Rustic Daydreams

Surrounded by olive groves, ancient trees and stone walls, the Sicilian estate on which this home sits is as idyllic as you could imagine, but it's not a completely back-to-basics affair – the swimming pool shared with other apartments on the site adds a real splash of luxury and is a gorgeous spot for cooling off during the height of summer.

The home itself is similar to the outside space, in that it mixes together rustic aspects with contemporary features. High ceilings and stark white walls lend an immediate sense of brightness, while the sleek kitchen lies on the modern side of things. There are a few nods to heritage, though – the wooden ceiling beams and ceramic collections. To top it all off, guests are treated to a private terrace on which to lounge, dine or simply gaze out at the surrounding countryside.

As you'll quickly find out for yourself, the home's immediate surroundings – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less – are peaceful, but you don't have to venture far to find a bit of life. The nearest town is the Baroque beauty of Ragusa about 10km away, which has shops, restaurants and a weekly market with which to get acquainted. In the other direction, there are sandy beaches starting from as close as 15km away.

Home truths:
*The pool is shared between six other apartments on the estate and is available to use between 1st April and 31st October
*There's private parking available
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*Weekly cleaning, plus towel and linen changes, are included in the price
*While the bathrooms aren't photographed, we expect the style and quality to be consistent with the rest of the home
*There are five air conditioning units in the home