Baglio Villa Sicilia

Our week in Sicily had no bigger highlight than staying at Baglio Villa Sicilia. The villas are about 45 minutes outside Palermo, in buildings a couple of centuries old that have been renovated and decorated with real taste. Meals have a nice rhythm: choose breakfast the night before, then decide on dinner while eating breakfast. When you sit down, the food is already prepared beautifully, and it feels very much like Sicily. You eat outside by the olive trees for breakfast and dinner. And then there’s Emerico. He checks in during meals to see what you need and somehow brings it with even more grace than you’d expect, always smiling. Whether the villas and setting or Emerico himself are more charming is hard to say. You’ll have to stay and decide.

Olive groves surround this cozy, lovely restored villa, and there’s a view of Selinunte sight. The host was caring, welcoming, and knew the area well. We had delicious home-cooked food, especially Pasta alla Norma. They also make and serve good wine, olives, and nocellara olive oil.

Emerico’s guided visit to the local quarry and temples was one of the best tours we’ve ever taken. He knows Sicilian history and architecture inside out, and he also talked us through olive oil production before an evening tasting. Food and wine are another passion of his, with Assunta, a true Sicilian chef, bringing it all to life. Villa Sicilia is a beautifully restored farmhouse, full of character and history, while still having modern luxuries and a pool. It’s set in a vast olive grove in the southwest of the island, secluded but well placed for day trips to Palermo, Trapani, Marsala, or Erice. We came looking for a host and found a friend. Emerico has many interests, and the villa is just one of them. With his and Assunta’s company, the local history, and the food and wine, it made a lovely Sicilian countryside retreat.

The food was fantastic, and the host was great. Make sure to take the temple tour.