As we pulled onto the small dirt road, we quickly noticed that this was not your usual B&B. This was a no-nonsense vegetable farm. A building here, another over there, a couple of abandoned vehicles, and vegetable gardens everywhere. At first we were a little apprehensive, but our concerns were quickly washed away by the greeting from the entire family as we approached with bags in hand.

They put us up in the big room overlooking the fields (and the highway, but fear not, all was peaceful & quiet from early evening on). The room was very large, spotless & tastefully decorated with little traditional touches in every corner.

We were asked to wait for Mama Maria's son Giuseppe to come back since he spoke some English, and something was said about trying some bread which was being baked, at that very moment, in Giuseppe's sister's house. When Guiseppe arrived, we asked him if he could recommend a good restaurant for dinner. He invited us to the kitchen and treated us to some amazingly rich orange-cello (from the freezer), as he made a reservation for us at one of the recommended restaurants.

Soon the freshly baked bread arrived and, since we had some time to kill before heading out for dinner, we sat down to sample the bread. The aroma alone was to die for. The bread was in the form a giant doughnut, which Mama Maria proceeded to slice into half (horizontally), then sprinkled the cut bread with a generous amount of olive oil, oregano, sun dried tomatoes & salt/pepper, closed it up again, and sliced in up for everyone to try. WOW! This was the best bread we have ever tasted (and we know bread!). Washed down with some wine, we were set.

The family then suggested we go see the newly born (the day before) colt in the stables. Then they brought in their 4 week old puppy. My wife was in animal heaven. As we were about to start heading out to the restaurant, more bread was brought in (they had taken the leftover dough and stuffed it with creamy spinach then proceeded to baked it into buns). As good as the first bread was, the buns were even better! More bread, more wine. Olives were put on the table, then came desert and more orange-cello.

Needless to say, we had to ask Giuseppe to call the restaurant and cancel our reservations, as we could eat no more. By the way, most of the ingredients used, from the tomatoes to the various herbs, come right from their gardens.

Since we liked Mama Maria's orange-cello and mentioned that we would like to buy some to take home, she realized that she was running out and proceeded to make some right then and there, showing us how to do it, step by step.

The next morning, breakfast was wonderful (and plentiful). We were sent off on our way as if we were members of the family leaving on a long trip. This was the closest to a real Sicilian family experience that one can have. They are warm, welcoming, sincere and proud of their way of life. Do not miss this chance. All this comes cheaper than any other B&B we've come across.

From Minneapolis , USA