From shaded lawns to a jetty
Picture yourself in the plunge pool... glass of chilled Sicilian wine in hand... the fire-orange sun setting into the sea... Mount Etna carving out a volcanic silhouette in the evening skies... Life at Estiva is good indeed!
Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
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Here are our Top Tips for excursions, sightseeing daytrips and recreation in the area of Estiva.
1. Syracuse, once the mightiest and most important city in Magna Graecia, now home to a fabulous archaeological site and an island centre, Ortigia, whose piazza ranks as one of the loveliest anywhere in Italy!
2. magical baroque Noto, with its sublime architecture and myriad bars and restaurants spilling out on to the pedestrianized streets
3. the coastal nature reserve of Vendicari, home to a host of unspoilt sandy beaches, transparent waters and an abundance of flora and fauna
4. beaches galore: south of Syracuse, the coast is lined with beach after sandy beach!
5. mighty Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano and a fascinating world unto itself
6. horse-trekking in the Cassibile gorge, just south of Syracuse
7. hill-top Taormina, with its stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna, a picture-perfect old town centre and a renowned Graeco-Roman theatre
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.
DiscoverSome 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.
DiscoverSicily 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.
DiscoverFrom 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.
DiscoverNero 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.
DiscoverThe 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.
DiscoverThe 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.
DiscoverFrom 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.
DiscoverThe 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.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Estiva is an absolute gem, genuinely the nicest villa we have ever stayed. We loved being there. It's a beautiful mix of art and books, which was comfortable, and it had everything we needed. The highlight was definitely the view of the sea and Mount Etna, and having our own jetty was wonderful. My children loved the paddle boards and kayaks and we went swimming in the sea every morning - we had the whole bay to ourselves. We ordered a hamper for our arrival which was delicious and had a warm welcome from the owner and The Thinking Traveller team. A week out of our busy lives to relax and spend time together, it was the perfect set up to do this. Already planning our return!
EE October 2024
Estiva is a charming villa. We loved the views, the décor, the artwork and the different places to relax around the gardens and courtyard. We had a great holiday with one or two delightful towns like Ortigia and Noto not too far away.
Verified guest, June 2024
We loved the view at Estiva and the walk-in sea in front of the house!
Verified guest, June 2024
Estiva is a beautiful, fabulous home furnished with exceptional style by the owner. The location is outstanding - right on the water and with Mount Etna and sunsets to look at. We all loved it.
Verified guest, July 2024
Estiva is a beautiful villa with fantastic hosts, a lovely location, and exceptional décor and views. It is very comfortable and well equipped. We loved it - it is one of the nicest villas we have stayed in and we would return.
Verified guest, August 2024
Estiva was really special - full of character and charm, very well-equipped and in a perfect location. It was our first time with The Thinking Traveller, and the whole experience has been excellent.
Verified guest, October 2024
Excellent
4.7/5
942 Reviews