Think Exquisite

Rocca delle Tre Contrade

Santa Venerina, Sicily

61 Photos

The bridge to the sky

24 Guests

12 Bedrooms

12 Bathrooms

Rocca delle Tre Contrade occupies a stunningly panoramic position atop its own hill on Sicily’s east coast. Uninterrupted 360-degree views take in the sparkling Ionian Sea to one side, the fertile flanks and lava peak of Mount Etna to the other. The views of this former aristocratic estate are further enhanced by the intense greens and citrus flashes of the villa’s grounds, which feature lemon groves, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. The magnificence of Mother Nature is rivalled only by the spectacular south-facing 25-metre heatable infinity pool, the like of which we have never seen, and the delightful internal areas, which have been renovated and refurbished to exactingly high standards.
Unique experiences at Rocca delle Tre Contrade Retreats and workshops at the villa

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

  • IncludedFully staffed, immaculate service
  • IncludedAcclaimed chef and kitchen team
  • IncludedLuxuriously appointed interiors
  • IncludedAn abundance of space inside and out
  • IncludedStunning heatable infinity pool
  • IncludedFull size private clay tennis court
  • IncludedGym and hammam
  • IncludedSuperb 360-degree sea and Etna views
  • IncludedSustainable practices, renewable energy

Gallery

Ariel views of Rocca delle Tre Contrade

The fabulous infinity pool with the villa behind.

A gorgeous shady al fresco living area.

Mount Etna rises majestically behind Rocca delle Tre Contrade.

Rocca delle Tre Contrade rising above its orange groves..

The panoramic terrace outside the main entrance.

Take a proper look

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Includes

  • IncludedSole use of the villa and the grounds
  • IncludedThe support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
  • IncludedThe 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
  • IncludedA Local Specialist, based near your villa, to assist you during your stay (between 9am and 7pm daily, with 24/7 emergency support)
  • IncludedA comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
  • IncludedAn 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
  • IncludedThe ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
  • IncludedAll sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
  • IncludedFully-staffed villa including a House Manager, house keepers and a Sicilian cook (including Sundays and Bank Holidays)
  • IncludedDaily breakfast preparation
  • IncludedDaily cook service including lunch and dinner
  • IncludedAn aperitif upon arrival
  • IncludedPool heating from beginning of November to end of March to reach a temperature of around 24-26°C

Excludes

  • Not IncludedFlights
  • Not IncludedCar hire
  • Not IncludedTransfers
  • Not IncludedThe cost of ingredients, drinks and wine for all meals

View Rocca delle Tre Contrade on Map

The Area

Situated near the town of Santa Venerina on the east coast of Sicily about half way between Catania and Taormina, Rocca delle Tre Contrade is a good base from which to visit Taormina, Catania, Mount Etna and the various fascinating villages on its flanks. There are also several charming fishing villages and some nice beaches nearby. An eighteen hole golf course is about 45 minutes drive away.

Further afield, Syracuse, the baroque towns of the Noto valley, the quiet beaches of Vendicari and Capo Passero to the south and Messina to the north are all comfortably reachable for day trips.

We can also arrange for you to fly over Mount Etna and many other sites, or to make excursions to the Aeolian Islands, by helicopter.

The nearby beaches of Fiumefreddo and Marina di Cottone have received several consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.

Catania airport:

43km-27miles-30mins

Palermo airport:

269km-168miles-2hr35

Trapani airport:

348km-216miles-3hr45

Nearest shops:

along the SS114, 5mins

Nearest beaches:

Fondachello, 12km-7.5miles-20mins, or Mazzaro' below Taormina, 19km-13miles-30mins

Taormina:

30km-19miles-25mins

18-hole golf course:

45km-28miles-45mins

Syracuse:

93km-58miles-1hr

Mount Etna (cable car station):

34km-21miles-45mins

Local Experiences

Helicopter tours in East Sicily

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

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

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

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 boat charters in East Sicily

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

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

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

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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From the Guest Book

Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.

An illustration of a guest book

Rocca delle Tre Contrade and the villa staff were AAA+. The food was out of this world. We would return.

Anonymous September 2024

Would we return to Rocca delle Tre Contrade? Yes.

Anonymous July 2024

The setting of Rocca delle Tre Contrade was unique and romantic (views of Mt Etna on one side, the sparkling sea on the other). The gardens were lush and beautiful, the staff was top notch, the accommodations were comfortable and effortlessly elegant. Dora, the chef, was wonderful (and her food was incredible). Would we return? Yes. Everything is taken care of, which meant we could really relax and not worry about anything. The setting is so beautiful it was hard to leave, the food was also amazing.

LD June 2024

The grounds and the villa itself are stunning, the views of Etna and the sea are beautiful, the staff and service were impeccable, the food and wine delicious, and it all combined to make us feel like we had found somewhere truly special.

Samuel Bristow October 2023

I love Rocca delle Tre Contrade. I have booked 6 weeks there over the last 5 to 6 years and for me, it feels like I’m home with family and friends.

J.W. October 2023

We were stunned when setting foot on the grounds. This is the most stunning villa I've ever seen.

Ruggero Catanoso October 2023

Villas in Sicily