The place is beyond awesome. I would give it 10 stars if I could. It is my dream come true.
You basically dominate an entire 10-mile gulf from above, at your feet. You feel like the beach is your own front yard. And behind you, only majestic mountains. No construction as far as the eye can see. One of the most pristine beaches in Sicily, with emerald clear water, is just below, a 5-minute drive.
The location could not be more surreal, and more perfect. For a busy New Yorker, nothing farther from what we experience on a daily basis. It's just you, and nature, with its sounds and scents, and nothing else - for miles and miles. You are surrounded by thousands of century-old olive trees, and roses, and oleanders, and geraniums, and almond trees. And butterflies. The front terrace is basically your shaded living room, with super comfortable recliners, and you are the lord of that world.
The cottage itself is very well equipped, with anything you may need. It is also full of clever, artsy solutions -e very nook and cranny is a surprise, and really cool.
We love cooking, and made most of our meals at home. There are great local stores Simona recommends, like a fishmonger with the freshest tuna we have ever eaten, at prices we dream of in America. and a butcher, and veggie store, etc.
Don't be scared off by the access road. You do need a 4by4, but it's no big deal at all.
The beach below is the most beautiful ever, and the last week of June we basically had it all to ourselves - like 6 miles of beach just for us.
We visited Erice and Riserva naturale dello Zingaro which are within an hour from the cottage, and wonderful, but...we never wanted to leave our Paradise.
Simona and Vincenzo are the perfect hosts, always super quick to respond and to fix any issue, and so warm and friendly.
I wish I could live there. Grazie di tutto, torneremo al più presto