sicily

In a recent interview with the New York Observer, top architect Daniel Libeskind said that his "only New Year's resolution is to continue having as much fun and seeing the world change in positive ways." He seems to be off to a good start. Officials for what would be the largest suspension bridge in the world say that the architect, whose projects include One World Trade Center and CityCenter in Las Vegas, is working on plans for a complex to be built on one side of the Straits of Messina Bridge.

The bridge will link the Italian mainland to the Island of Sicily. Libeskind's compound would be built on the Calabrian side of the span and would include shops and hotels. Work is expected to begin by the end of the year on the massive highway and rail bridge that will connect Calabrian "toe" of the Italian peninsula to the port of Messina, Sicily. This is an idea thousands of years in the making with everyone from the ancient Romans to Charlemagne eager to bring these land masses together. In the last 20 years the project has been through a series of stops and starts but Silvio Berlusconi vowed to restart the project. It is expected to cost over six billion euros and could take at least five years to build. Even though it will save hours in transit time not everyone is a fan of the project. Some see it more as an expression of Berlusconi's ego rather than something that will be of maximum benefit to the area.

An American golf course architect designing a seaside links in Scotland, just down the coast from St. Andrews, is akin to an English chef cooking coq au vin at Le Cordon Bleu. But that's just what California-based Kyle Phillips managed to do a decade ago at Kingsbarns Golf Links. In his latest overseas venture, Phillips has laid out two spectacularly scenic yet understated 18-hole courses at Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, the new Rocco Forte Collection resort on the southern coast of Sicily.

The five-star resort--just over an hour from the international airport in Palermo and near the historic city of Agrigento, with its Valley of the Temples--has much to speak for itself, as Luxist noted in reporting the opening of the property. Not the least of Verdura's attributes are suites and villas appointed with assorted mosaics, ceramics and artifacts culled from this primordial island by the interior designer Olga Polizzi, Sir Rocco Forte's sister. The amenities also include four restaurants, among them a Sicilian trattoria, and a gelateria.

Travelers with a sense of adventure and an appreciation for wining and dining will want to check out two upcoming trips to Sicily in the fall arranged by Cynthia Nicholson of The Farmhouse Table. Nicholson, a former food editor at Country Living and Real Simple magazines, has a flair for seeking out the culinary and cultural gems that only insiders know about. While the first trip is more food oriented and the second focused on wine, the two itineraries have a healthy dose of both and feature a cooking class, along with many opportunities to absorb unique Sicilian culture.

The culinary trip from Sept. 26 - Oct. 3 includes a stay at Buseto Palizzolo (above) near Palermo which produces its own olive oil, honey, wine, and organic fruits and vegetables, and a visit to an artisanal bakery where the ovens are fired with almond husks rather than wood. The second trip presented in conjunction with Swirl Wines runs Oct. 11 - 22 and includes a day trip to Solicchiata for a tasting and discussion with winemaker Frank Cornelissen. Full details on both itineraries can be found here and and you can sign up for The Farmhouse Table's mailing list here.

The new $175 million Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on the southern coast of Sicily from the Rocco Forte Collection opening August 1 will be the only luxury resort in the Mediterranean offering a five-star experience across golf, hotel, dining and spa facilities. The Collection's 13th property features 203 ocean view rooms and suites, each with a private terrace overlooking 1.2 miles of private coastline, two championship golf courses, six tennis courts, a 43,000-sq.-ft. spa, fitness and yoga center, four restaurants, 55 private villas, a conference center, ballroom, open-air amphitheater and helipad.

To celebrate its much-anticipated opening of the 570-acre beachfront resort, Verdura is offering guests visiting between August 1 and December 31 complimentary benefits including green fees for unlimited golf play on its three world-class courses, dinner every evening at any of its four superb restaurants and thalassotherapy spa treatments as well as a 50% discount on a second family room. Starting rates for a three-night stay range from $1,399 for a December visit to $2,967 for a visit in August.

Never heard of Pantelleria? I hadn't either but it turns out that it is a small island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sicily. What makes this island particularly noteworthy is that it is of volcanic origin and is still home to hot mineral springs and steam eruptions. The Pantelleria Dream is a new luxury resort on this island that has managed to stay below the radar for a long time. The hotel is made up of suites called dammusi, structures made from black volcanic rocks which have spare, gently curving white interiors like those found in Greek island hideaways. The hotel also has an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Prices start at 90 euros per person.

[via Vogue]