B&B Le Giare

Aidone was a highlight of my Sicily trip, and I’m highly recommending both the town and Le Giare B&B. I spent a couple of nights there at the end of two weeks in Sicily. I’d planned to finish at a fancy Villa, but couldn’t get in, so I looked for a quiet village without tourists. I’m glad I changed plans. Federica made the stay special. She’s smart, funny, hardworking, and efficient, and keeps the B&B spotless. I liked unwinding in the big family dining room and kitchen at the back, looking out over the neighbors’ green backyards and fascinating historic buildings. Tea, coffee, and bottled water were provided. For breakfast, Federica gave us vouchers to use at a choice of local cafes. They were all excellent, with fresh, light pastries made that day, plus espresso, tea, and more. She also suggested great places for dinner. Everything is within walking distance, and she shared lots of fascinating history and context about the village and the area's cultural attractions. Her partner, Lorenzo, is a talented ceramicist with a studio and shop on the building’s ground floor. I enjoyed talking with him and Federica while ordering a few custom pieces with special glazes. Aidone is a hidden gem with few visitors, yet it’s quite close to the usual tourist routes and makes a good base for three major historic and cultural sites. The Aidone Archeological Museum is a few minutes’ walk from the B&B. It holds local artifacts dating back to 500 BC, including major works repatriated from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. They’re displayed humbly and help tell the story of the civilization in this Mediterranean “breadbasket” 2,500 years ago. The famous mosaics at the 400 AD Villa Romana del Casale are about a 20-minute drive away, with a nice route through Piazza Armerina. The villa’s architecture is interesting too. Morgantina, the 3rd century BC city, is one of Europe’s largest intact ancient cities discovered and is often compared to Pompeii. It’s easy to explore, with excellent descriptive signs. Walking around was fun, and the Greek Theatre is one of the best I’ve actually been able to walk around and sit in. Real village life without the tourist crowds, world-class art and architecture, and Federica’s clean, comfortable B&B with her personal warmth and hospitality made this an absolute highlight of my visit to Sicily.