To speak of almonds in Italy is to conjure images of Noto. But this golden corner of southern Sicily offers much more: its renowned tomatoes (Pachino lies just a few kilometres away), its olive groves yielding sweet, generous fruit, and its agricultural traditions, not just relics of the past, but living knowledge renewed through sustainable, forward-thinking practices.
Noto is therefore not just the capital of Baroque beauty: it is a land where nature gives its very best, thanks to rich soil and a microclimate seemingly tailor-made for cultivation. And it is through the passion and dedication of many families that this territory now stands before the world as a gastronomic destination to be savoured slowly, in harmony with the land.
Three Farms Island: a model of harmony
Among the finest examples of this philosophy is Three Farms Island, a farming project where love for the land meets the principles of slow tourism. The story begins in the 1970s, when a family chose to invest in three small farms, converting them to organic agriculture focused on traditional crops and regenerative techniques. The goal? To grow good food “from the ground up,” while respecting the soil and preserving wildlife biodiversity.
The harvests are small but exceptional: citrus fruits, almonds (yes, those famous almonds, recognised as a Slow Food Presidium), carob trees, and a selection of aromatic herbs used to craft pure essential oils.
A true taste of country life
But Three Farms Island is more than just a farm: it opens its doors to visitors, inviting them to experience the rhythms of country life, season by season. Guests learn the secrets of aromatic herbs, the right time to harvest, grafting techniques, and the importance of natural selection. The real treasure, though, lies in the hospitality, because hospitality, as every Sicilian knows, is the very soul of the island’s culture. At Three Farms Island, visitors become part of the farming community, embracing the spirit that has long defined Mediterranean cuisine and the joy of gathering around a shared table.
From soil to table
Guests are welcomed not just to watch but to take part in that joyful, festive moment that is traditional Sicilian gastronomy. The experience comes alive through hands-on cooking classes: it begins with a tour of the farm, followed by choosing ingredients – often harvested just hours earlier – and then cooking together, rediscovering authentic recipes and long-lost aromas. Finally, everyone gathers around the table to enjoy the fruits of their labour. It’s a way of feeling at home, even far away, and of tasting a little piece of Sicily in every bite.
And for those who wish to carry this memory with them beyond the holiday, there are even online cooking classes, bringing a slice of the island into your own kitchen.
Adopt an olive tree
True to its creative spirit, Three Farms Island also offers unique initiatives like the “Adopt an Olive Tree” project, a small yet powerful symbolic gesture. Each tree is given the name of its new ‘owner’ and lovingly cared for with ancient methods by expert hands. At the end of the season, the extra virgin olive oil produced is sent straight to your home, carrying the authentic taste of the land with it.
An invitation to slow down
Three Farms Island is more than a farm, it’s an invitation to reconnect with nature and with yourself. Among green trails, untouched landscapes, and breathtaking views, each day here in Sicily ends with a glass of Sicilian wine and a sunset scented with almonds and freedom.
