Coffee Table Books - Sicily Honor

Sicily, often identified as the island at the tip of Italy’s boot, evokes rich feelings of passion, intrigue and pride. Whether these responses are stirred by the words of Dante, Quasimodo and Goethe or by the films of Coppola, Antonioni and Rossellini, Sicily’s influence is palpable. It’s a place where the past is intricately linked to the present and where tradition reigns supreme, from the ancient legends of the Greeks and Romans to the irresistible memories of the dolce vita era. In the town of Taormina, two properties have been championing their storied origins. At Villa Sant’Andrea and Grand Hotel Timeo, guests can expect authentic charm modernized with luxury features, all with a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. Grand Hotel Timeo is also located next to an ancient Greek theater and near the extraordinary Mount Etna.

More than the sum of its parts, Sicily is a melting pot of cultures due to its location at the heart of the Mediterranean. The island’s history of foreign occupations and rule is made manifest in its architectural influences, be they Middle Eastern, European or African. But nowhere are the effects of multi-culturalism and mythic tales more apparent than in the cuisine. From the simple biscotti to the grand timbale, every dish in Sicily is never simply about food; a Sicilian legend is sure to be a part of it. Through the pages of Sicily Honor, readers escape the everyday and experience the romance of this unique island.

Gianni Riotta was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily. His father, Salvatore, was an editor at Giornale di Sicilia and had Riotta accompany him on trips across the island. Riotta was editor of Rai’s Tg 1, the leading Italian TV-news program, and Il Sole 24 Ore, the Italian financial daily newspaper. A former columnist at Corriere della Sera in New York, he now writes for La Repubblica. He has contributed to many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Financial Times. Riotta has published two novels set in Sicily: Prince of the Clouds (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) and The Lights of Alborada (HarperCollins). Riotta teaches at Princeton University and is the dean of the journalism school at Luiss University in Rome.