It was 11 in the evening and we were waiting for the ferry in the port of Igumenitsa to Italy. Less than 48 hours before our stay in Sicily, the host sends us a message requesting financial guarantees, a detail that did not appear in the ad. We canceled the reservation instantly and started looking for another one. At 12 at night try to send messages...
I found Simona's apartment and left a message. In less than 15 minutes, Simona answered and I booked her apartment.
At 12 midnight on Saturday...
6 night stay...
The communication was excellent, Simona always answered us immediately.
Self check in very simple. Parking on the property, not very simple, but hey, if you want to drive in Sicily you have to be a good driver.
To park in the yard, to carry your luggage just a few meters, this is the dream of every tourist!
The apartment is big and spacious. Being an "older" construction, it has the advantage of rooms with high walls. The bathroom is big, the kitchen has everything you need. Very good wifi! Large living room with 2 tables. The house faces north and is cool. I didn't need AC in September.
The terrace is extraordinary. The view over the bay of Catania and the Etna volcano in the background is a dream. Here on the terrace we spent most of our time.
Here I had my coffee in the morning and my glass of wine in the evening. Although there are neighbors, the terrace gives you the privacy you need.
Mosquitoes? Yes. And some wasps - if you leave food on the terrace, they come. Like everywhere in Sicily. But also many birds singing in the morning - this is not everywhere in Sicily!
In Sicily I was looking for a house with access to the beach or with a sea view. On the east and north coast 90% of the accommodations I found had something in common. Railway! Yes, the train passes here too. 25-30 meters down the valley is the Catania - Siracusa railway. It doesn't make noise, It doesn't vibrate the house, It doesn't sound the siren. The house is built on the rock and there is only a hum that lasts about 15 seconds only on the terrace. Morning and evening (at noon I don't know because I wasn't there) - never at night.
We stayed 6 nights in this house and had no reason to be dissatisfied.
It's our first time in Sicily and we were looking for a location in the bay of Catania. Taormina, Siracusa and Catania are about an hour's drive away. And we managed to visit everything!
The property is in a private and safe neighborhood. Good beach is 5 minutes drive away, shops/restaurants are a little further. Without a car it is practically impossible to live here.
Thank you Simona!
We were lucky to find you!
Gina & Dan
P.S. when we come back to Sicily we will definitely come back here. 🙂