On the south-eastern coast of Sicily is a string of marine villages and wild beaches suited for a serene holiday dictated by leisurely nature walks, long lunches with a sea view, naps on the beach, all in the spirit of slow travel.

It’s not the Sicily of glitzy towns like Taormina, of high-energy cities like Catania, of enchanting sea colors Favignana, and you'll have to make a bit of an effort to find the picturesque spots; but it’s closer to regular Sicily, the one where it’s easy to observe and mingle with locals out at the beach. It’s also that area of Sicily close enough to Val di Noto that you can mix it all up between lazy days at the beach and cultural visits to Unesco-inscribed late Baroque towns.