WORDS KATHRYN TOMASETTI & TRISTAN RUTHERFORD
Palermo is brimming with history – not to mention local specialities; Menton offers citrus-fuelled sunshine on the French Riviera
JANUARY
PALERMO, SICILY
Sicily is Italian in name only. Two millennia of culinary influences from Andalucia, Anatolia and North Africa have resulted in unpronounceable dishes such as sfinci (ricotta fritters) and ’mpanatigghi (sweet pastries stuffed with spiced beef).
WHY NOW? Local residents, or Palermitani, celebrate Epiphany (6 January) with food rich in symbolism. Eating lentils brings wealth, while giuggiulena, a type of sesame-seed nougat, is proffered to children. Still peckish? In Palermo it’s permissible to eat brioche con gelato (ice cream sandwiches) for breakfast.
MUST-TRY FOOD Street stalls near the Mercato 00 Ballarò make use of its seasonal oranges and fish. Sample involtini di pesce spada (swordfish rolls), pane e panelle (chickpea fritter sandwiches) and sfincione (thick-crust pizzas).
WHERE TO STAY The apartments at Butera 28 (butera28.it; from €120 per night) are in a palazzo once owned by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, famed author of The Leopard. The current owner is the Duchess of Palma and she offers cooking classes for €150.
HOW TO GET THERE EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies from Gatwick, Luton and Liverpool to Palermo from £54 return.
JANUARY AVERAGES
• HIGH TEMP 15°C (31°C in August)
• LOW TEMP 10°C (9°C in February)
• SUNSHINE HOURS 5 (11 in July)
• RAINY DAYS 8 (9 in December)
FEBRUARY
MENTON, FRANCE
France’s sunniest city is on the Ligurian Sea, east of Nice. Blue skies reign for 300 days a year, nourishing botanical gardens zesty with kumquats, kaffir limes and buddha’s hand citrons. Menton’s medieval centre is home to the Marché des Halles food market, a Franco-Italian mix of prosciutto, pâte d’olive noire and San Remo shrimp.
WHY NOW? From mid-February the Fête du Citron (fete-du-citron.com) takes over. Expect giant sculptures made from lemons, oranges and limes, plus night parades, craft fairs and citrus tastings.
MUST-TRY FOOD In 2019, three Michelin-starred Mirazur was named number one in the S Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. Chef Mauro Colagreco cooks with vegetables, fruit and flowers from three potager gardens surrounding the restaurant. Tasting menus start from €160.
WHERE TO STAY The seafront Napoléon Menton hotel (napoleon-menton.com; doubles from €82) pays artistic homage to local character Jean Cocteau. See the artist’s eclectic highlights in the Musée Jean Cocteau, 10 minutes away.