Sit Amongst the Ancient Olives

The highlights

• Beautiful villa on Italy's island of Sicily.
• Relax in the shade with your loved ones and enjoy a dip in the pool to cool off.
• Ideally located to explore the local area and visit the stunning nearby beaches.
• Spacious interior has lots of room for socialising and there are plenty of places to relax outdoors in the sunshine.
• There's free, gated parking here.

You should know

• There's cleaning, as well as bed linen and towel changes once a week.
• The swimming pool is only available for use between 1st May and 31st October.
• Due to the location of this home, we recommend hiring a car to get the most out of your stay.

The detail

Lounge around the pool and enjoy this stylish home's beautiful Sicilian countryside vistas. Then savour an alfresco lunch amongst the ancient olive trees in the pretty gardens or simply relax to the sound of bird song. Inside, large arched windows allow the views to be enjoyed from the living room.

This home is full of character, from the vaulted, whitewashed beamed ceilings, to the exposed stone walls and antiques. We love how your hosts have combined the old with the new here. Whip up some pesto alla Siciliana in the blender in the kitchen and enjoy it with some pasta. This home is perfect for entertaining your family and friends.

If you tire of the pool (is that possible?), then there are a number of beaches nearby. Head to Pantanello Beach, where you’ll find sunbeds and a bar or spend the day on Old Beach Marina di Avola – both have gorgeous pale golden sands and crystal-clear waters (five minutes by car).

Encompassing the south-eastern third of Sicily, Val di Noto is one of the three historic regions of the island. Many of the region’s towns were destroyed during an earthquake in 1693, meaning that they were rebuilt in the Baroque style they have since become famous for.

There are eight UNESCO-listed towns in Val di Noto, including Modica, Scicli and Catania, the second-largest city on Sicily. Although each town has its own distinct character and local history, you’re sure to find excellent wine, food and architecture in all of them.

Grab a scoop of gelato and stroll through the streets, ducking into churches and museums as you go, or sip an espresso at a café and watch the world go by. If you head out of the city, you can discover hiking trails through Val di Noto’s pine forests, woodlands and dry volcanic deserts shaped by Mount Etna.

And don’t forget to visit some of the beaches too – Marina di Ragusa has golden sands and a lively nightlife scene, while Sampieri is a quiet, unspoilt stretch of shoreline.

Features

Essential