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We love to hear what our clients most appreciated about Sicily, Puglia and the Ionian Islands. Below you can read hundreds of comments about our clients' favourite things and recommendations.
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In 2009 readers of Condé Nast Traveller voted Sicily as their favourite destination and in 2012, their favourite island, citing its history, culture, hospitality, cuisine and wine... We find that our clients have much the same opinion! So don't take our word for it, see what they have to say and start planning your holiday to one of the top destinations in the world!
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"We love coming to Sicily. Everything during our stay at Funcia has been great: location, quality of the villa, private beach, fantastic views. And what a great welcome by the owners." Mrs Milana Tolins (stayed at Funcia, October)
"The house was the star. Fabulous, relaxing away-from-it-all setting. So we didn't make as many forays out as we would otherwise have done because it was too tempting to stay and enjoy the house and grounds." Ms Denise Bates (stayed at Acquamarina, October 2015)
"The owner, Benedetto and his manager couldn't have been more accommodating or helpful. The property was stylish, luxurious and immaculately kept. The view from the villa was breathtaking, like something from a Bond film. No photos could do it justice. Also, the driving distances were much shorter than expected. Syracuse and Noto are unmissable and much closer to the villa than expected. I Rizzari restaurant in Brucoli was by far the best restaurant we visited in the area - in fact, it's so good that there's little point venturing further afield to eat out. Mauro Vini in Augusta is the only shop a serious wine lover needs." Mr Mark Jefferson (stayed at Estiva, October-November 2015)
"As always Olmo does not disappoint. We love it there, and we love the owners & staff!" Miss Erica Anchisi (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, October 2015)
"We had a fabulous vacation and the villa was so warm and spacious with fabulous views. So much nicer than staying in a hotel!" Dr Daniel Esposito (stayed at La Pergola, September 2015)
"Loved Cefalu - beautiful setting, lovely sandy beach, many fine restaurants and shops. We spent most of the time exploring and enjoying the town since we were only there for one week. We did venture to the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento - well worth it despite the long journey." Ms Denise Wilson (stayed at Brezza di Mare, October 2015)
"We had a great holiday! It was a large family trip and Casa Alma provided us the opportunity to go on a variety of day trips. We all had enough room and space to do our own thing. The pool was beautiful. It was a great trip." Mrs Cole Atlin (stayed at Casa Alma, October 2015)
"The beautiful view from the beautiful villa! Cefalu has an excellent beach and the best ice cream we had all holiday outside the Duomo. Highly recommended!" Mrs Victoria Simpson (stayed at Conca d'Oro, October 2015)
"The villa was spectacular--an architectural jewel overlooking the Ionian and Mt. Etna. Beautiful gardens full of indigenous plants and flowers and orchards overflowing with olives, citrus fruits. How could it be better? Small baroque towns were lovely." Ms Gemma Zecchini (stayed at Camelia, October 2015)
"Everything! Beautiful area. The history and architecture was amazing. The beaches were beautiful, even this time of year. Any of the temples are must-sees. We really enjoyed a wine tour in Marsala. Erice was a highlight." Ms Tara Scichilone (stayed at Le Chicas, October 2015)
"The natural beauty- I was not expecting how picturesque and stunning the landscapes and views would be in person. Calamosche beach at Vendicari- a bit of a hike but beautiful the whole way and worth it for the gorgeous sandy beach at the end. Tischi Toschi was a great restaurant in Taormina- delicious authentic cuisine at reasonable prices and very friendly personal service." Ms Erin Langdon (stayed at Archimede, October 2015)
"Loved it! My entire group loved it! The people were so friendly. Loved the villa and the area. Syracusa was amazing! Loved the archaeological tour! Allessandra Cilio, our guide was amazing!!! Daniela was also amazing!" Miss Kathleen Sopp (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, September-October 2015)
"The villa was in an idyllic location. Much time was spent sitting on the veranda looking at the sea. The local produce, especially the fish was of an incredibly high standard. Everything lived up to our high expectations. The holiday was wonderful. The food, the weather, the people....All was excellent." Mrs Jayne Clayton (stayed at Cinnamon, September 2015)
