Estiva - Three Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 6

A superb seafront summer house with plunge pool, direct access to the waters of the Ionian Sea and intoxicating views.

Picture yourself in the plunge pool... a 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!

Inside: the main entrance of Estiva is from the large garden terrace and takes one into the spacious, comfortably furnished living room. Your eyes will immediately be drawn to the wide glass doors that give onto a covered terrace and offer beguiling sea views.

The living area flows into a panoramic dining area, also with access to the covered sea terrace, and then on to the superbly equipped kitchen that looks over the terraced gardens.

To the left of the living area a couple of steps lead up to a short passageway and the sleeping quarters, comprising:

• the main bedroom, a double with sea views
• a second double
• a double-twin with garden views
• three bathrooms, two with showers, one with a shower and a perfectly positioned tub looking out to sea

Outside: on the "landside" of Estiva, accessed from the main entrance, is a large paved terrace surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and furnished for sitting, lounging and dining al fresco.

It is on the "seaside" of the house, however, where you will probably spend most of your time. Here, accessed from the living and dining areas, is a superb shaded sea-view terrace, equipped with comfortable furnishings, a dining table and a well-equipped outdoor kitchen.

A step leads down from here to a small lawn and on to the inviting plunge pool, whose views take in a large expanse of the sea, the Gulf of Catania and Mount Etna. More steps lead down to a bathing platform and jetty, lapped by the transparent waters of the Ionian Sea.

There is tennis court/a communal multi-sport area with artificial grass, shared with the nearby villas, just a few minutes away.

Boats moor in the bay, especially in the high season, and the seafront area is public and may be used by other people. While this can create a lively atmosphere, their presence may create some noise during the day. The sunloungers and other equipment provided are for the exclusive use of guests staying at Estiva, however.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

Stray cats may be seen in the villa grounds, where the housekeeping staff leave food and water for them. The cats are not encouraged to roam the grounds or enter the house, however we cannot guarantee that they will stay away from outside furniture.
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

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.