Our Local Specialist recommends: Chiara from Sicily
In this blog post, Chiara Nanni, Local Specialist on the east coast of Sicily, reveals her favourite beaches, restaurants, activities and more – all located near our most beautiful and luxurious villas on the island. Born in Sicily, Chiara is truly a 'citizen of the world', having lived in Florida, the south of Spain, Switzerland, France and Milan. Now she’s back in her hometown, helping us deliver bespoke travel experiences that are well off the beaten path.
Meet Chiara
Hello, my name is Chiara. I love to travel, explore and connect with exciting people. Because I speak Italian, English, Spanish and French, I've had the unique pleasure of getting to know some truly amazing people of all backgrounds and nationalities throughout my career with The Thinking Traveller.
Connecting with The Thinking Traveller was quite serendipitous. At the start of 2016, I left my job in Milan and moved to Bourgogne, France, to work at an endurance horse farm through the spring and summer. After that job wrapped up, I road tripped my way back to Sicily and, thanks to a friend who was already collaborating with The Thinking Traveller, I was offered an interview - and the rest is history!
Today, I work as a Local Specialist in the east of Sicily, giving our clients something they can’t put a price on – peace of mind. I very much enjoy how dynamic my work is; there’s never a dull day. It’s my pleasure to unveil Sicily’s hidden gems to my clients.
“I love this region of Italy because it’s vibrant and authentic, rough around the edges and soft on the inside.”
Travel and hobbies
Each year, I travel to the US to visit friends and discover a new state; so far, I've visited 25 and counting. Outside of the United States, Costa Rica, Israel, Australia and South Africa are my favourite travel destinations to date. And, of course, I'll never forget my life changing visit to Nepal in 2015, where I volunteered right after an earthquake through the US disaster relief non-profit organisation, All Hands and Hearts. The next trip I want to go on is a winter cruise along the coast of Norway, all the way up to Svalbard.
I love reading, woodworking and animals - so much so that I have a black, cross-eyed cat named Maui and many, many animal tattoos. I believe deeply in caring for our planet in every way we can, and respecting nature and our environment. That’s probably why I’m such an outdoors and recycling nut!
Chiara's picks for Sicily
Favourite Sicily beaches
You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a fantastic beach in Sicily, but the new TAO Beach Club in Taormina has quickly become my go-to spot for a day in the sun. It's my favourite because of its clear waters, comfy sunbeds and the best clam spaghetti I’ve ever had in my life! If you're looking for a place to cap off a long beach day with an aperitif, I must suggest TAO's selection of elegant lounges. There, you can chat with friends while listening to amazing live music in one of Taormina's most beguiling settings. A day spent at TAO Beach Club is truly a day to remember.
The best restaurants in Sicily
Sicilian food is famous for its superb seasonal ingredients, rich flavours and unmatched authenticity. To savour the best gastronomic creations Sicily has to offer, I recommend visiting my favourite restaurant, Uzeta Bistro Siciliano. This electric eatery is located in the heart of one of Sicily's finest Baroque towns, Catania – right in its historical city centre. Uzeta specialises in traditional tapas-style food with a modern twist, superb cocktails, local wines and a lively atmosphere.
Sicily's history and culture
I believe Catania is an excellent example of ‘culture beats all’. I like to tell my clients how it is the most stubborn city in the world because it was rebuilt nine times in the same spot.
When visiting, I would suggest starting in the main square, Piazza Duomo. From there, you can branch out to enjoy the Diocesan Museum and the Municipio, the seventeenth-century arch of Porta Uzeda, a series of beautifully constructed churches and the Museo Belliniano, dedicated to the composer Vincenzo Bellini. Mount Etna is ever-present in Catania, as it shaped the history of this legendary city. Its prominent position on the horizon is a constant reminder of Etna's significance.
The best food in Sicily
Sicily is a gourmand's paradise. Some of the island's famous recipes include:
Pasta alla Norma - Spaghetti is tossed in a mixture of aubergine, tomatoes, onion, fragrant basil and salty ricotta salata cheese
Pasta con le sarde - Rigatoni is topped with chopped tomatoes, spicy wild fennel, plump raisins, earthy pine nuts, garlic and silky extra virgin olive oil
Sicilian cassata cake - Cassata is a round sponge cake moistened with liqueur or fruit juices and layered with candied fruit and creamy ricotta cheese
And of course, my favourite, toasted almond granita – A thirst-quenching Italian ice mixed with lightly toasted local almonds
Favourite activities in Sicily
A 4x4 tour of Mount Etna is a can't-miss experience when visiting Sicily. Allow us to organise a private day trip to Mount Etna that safely, and easily, allows you to experience this great wonder without overexerting your legs. After witnessing the majesty of Etna, I suggest taking a walking tour of a local winery to enjoy a glass or two of exquisite vino and a lovely lunch.
Sicily's hidden gems
Currently, I live in the town of Acitrezza on Sicily's eastern coast. Our town is famous for the legend of Cyclops and Ulysses but here, we have a living legend of our own who goes by the name Conan. Come rain or shine, you will find Conan ferrying locals and tourists alike from the town harbour to Isola Lachea across the bay. He sings lively songs while he paddles and when he has some free time, he is known to climb the Faraglioni rocks only to dive in head first – offering those watching a show they'll surely never forget.
What makes Conan so special is his unique wardrobe. No matter the time of year, you will spot him in nothing more than a pair of swimming shorts and a golden earring. He could be 45 or 75, no one is sure - we jokingly refer to him as our local friendly pirate! I hope you will visit this enchantingly beautiful town and meet Conan on your next visit to Sicily.
The best villas in Sicily
Now that I've let you in on my insider secrets to Sicily's best restaurants, food, beaches and cultural attractions, you are probably eager to plan your holiday to the Med. If that is the case, may I suggest the following villas, both ideally situated to explore some of my top tips and suggestions?
1. Don Arcangelo all’Olmo
Situated on the east coast of Sicily near the town of Giarre, Don Arcangelo all'Olmo is a beautiful base from which to experience my favourite outdoor activity - a 4x4 tour of Mount Etna - and the charming villages on its flanks.
Versatility and space to stretch out are hallmarks of this impressive property. The sprawling grounds shelter up to 24 guests over two buildings, including the attractive villa Il Casale and the beautifully restored guesthouse Casa all'Olmo. Pamper yourself with amenities such as a fantastic heated pool, relaxing Jacuzzi, modern private gym, enchanting gardens and luxurious interiors that will make your holiday an absolute pleasure.
We would be more than happy to suggest activities and experiences that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your property. If you will be commemorating a special occasion during your villa holiday in Sicily, we would be honoured to help you organise all the details for your event, making your celebration an unequivocal success.
2. Baia dei Turchi
Located just over 30 minutes via car from Catania's bustling cultural centre and my favourite restaurant, Uzeta Bistro Siciliano, Baia dei Turchi serves as an ideal starting point for your Sicilian holiday. Situated on a large private plot of land on an isolated, quiet coastline just north of Syracuse, this villa delivers unfettered access to the surrounding nature reserves Vendicari and Cassibile. Inside, you will find contemporary accommodation for up to 13 guests, who can enjoy unmatched amenities that are all just a couple of minutes' stroll from a lovely little pebbly-sandy beach.
When in doubt, turn to the sea
Chiara's personal motto is when in doubt, turn to the sea - and we couldn't imagine a better place to take her wise advice than Sicily. If you'd like to organise your luxury villa holiday on the sea, we encourage you to connect with one of our experienced and accommodating Villa Specialists to get started.
