The Cliff

The highlights

• This villa takes sea views seriously – looking straight out to the glistening Tyrrhenian
• Cefalù is easy to reach from Palermo Airport within around 90 minutes
• Designed by architects, The Cliff oozes style inside and out
• Spacious terraces with outdoor furniture give everyone room to spread out and chill

You should know

• Arrival is on Saturday afternoon with check out the following Saturday morning

The detail

At the mid-point of Sicily’s northern coast, Cefalù is a city known for its twin-towered Norman cathedral and beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. There is no better place to enjoy those than the spectacularly situated villa, The Cliff, where up to ten guests can spend their days soaking up the sun without a care in the world.

Covering some 200 square metres over two floors, this spacious villa has a garden replete with Sicilian olive trees and a large sun terrace, perfect for lounging around or just enjoying a peaceful moment in the shade. All rooms lead straight to an outdoor space, so throw open the doors and let the fresh sea air flood in.

This is a villa made for al fresco dining – a table for eight looks out to the ocean. Inside, you will find four double bedrooms and five bathrooms, one of which has a bath tub. Fully air-conditioned, The Cliff also offers free Wi-Fi, private parking and direct access to a private beach.

Each room displays an elegant sense of style, courtesy of the architect owners. Overlooking the lower terrace, the lounge is no exception – it’s a pleasing space to enjoy a little conversation or perhaps the satellite TV. You can also add a couple of extra beds here if needed.

A well-equipped kitchen comes with a dishwasher, fridge and washing machine. There’s an oven too, but if you would rather not use it, a cook can be arranged to take care of all that business. Drinks on the terrace with a backdrop of the Tyrrhenian’s clear waters are a fine way to end the day – perhaps seek out a bottle of Sicilian wine like Nero d’Avola or Zibibbo. It seems like the right thing to do.

A little under 50 miles from the capital, Palermo, the resort of Cefalù (pronounced chef-a-loo if you want to blend in) is a marvellous mélange of sandy beaches, rugged coastline and medieval architecture. The Byzantine mosaics of the cathedral draw the crowds, while more intrepid visitors try the steep but rewarding climb to the summit of Rocca – stunning views being a big part of the reward.

Elsewhere in town, you can admire a variety of medieval buildings or spend time at the picturesque harbour. It’s easy to hop on a train to Palermo or, in summer, a boat to the volcanic archipelago that is the Aeolian Islands.

Architecturally and culturally, Palermo is well worth a visit – it’s home to Teatro Massimo, the third-largest opera house in Europe, and royal palace Palazzo dei Normanni. Busy street markets give the city a vibrant edge, and the choice of food, from pizza and pastries to fine dining, is second-to-none.

Prepare to be enchanted by Cefalù... Northern Sicily won’t disappoint you, and neither will The Cliff.

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