Lavender in Spring

Live life outdoors at this secluded Sicilian villa. Lunch can be served at the shaded marble table as white curtains billow in the breeze and the swimming pool winks in the sunshine. There’s a second plunge pool here too, and an outdoor cinema can be set up between June and August. Step inside a kitchen that embraces old Sicilian farmhouse vibes with its long wooden table for shaping pasta and a wood-fired pizza oven (alongside a state-of-the-art range cooker). Tiled floors and pretty mosaic walls keep things cool in summer, and there’s a pellet stove for the winter months. Getting out to explore, Noto is a short drive away and the buzzing port city of Syracuse is just up the coast.

Home truths:
*For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom.
*This home is up a steep hill so bear this in mind if you are a nervous driver. There is private parking on the premises.
*If you're travelling for work, you won't find a dedicated desk. However, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace.
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair, just ask.
*The swimming pool isn't fenced. If you're bringing little ones, they'll need to be supervised at all times.
*The swimming pool is only available for use between mid-May and mid-October and the outdoor cinema only between June and August.
*Two guests may sleep on the sofa, which is made up of two single mattresses.