"We love Sicily. This was our third visit there. We love Segesta and Monreale and Palermo (we made repeat visits). The Greek and Roman ruins and the agricultural activity are very interesting to us." Mr William Brown (stayed at Egesta, September-October 2015)
"INDESCRIBABLE The owners go the extra mile to make sure everything is the BEST it can be The food OUT OF THIS WORLD the most delicious ever The staff are kind and helpful The welcome we received with champagne and aperitifs such a delight." Mrs Mary Miller (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, September-October 2015)
"Loved it. The small touches an the care taken by the owner shine through. The very generous and thoughtful welcome pack make a huge impact and difference." Mr David Webster (stayed at Cinnamon, September 2015)
"It was the most well equipped villa I have stayed in. Lucky (the caretaker) was also very helpful when we needed any help." Mr Robert Dunlop (stayed at Gioi, October 2015)
"We loved it! Brezza di Mare and Cefalu were both beautiful and totally exceeded our expectations. It was the perfect week of rest and relaxation which is why we booked the trip." Mrs Claire Butcher (stayed at Brezza di Mare, October 2015)
"The property is just stunning. As well as being in the most beautiful surroundings, the interior is first class. We were bowled over by the welcome we received from Massimo. We could not have asked for a more perfect place to stay." Mr Tony Mellor (stayed at La Pergola, October 2015)
"How green the Island is! and what a beautiful country. The house was fantastic and so was the food and wine. it is not often that things are better than expected but this was the case with our first visit to Sicily." Mr Peter Eriksson (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, September-October 2015)
"The gardens at our villa were incredible. We enjoyed having different seating areas, all of which were beautiful, including the ones by the pool and under the arbor." Ms Susan Villani (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, September 2015)
"In a word, outstanding! While at first the location seemed in the middle of nowhere we soon realised it was perfectly located to visit Modica, Ragusa, Scicli and the beach. The property was stunning and immaculate. But most of all the hospitality and generosity of Marika was fantastic, from the excellent 'welcome pack' of food and staples to the wonderful (and huge) in villa cook which kept us fed for another 2 days! I cannot express enough how much we loved our week at Casa di Pietra and we would love to return (although your villas in Puglia are enticing!)" Mrs Sarah Downie (stayed at Casa di Pietra, September 2015)
"We spent a wonderfull time in the area,we enjoyed the large garden,the astonishing seaviews,we also visited La Madonia,the little villages are more than intresting." Dr Anneliese Friedl-Herzog (stayed at Nettuno, September 2015)
"Lovely hilltop villages? Good food and wine. Lecce, Locorotondo, Ostuni, Monopoli and Natera. The villa was outstanding." Ms Kathy Loscalzo (stayed at Trullo Gaura, September 2015)
"Modica (Aqua et Farina pizza restaurant), Palermo, Noto, Ragusa. Gorgeous. Wishes we could have stayed longer." Dr Fiona Reilly (stayed at La Limonaia, September 2015)
"We would best describe our stay at Masseria Costanza as two weeks in paradise. Everything about this villa is exceptional. The property, grounds and surrounding area are truly exceptional. The staff is attentive, friendly and hard-working. They go out of their way to make you feel at home and well-cared for. The beaches were impeccable and breath-takingly picturesque. The location of the villa the top of a hill overlooking a nature reserve guarantees a level of privacy that is difficult to match. All in all, this will be a hard trip to beat in future." Mr Richard Frey (stayed at Masseria Costanza, September 2015)
"We enjoyed the villa the most, although the surrounding areas were all very interesting and the sea and beaches were excellent too. Modica, Ragusa and Scicli were close by and all worth visiting. It was truly an excellent holiday. we thought the "Couples offer" was an excellent idea and gave us the opportunity to stay in a property that we would normally have had to share with friends/family." Mr James Sherry (stayed at Casa di Pietra, September 2015)
"The villa was magical. Absolutely loved it. Maria and Mimo delightful. We were very, very pleased." Mr Graham Townsley (stayed at Masseria Moscala, September 2015)
"The beautiful cities of Noto,Ragusa Ibla and Syracusa(Ortigia) Lovely beach at Calamosche Interesting fishing port at Marzamemi with lots of great restaurants in the piazza and overlooking the sea our favourite Spizzulu just off Piazza Regina Margharita family run great home cooked food try to get a table on the terrace overlooking the sea Also enjoyed wine tasting and bought some delicious red dessert wine at the family run Paterno winery signed to the left from the main road back to Noto not long after the Marzememi junction. We love Sicily and its amazing history." Dr Judith Johnson (stayed at Gioi, September 2015)
