The aristocratic country retreat
8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Hidden away on the historic 150-acre San Giuliano estate between Catania and Syracuse, Arbolí is an irresistible proposition for anyone in search of privacy, peace and the restful rhythms of life in the country. With views across infinite orange orchards to Mount Etna, and a timeless sense of place, this soulful 200-year-old home subtly combines original architectural features with all the 21st-century comforts you'll need for a carefree escape.
Looking to know more about Arbolì?
Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
Keyholder highlights
- Spectacular views of Mount Etna
- Unique setting in a historic estate
- Character-filled restoration
- Tranquillity and seclusion
- Breakfast service included
- 15 minutes from charming, seafront Brucoli
Gallery
A T-shaped pool, a shady palm tree, burnt orange walls and terracotta roofs: welcome to Arbolì.
The pool is perfectly aligned with the cone of Mount Etna rising on the horizon.
Arbolì's shady al fresco dining area seen from the kitchen.
A well-furnished al fresco sitting area on the main terrace.
Timeless elegance.
Includes
- Sole use of the villa and the grounds
- The support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
- The expertise of a dedicated local team to help you fine-tune the logistics of your trip and to plan a range of experiences, many of which are exclusive to The Thinking Traveller
- A Local Specialist, based near your villa, to assist you during your stay (between 9am and 7pm daily, with 24/7 emergency support)
- A comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
- An easy-to-use online holiday planner to keep all your booked experiences and services in one place, ensuring that nothing gets missed during your stay
- The ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
- All sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
- Access to our in-villa wine delivery service – choose from our handpicked menu of the best regional wines and find them waiting for you at your villa
- Daily cleaning (up to 3 hours a day), a mid-week linen change service, and breakfast preparation
Excludes
- Flights
- Car hire
- Transfers
- Meals (unless otherwise specified)
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The Area
Arbolì is located on a fertile plain midway between Catania and Siracusa, and around 6km from the Ionian coast.
The nearest beach is a 20-minute drive away at Brucoli, while others are to be found within a 45-minute drive, including those at Fontane Bianche and Arenella. Brucoli itself comes alive in the summer months and has a good selection of restaurants, bars, cafés, shops and other amenities gathered round its harbour.
Ancient, historic, delightful Syracuse is just 30 minutes' drive away to the south, and bustling Catania is a similar distance to the north.
Heading further south, easy day trips will take you to the baroque UNESCO World Heritage towns of Noto, Modica, and Ragusa, and to the pristine sandy beaches and turquoise waters of Vendicari Nature Reserve.
North of Catania, meanwhile is the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Taormina and mighty Mount Etna.
Brucoli (beach, restaurants and other amenities):
11.2km-7miles-15minsNearest shops:
Villasumundo -2.2km-1.4miles-5mins; or, for a better selection, Brucoli (see above)Siracusa:
38km-23.5miles-35minsBeaches (apart from the one at Brucoli):
Fontane Bianche - 49km-30.5miles-42mins; Arenella - 45km-28miles-45mins; Vendicari Nature Reserve - 70km-43miles-1hrCatania:
41km-25.5miles-45minsNoto:
64km-40miles-50minsModica:
103km-64miles-1hr05Ragusa:
115km-71miles-1hr20Mount Etna:
1hr - 2hr depending which part you go toLocal Experiences
Helicopter tours in East Sicily
A helicopter trip in Sicily over Etna and to the Aeolian Islands is a highly moving experience, enough to reduce grown men and women to tears! Book with us for a truly unforgettable addition to your Sicilian holiday.
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Wine tours on Mount Etna
Some of Italy’s finest wines are now being made on the flanks of Mount Etna. A new generation of Sicilian producers are realising the full potential of the mountain’s climate, its autochthonous grape varieties (NerelloMascalese - red - and Carricante - white), its ultra-fertile soil and its unique terroir. To discover just how the natural magic of the mountain combines with the perseverance and passion of man to create outstanding wines, let us arrange a chaufferued wine-tasting tour for you. A delicious lunch is included, so you’ll get a full experience of Etna’s gastronomic abundance.
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Private Guided tours in East Sicily
Sicily is, quite simply, one of the world’s most fascinating places, with a uniquely rich history, geography and cultural heritage. The Eastern side of the island has a seemingly endless variety of treasures to discover, from the architectural gems and culinary delights of the main towns, to UNESCO Heritage sites, to the geological phenomena and breath-taking landscapes of Mount Etna.Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
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Culinary experiences in East Sicily
From the bounty of Mount Etna to the fish-rich sea below, the Ionian Riviera is home to a host of gastronomic delights. Our culinary experiences in the area will give you the knowledge and the skills to recreate some of eastern Sicily's best-known dishes.
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Private guided tours in Southeast Sicily
The southeastern tip of Sicily is home to mile after mile of largely unspoilt sandybeaches and an impressive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica, the towns ofthe Val di Noto, and Villa Romana del Casale.
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Culinary experiences in Southeast Sicily
The southeast of Sicily is famed for its superb tomatoes, cheeses, meat, olive oil, vegetables and seafood. Our culinary experiences in the area will enable you to transform these exquisite ingredients into some of southeast Sicily's most celebrated dishes.
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Private boat charters in Southeast Sicily
From here until the southeasternmost tip of Sicily, the coastline is an uninterrupted stretch of sandy beach, dotted with picturesque little resort towns, including Punta Secca (Inspector Montalbano's home), Marina di Ragusa, Donnalucata, Cava d'Aliga, Sampieri and Marina di Modica. The last strip, made up of several miles of dunes, is where the Allied forces landed in the 2nd World War. At the southernmost tip of Sicily is Isola Delle Correnti, offering an almost African scenario. Indeed, here we are considerably further south than Tunis.Just around the southeastern tip and heading north up the east coast, are the beaches of Marzamemi, San Lorenzo and Vendicari Nature Reserve. The reserve's salt water lagoons and varieties of flora offer the ideal habitat for a wide range of fauna, including nesting turtles and migrating flamingos.Continuing up the east coast, between Vendicari and the historic Greek town of Syracuse, are the popular sandy beaches of Marina di Noto, Calabernado, Marina di Avola, Gelsomineto, Fontane Bianche and Arenella.
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In villa experiences
We are here to assist you in creating unforgettable memories during your stay at the villa. Allow us to pamper you and make the most of your time there.
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Private boat charters in East Sicily
The coastline between Taormina and Catania is one of the most dramatic and idyllic in Sicily, thanks to its sandy-pebbly coves, its sea stacks and its transparent waters. The best way to explore it is by boat, and we can arrange a wide variety of full-day, half-day and sunset trips. From your port of departure, you'll head to the lovely fishing villages dotting the coast, such as Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, before sailing north towards the Bay of Giardini Naxos below Capo Taormina. Once there, your skipper will drop anchor so that you can enjoy an unforgettable swim under the awesome gaze of Mount Etna. If you can tear yourselves away from this majestic setting, your trip will continue north to the gorgeous Bay of Isola Bella, one of Sicily's most evocative and picturesque sections of coastline, where lush vegetation imbues the brilliant blue water of the Grotta Azzurra with an emerald green hue.
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Wine tastings in Southeast Sicily
Nero D’Avola, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Frappato, Syrah and Moscato Bianco are just a few of the grape varieties cultivated in the Noto area, and we heartily recommend a vineyard visit during your stay. We know the right people and the most prestigious wineries in the area, and we’d be delighted to arrange a chauffeured wine tasting tour with lunch for you.
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