A Winter's Tale
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A WINTER’S TALE The climate’s delicate; the air most sweet. Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing. The common praise it bears. Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale Act III, Scene I, describing Sicily Contents CULTURE WELLBEING 06 Caltagirone nativity scenes 10 Signature treatments with Sicilian and ceramics class orange oil 06 Sweet Christmas cooking class 12 Visit to a citrus grove with tasting with Le Mamme del Borgo 12 Tour of festive Catania and the Sa di Sapone soap workshop NATURE 08 Nebrodi mountain trek, GASTRONOMY including Bosco di Malabotta 14 Afternoon tea nature reserve and the 16 Sunday brunch Argimusco megaliths 18 Christmas lunch 08 Mount Etna walking discovery, 20 New year’s eve gala dinner including wine tastings and 22 New year’s brunch vineyard tour Eliza Jane Photography Culture In early December, Sicilian families start decorating their homes for the festive season. Nativity scenes are a popular tradition, with impressive presepi (cribs) taking centre stage in households and churches. In the once inhabited Mangiapane Cave on the northwest coast, a live nativity is staged, while in some mountain villages bonfires are lit to keep the infant Jesus warm Caltagirone Nativity Scenes and Ceramics Class ––––––– Immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of Caltagirone at Christmas. The baroque town, known for its ceramics, is home to Italy’s largest display of nativity scenes. Stroll through 400 square metres of tableaux, peopled with over 300 terracotta figures, some animated, as well as mountains, streams and houses, all fashioned in vibrant Sicilian style. Afterwards, try your hand at crafting ceramics in an engaging class with a local artisan. Work a slab of clay on the potter’s wheel and master techniques including centring, opening, lifting, forming and finishing. Take home a wonderful memento of your visit. Price – from €850.00 for 2 people Sweet Christmas Cooking Class with Le Mamme del Borgo ––––––– Head out to a small town near the Alcantara Gorge, where a group of local women passionate about keeping traditional Sicilian cooking alive have formed a project called Le Mamme del Borgo. Join one of the mammas in her kitchen as she prepares festive homemade delicacies. You might learn to make traditional cookies and cakes such as cuddureddi di natali with pistachio, almonds and hazelnuts, mastrazzola, cassate and cannoli, as well as fresh ricotta fritters called sciauni. Price – from €850.00 for 2 people BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Nature Once a popular winter escape for European royalty, the slopes of Mount Etna hold the key to cool adventures. Join us to explore the island’s natural wonders Nebrodi Mountain Trek, Including Bosco di Malabotta Nature Reserve and the Argimusco Megaliths ––––––– Stride off through the wild and wonderful Nebrodi mountains, through rich vegetation, ancient forest and small villages such as Malabotta, which sits atop a hill in the heart of the nature reserve. Finally, you’ll reach the high Argimusco plateau in Nebrodi Park, where you’ll come face to face with several imposing megaliths, often referred to as the Stonehenge of Sicily. It’ll soon become clear why they’ve been given names such as “the sleeping giant” and “the woman who prays”. Price – from €950.00 for 2 people Mount Etna Walking Discovery, Including Wine Tastings and Vineyard Tour ––––––– Explore Europe’s most impressive volcano, hiking up to the two inactive Silvestri craters to admire beautiful, otherworldly landscapes and stunning views. In this awesome setting a surprise is waiting: a sommelier poised to pour you a glass of Etna sparkling wine and serve it with tasty local delicacies such as strawberries, almonds and pistachios. Afterwards, discover some of Etna’s volcanic vineyards and enjoy a tasting of some exceptional mineral wines with lunch. Price – from €850.00 for 2 people BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Wellbeing Even as snow cloaks Mount Etna, you can still enjoy days of warm sunshine during Sicily’s winter. It’s a great time to treat yourself to a reviving spa therapy using natural products that abound on the island, including oranges, sweet almonds and lava dust Signature Treatments with Sicilian Orange Oil ––––––– • Sicilian Sensations – 80 minutes. Wake up to winter with our sensual treatment using handmade Sicilian soap and other luscious local treats. The main ingredient is extra virgin olive oil, which is enriched with lava dust, pumice stone and a choice of essential oils extracted from the island’s fragrant flowers and fruits — prickly pear, tangerine, lemon, sweet almond, orange blossom or star anise. The treatment includes an exfoliating foot bath, a body cleansing with soap and a nourishing massage. Price – €200.00 • Ciuri Ciuri Face and Body Scrub – 20 minutes. Keep skin glowing through the cooler months with our unique exfoliating ritual, created in collaboration with prestigious artisan soapmaker, Sa di Sapone, of Catania. Salts from Lipari create a delicate natural scrub, which is fragranced with