During my vacation in Italy, accompanied by my husband and my 2 children, I decided to put down our bags for a few days in the South of Sicily, near Ragusa, this charming baroque town at the top of a mountain.
I was looking for peace and nature, and here I am! In the heart of the Val di Noto (Noto Valley), a region with splendid baroque cities listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we discover Sicily in a different light: surrounded by nature, in an Italian baroque villa, run by a lovely and Francophile team.
I am enchanted by this Baglio Occhipinti estate, this 12-room guesthouse, surrounded by more than 10 hectares of vineyards and gardens, where the owners grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Our room combines comfort with Italian romance. The natural stone walls, exposed beams and soft white light create a real holiday atmosphere.
And the little extra that is important in this heatwave of August, the rooms are air-conditioned for our greatest pleasure!
The place, recently carefully restored, is full of charm and its human size makes it very easy to meet the different families present in this agriturismo.
Its huge outdoor stone pool gives it an undeniable asset. I like to read my novels by the pool with the hotel service offering me a Spritz while my eldest swims and plays football in the pool with his new friends.
I am happy to have found this place to recharge my batteries with my family, away from the crowds, in the middle of August, which can be common in Italy. My children feel good there and so do we!
The prices are not the most affordable, especially in August, but hotels are still not cheap in Italy and I found it to be one of the most elegant and quiet places in the region and that's all I was looking for!
All around the manor, nature is in full swing. The children explore the citrus gardens, vegetable gardens and aromatic herbs. Almond trees, olive trees, pear trees and old mulberry trees surround us with their delicious scents. The real highlight of this guesthouse is its large swimming pool. In the 40 degree Italian weather, we spend our afternoons in this salt pool splashing around and lounging.
In the morning, breakfast is included to my great delight and served on the terrace. Surrounded by the Mediterranean garden, we taste the farm's fruits, fresh and seasonal, fruits from the garden, local apple juice, homemade scrambled eggs, a homemade Italian tart or cake and a good coffee served in its 17th century coffee maker. It's chic, it's exotic, it's everything I love!
One evening, we decided to try the house restaurant. The menu proposed by a chef includes an aperitif, 4 equally good dishes, a dessert and a selection of small pastries. It is a real rediscovery of traditional Sicilian cuisine!
This dinner at sunset, in their garden, above the swimming pool with a magnificent view of the Italian fields is relaxing and romantic as you wish!
The service is Italian style: if you want to take your time and appreciate the ornaments of the table set according to local customs and traditions: a baroque candlestick, old-fashioned glasses that could be those of our grandmothers, you will appreciate the refinement of each of the tables.
The days go by, and it is more and more difficult to leave this landscape of exceptional beauty!
Website link: http://bagliocchipinti.com/