"Everything was great. Restaurant Maremonti, which is close by was excellent..good food charming space." Mr Frank Prest (stayed at Il Cappero, September 2015)
"Villa was just lovely. The views to die for. It is beautifully furnished and the kitchen is well equipped. It is spotlessly clean and well taken care of. We liked Capo d'Orlando and San Gregorio-very good seaside restaurants and beaches for lunches and a swim. We had a wonderful time." Mrs Mary Jane Dutton (stayed at Gli Ulivi, September 2015)
"The combination of a fascinating history, interesting archaeological sights, lovely beaches & a great climate. We all loved the ambience La Favorita, the swimming pool & the owners great contribution in ensuring we had a wonderful stress free holiday." Mrs Patricia Allen (stayed at La Favorita, August 2015)
"Weather, food and peace and quiet out of season. Towns: sciacca old town, sciacca port, Restaurants: da vittorio, cantine da Gregorio, Porto San paulo." Mr Neil Lloyd (stayed at San Marco, September 2015)
"This was our second time in Sicily. We love the food and the atmosphere. We recommend visiting Taormina with wonderful shops and restaurants on the Corso Umberto and Capo D'Orlando was a wonderful town with great beaches." Mr Ernest Willis (stayed at Infinito, September 2015)
"Tindari Taormina Syracuse Noto Scicli. We loved Sicily the climate the food the wine the people the architecture particularly in the south east and the beaches." Mr Michael Stevens (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August-September 2015)
"1 - Visit to Etna's summit 2 - Pistachio granita at Bam Bar in Taormina 3 - Swimming in the Med at San Marco beach. We didn't realise that Sicily was so mountainous!" Mrs Babette Standen (stayed at Pietra Nera, August 2015)
"The medieval town of Erice and the beach at Castellemmane. The scenery was superb." Mr Steve Howard (stayed at La Fenice, September 2015)
"The views of Etna and the views from our villa to the Aeolian Islands. We could even see Stromboli!!" Mrs Karen Simpson (stayed at Infinito, September 2015)
"The baroque towns, the beach, the restaurants Staying around the villa and being in the garden. Ragusa, Scicli, Noto The beach nearest the house was great." Mrs Jessica Fletcher (stayed at Villa Farli, September 2015)
"Mount Etna, beach at Cefalu with the backdrop of the medieval village Villa Roma del Casale which I had read and researched was lovely. The ceramics of Caltagirone and the restaurant A'Decanter in this town. The villa above the water was lovely. We hired a car and loved the views and changes in agriculture from none to lush areas." Ms Cathryn Beesey (stayed at Brezza di Mare, September 2015)
"Wonderful climate, beautiful surroundings, Italian food and wine, the fact that only seasonal food is available. Well we left saying that we will seriously consider a return visit next year - but for a fortnight! A quiet villa with spectacular panaromic views but a few minutes from good beach and added bonus of the beach bars - we started most evenings down there with a prosecco." Mrs Juliet Glass (stayed at San Marco, September 2015)
"Da Vittorio, Planeta beach club, La Pineta. the beach at the bottom of the garden is absolutely wonderful and could rival almost any in the world." Mr Barry Cook (stayed at Casa Agave, September 2015)
"We loved the sites and sights. The whole island was a joy and we thought that changing sides of the island mid way was a good way to see more of the island."Mrs Martha Bernstein (stayed at Zeffiro and Infinito, August-September 2015)
"The villa, wine, and food was the top things. The winery visits set up by TTT were a highlight too. Noto was fabulous. There was a little fishing town that the driver took us to (Marza-something) was incredible." Mr Keith Spiller (stayed at Le Casa dei Gabbiani, September 2015)
"We know and love Sicily. This was our first visit to the South East and it exceeded our expectations. Wild and unspoilt amazing architecture." Mrs Kay Summerfield (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, September 2015)
"We enjoyed our stay at Camilla in August 2015. The villa is very comfortable and clean. It is tastfully designed to make you feel like at home! Giulia, the host wellcomed us on the first day and gave us detailed instructions about the villa and places around. Location is great, very close to Taormina and Etna. I highly recomend this villa for family vacation or just romantic stay! Visiting Etna was the most exiting experience!" Miss Nataliya Bershova (stayed at Camelia, August 2015)
"The villa was lovely. The area was very quiet which was just what we wanted." Ms Vivienne Ezzat (stayed at Ballata, August 2015)
