We went for four weeks to Sicily and Maria's Casa della Baronessa.
An old Italian townhouse on the slope/foot of Mount Etna.
We totaly loved it to live between Italians in a little village outside of Catania.
At the back of the house she created a beautiful fully equiped appartement.
Just around the corner there is real Italian square with nice old Italian men on benches (one of them even sang for me after asking for permission with my husband;-) and everything you need: coffee houses (modern and traditional), fresh food shop, greengrocer with al Sicilian Food.
We loved everyday to walk to the square, pick our meal and go home to cook in the fully equiped kitchen of the Casa.
The place is perfect to discover that side of Sicily: from Taormina to Noto, Catania and of course Vulcano Etna.
However Maria does not live at the house she offered us (by mail) tips, agenda's and places to visit (as her Cousin who owns an acient vineyard with beautiful views and delicious whines)
At the streetside of the house there is a lovely whineshop from where we got a lot of help to go around the isle Sicily.
We went over there in winter (even had some snow on Mount Etna)
and will always wonder how perfect it will be in summer!