Historic house directly at the sea (although it is difficult to get down to the water everywhere in Ortigia). Antonella and her husband were really nice. They picked us up from the bus station and even gave us a lift back there at the end of our stay. We could communicate via WhatsApp during our stay and all questions were answered really quickly. Writing in English is alright with Antonella. Everything in Ortigia (the old part of Siracusa) is in walking distance. A bus (line one) that goes to the station and around Ortigia stops just a few meters from the house. This is also the stop of a hop on and off bus that takes you to the main attractions of Siracusa all day for five euros (but you can easily take bus line one and change into line two for the same route and pay even less - the audio guide on the hop on and off bus is not very informative). The flat is small but very clean and equipped with everything one needs. You have it undisturbed completely for yourself. From the upper room, the bedroom, the view is directly on the sea. The kitchen and living room combination is on ground level with glass doors going right down to the pavement (with a barred door in front for security). So it is not really private because people, cars and cats pass it frequently. ;-) But there is a curtain for more privacy. In winter the room downstairs is hard to get warm. The stone floor in the ancient house certainly makes slippers and a warm jumper necessary. I guess in summer this is a real relieve. The bedroom is easily warmed up by an electrical heater. The bathroom is tiny but the shower is warm. Make sure not to throw toilet paper into the toilet! If you are traveling as a couple or with a friend this is a nice place to start your excursions from. The historic ambient of the house adds to the atmosphere, however my little son found it a little ghostly. The only downside (and I guess this is a problem in most places in Ortigia except for the really really small streets) is that the traffic noise starts early and is continuous. At around 7 a.m. the night is definitely over. Not on the weekend though. Make sure to visit the archeological parc when staying in Siracusa and have a nice dinner at sunset at the promenade on the western shore of Ortigia. By the way, the bus to the beach Fontane Bianche (starting at the bus station where line one takes you or where you can walk to in 20 minutes) was for free, at least in March, and takes you through more rural sites to a big sand beach - something you don't find in Siracusa itself. If you are earlier than April make sure to bring everything you need, since you won't find a single restaurant, coffee...