WHERE TO NEXT? Sicily!

Destination: Sicily, Italy

Travel Buddy: Jamsheed Pocha

Jam is co-founder of The Pelican Club, a luxury members club that specialises in bespoke travel planning based in London and Toronto. They are your travel agent, PA, concierge and ‘that well-connected friend’. Holder of 2 passports, a hospitality degree and also a qualified sommelier, who has grown up across 3 continents.  

Who is this destination best suited for? Foodies, families, adventurists and beach bums. Those looking for a more laid-back Italy. There is something for everyone - you have the super lux 5 star hotels on the coast and charming farm hotels inland. 

When is best to go? 

March - October

What Beach Bums piece to pack? 

The original Lobster Jam pair of trunks are my fav’s but for Silicy the Coral Reef is also the perfect colour combo. Either way, its Italy after all and you may also need to bring your speedo.. 

Tell us about an unforgettable experience? 

Climbing Mount Etna at dusk and watching it spew neon coloured lava. It is one of the most active and powerful volcanoes in the world.

Top 2 hang outs/activities: 

Eating a gelato from Caffe Sicilia in Noto. Without question, the best ice cream in the world.

Listening to the godfather soundtrack whilst driving up the winding cliff-edge to Taormina at sunset.

The best restaurant:

From delicious plates of crudo to street side arancini and crocché to cannolis that are to die for, Sicily has incredible food. One of my favourite meal while there would be at ‘I Banchi’ in Ragusa, the zuppa di pesce is amazing. 

The best beach:

Scala dei Turchi between Realmonte and Agrigento. The white slanted limestone cliffs are just like an enormous staircase and a dramatic backdrop to this calm and shallow beach full of sandy rock pools for chilling. Follow with a spritz at lounge beach club.

 What souvenir to get?

A unique bottle of delicious Sicilian Amaro or some of the incredible wines produced on Mount Etna. 

Top tip!

Google maps doesn’t work well on this island, so invite a good map reader along on your journey and prepare to get lost! Or just make sure you book with The Pelican Club!

If you like Sicily, you will probably also like: 

Formentera or Menorca in Spain. Both are also super laid back and beautiful.

Always in my luggage: A deck of playing cards and blazer/tie. You never know when you need to kill time or are suddenly invited to somewhere formal. I’m always over-dressed unless I’m in my Beach Bums.

Top 3 other destinations: For pure lux relaxation go to Bora Bora, French Polynesia; For a true unique cultural break head to Kerala, India; and for some incredible adventure head to Vancouver Island, Canada. 

Reading/listening to in your sun lounge?  I can’t sit still, I would rather play with beach bats. I love the ones from Frescobol. Definitely my favourite beach accessory that also come with me on all beach trips.

Morning dip or night swim? Both a morning dip and a night swim. Although I cannot function before my first coffee. 

Life motto: Travel is the antidote to ignorance!

Next on your bucket list? Vietnam / Cambodia. Specifically, the new Zannier hotel out there. It looks breath-taking.