Last June 24th was summer’s solstice, the day with the longest daylight period of the year. I decided to spend it in Sicily, finding inspiration in the flower bursts, warm colours and rustic and cinematic interiors. A cross between Il Gattopardo and La Dolce Vita, a midsummer dream…
I landed a few days before summer solstice to make the most of the island. I stayed at Commenda di San Calogero, a rustic villa hidden from the bustle of the main Sicilian towns, close to Syracuse. A monument to decadence, the interiors and gardens exude the grandeur of a past era.
The warmth of the light by the Mediterranean is simply stunning. A boat trip to catch the sunset was always going to be a must…
And when the solstice was upon us, the most decadent dinner was served in a truly magic setting.
The following day, I travelled to Taormina. The evening passegiatta was dotted with a gorgeous juliette balcony, Sicilian cactuses and cobbled streets to end at the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Best nightcap!
All images © Marina Ribera Iñigo
