Sicily`s ten most beautiful places
By Joanne Lane If you wanted to go to Europe over the Christmas break but were turned off by the thought of the cold then think again. Sicily has a moderate Mediterranean winter and its incredible array of fresh seafood, glorious beaches, smoking volcanoes, friendly people and incredible historic relics and architecture are just some of its attractions. It also has an amazing collection of white washed villas, rustic old farmhouses and sun kissed hotels. So book your holiday now to discover the true "bella vita" of Italy`s deep south. You may also discover some fantastic deals over the winter. The writer Joanne Lane spent some time in Sicily researching the fourth edition of Alastair Sawday`s Special Places to Stay and highlights her top ten accommodation choices. 1. Villa Ducale, Taormina
Doctor Quartucci and his wife have created a masterpiece out of his family`s former residence. An amazing terrace with a vista of the volcano Etna provides an incredible back for the best breakfast spread you will find in Sicily with cakes, quiches, fruits, cheeses and juices. Flowers and ceramics spill from pots, alcoves, nooks and crannies around the hotel adding colour to the comfortable rooms. The bedspreads are locally made, the wardrobes hand painted and the terracotta tiles give the place an earthy grounded feel. Taormina is famed for its views of the volcano, an old Greek theatre, stunning sea views and access to good beaches. Villa Ducale
Via L da Vinci 60, Taormina
tel. +39 0942 28153
fax. +39 0942 28710
www.villaducale.com
villaducale@tao.it
rooms: 13 doubles
price: doubles €160-250 2. Locanda Don Serafino
The La Rosa family first became noted in Sicily for their restaurant of the same name in the baroque centre of Ragusa Ibla. They have since converted a 19th century mansion into a tasteful hotel with ten elegant and comfortable rooms. Some of the rooms are actually cut into the rock of the hillside. Ragusa Ibla is inscribed in Unesco`s World Heritage List and is a gorgeous town with narrow, torturously steep streets piled onto a hillside 20km from the seaside. Those familiar with the Sicilian cop show Montalbano will also recognise some of the film locations in the town. The perfect end to a day of sightseeing is to return to Ragusa Ibla and the Locanda Don Serafino restaurant where black tie waiters serve mouth watering regional specialities by candlelight. Select a wine from the family`s cantina (cellar). The restaurant is part of Le Soste di Ulisse which lists renowned restaurants in Sicily. A full meal will cost a minimum of 50 a head. Locanda Don Serafino
Via XI Febbraio 15, 97100
Ragusa Ibla - Ragusa
tel. +39 0932 220065
fax. +39 0932 663186
www.locandadonserafino.it
info@locandadonserafino.it
rooms: 10
price: doubles €117-150 3. Eremo della Giubiliana
There`s a feeling of real history between the old "baglio" or thick stone walls of the Eremo. The knights in coats of armour, family crest of the aristocratic family owners and the towers that were once used as a lookout for pirate raids are authentic and have been painstakingly restored. Blended with gardens brimming with bougainvilleas, outdoor eating areas and a spacious swimming pool it`s peaceful, elegant and relaxing. This place was once a 16th century convent before the Nifosi family bought it in the 18th Century. The family now provide rooms and cottages, suites in the old towers, walking itineraries, mountain bikes, horse riding opportunities and even flights at their own airfield. This part of Sicily is known for its dry-stone walls and baroque towns. It is well located for beach access or trips to Ragusa, Siracusa, Noto, Agrigento and Taormina. Ctr. Giubiliana, S.P. per Marina di Ragusa km 7,5
D.F. - Viale Leonardo da Vinci, 24
97100 RAGUSA
Tel. + 39 0932 669119
Fax + 39 0932 669129
info@eremodellagiubiliana.it
www.eremodellagiubiliana.it
price: from €490 for three night stay and half board, weekly rates from €900 for six nights in a double room with full board 4. Baglio della Luna
Ignazio Alteri first developed a passion for the Baglio della Luna when he was 18. A quarter of a century later he finally bought the derelict tower and buildings and transformed them into a marvellous rather egocentric creation in the best of ways. Note his interest in antiques and ceramics with a wonderful collection of oddities - a confession box, antique cupboards and chests-of-drawers with hidden compartments, and fabulous armchairs to sink into. Sicilian ceramics are a feature everywhere and outside a blossoming Mediterranean garden. The Michelin star restaurant on site, `Il Dehors`, offers an out of this world dining experience with a vista of the Valley of Temples. The Temples are lit up at night and are what make Agrigento famous and a must on everyone`s Sicily roadmap. Foresteria Baglio della Luna
