White Almond Sicily

Sicily is Italy’s largest region and it is also Italy’s most varied, there are endless coastlines, rugged mountains, fields and volcanos with wonderful history and architecture influenced by the many powers who have invaded the island. Sicily has more than 1000 kilometres of stunning coastline and is 9,927 square miles full of beautiful countryside where you feel the ever present Mount Etna, you are surrounded by abundant orange and lemons groves, you see the shimmering turquoise clear seas, farmhouses and villas, offshore islands and every now and again a Norman Arabic castle or Greek temple in the distance. One of the most amazing and exciting ways to discover Sicily is on horseback. I first heard of Sicily Horse Riding via my friend Marcello Alba who is an amazing Mount Etna guide who I met a couple of years ago whilst we were wine tasting at Gambino Vini. The aim of the Sicily Horse Riding Association is to promote sustainable and responsible equestrian tourism i...

Villa Britannia I love food and I love cooking … especially Mediterranean food, which makes Sicily the perfect place for me, it is a foodie’s paradise. Sicily is where Europe ends and Africa begins. It began its history as part of ancient Greece and soon became part of the Roman Empire. Thereafter the Island was invaded by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark on the island and its cuisine. An eight minute walk from the centre of Taormina you will find Villa Britannia a small exclusive boutique bed and breakfast located in a tranquil position overlooking the Ionian Sea and Taormina. The owners Marco and Louisa have lovingly refurbished the villa with vintage, designer and antique furniture together with art and sculptures by local artists. The villa is surrounded by a beautiful garden which hosts an ancient Roman Soldiers tomb. It is also home to one of the best Sicilian cookery clas...

at sea with Tripping Sicily “My favourite scent is the scent of the Sicilian Sea” Domenico Dolce, Sicilian and Fashion Designer, Dolce and Gabbana I always recommend the finest local contacts in Sicily and one of the best is Simona Ferro. I met Simona through the wonders of social network. She is the Founder and CEO of Tripping Sicily. After 10 years of working in the tourism and boat charter industry, Simona decided to create something different in nautical tourism with customised private cruises on luxurious yachts, sailing boats and vintage gulets and in 2011 she founded Tripping Sicily. I had breakfast with Simona last month and she invited me to experience one of her boat trips and have lunch on board a vintage gulet, I eagerly accepted her kind invitation. I was due to meet Karen La Rosa of La Rosaworks, who customises tours in Sicily from the USA, the following week and I thought Karen would love an afternoon at sea. So the following week myself, Karen, my lovely...