Villa Paladino Solunto is the perfect getaway in Sicily. Located near a Natural Reserve, you will feel immersed by nature and all of its delights during your stay. Not one sound of traffic, though accessible to major highways; all you will hear are crickets and a variety of birds chirping when you relax in your home, or out by the pool.

Marida is a wonderful host. Upon reservation, Marida was prompt to message me with details about the Villa -- including directions, suggestions of nearby areas to visit, and a brief history of the location. She was also quick to reply when I reached out to her, full of answers to any questions that I had.

When I arrived to Villa Paladino Solunto with my partner, Marida let us into the gated community and welcomed us to our temporary home. The visual appeal is unreal; the property is beautifully maintained and is a true work of art. Pictures do not do it justice.

Marida was able to provide us with information about nearby cities to visit, restaurants to eat at, and a masseuse (as per our request). We felt comfortable and well-taken care of by her hospitality. She was kind enough to provide us with snacks and drinks in the refrigerator, soaps to clean up with, as well as maps to review.

We loved our home away from home, and were pleased to find that all of the artwork within the home was created by Marida's husband. The personal touches throughout the home truly made a difference in our stay. Everything was clean, polished, and taken care of in a way that we did not experience in the other parts of our travels through Sicily.

Our favorite part of the stay at Marida's was the pool area. Though we did not spend time swimming in it, it was a tranquil oasis that was easy on the eyes. We loved being able to lay on the lounge chairs at night and look at the stars in the sky. The area is quiet enough to allow you to feel as one with nature; we even saw a shooting star or two, bringing the magical feeling of Villa Paladino Solunto to full-circle for us.

Marida was present during our departure, where she said "arrivederci" to us with her adorable puppy in hand. They both waved goodbye to us as we pulled out of the gated community and back onto the Sicilian streets.

If you are looking for a beautiful, clean, and peaceful home in Sicily that is conveniently located to the mountains and the beaches, look no further. Villa Paladino Solunto is a true retreat center, for artists and lovers alike. It is close to Palermo and a short drive from Cefalu. We were able to visit beautiful cities, eat amazing food, and come home to true relaxation each night.

We left with a wonderful feeling, and we cannot thank Marida enough for the time that we spent at her home. Grazie, Marida!