Operation Sicily

It’s a warm one in Sicily today 42.8°C! ☀️
Hope everyone’s having a great Sunday wherever you are.
Episode 44 of the villa renovation is now live, grab a drink, stay cool and hope you enjoy!"

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 496

Operation Sicily

BIG DECISION TIME!
You’re designing your dream bathroom…
But there’s only room (or budget!) for ONE.

Which would you pick?

Are you #TeamBath or #TeamShower?

Cast your vote below 👇 and tell me why in the comments!
I’m planning mine now, so your opinion could actually help shape my villa!

1 month ago | [YT] | 160

Operation Sicily

Let’s talk about the reality of renovating abroad…

Everyone sees the Instagram-worthy “after” shots. But what about the weeks of chaos, sweat, delays, and surprises behind the scenes?

What’s the biggest lesson you've learned (or expect to learn) from a renovation project?

Share your story below 👇 I’ll be reading every comment!

1 month ago | [YT] | 88

Operation Sicily

What’s the most frustrating part of DIY renovation?
Be honest — we've all had that "why did I start this?!" moment...

Let’s hear yours 👇

1 month ago | [YT] | 74

Operation Sicily

You’ve just landed in Sicily. What’s the first thing you’re eating? 🍽️🍷
(Asking for a friend… who’s very hungry.)

Drop your must-try Sicilian dishes in the comments!

2 months ago | [YT] | 66

Operation Sicily

QUIZ TIME! Could You Survive Renovating a Villa in Rural Sicily?

Imagine you’ve just bought a crumbling countryside villa. What would YOU do first?

Let’s find out if you’d survive the dust, the drama, and the dodgy plumbing…

2 months ago | [YT] | 36

Operation Sicily

Hey everyone,

Just a quick update to help clarify how the channel is evolving and how you can best follow the journey.

Last night, I released a short 8-minute video featuring an electric bike I recently picked up. I choose not to include this in my usual long-format Sunday renovation series because I wasn’t sure how relevant it would be for those of you here purely for the Sicily villa restoration journey.

So moving forward:

👉 Long-format renovation videos will continue to go live every Sunday. These will be clearly numbered in the title so it’s easy to follow along as I transform this abandoned villa in rural Sicily into an off-grid homestead.

👉 Mid-week uploads, which may appear from time to time, will be shorter and more casual - things like tools I’m using, off-grid living gear, lifestyle updates, and product features. These won’t be numbered, and while they may not always directly relate to the renovation, they’re still part of the broader lifestyle I’m building here in the Sicilian countryside.

I really hope that clears up any confusion!

As for any products I feature, they’re always things I’ve personally tested, use myself, and believe in. If I weren’t genuinely happy with them, I wouldn’t include them. No one’s paying me to say or do anything - and I value that trust.

Just to be completely transparent: I don’t get paid to make these videos. The small bit of YouTube ad revenue doesn’t even come close to covering my basic expenses.

But I do it because I’m passionate about documenting this journey - not just for those of you who enjoy watching, but also for my young boys to look back on one day.

I know not every video will be everyone’s cup of tea - and that’s completely okay. I’m not here to please algorithms or meet anyone’s expectations. I’m simply sharing something real, raw, and unscripted: an off-grid renovation adventure in Sicily, with all the challenges, mistakes, lessons, and small wins that come with it.

Thank you for following along, for your encouragement and kind words, and for understanding what this project is truly about. Your support genuinely means the world. ❤️

Warm regards,
Jonathan

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 278

Operation Sicily

If you were designing your dream villa in Sicily… what’s the one feature you’d HAVE to include?

Vote below and let’s compare notes 👇

2 months ago | [YT] | 74

Operation Sicily

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandads, stepdads, and father figures out there!

There’s no new Operation Sicily video today, as I’m taking a rare break to enjoy some precious time with my boys 💛. We filmed this little moment riding through the Sicilian countryside together — and it felt like the perfect way to celebrate what really matters.

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support, comments, and kind messages — videos will resume next Sunday as normal, and we’ve got some BIG renovation updates on the way!

Wishing you a peaceful, joyful Father's Day — whether you're celebrating, remembering, or simply reflecting

Much love,
Jonathan

2 months ago | [YT] | 327