"The regular known places and Siracusa. It was a wonderful day and not too far." Mrs Stephanie Ackerstein (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, August 2015)
"Valley of the temples, Marzamemi Sicily, town of Noto."Mr Chris Gibbin (stayed at I Lentischi and Casa Alma, August 2015)
"We loved the villa. It was so comfortable, and felt as though we had stepped into the home of an elegant and cultured family. We enjoyed everything! The food was delicious. The historical sites so interesting and on the whole well presented, the people friendly - and no English tourists. Sciacca was simple but authentic, Cefalu has an amazing cathedral, Palermo is busy but great fun." Mrs Vanessa Macmahon (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, August 2015)
"Friendliness of the people, high standard of the food at reasonable prices and liveliness. Cefalu, Agrigento, coastal road for cycle rides." Mr Aidan Quinn (stayed at Oriente, August 2015)
"Vittorio's restaurant. Fish market in Trapani." Mrs Karen Murray (stayed at Acquamarina, August-September 2015)
"Everything. Beautiful comfortable villa, fabulous local towns (Noto) with wonderful restaurants, beaches with or without lidos, Enrico's boat trip was the perfect style for the dedicated Thinking Traveller devotee. Excellent support from Charlotte Smith for all queries. First class." Ms Frances Holliday (stayed at Clementina, August-September 2015)
"The remoteness and tranquility of the villa. Erice was pretty and our lunch at Caffe Maria there was excellent." Miss Dawn Henderson (stayed at Ballata, August-September 2015)
"The diversity of the various villages was impressive. Great food and local products. Very impressed with the local wines, particularly the whites." Mr Alfonso Delgado (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, August-September 2015)
"The quality of the restaurants in Brucoli, the friendliness of the Sicilians locally, the food and the wine." Mr Simon Allen (stayed at Azzurra, August-September 2015)
"Soaking up the local street culture and watching hte world go by. We loved this property and all it had to offer. The quality of accommodation, location, and attention to detail enabled a wonderful two weeks of relaxation." Mrs Sarah Benamer (stayed at Il Gabbiano, August-September 2015)
"The warmth of the people and the beauty of the island, whether by the sea or inland. The town of Noto and the nearby beach at San Lorenzo. My family absolutely loved this villa.... the view, the setting and the quality of the home. All staff were wonderful." Mrs Deborah Van Nest (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August 2015)
"Well, we love Sicily and have been there many times. For me the Greek temples are the most outstanding sites. However, the Normanic cathedrals as well as the baroque south eas is (almost) equally exciting. you always find things why you have to come back..." Dr Cara Schwarz-Schilling (stayed at L'Eclisse, August 2015)
"Selenunte, Sciacca, da Vitoria, planeta beach." Miss Tejshree Dave (stayed at Casa Alma, August 2015)
"Le Naumanchie in Taormina. Really welcoming to us with children, and the food was fantastic." Dr Angela Tweedie (stayed at La Riva, August 2015)
"We loved the morning market in Ortigya and had fun shopping and cooking at the villa. Also Il Borgio was amazing. We had lunch there one day and also purchased lots of tomato sauce and other food there. We hope to explore Ragusa and Noto on a future trip. Thank you for an unforgettable vacation." Mrs Akemi Kawano (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, August 2015)
"Noto was stunning - really great pizzeria recommendation for dinner from Charlotte!" Mrs Louise Knight (stayed at Casa al Faro, August 2015)
"The topography, particularly the Madonie mountains, the hill-top villages and the variety of settlements. Atelier Museo beach-side restaurant in Castel di Tusa was excellent." Mr Gavin Hewitt (stayed at Poggio Pigio, August 2015)
"We loved the villa. It was beautiful, nicely finished and had a lively pool." Mrs Kathleen Galbraith (stayed at Oliva, August 2015)
"Everything! The history, the people, the food... Agrigento, Siracusa and Noto were spectacular. Restaurants on the water in Marzimemi." Ms Andrea Schreiber (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, August 2015)
"All the towns were fantastic - especially Ortiga." Mrs Lisa Dunckley (stayed at L'Eclisse, August 2015)
"Recommend the restaurant in Piazza Duomo in Syracuse - Fox and Grapes." Mrs Lynne Walkington (stayed at Priscilla, August 2015)
"Monreale, the beaches, Bye Bye Blues, the food, the scenery! The villa was perfect for us, with ages ranging from 1 to 52, it was the perfect base." Mr Peter Spivack (stayed at Minerva, August 2015)
"Taormina, Siracusa, Etna (helicopter tour)" Mr Vladimir Kramarenko (stayed at Estiva, July-August 2015)
