Le Dimore dell'Etna

Set amidst a landscape of sprawling olive and citrus groves and vineyards, the estate itself covers a large area of well-maintained gardens, paths and ponds, interspersed with sheltered shady furnished corners and scattered with ancient stone benches amidst clusters of rose bushes and pine trees. There is also a kitchen garden. There are several areas where you can eat leisurely meals outside, as well as a picturesque barbecue area with a dining table.

The villa consists of a main house and five wooden cottages. A sixth cottage is a gym facility, containing a range of exercise equipment. The gym is also equipped with a bathroom. There is a large heated, saltwater pool, surrounded by a paved area with deckchairs and adjacent jacuzzi, situated alongside the villa. Close by, there's a four-seater sauna and outdoor shower.

A separate restored farm house, with a large sitting room with dining area and a country-style kitchen with wood-burning oven, provides a lovely communal living and dining space for large groups, with a convertible pool table. The basement of the farmhouse is a wine cellar where the owner keeps the homemade wine that he sells. Lovers of sport will be happy due to the villa's own private tennis court.

The main villa is on two floors. Downstairs, there is a large country-style living room with a fabulous floor-to-ceiling glass wall that overlooks the garden. Still on the ground floor, the rustic kitchen is furnished with a table and chairs, and leads out to a large covered veranda. Upstairs, the large master bedroom has a beautiful beamed ceiling and wood floor, an ensuite bathroom and private terrace. There is also a second double bedroom and a twin, which share a bathroom with shower.

The five timber-clad single-storey cottages are behind the pool area, with a large shared patio, and each comprising one double bedroom and a bathroom with hydro-jet shower. One of the cottages is a triple.

Beaches

Take a trip to Taormina and visit the beautiful Isola Bella beach. Found right below the town, this beach is simply stunning, with pebbles and clear waters. Spend a carefree, chic beach day here! Catania's beach, La Playa, is a good choice if you want a large sandy beach with the choice of lidos with sunloungers, or free areas. Giardini Naxos is a small coastal town that now has amazing bars and seafront restaurants and a charming beach. Letojanni and Santa Teresa di Riva are also excellent beaches in the area with everything you could need for a fun beach day in Sicily. 

Towns & Sights 

Taormina has charmed visitors for centuries, and it is clear to see why. With its sea views, gorgeous town centre, stylish boutique, and historic sights, Taormina is a stylish choice for a day trip. The local towns on Mount Etna’s foothills also are worth visiting for their traditional atmospheres. Choose from Trecastagni, Milo, or Nicolosi. Film buffs will love Savoca and Forza d’Agrò as they were filming locations in The Godfather films. You should also visit Catania – Sicily’s second city – for its vibrant atmosphere, and the Riviera dei Ciclopi for its stunning coastline and authentic towns like Aci Trezza and Acireale. 

Activities 

Etna is the home to a fantastic range of extra experiences that really enhance your holiday in east Sicily. Book a wine tour in a winery on the foothills, and learn how wine is made, and then taste the local vintages. Or arrange a jeep tour up to the summit of the volcano. A Street Food tour in Catania is also a great option for foodies who also want to get to know the city. If you don’t want to leave the villa, you can organise an in-villa cook service, a cookery lesson, or even a pastry-making lesson. What could be better?