Slowlife Family Farm: Cooking Experience

I was born in Siracusa. My mother has been a historical tour guide in Sicily for the last 35 years, speaking Italian, Russian, and English, while my father is a Professor of Sculpture and History of Art. I feel incredibly blessed to have been nurtured from a young age with a deep love for this incredible island, its history, and a passion for sharing it. After traveling around the world, I decided to settle in Sicily, in a historic, derelict 20-acre farmhouse in the countryside of Noto. Over the years, my wife and I have lovingly renovated it with our own hands. Following in my wonderful mother’s footsteps, I decided to pursue a career as a guide. I first undertook studies to become a Qualified Nature Guide, and after a few years, I became a Licensed Historical Guide. This allowed me to combine the best of both worlds—nature and history—which, to me, are inseparable. I have always loved languages, especially English. While living in the UK, I had the honor of being chosen as a Public Speaker for a charity, giving talks across the UK and around the world. This experience helped me refine my communication skills to such an extent that, in 2014, I was awarded a visit to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of my achievements through the charity. Since returning to my homeland of Sicily, I have worked not only as a guide but also as a location scout and translator for BBC and Netflix nature documentaries. History and nature are in my blood. Over the past 10 years, I have dedicated myself to collecting memories and local stories from our grandparents' lives. I believe I am becoming a living museum of disappearing old knowledge. Now, after a decade in this career, and thanks to my family background, I am regarded as one of the most competent English-speaking guides in Sicily. I no longer work with large bus tours of 30–50 people. Instead, I focus on small private groups, offering more personalized, custom tours. Over the years, I have been selected by luxury hotels to guide celebrities, ambassadors, and politicians. I spend more time in nature than anywhere else. I especially love sharing the secret river pools and waterfalls, as well as the stunning coastline of my Sicilian childhood. Alongside guiding, I also manage a beautiful riverside off-grid farm with my wife. We grow all the vegetables needed for our family, and many of my clients visit our farm (featured in my “Slowlife Family Farm” tours) to enjoy our award-winning Sicilian meals made with fresh, organic ingredients. Fun, history, knowledge, curated food experiences, and stunning locations are my key ingredients for creating unforgettable days in Sicily. I am a Licensed Nature Guide and Historical/Archaeological Tour Guide, combining the best of both worlds. As a licensed City Tour Guide, I can guide you through historical monuments and cities. As a licensed Nature Guide, I can lead tours in any nature reserve up to 2,000 meters above sea level. I also served as the Managing Director of a conservation charity in the UK. My work has earned me several recognitions: Awarded "Best UK Social Entrepreneur" by the Future 100 Awards. Featured as a showcase in Make It Happen: The Prince's Trust Guide. Invited to deliver a public speech about insect conservation at the Cheltenham Science Festival, one of the UK’s most prestigious science festivals. Exhibited our conservation project as part of the Royal Society's 350th-anniversary celebrations. Invited by Queen Elizabeth II to attend Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace.