Aranceto
Property # 8436

Location
On the East coast of Sicily, in the foothills of Etna, 3 km from the beach, 15 km from Taormina.

Villa dell'Aranceto are two fully renovated houses each sleeping 4-6, standing in a wonderful orange grove. The private estate is gigantic (3 ha) and the luscious green lawns surrounding the houses are well cared for and inviting. This leafy plantation eventually merges with the neighboring plantations ... orange trees as far as the eye can see ... The property is ideally situated. It stands among the foothills of Etna, the over 3000 m high volcano, occasionally providing a sparkling fireworks show. The views are really exceptional: on the one side, one looks out on the mountain peaks (covered with snow in winter), while the other direction reveals the blue Ionic Sea, stretching beyond the tops of the trees, the Cape of Taormina and the mainland on the horizon.
This spot is one of the wealthiest and probably best regions in Sicily. The earth is rich - there is no lack of water and the area profits from a unique micro-climate: the high mountain protects it from the cold north winds in winter - daytime temperatures rarely fall below 20°, even in the coolest months (December, January, February). Bathing is possible from April to October and one can even sunbathe at Christmas. In the height of summer, the ice and snow-capped peaks provide a cool breeze on the long, hot evenings ...

A private entrance gate leads to the property. Drive over a meadow, through the groves to reach a small group of houses. These 18th century farmhouses have simple facades, some untreated stone, some whitewashed: gray lava stone contrasts with the delicate pink paintwork and the dark green shutters. The houses are about 15 m from one another and although of different sizes and with different furnishings and fittings, they both display the same excellent taste. They have only recently been fully renovated and lovingly furnished. Fine materials, typical for the region, have been used: the floors were laid with hand-made (!), square terracotta tiles in warm colors. Polished, silvery-gray lava stone has been used for the terrace. The kitchen cupboards are made of white, enameled (!), fired slabs of lava. Hand-painted tiles decorate the white ceramic panels on the bathroom and kitchen walls. The interior decoration in the two houses is both balanced and harmonious. Furniture, fabrics and crockery have been chosen for quality and appeal. Modern pictures decorate the rooms. Guests are guaranteed to feel at home here.

Each house has its own private terrace - one facing the mountain and the other looking out on the sea. Both terraces have shady pergolas either of raffia or grapevines. Each terrace has pretty garden furniture and a stone barbecue. The pool is just across the well-cared for lawn. There are two sets of steps into the pool, plenty of sunshades and sun-loungers. The pool itself is 2 m deep (take care with young children). It offers a magnificent view of the grove and the sea. During the evening, the pool is romantically lit.

Bougainvillea and jasmine flank an old-fashioned well. Hibiscus adds a touch of red. The grove is full of many different fruit trees - something for everyone - from peaches and cherries to pears, apricots and figs. The oranges in the grove are harvested, those from the trees near the house are left hanging. Enjoy your breakfast orange-juice fresh from the tree - from October to April. Take a stroll around this impressive property, along the ancient paths trodden by the farmers‘ mules, during the harvest. Discover the remains of the antique irrigation system. The channels fill with water from June onwards - water from the melting snow on Mount Etna - icy-cold but crystal clear water runs through the (approx. 80 cm high) the narrow channels (take care with young children). The water is clean enough and the channels just wide enough to wade in - a unique way to freshen up during the hot summer months.

Listing Type: 2 detached vacation rentals
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Sleeps: 4 to 6 depening on the house (total 10)

Special Characteristics
Fully renovated 18th century farmhouses on largeleafy private property. Simple exteriorsmart interior and outstanding views of the snow-capped Etnathe blue sea and the numerous oranges in the evergreen grove

Rooms
Two detached houses in a large orange grove. See details on the bottom right for each house.

Facilities
Fireplacedishwasherwashing machineTV (regional channels)mini-stereoair-conditioning in one house and fans in the otherterracesgardenpoolentrance gateslargely enclosed propertycar parkmotor boat for 5 people

Ideal For
Large groupsfamilies.

Telephone
No.