"The highly distinctive decor and architecture was one of the things that attracted us in the first place, and we weren't disappointed. It's a quality property with a great deal of character. Morgantina is an exceptional historical site, in some ways better than Pompeii. The agriturismo restaurant in Bannata was fantastic: extremely fresh flavours and imaginative cuisine in an unusual setting with ultra-friendly service; and Al Fogher very good too if you have the budget. We spent our last 36 hours in central Catania, which was significantly more charming and we'd been led to expect." Mr Paul Marston (stayed at Villa Armerina, August 2015)
"Sampiery beach is fantastic, close, not too long a walk and clean as well as big." Ms Julia Farrell (stayed at Baglio dei Carrubi, August 2015)
"Sicily was great - we loved the landscape, culture and variety. We found people friendly." Mr Mark Danton (stayed at Respiro, August 2015)
"Taormina ; Etnaland great for kids ; amphitheatre in Taormina." Mr Edward Grant (stayed at La Pergola, August 2015)
"Once again, a fantastic villa, and amazing experience. We return after 2 weeks feeling like we had one month holiday, which is pretty rare to achieve. The villa strikes the right balance between simplicity and modernity. It embraces its connection to nature and yet everything is there to ensure you are still connected to reality and modern life if you need to be" Miss CV (stayed at Egesta, August 2015)
"Petralia Soprana and Sotana, Gangi, Monreale. We most enjoyed the seaside, but we also loved the multitude of unspoiled historic villages. We were surprised by how mountainous it was and loved the views and feeling of space this gave." Mrs Jennifer Jones (stayed at Principato, August 2015)
"Avola beach, Mount Etna, Siracusa's archaeological area, including catacombs and amphitheatres. There is a great variety of activities and sites to visit. We were able to do all of the things we had planned, including walking on Etna, visiting ancient sites and baroque towns, spending time on beautiful sandy beaches, eating out in authentic Sicilian restaurants, close to the villa." Mrs Cathy Spencer (stayed at Ortigia, August 2015)
"Modica was breathtaking. The steep steps, the ancient feel and the beautiful restaurants and bars and pasticcerias. The beaches at Pozallo and Sampieri were beautiful. La Grotta in Scicli and the forgotten taste restaurant in Modica was lovely. All the pizza restaurants in Modica were wonderful." Mrs Nina Hammond (stayed at Casa di Pietra, July-August 2015)
"We enjoyed Castelbuono very much; the horse riding which was recommended in the information was very good value, and pleasant, friendly owner (Alex on the way to Castelbuono). The local "agriturismo" restaurants were wonderful, Manna di Zabbro and the Margherita family run restaurant were amazing." Dr Gillian Atkinson (stayed at Cecilia, July-August 2015)
"Modica is one of the most incredible towns I've ever visited. The villa was excellent. All the facilities and rooms were well laid out and beautifully designed. The grounds and view were stunning as well. The cook/maid - Antonella was first rate - She was both helpful, discreet and engaging without ever being imposing." Mr Joel Black (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, August 2015)
"Noto is definitely worth a visit. Gorgeous architecture, beautiful views from town, great restaurants. Really nice feel to it. San Tommaso was everything we expected. A delightful villa with no comfort overlooked. Asitha, the housekeeper, was incredibly helpful." Mr Neil Cresswell (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, August 2015)
"We have been to Sicily many times. Rather than staying in a hotel, renting through you gave us flexibility and space. Ortigia is an absolute gem. Ragusa, Modica and Noto are in easy traveling distance and are well worth a visit. The beach at Isola Delle Correnti is one of the most attractive beaches in the area. We had some great meals at the Le Vin de L'assassin Bistrot - they have a lovely old dog as well. Gut Neo Bistrot is close to the house and have some fab seafoood. Also delicious food at Taverna Sveva. Would also highly recommend walking/hiking the area around Pantalica - gorgeous views and great historic interest." Mrs Trond Jensen (stayed at Ortigia, July-August 2015)
"Eclectic and diverse. Very different areas. Lovely people. Lovely food" Ms Marianne Elliott (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August 2015)
"Etna and Ballaro and oratorio Santa Citta. Loved Ballaro market in Palermo; loved visiting Etna; loved pistachio gelato in brioche." Dr Jane Lim (stayed at L'Eclisse, August 2015)
"An amazing villa, well laid out and perfect for a large group. The scenery was amazing. The food obviously was great, but overall just a beautiful place. The Cefalu Cathedral, Mount Etna, Tiberio Gorge, Pollina. Overall an amazing trip, made better by the quality of the villa and its location." Mrs Hana Marzban (stayed at Casa Nuvola, August 2015)
