If you’re looking for a comfortable and cosy home in the heart of a traditional Sicilian community but don’t want to sacrifice fresh air and sunshine, Casa Valguarnera, in the old town of Bagheria, is the perfect solution. With exclusive use of a sunny internal courtyard for the exclusive use of the house, this is a fabulous base in a lovely small town.

Spacious and comfortable, this recently renovated apartment is perfect for two guests. A large entrance hall leads into the colourful and modern living room, with French windows out to the patio. When you want to curl up on a comfy sofa or enjoy a good movie in the evening, this is the perfect spot in which to relax.

A large bedroom features a walk-in wardrobe, while the pristine bathroom has a modern shower. Lastly, the kitchen-diner comes with everything you could need to enjoy a self-catering holiday, and also opens onto the courtyard for that quintessentially Sicilian al fresco dining experience.

Air conditioning and independently controlled heating throughout Casa Valguarnere will let you stay comfortable at any hour of the day and any time of the year.

With privacy and tranquillity, the courtyard is the perfect way to combine outdoor space and a central location. Furnished with a dining table and parasol, it is tastefully augmented with local greenery, to bring the great Sicilian outdoors to you all year round.

Bagheria, Palermo’s ‘little sister’

A few kilometres to the east of Palermo, Bagheria has a depth and breadth of history to rival the great metropolis. Like Palermo, the last century saw the town caught up in a struggle with the mafia, and many of the memories are painfully fresh. But, just like Palermo, it is impossible to wander the streets of Bagheria without seeing evidence of the rebirth of this town, dubbed the ‘City of the Wind’ by its Arabian rulers one thousand years ago.

Truth be told, many of our guests are content with Bagheria’s certain ‘reputation’, because it does still keep mass-market tourism at bay. The town retains a local character while offering a perfectly convenient route into Palermo when they want to explore Italy’s fifth largest city.

The railway station in town is a stop for practically every train running to Palermo, and so with no hassle or fuss, you can be in the historic centre of Palermo at any hour of the day. Travellers staying with us in Bagheria have told us it’s their favourite way to make the most of a short holiday without staying in the city.

But in truth, Bagheria is so much more than a mere base camp for visiting Palermo.

Bagheria’s culinary scene operates on a stellar level. Literally, in the case of Michelin-starred eateries I Pupi and Līmū, but also in a less auspicious way behind the doors of dozens of fabulous traditional osterias, trattorias and pizzerias. You could say you’ll be up to your ears in great food!

So a second look at Bagheria reveals so much more than first meets the eye. As well as the culinary temptations, the cultural and fashion scene here is of course much smaller than Palermo’s, but every bit as creative and lively. Check out beautifully-decorated restaurant Bitta, and boutique indie fashion house Filly Biz, to name just a couple of examples.

Students of history won’t be surprised to discover modern Bagheria’s creative streak. The town is the birthplace of internationally renowned artists such as the painter Renato Guttuso, Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore and Magnum photographer Ferdinando Scianna.

Our guests can admire Guttuso originals hanging on the walls of the beautiful Villa Cattolica, while Scianna’s photographs are on display in the Museum of Bagheria. Tornatore dedicated the film Baaria to his hometown.

Staying in Bagheria means all the shops and amenities you’d find in Palermo, from grocers to pharmacies. We recommend investigating the excellent organic food shop Lenticchia.

In short, Bagheria is a surprising yet practical little market town that needs a second look to be truly appreciated. So why not come along and see for yourself?