prized neroli oil made from bitter orange blossoms. Promoting cellular renewal, the treatment leaves the face and body gleaming with health. Price – €85.00 • Dolce Vita – 50 minutes. Let Mei SPA’s sweet orange and lemon essential oils envelop you in this uplifting ritual. We begin with a purifying scrub containing fine sugar crystals and follow with a massage using rich, citrussy Balance oil. The finishing application of silky, illuminating Sweet Orange cream leaves your skin soft, radiant and rejuvenated. Price – €130.00 BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Wellbeing Visit to a Citrus Grove with Tasting ––––––– Treat your senses to an excursion to FondoAranci, an organic family farm located on the slopes of Mt Etna. For four generations the Cutuli family has worked in harmony with the harsh but fertile environment to produce citrus fruits, cherries, walnuts and other delicacies. Pick sun–ripened fruit from the trees to feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a more wholesome, natural way of living. Enjoy a tasting of fruits and other homegrown products inside the owner’s charming house. Lunch is included – the price varies according to your requests. Price – from €490.00 for 2 people Tour of Festive Catania and the Sa di Sapone Soap Workshop –––––– Sa di Sapone is a small, artisan company that produces organic soaps of pure olive oil and Sicilian ingredients such as prickly pear, sweet almond, volcanic lava, mandarin and lemon. Discover their timeless Mediterranean techniques on a visit to the workshop in the centre of Catania, then step out to explore the city’s historic attractions. Visit the lively fish market, the Duomo and Piazza Stesicoro, where you can see both Roman remains and 18th– and 19th–century architecture. Stroll along Via Etnea to soak up the ambience of the Christmas markets, glimpsing Etna in the distance, and admire Teatro Massimo Bellini, a grand opera house named in honour of the local–born composer. Price – from €540.00 for 2 people BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Gastronomy Sicilians take great pride in their traditional cuisine at any time of year, but their culinary endeavours reach new heights at Christmas. From December 24, tables laden with epicurean feasts are a familiar sight in homes across the island. The sweet–toothed in particular will find much to relish, such as the delicious, festive buccellati, generous round biscuits filled with almonds, pistachios and dried fruits Afternoon Tea ––––––– When: December, Fridays–Saturdays (7–8, 14–15, 21–22, 28–29) from 17:00 onwards Where: Otto Geleng Living Room What: Afternoon Tea Select from a choice of 12 different teas, accompanied by a tempting array of delicacies with a Sicilian twist. Finger sandwiches include mousse made from Madonie mountain ham, assorted pastries include baby Sicilian cannoli, plus there are scones with butter cream and strawberry coulis, and a choice of freshly baked cakes from our pastry chef. Linger over each irresistible bite as our pianist plays. Choose from: • Traditional Afternoon Tea €22.00 • Champagne Afternoon Tea Includes a glass of fine Ruinart champagne €30.00 • Celebration Tea Perfect for a birthday celebration with a special cake included €40.00 • Celebration Tea with Champagne Includes a sumptuous cake and a glass of Ruinart champagne €50.00 BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Gastronomy Sunday Brunch ––––––– When: December, Sundays (9, 16, 23, 30), 12:30–15:00 Where: Timeo Restaurant What: Sicilian Brunch with live music Celebrate the season in vibrant Sicilian style with a delicious buffet blending the best of traditional and contemporary cuisine. Savour cold meats and cheeses with delicacies such as a lobster club sandwich or pancakes with fruit jam. Hot dishes range from pumpkin ravioli to catch of the day, while eggs are ordered strictly à la carte. Choose from: scrambled with crispy bacon and spinach, omelette with zucchini and melted cheese, or with tomato, mozzarella and basil. Resembling a Sicilian pastry shop on Sundays, our delectable dessert corner offers baked pastries, brioches, muffins and refined sweets served on a spoon. Price: €65.00 (children up to 12 years old, €30.00) – soft drinks included; wine, beer and spirits are extra BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Gastronomy Christmas Lunch ––––––– When: December 25 – lunchtime Where: Timeo Restaurant What: Traditional festive lunch – Includes a visit from Santa for the children Price: €120.00 – beverages excluded. €50.00 for pairing of 4 wines MENU Steamed suckling pig, mustard greens, Sicilian pecorino cheese and celery mayonnaise Baby tortelli filled with carbonara sauce in oxtail and wild mushroom consommé Chestnut–stuffed guineafowl with truffle potatoes and crisp endive salad Lightly toasted panettone with vanilla ice cream and Marsala wine eggnog BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO BELMOND.COM/GRANDHOTELTIMEO Gastronomy New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner ––––––– When: December 31 – evening Where: Timeo Restaurant + Otto Geleng Living Room What: Gala night to celebrate New Year.