CASA PICCOLA 90 qm (4+1 Pers.)
Ground floor:
1 living room1 kitchen1 double room1 twin-bed room1 bathroom with bath and shower attachment.
This little house is all on one floor and can be entered via the terrace. It is a long rectangular building and the rooms are arranged next to each other. The large living room has a sofa suite (bed-sofa)a low glass table (TV) and a large dining table near the entrance to the kitchen (dishwasher). Both bedrooms have simplewhite wall cupboards. The bathroom is at the end of the long corridor. The rooms have been whitewashed and are bright and airy. Each room has one or more glass doors leading onto the terrace. Shutters protect the rooms from the midday heat. Both the living room and the bedrooms have air-conditioning.

CASA GRANDE 235 qm (6+1 Pers.)
This large house is divided into two parts - a larger wing (190 m2) and a much smaller wing right next to it (45 m2). The two wings are separate from one another but can both be reached via the terrace at the front. The house has two floors.
Larger wingground floor:
1 living room1 kitchen1 bathroom (shower).
Larger wingtop floor:
1 twin-bed room (access to other rooms)1 double room1 bathroom (bath).
Smaller wingground floor:
1 kitchenette with table and sofa1 bathroom (shower).
Smaller wingraised gallery:
1 double bed.

The larger wing has a spacious living room with a sofa near the fireplace and a large dining table (TV). Two glass doors lead out onto the terrace. Several corners of this room have been furnished in colonial style. The kitchen (dishwasher) is next to the dining area. The ground floor also has a bathroom. A winding wooden staircase leads up to the bedrooms - a twin-bed room (access to other room) and a double room with bathroom.
The small wing has a kitchen-living room with kitchenette and tablea bathroom (shower) and steep wooden steps leading up to the raised gallerywith the double bed. All bedrooms have fans. A shared utility room with ironing facilities is housed in an adjacent building. One of the houses also has a collection of books about Sicily and a list of recommended restaurants in the area.
Our tip: although these are separate houses they are just the thing for a larger group - plenty of privacy and your very own leafy oasis! Taken togetherthe houses sleep a maximum of 10-12 (5 bedrooms2 sofa-beds4 bathrooms). The two sofa-beds (one per house) are ideal for the summerwhen one is generally outside. In winterwhen the day is spent mainly insidethese extra beds are less suitable. The terraces are large enough for everyone to gather round a table - after which people are free to return to the privacy of their own wings

Your daily shopping can be done in Fiumefreddo. Here in the country, one also has the greengrocer who sells fresh fruit, vegetables and frozen goods from his vehicle, which stops outside the property every day. Fiumefreddo also has a bar, a pizzeria and a cinema (open-air cinema during the summer months).
It is simple to reach the beach. The next spot for bathing is Marina di Cottone (3 km). This lava shingle beach is 7 km long and has crystal clear water. The bottom of the sea can still be seen at 20 m depth. The beaches are either free of charge or equipped with comfortable lidos and open from June to mid September. The beaches in the elegant town of Taormina are particularly attractive. At Fontanabianca/Siracusa (80 km) they are white as snow - similar to tropical beaches ... well worth a visit!


There are direct charter flights to Catania every day. The costs of car rental are reasonable (further information available from Sicily by Car at http://www.sbc.it ). By the way - the cost of living on Sicily is significantly less than in central or northern Italy.
Ville dell´Aranceto is ideally situated to explore the surrounding countryside. One is soon in the famous town of Taormina - full of art and culture - the pearl of Sicily. The town is a wonderful blend of Greek, Roman, Arab and Baroque architecture. The ancient amphitheater at Taormina puts on plays every night during the summer months. Why not take a stroll through the idyllic alleyways afterwards ... The motorway junction for Fiumefreddo is only 2 km away. The autostrada is in very good condition and there are excellent connections to the main cultural spots in Sicily. Excursions to Palermo and Cefalu, to the fabulous mosaics at the Piazza Armerina and the wonderful temple of Agrigento are only some of the many trips that can be taken and - because these destinations are all relatively near to one another - several objects can be visited on the same day.
How about a boat tour ? Ville dell'Aranceto has a wooden fishing boat (small extra charge) with a shady roof (large enough for 5 people). It is moored in the harbor at Mascali (7 km). Why not take a trip via water to Taormina or along to Arcireale, which has the best examples of Baroque architecture in Sicily - a romantic town with over 100 churches ... Chug along the coast with your boat, pause for a break here and there to fill up or enjoy a glass of cool white wine or freshly caught fish ...

Sports
Swimming, windsurf, diving, sailing 15 km
Tennis court 15 km
Golf course 12 km