When the hydrofoil pulled into the Sicilian port of Levanzo the water, edged with small, low white houses and dotted with colourful fishing boats, was a vivid turquoise and so clear.

A jewel of an island and a sunbaked villa

It was August 2010 when we took the hydrofoil, from the port of Trapani, to have a look at a simple, yet imposing early 20th century hunting villa for sale on the tiniest jewel in the archipelago of the Egadi Islands, Levanzo. The Egadi Islands: Marettimo, Favignana and Levanzo lie off Sicily's western coast.

The passeggiata is an Italian wonder; played out all over the country. And some of the best that have 'entranced' me the most have unfolded in Sicily. 

From the waterfront of Ortigia to baroque Noto to the small interior hill towns the people come out around 6pm or so and start to stroll up and down the main street, piazza or water front with no obvious purpose.

Dozing in the Green Bedroom: To stay in bed a while and to listen to the waking sounds of Piazza Sant’Orsola at the back of the house - Palazzo Notar Nicchi-  is a quiet beginning to the day in Polizzi Generosa.

A  southerly breeze moves the curtain draped over the open doors; the southern light catches the colours of the terracotta floor and the curved arms of the green chandelier; and muffled voices can be heard outside above the sweep of a straw broom.

' LA. Bor.'  - A  Colourful Fusion Glass Studio in Polizzi:

When he creates pieces of fusion glassware in his studio- Laboratorio Artistico di Borgese Enzo-  'LA.Bor.'  tucked in under a village house in a street once called, via del Segreto, ‘the street of the secret’, Enzo Borgese speaks of the love he has for his ancient mountain village, Polizzi Generosa and his need to stay there, remain connected and create pieces of glassware; in the depths of the Madonie mountains.