Hotel Baglio La Porta offers a vista that is so striking that waking up provides a new perspective on the San Vito Lo Capo area.
Photography property of SVADORE
After a 6 hour 30 minute plane ride from JFK to Milan (with a 2 hour delay) and an hour and a half flight from Milan to Palermo (which I almost missed due to the prior flights 2 hour delay) I finally landed in one of my favorite Italian provinces – Sicily. A mix of Greek, Arab, Norman, Spanish and Teutonic cultures, the island offers something refreshingly different from your typical Italian town. To capture Sicily’s unique spirit, one needs to go beyond the package destinations of Taormina, San Vito Lo Capo, and Siracusa. The real Sicily lies elsewhere in the off the beaten path cliffs of la Riserva dello Zingaro to the countryside hills in the center of Sicily. Sicily’s old aristocracy can be relived across a select and rare number of properties across Sicily that still maintain this traditional sense of history, culture, and gourmet cuisine that Baroni (royal or noble baron’s) once lived. One of these rare properties is Hotel Baglio la Porta.
The road to Baglio la Porta in our small Skoda rental car was a true Sicilian awakening. Just a few miles short of the property we came across one of Sicily’s famous views of San Vito Lo Capo. The sun was setting making for the perfect “Welcome to Sicily” postcard picture.
The property is positioned between Riserva dello Zingaro and San Vito Lo Capo. It is truly an off the beaten path property hiding just around the corner from a cliff. The entrance reminded us of a medieval property with vines wrapping around an old stone entrance leading to a courtyard where the reception and main property await. This Baglio, which means “court” in Italian, offers its visitors a rich history that dates back to the 16th century. The old farm features a central courtyard surrounded by nature, tranquility, and relaxation (something that is hard to come by in the San Vito Lo Capo area). The details in the reception area revive the Baglio’s ancient charm. It’s ancient features remain untainted as the modern vibes work around the original structure. Still today you can see the old machine that was used to make olive oil and stomping ground that was used to create wine.
Upon arrival Leandro, one of the employees at the property, showed us to our room called Cirasa. The amenities were definitely high-class. The bedrooms stand where the farm workers once lodged and stored their supplies. Today, the rooms are characterized by a mix of antique and vintage furnishings—once typical of a noble’s home. The property manages to complement modern touches with the original features of this ancient property in a harmonious manner that gives the room an elevated yet old school feel. The room has A/C, a mini-fridge, TV, Wi-Fi, a safe, telephone, walk-in closet, and my favorite—a rain shower head. We stayed in a double, but the property also includes a junior suite and suite with two floors and two beds. Each property includes a small outdoor space either facing the garden or courtyard with two small chairs to watch the stars at night or read a nice book during the day.
After a long journey to Sicily, I couldn’t wait to go for a dip in the pool. We headed down and were taken off guard by the stunningly panoramic position on the edge of the Mediterranean atop its own hill on Sicily’s Northern coast. The uninterrupted views showcase intense green and citrus flashes on one side and rugged rock like flanks on the other. It feels like you are in an oasis that offers two completely different landscapes. The magnificence of Mother Nature is rivaled only by the spectacular pool facing the Mediterranean Sea. Tucked away I also found a secret Gazebo were one could spend sometime alone surrounded by nature and the sound of the ocean crashing on the cliff below.
What I was most excited for was the restaurant at Baglio la Porta. I had heard so many good things about the restaurant and it’s culinary style that I had to taste it for myself. Located on the main terrace overlooking the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea, it offers untouched views of its neighboring cliffs and coves and an exceptional bar selection indoors. The Baglio’s reliance on its nearby farms and organic and local produce transport you back to the Baroni’s luxurious lives in the 1700s. The typical Sicilian dinner menu is likely to feature Bottarga, or cured fish roe, a refined and expensive dish that is second to caviar, fresh cozze and shrimp over paccheri (A kind of pasta in the shape of very large tubes, originating from Campania and Calabria), and finely served swordfish with a side of local vegetables. All freshly caught from the towns below the cliff. My favorite dish were the paccheri di frutti di mare, this dish was everything to brag about to your friends. The mussels taste did not overpower the pasta and assorted seafood. I would recommend this dish to anyone as it was a favorite of mine. The Baglio brings a decidedly Sicilian sensibility to dessert with a puff pastry filled with fresh cream drizzled with red mixed berries. The property brings the very best out of the seasonal ingredients in the area bringing to you a taste of true traditional Sicilian cuisine—the way Grandma once made it.
The next morning my point about everyday Sicilian cuisine was reinforced during breakfast on the beautiful terrace. All the local breakfast treats offered were made using fresh products found daily at the market and included a mix of homemade cakes, croissants, and bread and jam. NOTE: Do be careful of how clear their windows are. During breakfast I witnessed multiple people bang directly into the clear doors and I had to control myself from laughing out loud, it was quite entertaining to say the least..!!
