Villa Della Gitana

The villa

Looking out over the bay of Castellammare del Golfo, surrounded by mountains and extensive olive groves, Villa Della Gitana enjoys a rather special location on the isle of Sicily. Around an hour’s drive west of Palermo, this stunning villa for up to 14 guests puts you within easy reach of the picture-postcard Scopello village, archaeological sites of Segesta and a whole lot more.

The Mediterranean countryside which surrounds the villa provides a beautiful backdrop, with the villa’s own gardens enjoying sea views. You’ll find a large caribou tree under which you can get some shade, a comfy hammock and a built-in stone barbecue, along with terrace dining areas and a pool, surrounded by olive trees. There are also plenty of sun loungers and seating.

Inside, a charming living room with rustic, bare-stone wall has two sofas and satellite TV, plus a wood-burning stove for extra comfort. A spacious dining area complements a well-equipped kitchen with all you could need, which looks out over the gardens. In addition, there’s a pantry and separate utility room/bathroom.

A corridor from the living room leads to six double bedrooms and three bathrooms with a shower. All of these bedrooms are air-conditioned with large wardrobes and two have TVs and external access. A separate annexe has a queen size bed and is perfect for younger guests who want some independence.

The gorgeous setting of the Lo Zingaro nature reserve really elevates this already incredible villa. Enchanting countryside is a treat for the senses, and the rocky coastline stuns with crystal clear waters, rugged cliffs and beaches like that of picturesque Castellammare del Golfo. The village of Scopello itself is a short walk from the sea, its central piazza acting as the meeting point for a maze of alleys where bars and restaurants with outdoor terraces make the most of the easy-going vibe.

On the north-western coast of Sicily, Scopello is aptly named, derived from the Latin for ‘rock’. Its impressively rugged, craggy cliffs and dramatic ‘faraglioni’, or rock formations, are surrounded by wonderfully clear blue waters and are just a few minutes from the equally pretty sights of the village centre.

At the heart of the village, what was once a farm or ‘baglio’ has been given new life with restaurants, a café and shop now occupying the 18th-century building. In the beautiful bay, look out for the ‘tonnara’, once the centre of the area’s tuna-fishing activity. It’s less productive now, so you can just enjoy the sun and the surroundings, and perhaps take a swim - the location is considered so perfect, it has appeared on screen many times, notably in George Clooney’s Oceans Twelve.

Other gorgeous beaches in the area include those at Castellammare del Golfo and San Vito Lo Capo, considered to be perhaps the most beautiful on the island. The area lends itself to water-sports like scuba-diving and snorkelling, and just soaking up the atmosphere of the place with drinks and dinner on one of the many café terraces.

If you choose to go walking or hiking over any sort of distance, you will be well and truly rewarded. The undulating landscapes offer plenty of variety: the coastal road from Castellammare del Golfo takes you up to 200m above sea level, before leading you down to the pebble beach of Guidaloca and back up to Scopello. Among the places you may wish to stop a while is the marina at Castellammare del Golfo, or a little further inland, the Greek amphitheatre of Segesta - a well-preserved landmark it’s well worth seeing.