We did not meet Ester, but really enjoyed meeting her mom, Graziela, who was incredibly responsive and helpful. The place is one of the cleanest places I have ever seen in my life. There are many thoughtful touches, the kitchen is very well-equipped, and Graziela gave us lots of great information. We were very comfortable. Also the view from the terrace is amazing! As for Fiumefreddo, it is not a tourist town. But it is very well-situated for visiting Etna, Taormina, Catania, the oldest chestnut tree in the world, and more. There is a train station in town and also there is easy access to the highway. The parking is secure. Once we settled in, we met many nice people in the local shops and enjoyed the town. We felt like we were in a “real” town rather than in a place that is just a showcase for tourists, and that was nice.