In the vineyards
6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Nestling in the vineyards that so characterise the Menfi area, Arete offers guests contemporary yet practical accommodation, a warm, welcoming ambience and a pure Mediterranean lifestyle. With an irresistible infinity pool to chill by and a host of sublime sandy beaches, picturesque towns and fascinating archaeological sites on your doorstep, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Speak to our experts
For expert advice on this villa, things to do in the area, or to discuss how we can make your stay truly bespoke, call our Villa Specialists today. We are open every day of the week, weekends included.
Keyholder highlights
- Restful sea and vineyard views
- Easy walk to a restaurant
- Cool, easy contemporary design
Gallery
Arete's tempting infinity pool with its views out over the surrounding vineyards to the sea.
Sun loungers lined up by the pool.
Arete seen from across the pool.
The shady al fresco dining area all set up for lunch.
The al fresco sitting area with its far-reaching vineyard views.
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The Area
Some of Sicily's best beaches run along the coast between Mazara del Vallo and Agrigento and many of these, including the ones at the Belice Nature Reserve, Porto Palo and Menfi, are just a few minutes drive from Arete.
Not to be missed is the superb archaeological site of Selinunte and the Cave di Cusa, followed, maybe, by a superb lunch or dinner at the seafront restaurant La Pineta in the Belice Nature Reserve). Several of the towns nearby are also well worth a visit. Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo both have charming old centres, some great restaurants and working ports with large fishing fleets that work the Mediterranean daily. A little further afield but still in easy day-trip distance are Marsala, Trapani and Erice. Caltabellotta is spectacularly situated in the craggy hills overlooking both coast and interior, while Menfi itself is an up-and-coming centre of excellence for the wine trade.
The beaches in the area of Porto Palo-Menfi have received 20 consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.
Cycling in the Menfi area is a very pleasurable pastime, thanks to both the quiet back roads and the purpose-built cycle track along and around the old railway line between Menfi, Porto Palo and Sciacca. We’d be delighted to have bikes delivered to your villa and, if anyone in your group is an inveterate pedaller, arrange for a local guide to show them the best routes.
Trapani airport:
108km-67miles-1hr20Palermo airport:
102km-61miles-1hr30Catania airport:
249km-154miles-3hr30Comiso airport:
195km-120miles-3hrSandy beach:
5-10mins drive at Porto Palo, Lido Fiori or the the Belice Nature ReserveNearest shops and amenities:
Menfi, 6km-4miles-10mins or Castelvetrano, 19km-12-25minsNearest restaurants:
Planeta's La Foresteria restaurant is a 2min drive away. Others are within a 5-10 minute drive on the way to and in Porto PaloCycle path:
700m-4min to asphalted road. Then 1.2km-0.7miles-6mins to cycling pathSciacca:
30km-19miles-30minsSelinunte:
14km-9miles-25minsAgrigento:
88km-55miles-1hr20Local Experiences
Culinary experiences in Western Sicily
Every civilisation that dominated Sicily was inspired by the produce this fertile land offers. In western Sicily it was the Arabs, French and Spanish who shaped the roots of the local culinary tradition, that went on to develop throughout the centuries into the unique, rich and eclectic specialities we find there today.
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Private boat charters in West Sicily
Transparent waters lap dramatic, time-scarred sea stacks and weather-beaten cliffs, home to tumbling prickly pear trees and 16th and 17th-century watch towers. The old tonnara (a tuna fishing hub) is set evocatively between the cliffs, and a little time spent snorkelling here will be time well spent indeed. Then it’s off again, sweeping through the limpid waters of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, whose towering mountains rise majestically from the sea. Idyllic pebbly coves break up the sheer rocky masses, and before you know it you’ll be rounding the headland and sailing west to Sicily’s most northwesterly town, the fishing village and seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo, renowned for its golden sands, electric blue waters, and delicious fish couscous.
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Private guided tours in West Sicily
From first glance, it would seem that the Saracen and Norman rulers of Sicily could have had very little in common. The former had arrived from North Africa and were part of the Golden Age of Arab civilisation that had made such huge strides in the fields of mathematics, economics, agriculture, science, poetry, and architecture. The latter were an offshoot of the Vikings from the frozen north of Europe, adventurers and hardened warriors.When the Normans ousted the Saracen forces in 1090, however, there was no obliteration of all things Arabic. Indeed, the men from the north were hugely impressed by what they found, and rather than destroying Arabic culture, they embraced it. Many institutions were retained, Islam was tolerated, and Saracen landowners were allowed to keep their estates. North African habits were adopted by many Normans as they acclimatised to life in the middle of the Mediterranean. Souks prospered, cool Arabic courtyards were de rigueur, and many Normans, including some of the sovereigns themselves, lived more like Emirs than knights. Where the fusion of cultures really stood out, however, was in the architecture.
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Private Guided Tours in Southwest Sicily
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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Beach clubs in Southwest Sicily
The southern coast of Sicily is a broken line of sandy beaches and cliffs, dotted with the remains of Greek colonies such as Selinunte and Agrigento, and the odd modern metropolis. In the southwest are the seaside towns of Porto Palo di Menfi and Sciacca, with its large fishing fleet, the coastal nature reserves of Foce del Belice, Foce del Platani and Torre Salsa, all with gorgeous unspoilt beaches, and the historic site of Eraclea Minoa, which boasts a long expanse of sand flanked by fragrant pine woods. Also along this section of coast are the bright white chalk cliffs and bathing area of the Scala dei Turchi.
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Wine tastings in Southwest Sicily
The triangle of Menfi, Marsala and Sciacca is one of the oldest outpost for wine production in Sicily thanks to the versatile and mite climate created by the sea breeze coming from the coast. Some of the most important Sicilian indigenous grapes, such as Grillo and Inzolia were born here and throughout the centuries have been wisely combined to produce among the most popular wines of the region. If you want to start exploring Sicilian wine you should probably start here, and we would be pleased to help.
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Bike rental
Menfi, that haven of vineyard-carpeted hills sloping down to crystalline-sea-lapped sandy beaches, has redefined the term “riding the rails”. Where a narrow gauge freight railway once ran, connecting Sciacca, Menfi and Porto Palo, there are now 20km of cycle paths, allowing locals and visitors alike to pedal (or run) through the area’s gorgeous landscapes without worrying about traffic. It’s an ideal way to discover the area and you can even stop off for a swim in the waters of the Mediterranean to cool off.
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Culinary experiences in West Sicily
The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.
Great villa, everything was perfect.
Anonymous July 2023
Really couldn't fault Arete at all. The property is in a magnificent setting and had everything we needed. We've booked villas for many years in other parts of Italy, France, and Spain, and this was our best experience to date.
Mr William McNeil, United Kingdom October 2020
Excellent property and facilities, well equipped. We were very happy at Arete.
Mr Hans O'Sullivan, United Kingdom October 2019
Arete exceeded our expectations. The area was so peaceful and the pool, grounds and villa itself so stunning that we were reluctant to go anywhere else. In the evenings we watched the sunset colour the sky and clouds a spectacular array of pinks and oranges.
AD, United Kingdom October 2018
The best holiday I’ve ever had! We totally loved our stay at Arete and have told everyone about you.
Mrs Mandy Mountain, United Kingdom July 2018
Arete is an amazing villa. Attention to detail is exactly how we like it. It's stunning and the view is even better! Wow, even better than the pictures.
AO, Canada July 2018
