A natural wonder
Why is it that some of us like to go to the ends of the Earth? I was in Sicily, in the middle of the Mediterranean, and I decided to hop on the ferry from Trapani to Favignana, one of the four Egadi Islands. In only 20 minutes, I was closer to Tunisia than Europe. Favignana is tiny, just a mountain rising up out of the sea, with its solitude, cliffs, and coves jutting out of the transparent water. The entire island is dotted with the ruins of an enormous Carthaginian settlement which was once there. Favigana is incredible: instead of a yard or garden, the homes have excavated pits in the yard filled with ancient ruins. The most spectacular area is Cala Rossa, a name it got over 19 centuries ago (during the Punic Wars, in fact) when the sea was dyed red from the blood of so many Carthaginian soldiers. The cove itself is a natural wonder. Protected from the wind and surf by its massive cliffs, you can walk on the sand and see the sailboats and yachts passing by. Another gorgeous cove is Cavallo. It was there where, after a little dip in the water, I unrolled my picnic blanket and set out the feast I'd gotten in La Tavernette: fresh tuna on a baked roll, onions, capers, and tomato. Delux!
