A TASTE OF LONDON, THE SOUTH OF FRANCE & SICILY

The holiday before the business…

Before diving into the business side of my travels, I indulged in a holiday that was all about food, sunshine, and a little bit of serendipity. From the buzzing streets of London to the dreamy beaches near Ramatuelle, and finally to the sun-soaked towns of Sicily, here are the highlights (and insider tips!) from my trip.

First Stop: London

London is one of those cities that always surprises you. It’s full of little gems tucked away in corners you might walk right past.

• Paradise, Soho.
  A tiny Sri Lankan restaurant where the flavours pack a serious punch. They keep sittings short (just 1.5 hours), which is barely enough time to do justice to the food. It’s only does the shorter sitting if you have the early booking, so my recommendation would be to book the later sitting, or if you have to be early, don’t be late!  Think spicy, rich, and absolutely worth the rush.
• The Tamil Prince
  This was easily one of the best Indian meals I’ve ever had. Set inside a small pub, despite the casual pub setting, bookings are essential, unless, like us you are lucky enough to be called back after being turned away, as a walk in, only to be given a great table outside. Even a brief shower of rain didn’t deter us. It’s a must for Indian lovers… so much so I booked it again for two weeks later to share this rear jewel with more friends.

Next Up: The South of France

After London, we headed to Ramatuelle — a charming little village just a stone’s throw from Pampelonne Beach and about 10 minutes from Saint-Tropez. It’s one of those places that makes you wonder why you don’t just move there forever.

• Le Fil à la Pâte, Ramatuelle
  A cozy, family-run spot that we stumbled upon in this picturesque village. The kitchen is no bigger than a wardrobe, yet somehow, they turn out dishes that taste like a dream. My sea bass was divine, and the burrata and tomato salad was the best any of us had ever eaten. Simple, fresh ingredients with the perfect French dressing. We struggled with our French as they only took reservations over the phone, and we tried to make a booking for 7 people at 7pm. It was difficult yet when we arrived the warm greeting from the smiling hostess made the struggle a faded memory.
• Gigi, Pampelonne
  Glamorous and lively Beach Club, though not technically on the beach. The food was good not great, but the cocktails and vibe made up for it. Think chic, see-and-be-seen and lots of fun, add a side of rosé.
• Wine Tasting at Chai
  A charming discovery made by Maddy— sipping local wines paired with cheeses. It felt authentic, elegant, not overdone, and was another highlight of the trip.

UZÈS – A Hidden Treasure

Thanks to my friend Jacquie, we found ourselves in Uzès, and I’m forever grateful. It’s a picturesque town with winding lanes and just enough buzz to keep things interesting. The Saturday and Wednesday markets have an amazing array of fresh deliciousness.

• TEN lived up to the hype with spot-on dishes and a relaxed, lingering dinner vibe.
• Le Insolant was the standout of the whole trip. Understated, humble, but the food? Every single dish was perfection and left us craving for more.

 

Finally: Sicily

Sicily swept me away with its charm, food, and oh my goodness the views. We explored Taormina, Ortigia, and Noto, each with its own magic.

Taormina

·       Hotel Metropole (breakfast) Eggs with a view. This hotel perched on the top of the cliff was a great way to start a relaxing day. My omelette with mushrooms was divine, and the setting elegant yet serene.

·       Incanto (lunch)  Perched high on the hill, worth the massive uphill walk for both the food and the sweeping views.

·       Taverna Al Paladino (dinner) A lucky find in a buzzing lane full of restaurants. No booking, just instinct, we literally were looking at the food on people’s plates as we wondered through the village.

The fish was perfect, the pasta too. The atmosphere alive with musicians playing as we sat and ate, our meal. We knew we’d struck gold.

I know most of my chatter has been about food however, I should share our Opera in the ancient theatre in Taormina which was a fun experience with the highlight being… unexpectedly Mount Etna erupting in the back ground behind the amphitheatre ruins, in full view of the audience. Starting with loud claps of what we assumed was thunder at first and shooting dramatic explosions of fire into the sky. The opera was ok, but the active volcano made the evening a really memorable night.

Ortigia

• Sunset cocktails on the rooftop bar of the Grand Hotel Des Etrangers: panoramic views, delicious cocktails, and unexpected canapés that made it feel extra special.
• Seafood lunch at the market — loud, fun, and delicious. Everything fresh, everything simple, everything Sicilian.
• Area M is a super cool outdoor cocktail venue with a restaurant attached. However, we loved the ambiance of the outdoor lounge bar so much that we did not make it to the restaurant. We sat on the water’s edge as the sun went down drinking cocktails eating bar food while listening to a fabulous layback play list.

Noto

We only had a day here, but what a day! The Baroque architecture makes it feel like a living film set.

• Sabbinirica Bistrot — Mussels in tomato over tagliatelle. Flavours that stayed with us long after we left.
• On the way back, we tried a quick swim at a nearby beach… let’s just say not all spontaneous ideas are good ones! Noto was clean and very petty the beach was neither.

Final Thoughts

This trip was about food, friends, family and finding joy in the unexpected. From the tiniest kitchens in Ramatuelle to the grand views of Taormina, each stop gave us something memorable — a taste, a view, a laugh and great memories

If you’re heading to London, the South of France, or Sicily, I hope my highlights give you some inspiration. And my biggest tip? Don’t over plan. Leave space for the little surprises — they often become the best stories.