sharing this insight of Western Sicily. Great information.

    • Angela Macaluso 15 January 2018 at 22:06 - Reply

      Hi Drew
      thank you for your compliments
      I hope you will follow me on the blog and .. hope we can collaborate soon for great itineraries in Sicily

  7. Marco Manera 15 January 2018 at 22:23 - Reply

    La Sicilia è piena di meraviglie e di contraddizioni, di luminosità e di contrasti. Per raccontarla ed avere il coraggio di viverla pienamente bisogna esserne profondamente innamorati. Ciò che si avverte leggendo questo articolo è il cuore che batte, è l’amore per questa terra, che riempie gli occhi e appaga l’anima.

    • Angela Macaluso 16 January 2018 at 0:48 - Reply

      Ciao Marco
      Da un artista non potevo che leggere parole artistiche e poetiche. E’ vero comunque .. ne sono completamente innamorata e spero non mi deluda mai. Sono contenta che ti sia piaciuto l’articolo e spero di averti tra i miei followers .. Leggerò volentieri i tuoi commenti e le critiche

  8. Angela Macaluso 17 January 2018 at 11:15 - Reply

    My dear Khristye
    I’m so happy you loved the place and the article. My goal was to enchante people reading this and let them fall in love of the place as I did the first time i saw the place. I hope you will bring lot of clients in Sicily . I’m here to help you and .. be sure.. The saline di Marsala will be our highlight

    Warm regards
    Angela

  9. Robert Larkin 6 February 2018 at 17:49 - Reply

    Great article and absolutely spectacular photos. We at TravelPerks are looking forward to working with you for our Sicily-bound clients. Great job Angela!

  10. Robert Larkin 6 February 2018 at 17:49 - Reply

    Great article and absolutely spectacular photos. We at TravelPerks are looking forward to working with you for our Sicily-bound clients. Great job Angela!

  11. Tina 15 January 2019 at 17:59 - Reply

    I too have thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and your fabulous photos. My husband and I have visited both Corfu and Crete in the Spring in order to catch stunning Spring flowers. When and where on the island of Sicily will we find wild flowers.

  12. oprol evorter 13 October 2019 at 16:48 - Reply

    Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

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    posso usare l’italiano or english

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