A Casa di Nonna Emma

Valentina was very kind, and breakfast was abundant. Our room was spotless too. We stayed for three nights while visiting the baroque cities of Modica, Noto, and Ragusa Ibla. Everything was perfect, and we’ll definitely return.

In the morning, breakfast in the lovely cloister garden came with homemade biscuits and jams, and there was a microwave and refrigerator for guests in the dining area. Valentina was helpful and courteous from booking through the whole stay. She was especially lovely with our 7-month-old baby, who became something of a house mascot. Leaving Casa di Nonna Emma felt bittersweet, but we promised to return as old friends. The building belonged to Valentina’s grandmother. She renovated it skillfully while keeping some of the original furnishings, which gives this historic residence its charm and personality. Our clean, spacious room had a comfortable bed and a private terrace, where we enjoyed an aperitivo of arancini and pizza from the bakery downstairs. Coming back in the evening felt like coming home. Santa Croce Camerina is well placed for Punta Secca (Montalbano’s home) and Marina di Ragusa. Add about half an hour of driving and you can reach the late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, including Scicli, Modica, Noto, and Ragusa. The property is just outside Santa Croce Camerina, on a street with plenty of free parking and within walking distance of conveniences like a supermarket and a pizzeria-bakery that stays open late. A Casa di Nonna Emma was much more than a B&B. It was a family-friendly experience we won’t forget.

Breakfast was a real disappointment. We got a few dry biscuits, a handful of baguette slices, and coffee from a capsule machine. That’s not the kind of breakfast I expect on holiday. The rooms were extremely clean, but there was very little storage space. There was just one shared refrigerator in the breakfast room, and being right on the street meant it could get very noisy in the mornings.

Valentina made us feel at home during our lovely stay at "Nonna Emma" a few days ago. She’s incredibly kind and helpful, keeps the B&B very clean, and gave us great tips about what to see and where to eat. If we’re back in the area, we’d be delighted to visit her again. Thank you for such warm hospitality!