Taking the sea air in another era
10 Guests
5 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Crossing the Rock incorporates everything that is desirable in a rental villa: a rare and privileged seafront position, sensational views, stylishly crafted and luxuriously proportioned interiors, extensive panoramic grounds and terraces, a large pool, discreet pampering service and total privacy: all at the heart of the picturesque fishing village of Santa Maria La Scala, with its excellent seafood restaurants, amenities and rocky-pebbly beach.
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
- Fabulous seafront pool
- Extensive gardens and terraces
- Exquisitely finished and furnished
- Authentic fishing village location
- Easy stroll to restaurants
- Sea access from the village
Gallery
Ariel views of Crossing The Rock
A series of beautiful terraces of plenty of space and sea views galore.
Crossing the Rock's gorgeous seafront position.
The elegant, sumptously furnished main living area.
Exploring the extensive gardens.
Taking a dip in to the refreshing waters of the pool.
Santa Maria La Scala, Sicily
Crossing The Rock
Available exclusively through The Thinking Traveller
Dates
Guests
Bedrooms
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The Area
Santa Maria La Scala, on the sea below Acireale, is a characterful working fishing village, still relatively untouched by tourism except during August and summer weekends when it attracts locals from Catania in search of the sea. Its harbour (where you can hire a boat), sea-front fish restaurants, bar and bathing platforms are on Crossing the Rock's doorstep.
Other lovely fishing villages, such as Aci Castello and Acitrezza, dot the coastline, while nearby Acireale is great for food shopping.
Taormina is just a short drive up the coast, fascinating Mount Etna awaits exploration behind you and Catania is just a short drive down the coast. Further afield, Syracuse is about an hour's drive away, but also suitable for day trips are the UNESCO World Heritage towns of Noto, Ragusa, Modica and Scicli. There's even a golf course within striking distance if you fancy a round!
Catania airport:
35km-22miles-36minsPalermo airport:
260km-161miles-3hrTrapani airport:
339km-210miles-3hr45Taormina:
43km-26miles-40minsMount Etna cable car:
57km-35miles-1hrCatania centre:
21km-13miles-35minsSyracuse:
87km-54miles-1hr05Noto:
112km-70miles-1hr30Modica:
154km-96miles-2hr20Shops/restaurants:
just outside your doorNearest sea access:
across the rocks in front of the villa or from the bathing platforms in Santa Maria La Scala (350m)Nearest beaches:
Fondachello and Marina di Cottone (between 35 and 45 minutes drive north)Local 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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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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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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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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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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Beach clubs and relaxing activities
The Ionian Riviera has a great selection of beaches and rocky lava stone coves starting just north of Catania which continue all the way up and past Taormina. A day spent at the beach is a brilliant way to relax and enjoy this stretch of fantastic coastline as a family. If you're looking comfort and full facilities, we highly recommend heading to one of the coast’s many beach clubs (also known as Stabilimenti Balneari) which are private areas of beach with different kinds of facilities such as loungers and umbrellas, cafés/bars and restaurants, kayaks, windsurfing, changing rooms etc., particularly useful for children and to get away from the crowds. But this area of Sicily isn’t all about the sea, so if the beach isn’t for you, a great alternative is spending a day at one of Etna’s renowned wineries.Take some time to tour the winery, sample the delicious wines produced there, and take advantage of the other facilities available for an enriching and relaxing day out.
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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.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.
Crossing the Rock was impeccably clean and beautifully appointed with furniture and art. The level of service was top notch - highly responsive and effective. The local village and setting gave us a peaceful, pastoral experience and true local cooking and culture, while Acireale was just a 15-minute walk for a bigger, more urban experience. Our excursions to Mount Etna, Catania and Siracusa were an easy ride away, so the central location was wonderful. The staff was so attentive, kind and friendly that we were sad to leave them. In summary, everything about the villa, the setting, the local village, the staff and our experience with our local cooks, concierge services and excursions was absolutely fantastic!
Teresa Stivarius October 2024
Crossing the Rock was authentic, comfortable and gorgeous! It was beyond all expectations. The entire Thinking Traveller team was exceptional from the day we booked the villa to the day we sadly left the villa. The team is a stellar example of how to interact with and treat a customer.
Anonymous July 2024
We loved Crossing the Rock, its grounds and layout. We enjoyed the the relaxing ambience and the fabulous dinner and breakfasts = the cooks and waiter were fantastic. All the cleaning staff were excellent.
Anonymous June 2024
Crossing the Rock was exquisite. It's in a beautiful location and is perfect for a big family.
CM June 2024
Crossing the Rock was fabulous, perfect, a lifetime fairy tale come true. We loved the atmosphere and the elegance.
Bonnie Sarno June 2024
We had a magical week with family at Crossing the Rock. It's a stunning setting with beautiful gardens and terraces.
Anonymous May 2024
