A Violin for Violet

Set within acres and acres of olive groves, this villa is all about Sicily’s peace and quiet. If you do want to catch a bit of the island’s buzz and stock up on supplies, the historic town of Castelvetrano is a short drive away. But this place is all about the tranquil life, floating in the huge, turquoise swimming pool or enjoying a long, lazy lounge thanks to the full outdoor kitchen. There are plenty of shaded spots with comfy seating dotted around the grounds.

The villa is set out courtyard-style, all on one level (except for one little turret) with white buildings clustered around the pool terrace. Bedrooms, living rooms and dining areas have their own entrances onto the terrace. Inside, we love the old-world feel of the place with its sloped, wooden ceilings in the bedrooms and Persian rugs in the living room. Furniture feels like it belongs to a 19th-century aristocrat. There’s a big wood-burning stove in the dine-in kitchen, though we doubt you’ll need it in the heat of spring, autumn and summer. All in all, this place feels like you’ve got your own castle in the Sicilian countryside.

Home truths:
*Some of the bedrooms are a mixture of double and single beds (please see the bedroom layout) and would be best suited to families sharing
*In a remote location, having a car is recommended and there is private parking within the fenced grounds of the villa
*Your host can provide a cot for infants, just ask
*For those with reduced mobility, this home is all on the ground floor
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace