Giacomo was waiting for us as we arrived in the town of Siculiana in a blistering heat. He guided our car towards the typical Sicilian cortile, a sort of cul de sac serving as street, front yard and common terrace, all in one, lined with chairs and plant pots. Our host lives here among neighbours and childhood friends. We stayed one night in the apartment Cortile Siculiana, a three bedroom apartment located up one flight of stairs. The apartment is fully equipped and allows you to stay more nights. Giacomo is very generous, offering us a sweet treat and coffee while sharing some history about his town and inhabitants. Although you feel like entering into a modern Coppola movie scene, where all details are right, including the laundry lines and old deaf neighbour, Giacomo made sure we felt at home right away. As if we, five shy white freckled people with sunburnt skin, had always lived here among the Sicilian families. The house has three spacious rooms and two bath rooms, a kitchen and rooftop terrace. There is airco in the rooms on the upper floor and a ventilator in the room on the first floor. The house was cool at night. The beds are comfortable and the street is quiet. There are beautiful beaches nearby, our host showed us how to get to the tourist free beaches where only locals go. When arriving at night after dinner in the cortile, we were welcomed and complimented by one of the neighbouring families, a colourful ensemble of three generations lined up on plastic chairs outside their house, debating Covid and tomorrow’s menu. You can not get a more authentic taste of Sicily then here at il Cortile Siculiana.