It is bold, colourful and mesmerising in every detail, and I cannot believe it took me nearly 30 years to see it. That was in January 2023. I’m talking about Sicilian artist Renato Guttuso’s famous 1974 painting ‘La Vucciria’. Housed in the gothic 13th century Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri on Piazza Marina, Palermo.

Christmas Greetings This exquisite image of the Madonna and Child is from the 15th century Flemish triptych housed in the gated side chapel of San Gandolfo in the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Polizzi Generosa. It's on via Roma. I love this work attributed to Rogier van der Weyden. It is a hidden gem.

Palazzo Privitera: a Sicilian aristrocratic feel, art and a garden to wander Two nights at the mid-17th century Palazzo Previtera ('a museum and luxury bnb') were nowhere near enough. Sitting along a quiet backstreet of Linguaglossa -one of Sicily’s lovely lava towns- Palazzo Previtera is a historic and gracious bed and breakfast with hints of an aristrocratic Sicily and an understated luxury. The main section of the palazzo is a private family palazzo- all unmistakably Sicilian.

A mighty volcano -fertile, mythical, slumbering and active It is splendid and big. Yet when driving the A19 from Palermo heading east towards Catania I have at times been underwhelmed by Europe’s highest active volcano. It does not rise majestically enough from this southern point to show its best self.