In this travel‑design vlog, interior designer Kanika Bakshi‑Khurana explores Sicily as a source of design inspiration. She begins with a stay in a unique Airbnb in Catania that occupies a historic Roman theater, highlighting its 19th‑century origins, recent renovation, panoramic theater views, and the hosts Angela and her husband who provide a quirky luggage elevator. The episode follows a first‑day adventure to Mount Etna, describing the bumpy bus ride, a short summit hike, and the raw textures of hot lava rock, which she relates to the importance of natural materials in interior design. Kanika then visits several Sicilian towns, noting the festive Christmas atmosphere in Assiriale and the historic charm of Syracuse’s narrow streets, squares, and mixed‑era architecture. The core of the video is a detailed walkthrough of a hotel that blends traditional Sicilian Mediterranean style with contemporary design: classic arches, Italian marble, mosaic flooring, hand‑blown chandeliers, mirrored hallways, matte‑black railings with gold accents, and luxurious marble‑patterned bathrooms. Throughout, she interweaves personal moments with her niece and fellow traveler Peter, reflects on the emotional impact of the scenery, and concludes by inviting viewers to subscribe for the final episode of the season.
Chapters
Would you like to live inside a Roman theater? In the heart of Catania, you can experience just that in this Airbnb, offering breathtaking views of the theater from its balconies and windows. Originally built in the 1860s and renovated in 2019, this great place sits just steps away from the city center. This Airbnb exceeded our expectations, looking even more impressive in person than in pictures. The owners, Angela and her husband, were wonderful and made our stay exceptional. They helped us with the smooth check-in process using a unique and fun elevator for our luggage. We got lucky with the weather, sunshine all around, and we decided to head to Mount Etna on our very first day. Going up the mountain was an adventure on its own. A bumpy roller coaster ride on the bus. Though many of my fellow travelers were not excited about the bumpy ride, I was loving every moment. Sisli, I have been wanting to come here for a very long time, and as we get closer to the end of this design hopping series, I wanted to get some time off before we head back home. I was delighted that my favorite niece also joined us on this trip. When I reached the mountain summit, I realized the bus ride wasn't the end of the journey. There was still a short 20-minute hike to the top. When I reached the top, the views were absolutely unbelievable. Standing on top of Mount Etna, I felt sense of peace and thrill at the same time. As an interior designer, I believe it's important to appreciate nature's creations, how different materials and textures blend so uniquely together. You can learn so much and get inspired by the raw natural beauty of everything around you. Very hot lava rock. It's hot, hot, hot. Do you like Sicily so far? It's one of those places I've been wanting to come for a very long time. What you're about to see next are some of my favorite towns here and a small design segment at the end. I hope you enjoy it. Though Assiriale was meant to be just a brief stop during our day trip, I was captivated by the Christmas celebrations in the main square and a beautiful concert at the local church. During our stay in Catania, we spent many evenings wandering the streets, watching locals gather in piazzas with Christmas lights all around us. This is so cool. Peter, it looks like a turtle. Look! Syracuse was my favorite town in all of Sicily. With its charming narrow streets and stunning coastal views, it perfectly captures the essence of Sicily's rich history and natural beauty. Walking through the city center, you'll be amazed by the beautiful mix of old buildings from different time periods. Each square tells its own story through its unique architecture. Let's explore this design surprise together with my little curious interior designer. The hotel is a beautiful mix of old and new Mediterranean style. It has beautiful arches and decorative details that show off Sicily's traditional architecture. The main entrance area cleverly combines classic Italian marble with beautiful mosaic patterns on the floor and walls, showcasing an artful use of natural materials to create visual interest. The common spaces are modern while keeping traditional Sicilian design touches with handmade local decorations and beautiful hand-blown chandeliers. This well-lit hallway with mirrors on both sides creates a dramatic depth and visual appeal, and I love the sconces on top of the mirrors. These archways remind me of an old chapel, and the striking black and white marble flooring unifies the entire space. The common seating areas are vibrant with the cool and warm color palette, artfully blending the contemporary furniture with beautiful marble flooring and antique accents. This beautiful staircase welcomes you into the hotel. I love the modern take on the banister with its matte black railing and gold accents. Before I end this tour, I wanted to show you a glimpse of their beautiful bathrooms, showcasing stunning marble patterns and colors throughout, complemented by elegant gold accents. Whoever designed this place clearly had a strong vision for creating this masterpiece. Sicily, till next time, ciao for now. I'm not done yet. I'm definitely coming back to Sicily Guys, if you haven't already subscribed, please subscribe to our channel because next episode will be the last episode of the season. Ciao for now!
