We had an absolutely wonderful time at Casa Iolanda! My wife and kids all agree with me that our stay in Riposto was the highlight of our month long Italy vacation!

It all started with outstanding communication from our host, Rosario. He sent regular emails to coordinate our arrival as well as to give us some ideas of local attractions for the kids. His suggestions were all excellent- the Parco Avventura Etna and Etnaland were two of our kids' favorites.

Rosario and Mariella were waiting for us at the apartment when we arrived. They took the time to give us a very good overview of everything in the place as well as some ideas for the local area. There is free parking in a restricted access lot in the back of the apartment. The place was in great condition- bigger and better than even the pictures show. Each room had its own air conditioning unit and the wifi worked well. The kitchen was fully functional and equipped with everything you need to prepare a nice meal. Rosario and Mariella had stocked the fridge with some breakfast items, milk, water, and fruit. The two bedrooms and two bathrooms made it easy for the entire family to get ready quickly to start our day.

Riposto is a quaint little seaside town that did not seem to have too many tourists. There is a little traffic down the street in front of the apartment, but it is not distracting. There was a great panificio across the street for bread and rolls, three great little markets within about 100 meters, and a couple of outstanding bars close by for coffee and breakfast granita. There is a tiny beach just down the street if you need a quick fix, or bigger and better beaches a couple of kilometers up the road. The major beaches at Giardini-Naxos and Taormina are about 25 minutes north of town, as well. The apartment has a great balcony that was perfect for having a glass of wine and watching the people and cars cruise by.

I cannot say enough about how wonderful Rosario and Mariella are. They made us feel welcome as soon as we pulled up. Rosario came by a couple of times during our stay to check on us and make sure everything was okay. They went out of their way to make us feel at home, and I felt sad to say goodbye at the end of our stay.

Riposto is a friendly town in a location convenient to beaches, Catania, Taormina, and Mount Etna. I highly recommend staying at Casa Iolanda or any of Rosario's properties. He truly takes pride in making sure each guest is welcome, comfortable, and happy with their time in Sicily.