VILLA SANTA LUCIA ref SY31
NUNZIATA - MASCALI

This property is located in a very beautiful position overlooking the splendid seaside resort of Riposto.

From the terrace, equipped with garden furniture, it is possible to view the spectacular Mount Etna with its unique vegetation..

The house offers the tranquility of the countryside and from there, guests can easily reach the towns of taormina, Acireale and Catania, to explore their history and culture. The small town of Puntalazzo is approximately 3km away for shoping and immediate needs. The sea is not far only 15 minutes drive away.

SLEEPS: 6

At the entrance there is a very comfortable living room with TV. One double bedded room (one has TV B/W) and two twin rooms are available. The kitchen is very simple but well furnished with fridge/freezer, oven etc. The bathroom has WC with shower. There is also a toilette with a washing machine.

There is a table tennis table and three bikes for use by clients which enable interesting rides to discover the natural beauty of the area.

There is a parking space and barbecue.

PALMA ref SY16
CONTINELLA FIUMEFREDDO

These two terraced houses are located on a very large horticultural garden growing palms and exotic shrubs for export – very quiet and are adjacent to the managers house. The two houses share a huge terrace and a stone built barbecue and sink complete with Pizza oven and the caretaker is happy to demonstrate how it can be fired up.

The town of Fiumefreddo is quite near and the sea and beaches about 2km distance. Just 200 yards away is Schiavi Castle where the “Godfather” movie was filmed.

PALMA I

SLEEPS 2/3

Quite a lot of room for just two – having a large living room and combined kitchen which has marbled surfaces. Only offers two hot rings for cooking and no oven although it does have a microwave and a fridge freezer. Stairs lead to a mezzanine floor which has a double bed. Single bed available in the lounge. One large bathroom with bath shower over and WC. Air conditioned.

PALMA II

SLEEPS 2/3

Slightly smaller than Palma I and has kitchen with two hot rings microwave oven and fridge freezer – mezzanine floor over looking lounge with twin beds. Separate double bedroom. Bathroom with shower WC – no air conditioning in this unit.

DISTANCES: Riposto: 1.5km
Giarre: 3 km
Catania: 30 km
Taormina: 30 km

VILLA CETTINA ref SY21
CARRUBBA - RIPOSTO (CT) (sleeps 8)

A huge 17th century farmhouse in the centre of 60 acres of fruit and olive trees. The driveway is flanked by peach and fig trees, and a wide variety of semi tropical flowers and shrubs. Despite its size, this house is moderately furnished with a huge lounge containing lots of easy chairs overlooking a huge olive oil press – now just an ornament, and rather oversized!

The caretaker and his wife who live on the ground floor and oversee the grounds and swimming pool. All the rented accommodation is on the first floor.

A grand staircase leads to the first floor and into a combined dining and living area of about 30 ft x 20 ft. From the terrace there is a distant sea view. Good sized kitchen which offers four hot rings, a large oven, microwave and fridge freezer; the kitchen door opens on to a balcony that extends around most of the property.

There are four bedrooms. The master has twin beds and en suite bathroom with shower, WC and washbasin. Double room with frescoed ceilings, doors to the balcony, en suite bathroom with WC and twin handbasins. Two twin bedrooms (one with a piano), both with doors onto a terrace. A third bathroom contains a shower and WC.

The villa has a large swimming pool, surrounded by magnolia trees and there are several shady seating areas to enjoy a drink or to read.

The nearest village Carruba has a few shops and is just 1km away, and the larger town of Giarre (5km) is better for restaurants, bars and more generous shopping expeditions; it also has an impressive Duomo or cathedral. Nearest beaches are 16km away at Giardini Naxo, the Etna National Park is 12km drive, and the fishing port of Riposto is worth a visit 7km away.

MARINA VERDE ref SY23
FIUMEFREDDO

SLEEPS: 2 (+2)

One of three apartments that are in this very green and pleasant location, being about 5km from shops and Riposto harbour and beaches, and about 2km from the nearest restaurants.

We liked the well furnished and decorated apartments which include one on the ground floor, and the others at first floor level with a large terrace and sea views. Ideal for a couple or small family, they are good quality and have some superb facilities; a huge swimming pool and childrens pool, a tennis court, and just 100 metres from a sandy beach (you do need to cross a road to get to it).

