"Is it a dream or am I awake?"

Mark Twain wrote: “Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live”. We want to follow Twain's advice and for this reason we recommend, during your trip to Sicily, one of the places that most intrigue national and international tourism: The Museum of Optical Illusions (M.O.O.I.) located in the wonderful province of Trapani.

And there are many indisputably delightful places to visit and add to your itinerary in north-western Sicily: the nearby Zingaro Nature Riserva, Scopello and its tuna fishery, San Vito Lo Capo, the archaeological parks of Selinunte and Segesta, the Stagnone Reserve in Marsala, the mediaeval village of Erice, the salt pans of Trapani, the wineries of Marsala, Palermo and why not? The Egadi Islands.

But before travelling even with our imagination to these places that exude the scent of the sea and whet the desire for a holiday, let's go back to M.O.O.I. This museum is the first structure in Italy entirely dedicated to optical illusions and will amaze you more than Harry Houdini's tricks. Here there will be no magicians to deceive you with their ability, to do so will be the person you trust most: yourself.

The structure, designed in 2012 by engineer Tony Pennacchio, is located in the heart of Trapani and has once again given the post-pandemic route to guided tours. The experienced staff will accompany visitors into the world of optical illusions, including natural phenomena, curiosities in the field of optics, physics, psychology, art and mathematics. This is why it is suitable for all ages: for children who want to learn and grow and for adults who want to become children again.

There are several installations present: the infinite bookcase, the mirror with inverted reflection, the couple of Tusi and the giant praxinoscope. But certainly worth mentioning are the rooms that have conquered tourists from all over the world in recent years. The museum, in fact, offers an interactive path during which visitors are an active part of the illusions: they move between inclined planes and take non-ordinary photographic poses as in the case of the upside-down room or in the one with the chair by Beuchet.

You will be truly spoilt for choice as there are so many experiences to live in this breathtaking glimpse of Sicily: your days will be full of adventure, excellent food served in the countless restaurants and trattorias with fresh fish, your senses will be pleasantly overwhelmed by the smells, from the colours and warmth of the shining Sicilian sun. And if you ever feel tired, remember that even our fantastic villas with private pools in the Trapani area are many and there is something for all tastes.