When we say this villa blends in with its leafy green surroundings, we mean it. A facade coated in ivy, it sits against a backdrop of towering ancient trees atop a hill on the Sicilian coast. The view from the infinity-edge swimming pool is simply stunning – looking out over the dramatic Sicilian coastline as the Mediterranean stretches before you. Wandering the terraced gardens is like the perambulations of yesteryear when glorious villas were flanked by cypress trees and the sea air was a cure-all. Wending your way beneath rose-covered archways, you’ll find the lounge terrace with plush furniture for tipples outdoors. Inside, you can feel the fact that this place was built in the 19th century. The hand-painted tiled floor and twisting vines on the walls of the vast dining room are a testament to that. There are a number of grand reception rooms and lounges to choose from, giving the group plenty of space to spread out. Each piece of dark wood furniture, gilded book and upholstered armchair feels like an antique carefully selected. An upright piano in the main lounge really sets the scene. Bedrooms are odes to the old world, with vintage gramophones and lacquered dressers and wardrobes. Some come with Jacuzzi tubs in their ensuites. The best bit is, this villa is just a fifteen-minute stroll from the courtyard restaurants, hidden cocktails bars and buzzing nightlife of Taormina, yet you can retreat to the peace and quiet of the coast once you’re done exploring.

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Additional fees

• Your host can help arrange a variety of extra services during your stay, including massages and beauty treatments, wine tours, laundry and dry cleaning, fridge fills, restaurant reservations, private chefs, daily cleaning airport transfers, and car hire

• There may be some extra fees to pay here, such as charges for utilities, final cleaning fees, city tax and security deposits – all of which you may need to pay in cash to the homeowner. Please reach out during the booking process to confirm.

Additional fees subject to a 3.5% handling charge.