A Memorable Getaway in Sicily

A Memorable Getaway in Sicily

One Sunday evening, as we gathered around the dinner table sharing a bottle of wine and delicious meat dishes, my mother-in-law announced that her grandson—one of her youngest grandchildren out of 13—is getting married. The wedding venue? Sicily. Seated around our familiar dining table in Long Island, a place where we’ve celebrated countless holidays, parties, and birthdays, the family decided that we needed to find a house—or rather, a compound—where we could all stay together and soak in the beauty of our ancestral homeland.

We needed a spacious place. Very spacious. Enough to accommodate five adults, three kids, and a shared dream of living like locals in Sicily. When my husband discovered Villa Arcile, a stunning seven-bedroom, six-bathroom home nestled among lemon groves on the tranquil hills of Brucoli, we knew we had found our perfect retreat.

The Excitement of Arriving at Villa Arcile

Months later, as we unloaded our suitcases from two rental cars and stepped into the villa's garden, the sound of wheels rolling over gravel was completely drowned out by our joyful cheers. To our surprise, reality was even more breathtaking than we had imagined. The heart of the villa features a crescent-shaped courtyard, adorned with seven arched doorways that made us feel like we were stepping into an adventure.

On some days, we turned right and found ourselves on a perfectly tiled terrace, sipping Grillo wine as the sun dipped below the horizon. On others, we opted left to challenge each other to ping-pong matches near the garden, where olive and lemon trees provided shade for the chickens wandering lazily in their nearby coop. But most of the time, we headed straight down a small flight of stairs to the pool area, surrounded by sun loungers, umbrellas, and an outdoor kitchen.

Unforgettable Moments by the Pool

We spent our days lounging by the pool, sipping cocktails, grilling fish, and sending the kids off to the gardens to pick lemons for our meals. My daughter learned how to jump into the water, and we counted down together, cheering as she leaped in, landing clumsily into her grandmother's arms, both soaked in chlorine and laughter.

Inside the house, we felt the authentic Sicilian vibe—iron beds, geometric tiled floors, sheer curtains, and sturdy wooden furniture. My parents and the young family chose to stay upstairs, while my niece and nephew were thrilled with the only room that had two beds. My mother-in-law, traveling solo, opted for a quiet room downstairs, no longer worrying about late-night cries or adjusting schedules for the kids.

Exploring the Surroundings

Although the kitchen was small, it was well-equipped, allowing us to whip up fresh eggs in the morning and serve late-night dinners piled high with pasta. A notable feature was that the bedrooms stayed cool, but the common areas lacked air conditioning, so we often retreated to the pool, hoping the kids would never want to leave.

When we could no longer bear our wet feet, we occasionally ventured to nearby towns like Syracuse, Taormina, and Catania, all within a short drive of less than an hour and a half, filled with shops, coastal views, and fantastic cuisine. Yet, we always looked forward to returning home, where the warmth welcomed us back. The kids would immediately shed their clothes and dash to the outdoor shower, while the sunset and mosquitoes chased after them.

The Last Day and Birthday Celebration

On July 17th, our final night at the villa, my daughter turned two. The Airbnb host suggested hiring a private chef for a birthday feast. His team arranged the perfect dinner, just as the kids smashed the piñata we hung in the courtyard, candy spilling everywhere, and we settled at the outdoor table for appetizers.

The chef served us eggplant caponata (a recipe passed down from his grandmother, which he had enjoyed since childhood), grilled tuna on a bed of roasted potatoes, and tomatoes bursting with flavor. My daughter’s smile when he presented the birthday cake, her party hat slipping off her sweaty head while my nephews enthusiastically sang “Happy Birthday,” is a moment I will cherish forever.

Saying Goodbye and Lasting Memories

As we packed the car on our final morning, everyone seemed reluctant to leave. My niece asked for five more minutes to say goodbye to the chickens, and my nephew insisted on picking one last lemon from the garden. As we drove away from Brucoli, heading toward the wedding venue in Scopello, I suddenly realized I had left my swimsuit hanging under the fig tree. Oh no, I thought—looks like I’ll have to go back!