Your Go-To Destination…
“The islands forever! With a preference for secretive and generous Pantelleria, a volcanic island in the middle of the Mediterranean, with no sandy beaches or DJs spinning records. It’s where lava meets luxury.”
The Must-Visit Spots
“Eating: Il Principe e il Pirata – A delightful restaurant run by a lovely family. The mother cooks, the father is at the front desk, and the sons are serving. Mueggen – A restaurant perched high up, surrounded by vineyards. Authentic.
Drinking: Watch the sunset from the La Nicchia while sipping one of Gianni’s selected natural wines.
Discovering: The dammusi homes and Pantesco Gardens. Ancient lava-stone structures with better insulation than most new builds. Total design inspiration.
And more: Sail out to sea for the day and discover the black rocks from the waves aboard an old wooden caique.”
Your Trip Picks: Book, Playlist & Podcast
“A Book: Montedidio by Erri Di Lucca – The story takes place in Naples, in the eponymous neighborhood. Humanity at its harshest and most beautiful. A moving and poetic book that I never tire of reading and rereading.
A Playlist: Paolo Abate’s playlists – his personal mix of Italo-disco, vintage soul, and songs that sound like they were recorded in a Sicilian vineyard.
A Podcast: The Craft Project by Raphaëlle Le Baud – because, I share the belief that ‘the art of materials is a weapon for restoring beauty to our cities, our lives and our hearts’.”
The Dream Holiday Activity…
“Waking up to the sound of nature, having my morning yoga practice, diving from the Balata dei Turchi, enjoying an almond granita at Pasticceria Katia in the afternoon and admiring the full moon rising from our dammuso in Martingana while drinking Gabrio Bini’s wonderful wine. Pantelleria life is slow, sweet and tasty.”
An Unforgettable Moment…
“On a narrow path, I slammed on the brakes in front of an old orange convertible Beetle coming towards me. We were stuck. I realised that it was Gabrio Bini whom we had been trying to meet for several days to taste his exceptional natural wine. He invited us to his treasure home and showed us around his vineyard, perched in the centre of the island. We discovered that he was an architect in Milan. A bound was formed between his wife Geneviève, him and our family. It was pure joy to be together. Nothing better than discovering hidden pockets of this island and its people together with my boys.”
P.S — Marion Stora’s tips for packing the perfect case?
“No jeans. Go for breathable everything and the most important things: my yoga mat, diving shoes for jumping off rocks, and my Jugetsudo Sencha tea. Everything else is incidental.”
