We just got back from spending a full week at Villa Maria with our 2 kids (ages 6 and 5). Within the first 24 hours both kids were calling the place "paradise" and they would ask every day during our excursions "when can we go back to paradise"!? The views are stunning, the pool is perfect for the afternoons, the location is incredibly convenient for sightseeing on the west side of Sicily, the house is clean and comfortable, and Leonardo is a wonderful/thoughtful host. We've traveled extensively in Sicily and broader Italy, and this was exactly what we were hoping for. Small touches made a big difference (air conditioning, screens on the windows, and an updated kitchen) and yet the place still keeps a very rustic charm and a sense of truly escaping the hustle and bustle. We can't wait to return in future years.