Another beautiful morning greeted us as we arrived in the UNESCO-protected Val di Noto valley of Sicily to meet Domenico.  The hike from the bus to his family’s farm along an unpaved path was beautiful!  Wildflowers were in bloom, and the views of the surrounding hillsides were lovely. 

(For all photos, click on the image for a full screen view.)

Along the way, Domenico hopped the fence to go fetch his sheep, so we could meet them.  When we arrived at the farmhouse, we met his wife, Valeria, her parents, Stella and Paolo, and her sister and niece.

The farm has been in Valeria’s family since the 1800’s.  In addition to farming for a living, they host small groups like ours from Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) for a homemade lunch featuring vegetables and meat from their farm.  Volunteers also learned how to make the pastries we enjoyed for dessert.

On almost every one of our OAT tours, the only time it rained was when it didn’t matter.  This time, while the family finished preparing our lunch, it began to rain.  I told the others in the group, “No worries!  It will stop raining by the time we have to hike back to the bus.  It always does on our tours!”  And sure enough, it did.  The hike back was sunny and beautiful!  Bruce and I couldn’t believe it!

Our lunch and time with the family was so enjoyable.  They didn’t speak English, but Francesco translated for us when needed, and they were wonderful!

After we returned to Ragusa, we had some free time, so I explored more of the hilly town while Bruce rested. 

Later, we met up with Francesco for a surprise “Learning and Discovery,” which are pop-up surprises that OAT guides always have for us on every tour.  Sometimes it is a local food treat or drink and other times it’s an experience.  It’s like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.  This time, Francesco led us off the main street to an unassuming home.  As soon as the owner welcomed us into his home, that old cliché’ came to mind: Don’t judge a book by its cover. 

Built in 1600 with floor tiles dating to 1700, Maestro Salvatore Appiano, a man in his 80’s, lived in his home alone.  It was full of antiques passed down through many generations of his family, and it serves (by appointment) as a museum.  Salvatore also teaches piano lessons and gives private concerts. An organist throughout this famed musical career, we were fortunate to hear him play piano—a fitting instrument given “piano” is part of his last name.

The tour of his home took us through six rooms filled with Flemish tapestries, gilt bronze chandeliers, Louis XIV-style sofas, Baroque-style mirrors, inlaid Boulle clocks and tables, console tables and corner cabinets, neoclassical style sideboards, canvases and prints, Copenhagen candelabra, and so much more.  This bust is of his great-great grandmother. 

It was A LOT to take in and all more than I could ever live with for more than a day.  Could you imagine what the contents of his home was worth, though?

Bruce and I concluded our wonderful day enjoying an al fresco dinner at Njuria Sicilian Bistrot on my favorite street of Ragusa, watching the locals and tourists stroll by.  This is part of the owner’s story, describing the history behind the delicious bread we were served with our dinners:

Next up: SICILY & AMALFI COAST #17: STROLLING SIRACUSA & OGLING ORTIGIA