Ragusa is etched into the hillside with sweeping views, sun drenched piazzas, eye catching churches and singing fountains. This enchanting city is Sicily is an historic town where beauty surrounds you. When dusk arrives, something in the air happens. Join the locals who leave their homes and workplaces to participate in “la passeggiata”. Passeggiata is one of the enduring traditions of Italian life. The promenade marks the end of the workday, where it is important “to see and be seen” and to “dress to impress” to show how well life is treating you.
The Small List
Best Hotel
Locanda Don Serafino – A historic boutique hotel in the heart of the Baroque city where beauty surrounds you. Located in a fully restored old small building of ‘800 century, Don Locanda Serafino hosts only a few beds for demanding guests.
Best Restaurants
I Banchi – Housed in the basement of the 20th Century Palazzo Di Quattro, in the heart of Ibla, I Banchi is not just a restaurant but also a bakery and pastry shop. They sell high quality regional produce alongside its bread and cakes. The restaurant menu focuses on carefully prepared traditional fare alongside Italian dishes. In addition, they serve delectable pizzas in the evening.
Al Borgo Caffè Bistrot – Breakfast, lunch and dinner, in the heart of the Piazza Duomo. Enjoy outdoor seating, fabulous cocktails, people watching and more. Phone: +39 0932 651203
Ristorante Locanda Don Serafino – Michelin starred restaurant with a wine cellar of more 1000 wines, spirits, a cigar list and an exclusive luxury suite. Using almost exclusively local raw materials and Mediterranean fish, their dishes are full of flavor and modern in design and concept.
Something to Do
Arianna Occhipinti, a young winemaker hailing from Sicily, defies the conventional norms associated with the region’s winemaking traditions. In a land often associated with Marsala and the production of large quantities of robust, ripe red wines meant for blending and export, Occhipinti’s approach stands out as refreshingly non-conformist. Working with indigenous grape varieties such as Nero d’Avola and the lesser-known Frappato, her wines possess a distinctiveness that mirrors her own enigmatic and earthy character.
Occhipinti’s wines are a testament to her intriguing persona, boasting a blend of mystery, spice, and perfumed aromas. They carry a hint of wildness, echoing the rebellious energy that simmers beneath her seemingly reserved and cautious exterior. By charting her own path and crafting wines that challenge the status quo, Occhipinti showcases her unwavering dedication to producing unique and captivating expressions of Sicilian terroir. Her creations serve as an invitation to explore the unconventional and embrace the untamed spirit that can be found within each bottle.
“Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy”