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| Roaming the streets of Scicli with my friend Julie in my Etoile Isabel Marant kaftan, HM Home basket bag and ASOS espadrilles. |
After resigning from Red I decided to take some time off and go to Sicily, in Italy where my husband has a house and to enjoy some family and friends time. Whilst out there I've received so many tweets and comments asking for travel tips on the island, that together with my friend and photographer Julie Adams (who together with writer Emma Scott has an online magazine dedicated to all things Italian called "An affair with Italy"), we decided to join forces and put together a post dedicated to all the wonderful things we've done, seen and ate whilst in Sicily- all documented with Julie's beautiful photos from our holiday together:
"The An Affair with Italy travel directory is a user friendly treasure box of information, on where to stay, eat, drink, shop and play in Italy from those in the know and those you want to know about."
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| With Julie in Marzamemi, outside my favourite restaurant called La Cialoma |
WHERE TO STAY
Scicli (Ragusa)
Well... I'm a little biased, but on this occasion I will recommend my husband's property in Scicli 130km south of Catania in the region of Ragusa and close to historic towns Modica and Noto (click from
map). Some of you might have heard of this old town that looks like the setting of a Dolce and Gabbana add campaign, as it was here that the TV series "Inspector Montalbano" was filmed.
Click here for more info on where to stay in Sicily
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| The tiny up-hill cobbled street to our house |
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| My sister Vittoria and my god daughter Vivienne Rose posing in Scicli in their best outfits |
WHERE TO SLEEP
"Il Borghetto", Scicli
When my husband's family bought the property shortly before our wedding, it was nothing but ruins and stones, but since my husband's refurb it's become a beautiful three houses property with a communal garden that is just perfect to stay at with friends. What I love about it is that everyone gets their own self catering house, but there is a lemon and orange trees garden at the centre that everyone has access to from a private gate, where kids can play, you can relax and at night throw a BBQ party (we celebrated two birthday whilst out there!). A word of warning: not practical with small children (Greta and my nephew Eugenio only just made it) as the house is on top of a hill with no direct car access.
Click here for more photos of the houses
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| Door accessing two of the three houses |
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| The view from our terrace onto the garden beneath |
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| My bedroom - love the traditional "bamboo and plaster" celling |
WHERE TO BEACH
Agua beach resort, Siracusa
This beach is my favourite despite the 30min drive from Scicli. White sand, crystal clear waters, hot showers, luxury palm tree "ombrelloni" that you can rent for the day and a yummy restaurant in the shade. With the kids it was just perfect: the water is shallow and they have a large grassed area playground. We drove here in the morning and stayed all day, sometimes going to one of the towns near by for early dinner.
Click here for more info on Agua beach resort
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| The palm tree "ombrelloni" that you can rent for the day |
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| Italian beach style |
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| No filters needed... |
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| At sunset showered and ready to go for dinner at La Cialoma |
WHERE TO VISIT
Ortigia, Siracusa
If you want to do a little bit of culture, I would recommend a half day trip to Ortigia, the old town of Siracusa. Head over late afternoon, roam around the streets, have an apertivo (or Cannolo) in the main piazza and stay for dinner. Don't forget to shop for the super chic
Ortigia beauty products! (I always have an
Ortigia Orange Blossom something in my bathroom)
Click here for more tips on Ortigia
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| The main Piazza |
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| Remains of a Greek temple |
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| Details from Ortigia |
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| Julie's daughter Madeleine Pixie with her "gelato" |
WHAT I WORE
In my suitcase...
I packed a suitcases of easy, versatile pieces - the sort of things you throw on and always make you feel put together: little white dresses, denim shorts and stripy T-shirts, a colourful maxi, one piece swimsuits and even a white jumpsuit that I wore bare foot on my husband's birthday night. I only packed flats and lots of fun clutches that gave my evening looks a little bit extra.
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| My wardrobe |
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| My flats |
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| My clutches |
Shop my suitcase...
Ok maybe not exactly the same things, most of the items I packed are old favourites but a few are still in store, click on the blue link in the caption to be directed to similar buys I've found for you... can't say I'm not trying!
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| In an old French Connection crochet dress and my grandmothers Capri sandals from the 60's |
4 comments:
What a beautiful post Laura!
As I commented previously in one of your Instagram pictures, this summer (two weeks before you) I visited almost the same fantastic places.. Ortigia, Marzamemi, the San Lorenzo beach!
I can't wait to write a couple of posts about it where I will suggest a link to your Wit! ;)
Of course you looked wonderful in every picture!
Annalisa
Beautiful pictures and I'm currently trying to convince my boyfriend into a trip to Sicily! Thanks for the great information!
Beautiful! Beautiful! Lucky, lucky you. A short visit to Sicily a couple of years ago, even then knew wanted to return, this post just confirms it. Thank you for sharing.
Soo chic, I'm in awe! Amazing snaps, great info & lovely to spend time with the family. Fab.
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