It’s no secret that Sicily is among the most magical of places to vacation, renowned for its rocky volcanic coastline and glistening golden beaches, its crumbling ancient ruins and breathtaking Baroque architecture, not to mention its revered culinary scene and abundance of sweet local delicacies. Bookstores and online platforms overflow with travel tips and guides to the island’s best-kept secrets, but nothing can beat the recommendations of a trusted, singularly tasteful friend.

Designer Lucilla Bonaccorsi, the daughter of Sicilian nobleman Lucio Bonaccorsi and the fashion designer Luisa Beccaria, is one such person. Although she was born and raised in Milan, Lucilla spent her holidays at Castelluccio, her family’s 18th-century castle near the Sicilian city of Noto, where she and her four siblings frolicked among its olive and orange groves and almond trees. The Arcadian romanticism of her childhood vacations, as well as the modern urbanism of Milan, London, New York and Paris, combine in Bonaccorsi’s fresh yet timeless designs for her mother’s brand, where she heads up the ready-to-wear team.

Sicily and its endlessly enchanting cities, towns, villages and nature reserves remain a source of delight and inspiration for Bonaccorsi, who married at Castelluccio in 2017. Here, she shares her recommendations for exceptional eating, essential shopping, and a restorative wellness retreat, alongside her cultural highlights, in what we believe to be the ultimate companion to the storied island.