Property 1557152182 – Itala Marina - Sicily

2 Suites - 6 Bedrooms – Pool

Location and Surrounding Area. Beautiful Property 1557152182 sits on the dramatic north-eastern point of Sicily with breathtaking views across the Strait of Messina over to Calabria in the distance. Messina was originally a Greek settlement and has always been an important port and gateway to mainland Italy. The port area is still bustling with activity and makes for a fascinating exploratory walk down as far as the iconic lighthouse. You could spend a whole morning in the magnificent cathedral, which was designed by one of Michelangelo's protégés and then step inside the Bell Tower to watch the famous golden figures move as the clockwork mechanism strikes midday. Afterwards, why not stop for a stylish mezza con panna al caffè in the main piazza, slip on your sunglasses and just watch the colourful world go by?

Sicilian cuisine is arguably the best in Italy. Although very similar to Italian food, it bears witness to various dominations and has more than a hint of Arabic, French, Greek and Spanish influences. You can't leave Sicily without tasting the Pasta Norma with aubergines or the Sicilian pesto made with almonds. For visitors with a sweet tooth, try a fresh lemon granita and it's guaranteed that you'll never find a better ricotta based dessert than the cassata or cannoli. Sicilian wines are already famous on international wine-tasting circuits so try the local Faro DOC, a red wine dating back to Mycenaean times.

Taormina is a lively, celebrity-studded town perched on the clifftops and has seen many an artist and writer pass through its streets. It has been a magnet for creative types since the days of the Roman Empire and then the Grand Tour: Goethe, Alexander Dumas, Tsar Nicholas II, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Klimt, D.H. Lawrence, Richard Wagner, Oscar Wilde, Truman Capote, John Steinbeck, Francis Ford Coppola, Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini, Cary Grant, Elisabeth Taylor and Woody Allen have all enjoyed the delights that Taormina has to offer. In addition to the gorgeous medieval streets and stunning views, the Greek Roman amphitheatre is Sicily's second biggest after Syracuse but is perhaps the better known due to its stunning location.

Catania sits at the foot of one of the world's most active volcanoes, Mount Etna. The Roman poet Virgil wrote what could well have been a first-hand description of one of the volcano's frequent eruptions in his Aeneid.

Catania international airport is 88 km from the villa, Messina 22 km, Taormina 32 km, the nearest golf course is 57 km and Mount Etna is 82 km away.

The Property. Property 1557152182 has been superbly decorated in true Sicilian style with original tiled floors, frescoed ceilings and classical furnishings. The views from the terraces are astounding and time will fly by as you sip superb wines and watch the boats go by. The villa sleeps up to 16 guests in two suites and six double bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom.

The spacious master suite covers 36 m2 and features a king size bed, an ingenious starry ceiling, a flat screen TV with free films on demand and a bathroom with a hydromassage tub. This room of romance has two private terraces from which you can gaze over the Strait of Messina and the extensive gardens of the villa. The Junior Suite offers 32 m2 of accommodation and features a terrace with views along the coast as far as Taormina. You'll find a flat screen TV with free films on demand and an en suite bathroom with a hydromassage shower. The other six double bedrooms share a large terrace with stunning sea views and each room has an en suite bathroom with a hydromassage shower and a flat screen TV with free films on demand.

The living areas offer luxurious spaces with the sparkling sea as a constant backdrop. You'll find various sitting rooms, a formal dining room and a professional-standard kitchen plus a useful corner kitchen next to some of the bedrooms. The main kitchen is on the lower floor and has ben lovingly restored from the remains of the original kitchen. There is a lovely breakfast area with a panoramic terrace just next to it.

The saltwater infinity swimming pool also has a jacuzzi area and is surrounded by perfect lawns and overlooks the Strait of Messina. The vast grounds cover a total of 10 hectares and are mostly given over to idyllic, organically grown citrus groves. The outdoor dining terrace is a joy to behold and you can be sure of enjoying plenty of delicious meals under a starlit sky.