Spacious and largely open-plan with lots of splashes of sea blue
Location Location Location! The situation of a rental property is one of the most important factors when holiday-makers choose ‘the one’. It’s certainly what attracted owners Allan and Vanessa when they came across the gorgeous Villa Splendida and decided to buy it as their Sicilian holiday home. Rural versus town/beach isn’t a problem here, as the villa enjoys the best of both worlds, is set high in the hills above the buzz of the historic coastal town of Cefalu but benefiting from a peaceful setting and jaw-dropping panoramic seascapes.
Spacious and largely open-plan with lots of splashes of sea blue, the property is split into the main villa with three double rooms and a guest annexe with a further double room, sleeping a total of 8. The main living area opens out onto a decked terrace with swimming pool and sun loungers, where there is also an outside kitchen with built-in barbecue, herb garden and covered dining area perfect for alfresco meals. A lawn area surrounded by mature olive and pine trees provides further space to relax and soak up the views. One of the beauties of the location is the abundance of wildlife with birds, butterflies, lizards, and porcupines regular visitors – a pine marten has also been known to race across the garden.
A big bonus for guests who want to explore on foot is the paths that lead from the gate towards the Madonie National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Covering over 62 square miles in the north of the island and home to over 2,600 plant species, including 70 different types of orchid, flower enthusiasts will be spoilt by the array of flora on a show. Madonie is not just a nature reserve though, it also incorporates a number of small towns and villages well worth a visit, as well as walking trails and mountain bike routes.
Villa Splendida is within easy reach of the picturesque town of Cefalu, with its spectacularly sited Norman Cathedral, its maze of medieval streets and wonderful beach. Golf and horse-riding are also available locally or take the hydrofoil to explore the Aeolian Islands.
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