Enchanting seafront apartment in private villa for amateurs — Property 402281

tranquility of the real sicily

fizzio, Edinburgh, Scotland
Review Submitted: September 25, 2008, Date of stay: September, 2008

My husband and I recently spent a week in this lovely villa about 30 minutes drive from Catania/Syracuse. Catania market daily.

I cannot express sufficient praise for the warmth and hospitality of the owner Maria and her son Nando, both of whom speak English. They directed us and sent text via our mobile to the exact point to meet. We were met quite close to the apartment (easy to find area off the main road) and taken to the complex which is gated and requires a pass, which Maria provided for us.

The apartment is delightful, very spacious with a wrap around terrace, perfect for sitting out for breakfast lunch or dinner with the most magnificent view of the ocean. The lounge area was very comfortable and also interesting in its decor and collections from world travel. The kitchen was small but had all the facilities you need including a microwave. There were two spacious bedrooms and a good sized bathroom with shower. The house was spotlessly clean.

The ocean (rocky) can be reached by walking down a few steps near the apartment, but beaches for swimming or sunning are only 5 minutes drive away in Agnone Bagni. There is a great bread shop on your way to the beach which sells the "best" sandwiches, cold meats,etc. There is also a little shop on the complex itself which has very fresh produce and free range eggs, this lady also bakes her own bread with her oven fired by almond shells, the bread is out of this world!!!

It may seem off- putting to call this area a complex, but it is a area of houses and a few apartments near to the water which is gated and has a restaurant (closed when we were there in mid september) and the fabulous shop and bakery. It means that the area is exclusive and safe, but you do need a car.

In our two weeks of travelling around Sicily we never found any danger anywhere and the local Sicilians were delightful, especially our hosts.

Maria, the owner, and lives in the apartment downstairs was absolutely unobtrusive to our stay there, if she saw us sitting out she would regularly provide us with something freshly baked from her "laboratory" we jokingly called her kitchen. On arrival she sent up a lovely hot rice dish for which we were extremely grateful after our long drive across the island.

The food was wonderful, such a great memory, to taste real Sicilian fayre, and to have a glimpse into family life and so warmly welcomed. We felt very honoured. Thank you holiday rentals.

Owner's response:

We feel very honoured of our meeting with Theresa and Gils.
They are so lovely that we feel that they became friends of our heart in such a short period.
Our house will be always open for them with priority on each other.
We hope that we would see you again.
We are very proud to meet you.
Kisses from Sicily from all my family
Maria
(I hope that Nando translate exactly what I want to say,,,,;))))

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