Acuity Travel

After an active ten days in Malta and Sicily, we spent the next three days exploring Sardinia at a more leisurely pace and sitting poolside at our resort along the coveted Costa Smeralda coast.
Granite rock formations, verdant nature trails and secluded beaches with crystal clear water are just a few examples of its breathtaking landscapes.
Nearby we strolled the cobblestone streets and dined in the charming village of San Pantaleo.
Our stay in Sardinia was wonderful (and not long enough). We’ll be back …

Our time in Southern Sicily ended with us wandering the streets filled with boutique shops and hotels, restaurants and tourists, in historical Taormina. For me, the highlights were the charming courtyards shaded by citrus and olive trees, and the stone facades and iron balconies draped in bougainvillea.

En route to Palermo in Northern Italy, we enjoyed a wine tasting, tour and a traditional Sicilian lunch at the flagship estate of Planeta Winery, who operates 6 wineries in distinct regions throughout Sicily.

Our final stop in Sicily was the lively capital of Palermo, with no shortage of historical monuments and buildings. My favourites being the Fontana Pretoria (built in 16th century Florence and moved to Palermo in 1573, these n**e marble gods scandalized conservative locals, hence its nickname, Fountain of Shame) and Teatro Massimo (Italy’s largest opera house which closed for renovations in 1974 and took 23 years to reopen because of political issues). For a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains, I recommend a refreshing cocktail on the expansive 7th floor terrace at the Ambasciatori Hotel

Our four night stay in Southern Sicily begins at Donna Carmela Lodge, a boutique eco-lodge surrounded by numerous gardens of Mediterranean and tropical plants with views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Also, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Unfortunately, weather on the day of our guided Mount Etna hike was windy and wet. Nevertheless, we hiked 2000 metres along the volcanic terrain (where lava actively flowed only a week before our arrival). We then made our way to the unique and dramatic river and gorge area of Alcantara.

The following day our gracious, home-host/chef, Giampatrizia led our Sicilian cooking class where we made 2 types of arancini; ragu & cheese and Parma ham & pistachio, as well as Cipolline. Fortunately, I was able to emsavour everything since we prepared it using both regular and gluten-free ingredients. Yum!

First stop in our European vacation …

Valletta, Malta’s capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage city renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant cultural scene and Mediterranean charm. Established by the Knights of St. John in the 16th century, Valletta is a captivating destination you can see by foot. A shoutout to Rampila Restaurant - a delicious Mediterranean dinner on the terrace located in the historic bastions of Valletta.

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most iconic destinations. Renowned for its crystalline turquoise waters, seaside cliffs and serene atmosphere, it’s a must for snorkeling, swimming and relaxation.

St Julian (San Ġiljan) is a vibrant coastal town on Malta’s northeastern shore with no shortage of beaches, restaurants, entertainment and nightlife attracting both locals and tourists.

Sips and scenic views! Among the rolling hills of the Okanagan Valley you’ll find some of the most spectacular estates and delicious grapes. After tasting the wines at Intrigue, Arrowleaf, Ex Nihilo, and Gray Monk wineries, we capped the day off with a private boat cruise on Lake Okanagan. The perfect end to our Okanagan family vacation!

Known as one of Canada’s top golf destinations, Predator Ridge has two distinct golf courses with incredible mountainous scenery and views of Lake Okanagan!

Good morning from Kelowna! Starting my day off with coffee and delicious gluten free crepes☕️🍓☀️

Often referred to as ‘Mars on Earth’ because of its red sand and sandstone mountains, Wadi Rum has served as the backdrop to films such as The Martian, Star Wars (Rise of Luke Skywalker), and mostly recently, Dune 1 & 2. After a couple hours of exhilarating 4x4ing, we enjoyed lunch at a Bedouin camp. These camps offer basic to luxury overnight accommodations and an opportunity to try your hand at rock climbing, and sand boarding while experiencing a desert night sky. A must for my next trip to Jordan!

An epic day and night in Petra pushed my limits physically and mentally. At 8am, the 4km winding trek to The Treasury (which took 25 years to build) was rather easy. The next 4km trail to the Monastery (with spectacular views) seemed manageable until reaching the winding 850 uneven steps. The 8km trek back was just as challenging. Did I mention it was well over 40 degrees? With virtually nowhere along the trails to take refuge from sun, it was a real grind. Would I do it again? Absolutely (ideally, in cooler temps)!

Today I drove two hours upon arrival in Jordan to the city of Jarash. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and support the women of the Beit Khayrat Souf where I enjoyed the classic Middle Eastern dish, Makloubeh, which originates from Jerusalem in 1187. Yum! The Beit Khayrat Souf is a women-owned and managed cafe started with the purpose of combating women’s unemployment and empowering a strong female community. This is one of two Planeterra projects in Jordan, check out the link in bio to learn more!

Wishing you and your loved ones joyous holiday moments and an adventurous 2024!