From September until Christmas couples can take advantage of a 40% discount on a selection of thinkSicily's larger properties. The idea is to give couples the opportunity to experience the space and style of some of our larger properties at a fraction of the price.

And if you have a baby in tow you can still profit from this fantastic offer by paying a small supplement.

Spaghetti, pizza, polenta (if you're in the north), minestrone...these are the foods that have made Italian cuisine one of the most famous in the world. However, if you were to go to the west of Sicily, to towns such as Mazara del Vallo, Marsala, Trapani and San Vito lo Capo, you would find that one staple food on most menus is cous cous. With evident roots in the Arab domination of Sicily in the 8th and 9th Centuries, this classical north African dish has remained a firm favourite and has even grown in popularity, also thanks to the large Tunisian population that lives, works and cooks in Mazara del Vallo and other places. While the north African version is generally based on mutton and vegetables, the classic Sicilian version is with fish. This month's recipe has kindly been given to us by Francesco Spadafora, wine-maker, chef and owner of Virzi.

An immense, fragrant orange orchard, the Ionian Sea in the distance and Mount Etna behind: these are probably the first things visitors to Borgo degli Aranci will notice. And then, at the end of the long drive, stand the three carefully maintained houses that make up this lovely property. Add to all this the delightful pool, the lawned gardens and the wonderful shady terraces and and you know you're somewhere special.

Borgo degli Aranci is just a 10-minute drive to the beaches at Fiumefreddo and about 15 minutes from Mazzaro' with its cable car up to Taormina and lovely sandy cove. Mount Etna is eminently accessible and other natural wonders such as the Gola di Alcantara are very near. All in all, a prime spot!