C.da Maddalusa S.S. 640, Km 4, 150
Valle de` Templi - 92100 Agrigento, Italy
Tel. +39 0922 511061, 511335
Fax. +39 0922 598802
info@bagliodellaluna.com, receptionbaglio@libero.it
www.bagliodellaluna.com
rooms: 22 rooms, 3 suites
price: doubles €245 5. Hotel Elimo
Carmelo and his wife Erina are the finishing touches on a wonderfully located hotel in the historic centre of the medieval hilltop town of Erice. Carmelo Titolla`s family once resided in this hotel that in past lives was also a medieval arms school. Carmelo opened his family home and extends an incredibly long arm of hospitality to his guests. He cooks in the restaurant (with views down to the saltpans of Trapani) and is the omni-present host usually to be found during the day at his chair in the garden drinking coffee with guests. His moustache, conversation and affability are just part of the charm, plus his amazing collection of travel memorabilia from journeys around the world. The Hotel Elimo has 21 rooms all en-suite, each with names that echo Greek myths, like the room of "Policaone", king of Erice, the room of "Anchise", father of Enea, the room of "Elimo", the first inhabitant of Erice or of "Dedalus", the famous Greek architect. Erice is a stepping stone to Trapani, the Egadi islands and local beaches. Hotel Elimo
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 75
Erice - Trapani
rooms: 2 singles, 17 doubles, 2 suites, 1 apartment
Prices: Doubles €145-180
www.elimohotel.com
info@hotelelimo.it
Tel. +39 0923 869377
Fax. +39 0923 869252 6. Zubebi Resort
Friendly hosts Patricia and Alfredo fell in love with Pantelleria on a holiday from their home in the north of Italy. The result was the Zubebi, named after the "Zbib" a term that the Arabs used to describe a variety of grape known today as Zibibbo. The resort sits on 2.5 hectares of land on hills that overlook the town of Pantelleria. The traditionally styled "dammusi" or outlying houses feature a traditional design. The rooves are shaped like cupolas to catch rainwater and each has self catering facilities and rooms built into cool rock with names like Gadir, Siba, Zighidi and Khamma. Outside is a half-moon shaped swimming pool under palm trees with a view down to the sea. Patricia and Alfredo offer week long rentals only. Join them for dinner at night in the courtyard restaurant for fresh seafood and fine wines. Ustica and Siremar lines depart for Pantelleria from Mazara del Vallo and Trapani. Alternatively flights land on the island from Palermo. Zubebi Resort
Contrada Zubebi, Pantelleria
Tel. +39.0923.913653
www.zubebi.it
info@zubeb.it
Rooms: 8 (2 x 2 person apartments, 6 x 3/4 person apartments)
Prices: weekly rental only, prices vary according to the season, half board is an additional €30 per person per day 7. Relais Santa Anastasia
From the swimming pool of the Relais you can glimpse the sea over an unbroken view of yellowing vineyards. This old abbey was once run by hard working and hospitable monks. It has now been restored into a five star luxury hotel with the surrounding grounds under cultivation producing well known wines of the same label. Sip them by the pool or in the evening as you dine in the hotel restaurant La Corte dell`Abate. The elegant buildings include an old chapel, a handsome courtyard, and various lounges and a piano bar. The Relais is a stepping stone to the charming seaside town of Cefalu or into the mountains past Castelbuono. There are excellent walking trails in the region, horse riding opportunities and wine tasting. Relais Santa Anastasia
Contrada Santa Anastasia - 90013 Castelbuono (Palermo)
tel. +39 0921 672233
fax. + 39 0921 672288
info@santa-anastasia-relais.it
www.santa-anastasia-relais.it
rooms: 28 (3 singles, 2 Grand Suite, 1 Junior Suite, 12 twins,
9 doubles, 1 double "H")
prices: €176-203 doubles 8. Limoneto
This agriturismo (working farm) features old fashioned hospitality at its Sicilian best. Adelina and her husband Alceste make their guests effortlessly welcome from your first moments when their dogs meet you as you pull in past the lemon groves, vineyard and olive trees. The rooms are simple and straightforward but the rural atmosphere is ensnaring. Take in Siracusa`s delights during the day but make sure you come back to walk the dogs in the evening or stroll the grounds. The farm`s produce finds its way to the table - figs plucked from the garden in the morning and fresh vegetables in the evening. You will also be joined by your hosts at dinner at tables in the courtyard. Via del Platano 3, Siracuse
tel. + 39 0931 717352
fax. + 39 0931 717728
Closed 15 November - 15 December
www.emmeti.it/Limoneto
limoneto@tin.it
8 rooms: 2 doubles, 3 triples, 3 family.
