On a lush, green hillside close to the town of Cefalù on the north Sicilian coast sits chic Villa Stella. From its elevated position, the panoramic sea views are utterly gorgeous and add to the feeling of seclusion and tranquillity. Yet just five minutes away by car is a lovely pebble beach, with the nearest village just a little further along the coast.

There are so many ways to switch off and appreciate Villa Stella's privileged position - and a dip in the infinity pool must surely be one of the best. Hard to beat too is simply relaxing indoors with the smell of the sea blowing through on a gentle breeze.

Villa Stella is a sleek, stylish and contemporary escape for a group of up to eight. Modern artworks adorn many of the walls and soft furnishings boast bright colours and patterns for plenty of unique character.

Thanks to the tall glass doors that run the length of the open-plan living/dining room, an abundance of light as well as air is welcomed in through glass doors opening up straight out onto the beautiful terrace. This means you can enjoy drinks on the sofa before easily moving out to the sunken seating/dining area to take in glorious sunset views.

The ground-floor bedroom also has direct terrace access; allowing guests in this bedroom to start each morning with a deep breath of sea air. Another two bedrooms can be found upstairs. Like the ground-floor bedroom, both are spacious and have their own luxurious ensuite bathroom.

The separate annexe is a particularly romantic space, with a double ensuite bedroom opening out to its own terrace for atmospheric drinks under the stars. And just a short walk away is the main terrace where everyone can come together to chat and socialise.

Go from the infinity pool overlooking the sea to swimming in it in less than 10 minutes with a scenic drive down to the beach. Authentic Sicilian village life is just a short drive away.

On offer in the nearby coastal town of Cefalù is a lovely sandy beach. And Palermo, Sicily's capital city, is just an hour's drive from Villa Stella. Admire historic architecture and monuments as you soak up the energy of vibrant street markets.

With Villa Stella's idyllic hillside setting overlooking the sea, you can jump in the car and be by the water in just five minutes. Relax on a pebble beach with facilities such as toilets and showers, as well as a bar that does food and drinks. You can hire sunbeds, deckchairs and umbrellas too.

The nearest village is only 10 minutes away by car and just further along the coast from the beach. the village has a typically laid-back Sicilian atmosphere, a handful of traditional restaurants with sea views and pretty streets to stroll along. There's also a small supermarket where you can pick up groceries.

Castelbuono, 20km away, is another picturesque medieval spot to visit, with its stone castle nestled in the hills. The gorge of Gole di Tiberio (24km) are a 30-minute drive away, with exciting dinghy rides, river swimming and trail walking all on offer.

The historic city of Cefalù (6km) is less than 15 minutes away by car and is full of stunning architecture to marvel at. Some of the highlights in the old town include a Norman cathedral and several beautiful piazzas. The city also has a sandy beach where you can unwind and go for dips in the calm, shallow waters. There are a few lidos where you can hire sun loungers and umbrellas. Also visit the old harbour, which will remind you of Cefalù's heritage as an ancient fishing port.

Palermo (75km), Sicily's capital city, is around an hour's drive from the villa. It's a vibrant, colourful place, with bustling markets selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and street food at the heart of the city. Palermo is also bursting with history and culture, as well as with churches. One of the most striking is the 12th-century cathedral.

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