The lounge has a double sofa bed, there’s a well appointed kitchenette with four hot plates, oven and washing machine, one separate double bedroom, and a bathroom with shower, WC and washbasin.

Not a lot of room, but air conditioned with a good sized balcony with patio furniture, and in a very natural setting.

DISTANCES: Speedway: 3km Beach: 150 m
Giarre: 2km; Mascali: 1km;
Taormina: 15km; Catania: 31km.

COTTAGE DELLE ROSA ref SY30
VALVERDE

Secluded in a pretty garden this delightful cottage is in an enclosed garden of mature lemon and apricot trees. It has a large, covered terrace with a stone - built barbecue, sink and is nicely furnished to form an outdoor dining room. The interior too is pleasantly and comfortably furnished.

So hidden away, it doesn't have a view but the location is unrivalled.

Valverde is a little town 11km from Catania and only 5km from Acireale, situated on the south - east slopes of Mount Etna and not far from the coast. Acireale meanwhile, occupies a flat stretch of lava, (or as it is known today - the lemon Riviera) high above the sea and was founded around the 14th century. Here is the Baroque church of San Sebastiano, the Neo Gothic façade to the cathedral and it is also a thermal town. It is one of the most important centres for the puppet theatre which still survives even if only for tourists.

Driving east is Taormina and Messina, westwards beyond Catania and Siracusa and Ragusa. And Palermo is scarcely more than two hours' drive away.

SLEEPS 4

From the terrace, entrance is into a sitting room with a fireplace. The kitchen has a cooking hob, fridge/freezer and washing machine. One double - bed room with en suite bathroom WC etc., and one twin - bedded room also having an en - suite shower room and WC.

DISTANCES: Seaside: 7km
Taormina: 40km
Catania: 4km

VILLA CALABRO ref SY101
MOUNT ETNA Sleeps 8

Large detached house on the lower slopes of Mount Etna with a distant view of the sea below, surrounded by open countryside and within 50 yards of other houses. The nearest village for provisions is just 3km away, and the beaches and harbour of Riposto are about 8km.

The house offers a large above ground filtered swimming pool in the grounds, behind which are quite private with woodlands above. There’s also a large barbecue area with a pizza oven – great for outdoor dining.

The accommodation is on the first and second floors, and although the owner has the ground floor, he never lives there when the house is rented. First floor entrance to a spacious and well furnished living room, separate kitchen with four cooking rings, oven, fridge freezer and washing machine, and one double bedroom with en suite bathroom with shower and WC. Stairs lead to the top floor where the all - round balcony offers great views; there’s a second double bedroom, two twin bedrooms and a second bathroom with shower and WC.

Good quality, well away from neighbours, quiet and with great views – what more could you ask for!

VILLA ANNA ref SY102
MOUNT ETNA (sleeps 4 + baby)

Lovely detached house not far from Villa Calabro, with its own acres of vineyards, and amidst orange and olive trees with distant views of the sea and Riposto. Comfortably furnished, we would recommend this house for its countryside setting without near neighbours, and its lovely views. Outside there is a stone barbecue and lots of stand water pipes which children can enjoy playing with a hose to cool down.

The ground floor has a pretty lounge with easy chairs and an open fireplace; there’s a ‘baby football’ machine and table tennis for the kids. The separate kitchen has a washing machine, pizza oven, four cooking rings, oven and fridge freezer. Downstairs WC.

Upstairs is a large landing with a cot if required, one double bedroom and two large single bedrooms. All have access onto a large balcony. One bathroom with boxed shower, WC and washbasin.

Good quality with lots of space, inexpensive and in a tranquil location. Nearest village and shops in Sant Alfio, Taormina is 40km drive, and Riposto harbour and beaches are 12km.

LA CANTINA ref SY104
MOUNT ETNA Sleeps 4+2

A lovely detached cottage in a vineyard of some 50 acres, locked away behind a huge courtyard which gives a different impression once you have entered through the tall, austere gates. Set in a grassed garden with views towards the hills and vineyards, there is a small above ground swimming pool, 25 ft x 25 ft, ideal for children over 8 years (access is not easy).

