Highly recommended
It’s always a tough call to go somewhere when there are not many reviews to go on, especially when the town feels a little off the beaten track. But we have just returnees from a delightful 4 days here.
The property
The pictures which sold it to us don't do it justice. The apartment occupies the top floor in an old building in just about the most central point of the old town, literally a 1 minute walk from the Central square.
The whole place has been very recently and beautifully restored, with numerous delightful details from the vintage tiled feature wall, to the exposed original brickwork kitchen and the impressive sun terrace complete with its own private whirlpool spa. You really do feel as though you have your own private penthouse looking out over the whole town and surrounding landscape.
The Hosts
Fabrizio is an Architect who has clearly poured all his love and expertise into the property. Neither he or Angela, his lovely wife, could do enough for us, cleaning, providing travel and restaurant advice, even preparing a typical Sicilian breakfast on the sun terrace. They are most charming hosts.
Caltagirone
If you have even a passing interest in ceramics then Caltagirone is probably already on your list because it is a Mecca for all things ceramica. The town is probably best known though for the Santa Maria del Monte, a central showpiece staircase comprising 142 steps running up through the heart of the old town.
The town does not compete for beauty with the likes of Noto, Modica or Ragusa, but there is much to commend it and we spent a happy half day wandering and pursuing ceramic shops.
We also visited two lovely restaurants. Locandiere, which is a friendly local fish spot and Coria which is a pricier place serving modern Sicilian. Thoroughly enjoyable meals in both.
Local sights
We hired a, thankfully very small, car and enjoyed a day trip to Noto and a visit to the historic Cassa Roman Villa. Both were well worth the trip and a comfortable journey from the apartment.
Thank you Fabrizio & Angela for a wonderful break in your beautiful property.