Following breakfast, I spent the morning hopping around the different niches where one could sit and read a book in peace and tranquility at one with nature. There were so many options to choose from! There was the outdoor lounge area, small sitting areas on the steps down to the pool, hidden gazebo, and sun beds by the pool. Because my time at Baglio la Porta was short, I did not get the opportunity to enjoy their quaint wellness center on the side of the Baglio that includes a sauna, massage cabin and mini wellness pool. If one is looking to achieve total relaxation, taking advantage of their wellness spa is the way to go.
Hotel Baglio la Porta is one example of the jaw-dropping cultural jewels to be found scattered across Sicily. A stone’s throw away from one of the most beautiful Nature Reserve’s in Italy, it is the perfect, secluded and historic stay for anyone looking for an upscale historic stay in the rural cliffs of the Sicilian Oceanside. It is a true reflection of the surrounding rural architecture and local traditions.
For more information regarding Hotel Baglio la Porta or to reserve a one-of-a-kind stay at the property, reach out to me at sveva@svadore.com.
- Hotel Baglio La Porta Contrada Sauci Grande, San Vito Lo Capo TP, Italy; +39 0923 974216; bagliolaporta.it/en/
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Hotel Baglio la Porta. All opinions remain my own and I was in no way influenced by the company.
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42 comments
Your photographs are stunning! I’m planning to take a trip to Sicily next summer (we visited Puglia this summer) so will definitely bare some of these suggestions in mind – especially the food. The hotel looks amazing too! xoxo
What a fabulous trip! I love traveling. I have been to Italy once before and I can’t wait to go back! Thanks for the inspiration to travel again. 🙂
Reading this in my office at work made me sad! haha. Nice suggestions and post
OMG, I just fell in love with this place! Sicily has always been my dream destination (I’m kinda jealous to be honest :)) and now I know exactly where I want to stay. Thanks for sharing <3
Oh and your photos are just stunning, keep up the great work!
I’m DYING to go to Sicily! These photos have me checking for the next flight hahaha, gorgeous!
xo, Taylor || The Millennial Sprinkle (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
Wow! Its beautiful. Italy itself is so pretty and this place looks cool. It has both an old world charm to it.
Hotel Baglio la Porta looks absolutely amazing, the food especially hehe 😉 Seriously though you took some amazing pictures, the really bring out the beauty of the place.
I always love to travel, very informative article, photos are amazing.
This looks absolutely amazing! Love all the photos! I can tell you had the best time there! Wish I can visit it one day.
Absolutely stunning photos and place! The Italian countryside is indeed beautiful!
Gorgeous pics Beautuful location.Would love to visit Sicily and your favourite. Its out of this world
Very nice photos and great content. Well done.
Beautiful landscape pictures. This makes me want to go there.
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I love Italy and especially the south of it, very good impressions of Sicily, it comes on my bucket list 🏖😉
Oh wow! Such beautiful photography of a gorgeous location! I get all kinds of “Under the Tuscan Sun” feels from your photos.
Amazing pictures!
I love Italy but have not been to Sicily.. yet. This hotel looks incredible and I love the mix of old and new decor-wise. Your comment about people walking into clean windows and doors made me laugh. I’ve experienced that myself!
As if I needed another reason to come here! I only need the cash now!!!
It looks beautiful! I would love to visit there!
Oh my goodness it is beautiful! I am Sicilian and I can’t wait to take a trip to Sicily–or anywhere in Europe for that matter. Definitely have this pinned for reference later.
Major envy looking at all these pictures. It is a gorgeous place.
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This place is beautiful! Would love to visit x
Those pictures are amazing – never been to Sicily but it seems very much worth a visit 🙂
Beautiful pictures, and that hotel looks amazing!! Thanks for showing us this beautiful place!
Oh wow what a beautiful place! That looks like such a unique place to stay 🙂
Your photos are fantastic, I want to stay there! Thank you for the write up.
Your photos are absolutely divine! and your article is great; I loved reading it!
While reading and looking at the photos, I thought I was looking at your journal photobook. Looks beautiful and I wish I were there!
This looks like a gorgeous hotel and an even better location!
This just looks gloriously beautiful. What a wonderful trip. I need to get to Sicily!
Sicily looks beautiful, and this hotel is gorgeous! I love the mix of modern and vintage accents.
OMG this looks absolutely beautiful! If I’m ever in Sicily I know where I’m staying 🙂
Wow, what a lovely place! I’ve always wanted to visit Sicily, perhaps in the future as that’s in my bucket list. I love your photos too!
Wow Sicily is so beautiful! I would love to visit Italy someday!
Your photos are beautiful !! Really captures the culture and neiatynof Sicily !
beautiful images!!! adding to my pinterest board!!!! Def. want to travel to Sicily!!!!
I am envious of this travel of yours! And your pictures are gorgeous!
Gorgeous pictures! I am putting Siciliy on my Bucket List Vacation List. Thanks for sharing!
Stunning! Your pictures are wonderful! I am adding this to my “Must Visit” list!
What a wonderful place!! And your pictures are beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this post!:) You make Sicily look like paradise!:)