The down side

Tourism is seen as a way to create economic wellbeing and Italy has always been at the forefront of this phenomenon. What was once the so called  "traditional" tourism that had to include certain places for their cultural and aesthetic values - in short, made up of tourists who were sophisticated and knowledgeable  and who spent much money -  we now have the phenomenon of mass tourism that in many cases is budget tourism. This mass of people has changed traditional places that had  a certain beauty and intrinsic meaning into very touristy places full of so called souvenir shops and inexpensive hotels and restaurants that no longer feature the truly great cuisine and hospitality of the past.  These new tourists get  an image created for them. A look that is basically not real but idealized.  Places lose their identities as they become must see spots for a few hours or a day or so and then it's time to see another such site. Erice has become such a place. Located atop Monte San Giuliano overlooking Trapani on the north western corner of Sicily, this medieval town of interesting narrow streets and old architectural gems, has become sort of a tourist trap replete with all the ugly concomitant results as seen in these images. It's really too bad. If people got off the beaten track they would savor it's beauty but unfortunately most do not venture on their own leaving the "real" Erice empty of people.