Exploring Sicily

Offering spectacular natural beauty and world-famous cuisine, Sicily is one of Italy’s best-loved treasures, and it’s not hard to see why. Laura Robertson, one of our Worldwide Travel Experts, got to visit the island earlier this year and tells us about her stay.

Where did you stay?

I started my trip a few minutes from the sea at Donna Carmela Resort & Lodges, a 19th century Sicilian house in the heart of a Mediterranean plant nursery.

The building has been refurbished with the original features in mind, but has all the modern comforts you could possibly need. Rooms and suites are distributed across two buildings, with many offering gorgeous panoramic terraces, where you can admire sweeping views of your lush surrounds.

From the well-stocked wine cellar to the swimming pool surrounded by secular olive trees, the quiet reading room to guided tours of the calming gardens, every little detail has been taken care of to make your stay here as relaxing as possible.

Next, it was on to Monaci delle Terre Nere, a gorgeous country bio retreat in the foothills of Mount Etna. It was originally chosen by the monks of St Anne’s order in the 18th century, and the estate has since been lovingly restored.

This countryside boutique hotel has rooms spread out across the farm or in the main 19th-century building, with golf buggies to help you get around (it’s a 25-hectare property so you’ll need them!). ?There are complimentary bikes for you to explore the grounds too. The rooms are beautiful, with panoramic, unobstructed views over the vineyard. Some rooms have private pools, and the sun loungers on the terrace outside were a great touch; I loved being able to sit out and enjoy the sunset!

Food is a huge part of life at Monaci delle Terre Nere (I wouldn’t expect anything less at an Italian property!), and they pride themselves on ‘Slow Living’. They believe that food should be an experience and they’re fully involved in the production of the food they serve - they have their own herb garden and organic farm, for instance.

One of my favourite touches while staying here, though, was the ‘Daily Monaci’, a daily newspaper with a run-down of everything going on around the property, whether that’s massages, yoga, or wine and olive oil tasting with a sommelier.

Where next?

Afterwards, I headed to Villa Sant’Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, situated in a picture-perfect location beside the Bay of Mazzarò.

Rooms here offer the perfect place to relax after a long day exploring Sicily – think king-sized beds, fine artwork and marble bathrooms. Balconies and terraces in each room have incredible views over the Mediterranean Sea or the sub-tropical gardens of the grounds. It’s worth mentioning that room service for breakfast is included in your stay and you can have it in bed, in your room or on your balcony.

Ristorante Sant'Andrea, the on-site restaurant, is considered one of the best restaurants in Taormina and serves up delicious traditional Italian food with dazzling sea views. I’d recommend booking into Brizza, available from July to September, for an extra-special dining experience. You’ll get to feast on local seafood by the waterside and it’s only available for 5 tables at a time!

Night-time at Villa Sant’Andrea is simply beautiful. You can head down to the beach for a cinema night on the sands, Sicilian snacks and a glass of Moet in hand, or sit outside for your evening meal, enjoying the views and the atmosphere as a pianist plays live music. And if you want to head into town, a cable car takes you there in just three minutes!

Then it was on to Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel. Built just a stone’s throw away from the Greek Theatre, this is a great place for history buffs or those looking to catch an open-air music performance. The amphitheatre is wonderfully preserved and has the incredible Mount Etna as its backdrop – it’s an amazing thing to experience!

Spacious rooms and suites are split between the main building and Villa Flora (just next door) and boast gorgeous garden views or over the rooftops of Taormina to the Ionian Sea in the distance.

Spectacular dining is the highlight at Grand Hotel Timeo. Breakfast is sensational; think freshly baked pastries filled with jam in front of you, chefs cooking eggs to your liking, plus local cheese, cold cuts and so much more. A visit to Otto Geleng, featuring a Michelin-star menu of classic Mediterranean fare, is a must. Only 16 guests get to eat here each evening, so it’s an ultra-exclusive experience and one I recommend you book ahead for! Alternatively, there’s Ristorante Timeo with striking views of the bay and Mount Etna and delicious Sicilian dishes. My personal favourite was Bar Timeo, a rooftop bar perfect for an aperitivo with awe-inspiring views.

Expert tip: Those staying at Grand Hotel Timeo can use the facilities at Villa Sant’Andrea free of charge. There is a shuttle service available to the property, and you can visit the beach and still charge your drinks/food to your room. Or, if you’re staying at Villa Sant’Andrea, you can book to visit the Michelin-starred restaurant at Grand Hotel Timeo.

I also got to visit the stunning Four Seasons?Taormina at San Domenico Palace, where stays offer luxury sea-view accommodations, award-winning dining & much more.

What can you do in Sicily?

There’s so much to see and do in Sicily that I couldn’t possibly do it justice! However, I can talk about the activities I took part in when I visited.

No trip to Sicily would be complete without a visit to Mount Etna. While the weather may not have been on my side, it was still an amazing experience to head up onto Europe’s largest volcano. You’ll travel by 4x4 and have the chance to see how lava flows up, taking in Mount Etna’s lunar-like landscapes on the way. Then it’s on to a nearby winery on the slopes of the volcano, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting among the sun-splashed vineyards. You could continue your day with a cooking class with Mamme del Borgo, who offer traditional culinary experiences in sunny Sicily. All of this can be booked in advance or arranged by Grand Hotel Timeo when you arrive!

A different winery tour option is at Cottanera Winery. The 100-hectare winery grows on lava stone, 700 metres above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Etna. Walk through the vineyards learning all about the history of the land’s scents and colours, then enjoy an olive oil, wine and bread tasting after your tour.

To get a true taste of Italian cuisine, I took part in a cooking class at Villa Britannia in Taormina. This is an amazing opportunity to learn new cooking skills and get a taste of authentic Sicilian fare! You’ll cook everything from arancini to homemade pasta, stopping for aperitifs and to try the food you’ve created. Your experience is finished off with tea, coffee, a selection of Sicilian wines, and homemade liquors – one not to be missed!

Want to discover the stunning island of Sicily? Call our team on 020 7337 9010.