Amazing House On The Sea
This property truly justifies its name – it really is an amazing house by the sea. We have spent two weeks in it and have enjoyed every second of it. The house has been lived in, so it is fully equipped and arranged for the convenience of the user. While the rooms, bathroom and kitchen are well equipped and offer full comfort for up to four people, we have especially enjoyed the outdoor facilities: the external kitchen, the barbecue and not least the sun-warmed external shower.
The closeness of the sea (just a 100 yds. from the house) and the little private secluded rocky beach from which you can enjoy a swim in the always warm-and-clear sea, ensured that we could have a leisurely dip at will several times per day, without having to roast in the sun all day.
The car had its own shaded and safe spot in front of the house. It is particularly comforting to know that you can always park and that your place is waiting for you.
This part of Sicily has surprised us by the lush vegetation. Almost as a tropical island. The secret, we later found out, is that mount Etna with its 11,000 ft. attracts frequent precipitation and this water trickles through the porous lava soil down to the coast where it sustains the rich plant life: in the gardens of the Amazing House one can see lemons, bananas, figs and many flowering plants.
And the hosts… well, Paolo and Eleonora were, appropriately – amazing hosts. Always there to help, yet discrete when you needed rest. Proud of their country and their island, true locals, they were happy to show us from the insider’s viewpoint what is a typical Sicilian breakfast (believe it or not all you English breakfast lovers: it is ice-cream!… they call it granita, but it is ice-cream), where to find the best paste di mandorle (very nice cakes with almonds, great with coffee), how to enjoy the Sicilian seafood - frutti di mare (the freshest sea shells, shrimps, urchins, squid, fish… mostly eaten raw), where to buy fresh fish in the morning, and advise us on what to see in the area.
Amazing House By The Sea is a good base for anyone who enjoys a place not infested by tourists, who enjoys sun and a secluded beach, who wants to experiment with Sicilian food, who wants to rest or explore the surroundings. Although the center of the village (Santa Tecla) is an easy walk from the house, own transport (car or motorcycle) is recommended for a full appreciation of the area.