The name Marsala usually conjures tastes of rather strong wine, though there’s much more to this fishing town’s repertoire. It’s a relaxed sort of place where history and culture abounds; this is, after all, the western point of Sicily, making Marsala witness to the sea battles of the Punic Wars, and the landing point for Garibaldi’s 1000, the spark of Italy’s unification. Throw in Baroque churches and picturesque coastal views, and the recipe for a wonderfully Italian escape is all there.

Beyond the town there’s a clutch of vineyards and olive groves to explore, where Marsala wine and plenty more hyperlocal produce is carefully crafted. The starlet is the salt pans of Il Stagnone, set with iconic windmills and rugged locals harvesting the glittering gold. Back in town, taste the fruits of all the hard work, with exemplary dining opportunities in this timeless and charming coastal destination.