West coast Sicily Days 12 and 13 Marsala

The next day we take the car back and have a day of rest just wandering around Trapani, the fish market and other shopping in the morning, the excellent bread from our neighbour, a look around the shops in the newer part of town, a big and leisurely lunch followed by a rest, I have a little work to do, and then a long walk around the historical centre. We take our books and sit on the walkway to Torre Ligny to sunbathe and read and slowly wait for the sunset. 

The next day we investigate trains and after a very unSicilian early lunch we are soon on the train to Marsala. We have a long walk along the sea front and then visit the historical centre. One of the main attractions in Marsala is to visit the Marsala wine producers such as Florio, but that's something we did when we visited fifteen years ago and while we often drink the wine we aren't interested in repeating the guided tour and tasting.

It's Saturday and in the cathedral there's a wedding and the main square is busy with guests, the photographer with a drone, tourists and local people out for a weekend stroll. The centre is nice but perhaps we feel Trapani as home now and are flagging a little when we decide to consult Tripadvisor about a good place to eat a Cannolo in Marsala. TA suggests Pasticceria Dolce Tentazione and we walk up and down the main road 3 or 4 times before finally spotting it just up a side road. The shop is tiny and really is specialized just in Cannoli since they only make Cannoli and another cake called "Genovese". As usual the shells are piled up waiting for the filling to be done when required. Real cannoli are never prepared in advance because the shell would go soggy in contact with the ricotta filling. The owner is exceptionally friendly and kind and makes the cannoli tasting a very special experience by including a small glass of Marsala and some water to finish in the already extremely unexpensive price of the enormous 'medium' cannolo. Which, of course, is heavenly. 

A special place, a special person, special cannoli. Not to be missed if you visit Marsala.

In fact this is the high point of our visit to Marsala. After, we make our way back to the station and the train to Trapani where we arrive just in time for the most spectacular sunset in a week of spectacular sunsets.