price: €80-€90 with breakfast. Singles €58. Family rooms from €125. Minimum 3 night stay.
meals: Sunday lunch (except July & August) €18. Dinner €18, on request. 9. Agriturismo Gigliotto
The affable Elio Savoca, his wife Laura and their friendly children have completely renovated this formerly rundown farmhouse and have turned its 300 hectares into arable land producing cereals, grains, wine and oil and offering opportunities to watch the harvests, walk, ride horses or relax by the accompanying pool with its panoramic views. The farmhouse is an ancient monastery of the 1300s and the 14 rooms lie around the courtyard and dining room. Gigliotto is fantastically located for visiting Piazza Armerina and its world famous Roman mosaics just a few kilometres away. Visitors could also easily visit Caltagirone, Morgantina, Noto, Ragusa Ibla, Taormina, Agrigento and Siracusa. Agriturismo Gigliotto
c.da Gigliotto s.s. 117 bis km 60
S. Michele di Gazaria
Piazza Armerina (EN)
Tel. and fax. +39 0933 970898, +39 335 8380324, +39 337 889052
gigliotto@gigliotto.com
www.gigliotto.com
rooms: 14
prices: €40-45 per person bed and breakfast, half pension €60-65 pp, full pension €80-85 pp 10. Gangi Vecchio
The Tornabene family took over the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria dell`Annunziata in 1856 and recently transformed it into a holiday spot with an award winning restaurant in the western wing and a comfortable inn in the old stables. Just four kilometres from the small town of Gangi in the Madonie mountains, Gangivecchio enjoys a quiet spot amongst the trees offering guests an opportunity to enjoy nature, trek locally, go mountain bike riding or simply relax by the swimming pool. Paolo and his partner Alda run the inn offering simple well appointed rooms and will probably offer you home made jam as a farewell present. They offer a bed and breakfast arrangement and half board with an evening meal. The restaurant next door is lunch time only and run by Paolo`s sister Giovanna and their mother Wanda. The renowned pair have produced award winning cookbooks and international groups come here for cooking classes and meals. Tenuta Gangivecchio Farm house resort
Contrada Gangi Vecchio, 90024 Gangi (PA)
Tel. +39 0921 644804, 689191
Fax. +39 0921 689191
paolotornabene@interfree.it
rooms: 8
prices: €57 with breakfast and dinner including wine GETTING THERE
Cathay Pacific, Malaysian Airlines and Qantas have combinations that will get you to Italy. Contact your travel agent for details. To get to Sicily from the United Kingdom the Italian national airline Alitalia departs from London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester and Newcastle to Catania or Palermo in Sicily. To get to Sicily from the United States the Italian national airline Alitalia departs from numerous centres across the country to Catania or Palermo in Sicily. Alternatively internal airlines service Sicily from major cities like Rome and Milan. Try AirOne www.flyairone.it or Azzurra Air www.azzurraair.it BOOK HERE
|