The original wine cellars which are adjacent, contain vast oak blending barrels, rising up to 15 ft high. No longer in use, but a testimony of barrel making craftsmanship. The vineyard owner lives in an adjacent house in the grounds from mid July to mid September.

Ideal situation in this fine countryside setting, yet only 250 yards walk to the large village of Linera which offers shops, chemist, bank and a coffee bar (but no restaurant).

The cottage has a large dining/living room with easy chairs and TV (Italian programmes), and a double sized sofa bed if required. There are two bedrooms, each with a double bed and an extra single bed is available. The kitchen has four hot rings, oven, fridge freezer and food blender. One full bathroom with shower and WC, plus a second WC.

Outside is a lovely terrace with a hard stone barbecue, garden furniture and table tennis table.

VILLA NUNZIANTINA ref SY105
MOUNT ETNA (sleeps 5/6)

Wonderful position on the lower slopes of Mount Etna with wide panoramic views of the sea and countryside. Firstly let us say that this house is not advisable for the very young (drop of about 3 ft from terrace to garden – no railings) and an interior circular staircase could make difficulties for the elderly. However, it is a very charming house surrounded by woodlands and well away from neighbours.

Nearest shops are at Nunziata (2km), whilst the sea and harbour of Riposto is 8km away.

This detached property has a colourful dining/living room with French windows leading to a large terrace and an archway leads to a well equipped kitchen with four hot rings, oven fridge freezer, and a small laundry room with washing machine. One double bedroom and a downstairs bathroom with shower and WC.

An interior circular staircase leads to the attic level with a large landing area. Off the landing is a single bedroom and a third double bedroom; and a small terrace at each end. An additional single bed is available on the ground floor if required.

Note: Water pressure is low and hot water can be erratic, so clients may have to take a 10 minute time lag between showers.

VILLA DEI LEONE ref SY106
MOUNT ETNA (sleeps 2/4)

Originally constructed for the Manager of what was one a vast citrus fruit plantation in the 17th century, it has now been remodelled to offer a large apartment on the top floor for the present owner and three smaller apartments on the ground floor. They share a good sized swimming pool and views from a terrace across the valley which still contains lemon trees.

The apartments are simply furnished and could do with more than two hot rings in the kitchen, but for people not looking to cook too much the apartments are large and have a lovely location to enjoy and a super pool.

You need to take only a short walk down the manor drive to select from several restaurants and pizzerias and a 10 minute wander finds a rocky beach and a clear blue sea. Giarre and Riposto are only a 5 minute drive away.

Apartment Palma (sleeps 2): A really huge room with a vaulted ceiling so high that the wall built between the living room and bedroom does not meet the ceiling height. Kitchen area in the living room has just two hot rings (no oven) and a fridge freezer. Divided bedroom with a double bed. Bathroom with shower WC and wash basin.

Apartment Alloro (sleeps 2): On two levels – the ground floor has a combined living room and kitchen with two hot rings, fridge freezer and internal stairs lead to a separate double bedroom.

Apartment Limoni (sleeps 4): Living room with a side kitchen which has four hot rings (no oven) and a fridge freezer – separate sitting room with full length arched windows having views of Mount Etna. Downstairs WC and wash basin. Stairs to first floor – two bedrooms each with a double bed and shower room with second WC.

CASA ROBERTA ref SY107
near RIPOSTO (sleeps 6)

Looking for a beach house? Then this terraced casa should suit with a secure gate that leads directly onto a fine if rather grey coloured sand beach.

From the street outside the house is hardly handsome – but inside like so many Italian homes it is impressive with a double staircase leading from the lounge and French windows directly on to the terrace.

The only drawback is that the property fronts directly onto the road but only in August would this cause any parking problems.

Downstairs it has a huge living room open plan style and a good sized kitchen with fridge, dishwasher, four hot rings etc. French windows to terrace and secured gate to the beach.

Upstairs, are three bedrooms – one with double bed and two twin rooms. Two bathrooms – one with bath WC and the other with shower WC.

Additional features TV, washing machine and a surfboard can be hired along with a cot.