Jonathan Smith

I’m Jonathan Smith, Founder and Creator of Operation Sicily, a documentary-style YouTube channel following my real-life journey restoring an abandoned villa in rural Sicily into a sustainable, off-grid home. After a long career in UK hospitality sector, I took on a neglected Sicilian villa that had been empty for over two decades. With no water, no power, and extensive damage, I began a full DIY restoration from the ground up, filming, editing, and narrating every step to inspire others seeking a slower, self-sufficient lifestyle. Today, Operation Sicily has attracted over 3 million views and an international audience fascinated by renovation, off-grid living, and real estate investment abroad. My story has been featured by The Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Mirror, and I continue to shar...