Mr & Mrs Smith

Mr & Mrs Smith have just returned for a trip to this boutique b&b in Italy, and just as soon as they’ve unpacked their bags, a full account of their stay in Sicily will be with you. In the meantime, just to whet your wanderlust, here’s a quick postcard from the enchanting Modica hideaway, Le Lumie…

Psst… this is one to keep quiet. A tiny three-bedroom bed and breakfast hidden among the terracotta rooftops of Modica, Le Lumie has only been open since March 2008, is ensconced in a pristine private courtyard that’s all too easy to miss if you’re passing by, and is still undiscovered by all but a lucky few. It’s simple, stylish, and double-take-inducingly cheap, with rooms starting at just €100 a night. The owners have already won their hospitality stripes running the Torre d’Oriente restaurant nearby – a romantic modern eatery celebrated for its impeccable seafood and glorious views of the city – so you know you’re in good hands at Le Lumie. The hotel’s interiors are crisp, white and airy, and each of the three bedrooms is decorated around a different colour theme: purple, blue and brown. Outside, a rustic tiled terrace dotted with deck chairs and little wooden tables provides the perfect place to soak up the Sicilian sun, or cool down in the shade of the palm and citrus trees. Le Lumie may be the ultimate wind-down destination – get there before the world does.