About this property
Le Graste is a modern villa with panoramic views of Mount Etna and out to the Ionian Sea. If you wish to visit beaches, historic towns and make the most of Sicily’s natural beauty then this is the place to stay for a memorable holiday with friends or family.
This charming home was built in the 1840s as the manor house for the surrounding vineyard. As you approach through the gated, tree-lined grounds you will see the grand historic façade of the villa which has been preserved. As you head indoors, you will enter a vast open-plan living space filled with natural light which reflects off the chic marble flooring. Sink into the comfy sofas for a chat over a glass of local wine or eat together at the stylish dining table.
When night falls, you have a choice of 6 elegant bedrooms, each decorated with different design features and bursts of colour. The rooms have king-sized beds, armchairs, roomy wardrobes or dressing areas, a TV and an en-suite bathroom. 2 of the bedrooms even have large, inviting bath tubs to soak in after a busy day.
The owners have put a lot of effort in to making guests feel comfortable during their stay; there is Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a games room, cinema room and even a spa area for complete relaxation.
This feeling of space and indulgence continues as you walk out in to the expansive garden; outside you will find lawns, palm trees, dining spaces, outdoor sofas and a private swimming pool which offers views of the sea.
Just over 1km away from the villa there are a number of shops, restaurants and cafes, though there is a much larger selection in the town of Acireale (8km). The town has a lovely historic centre where you can visit the cathedral, basilica and a range of museums including a puppet museum. From here you can also embark on a number of tours; maybe you would like to go on a historic walking tour of the town with a local guide, or head up Mount Etna on a day trip.
You are sure to want to spend plenty of time visiting the sweeping coastline while in Sicily and the nearest beaches are around 6km away. You can find everything from tiny cliff-lined coves to wide stretches of white sand all near to the villa, so whether you prefer snorkelling or sunbathing you will discover a suitable beach with ease.
Just 22km away from Le Graste is Catania; a bustling port city at the foot of Mount Etna. Catania has undergone a lot of change over time due to destruction from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, though luckily many fantastic historical sites have survived. In the late 17th-century the entire old town was rebuilt in a beautiful Baroque style with spacious piazzas and stunning buildings which were uniquely constructed using lava from the volcano. The Piazza Duomo is the place to go for historic buildings; here you can see the cathedral, the town hall and the Diocesan Museum which is home to church art work and Christian relics. Closer to the port you will see the Castello Ursino, a 13th-century castle, here you can explore the old castle but also visit the art gallery and civic museum on the ground floor.
When you are feeling peckish from all of the sight-seeing then head over to Catania’s thriving fish-market for some fresh seafood and pick up a traditional citrus drink from a tiny street kiosk. If you would like to take part in a boat trip, then depart on an excursion from the port along the gorgeous coastline or to visit some of the nearby enchanting caves.
Le Graste is located just 5km from the coast in the North-East of Sicily. With the imposing Mount Etna in view and picturesque towns, thermal baths and beaches in easy-reach, this is a brilliant place to stay for a trip exploring all Sicily has to offer.
The villa is nestled amongst farmland and citrus trees in a semi-rural area but you will not be isolated here as there are shops, restaurants and supermarkets dotted around the nearby villages just over 1km away.
When you wish to visit the beach, the closest is just 6km away. Santa Tecla beach is a black pebble beach with crystal clear water for swimming and is part of the protected La Timpa Nature Reserve. There is also a diving centre just down the road if you fancy taking a diving lesson or hiring equipment.
Acireale is the closest large town to the villa and is a mere 8km away. There are a great selection of shops, bars and restaurants here and the town is close by so you could visit a number of times if you discover a favourite spot for dinner. Acireale also has some stunning historic buildings to visit and pretty winding streets to explore, though it most well-known for its Carnevale which is held in February each year and draws in huge crowds. If you are here for Carnevale you will see parades filled with floats and performers, dancers, poets, medieval re-enactments, concerts and plenty of food markets lining the streets. Acireale also has a good selection of beaches from tiny lava stone beaches which are perfect for scuba diving to wide sandy beaches like La Mulino beach where you can relax and enjoy the sun.
A wonderful place for a day trip is the ancient town of Taormina which is 36km away from the villa. Taormina is a very popular place with tourists as it is a beautiful spot filled with historic sites to discover. Settled by the Greeks and taken over by everyone from the Romans to the Spanish, the town has a diverse patch-work of architecture which is lovely to see as you wander around the pretty streets and large public parks. People have been flocking to Taormina for hundreds of years and it was once a key location for the aristocracy on their Grand Tour of Europe. Today you will still find high-end eateries, bars, artisan shops and staggering views that made this town so popular. Some of the key attractions here include the amazing Greek-Roman theatre which was built around 300BC and is still hosting plays, festivals and concerts, and also the cable car which will take you down to the coast where you can head over to the small island Isola Bella which has an incredible Baroque palace and botanical gardens.
A little further out is the amazing city of Syracuse which was once the biggest city in the ancient world and is today filled with ancient ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis, plus gorgeous medieval streets, great shopping and a rugged coastline. Syracuse is 88km away and well-worth the drive of just over an hour.
Accommodation
Villa Interior (650m2) (accessed via external stairs or panoramic lift)
- Open plan living and dining room with sofas, dining table, TV, fireplace and grand piano
- Fully-fitted kitchen with oven, hob, fridge freezer, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee machine
- Bedroom with king-sized double bed, roll-top bath, TV and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
- Bedroom with king-sized double bed, TV and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower, sink and WC
- 4 x bedroom with king-sized double bed, TV and en-suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
- Games room with dart board and pool table
- Home cinema room
- Wellness area with heated pool, hot tub, gym and sauna
When full capacity is booked (14 guests), single beds are added to two of the bedrooms.
Outside Grounds (2000m2)
- Swimming pool (7m x 5m, depth: 1.4m), open all year
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers and sea views
- Landscaped-garden with established trees and lawn
- Roof terrace with al-fresco dining area
- Pergola with outdoor sofas
- Hanging egg chairs
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- TVs
- Piano
- Hairdryers
- Panoramic lift (from parking to ground floor of villa)