If ever a place could whisk away the troubles of the day, it would be here. Once a fisherman’s harbor, now this quaint southern Sicilian village draws weekenders, beach-dwellers, and romantics. At every turn, the streets and piazzas are lined with stalls of fresh and local food; aubergines, fish, zucchini, tomatoes, and almonds.

Like they have for centuries, the shop keepers have watered down the streets and entryways to limit the dust and sand that had blown in overnight. As the day begin, a young lady fetches a loaf of bread and an elderly painter sets up his pallet and make-shift easel looking to capture the sea and the sails.

Although Michelangelo’s coffee and pastries are known throughout the island, the cafe offers more than just sustenance for the body, it also offers a timeless encounter with Italy’s flora and fauna, a complete reprieve for the soul.