Bartolo and Maria Stella have a peaceful haven looking out over spring flowers to the sea and to an impressive mountain. They made us feel welcome and at ease, going out of their way to help us to settle in by even collecting us from the bus station and then showing us around the local area so we could get our bearings. The little cottage is small but well thought out in all its details, clean and new, and a pleasure to spend the week in, to cook and to eat out on the terrace enjoying the wonderful view, listening to the spring birdsong. We enjoyed strolls down to the sea, and they lent us bicycles which we used to fetch our croissants from the nearby baker or buy food at the small supermarket. I also cycled to Erice on its spectacular hilltop, to the lovely sweep of sand at San Vito lo Capo, and inland to explore, although some might prefer to use a car for these trips. Closer, we enjoyed the little museum of rural life set in a cluster of old buildings in the cave mouth of the grotto of Mangiapane, and had a lovely four hour walk around the Monte Cofano nature reserve , following the track along the sea around the mountain with its hermits cave and its tonnara before returning over the shoulder of the mountain. Just as much we enjoyed an occasional aperitivo at the beach bar right on the sand of the little harbour at Cornino which is only a ten minute stroll from the house.
Bartolo gave us some olive oil from his own trees, and we were greeted with lovely pastries. Nothing was too much trouble, and I think we learned some Italian and they learned some English as we found ways to communicate. We most certainly hope to return!