"The wonderful views, the villages and the food! Cefalù and its restaurant Captain's. Capo D'Orlando Carusi." Mrs Karine Trak (stayed at Gli Ulivi, July-August 2015)
"The tour of Mount Etna was very enjoyable; the beaches close to the villa were unspoilt and relaxing. The restaurants we visited that were recommended in the information pack and by Barbara were very good." Mrs Hilary Birt (stayed at Oliva, August 2015)
"Loved our villa, loved the food and wine. I was surprised at all the wine selections and how reasonably priced they were. Loved the winery we visited." Mrs Alicia Piazza (stayed at Oliva, July 2015)
"Valley of the Temples is a must visit. The best restaurant in the area that we visited was Badalamenti Cucina e Bottega." Mrs Victoria Miller (stayed at Lillì, August 2015)
"Lunch at trattoria la Scala grande, was awesome, just let the waiter do all the ordering. Seafood lover heaven. Must go up to Mt Etna, have a almond granita and brioche at the Blanca Bar in Aci Castello, we had trouble finding one as fantastic at the one they served there. Visit Syracuse and Taormina. But mostly enjoy the villa." Mrs Paula Lagos (stayed at La Limonaia, August 2015)
"Saint Stephano and Colessano for ceramics.The beach/lido at Lascarri (where we'd been before) Kentia restaurant in Cefalù. Fabrizio,the cook at the villa was superb." Mrs Cecilia Bishop (stayed at Casa Romito, July-August 2015)
"The villa was so beautiful. So much space and the interior and exterior so beautifully furnished. I was not surprised to hear the owner was an interior designer. We had such a wonderful time in the villa and at the beach." Mrs Nadine Abell (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, July-August 2015)
"We loved the ruins in Siracusa and found Ortigia to be beautiful. We would thoroughly recommend a boat trip around the harbour" Mr David Wallace (stayed at Casa al Faro, August 2015)
"Visiting the hilltop towns. Experiencing the local restaurants and local culture. The addition of Barbara as our reference was extremely valuable." Ms Kathryn Lake (stayed at Le Sorbe, July-August 2015)
"We really enjoyed visiting Scili, Modica and Ragusa. We enjoyed the differences between the very old and the modern. Loved the flowers and the landscapes. In Scili we ate in excellent restaurants recommended by the hotel owner. We ate in a restaurant in Brucoli that was very good recommended by yourselves. I must say we had your cooks on the 3 nights Rosella and Therasa - They were excellent congratulations to them." Mrs Carole Proudfoot (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, August 2015)
"Ortigia and Ragusa. We loved the country, the people and the food." Mrs Mo Lancaster (stayed at Villa Farli, August 2015)
"Generally scenery and people and food...always delightful! Obviously Cefalù." Mr James Noble (stayed at Casa Nuvola, July-August 2015)
"Selinunte, Agrigento, Palazzo Adriana where Cinema Paradiso was filmed and some caves in a hill top which the Greeks excavated and lived in were a real find, derelict down a tiny agricultural track and the scenery was so romantic and we picked fresh figs. You couldn't see another villa which was amazing." Mrs Lucilla Lunn (stayed at Cinnamon, August 2015)
"This is a small property but perfect for a short stay for 1 couple + one or two kids. Noto and Ortigia are a must and interesting to visit both by night and by day." Mr Raphael Ortega (stayed at Marea, August 2015)
"Absolutely excellent. The property is outstanding and the owner was wonderful! She was so caring and professional. The best!" Ms Jodi Markoff (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, August 2015)
"Capo D'Orlando the town down hill from villa was lovely. Good beaches, food and Delicious Cafe rated best Granitas in Sicily. Local San Gregorio beach was delightful. Iso Bello beach near Taormina was beautiful. Would recommend a trip to Mt. Etna - we drove to the cable car and then guided 4x4 bus trip at top. Taormina and Cefalù were nice." Mr Andrew Linklater (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August 2015)
"We had a wonderful time, place was amazing (top marks for design and decor), cuisine was excellent, staff very accommodating, helpful and pleasant to have around!" Mrs Clarissa Gasan (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, August 2015)
"We were happy to relax and enjoy Cefalù, the restaurants recommended were excellent. Cefalù was a delightful town, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay." Mrs Judith Mitchell (stayed at Brezza di Mare, July 2015)
"House matches the expectations and sea access beautiful. Enjoyed the private access to the sea very much." Mrs Sophie Chemello (stayed at La Fenice, July-August 2015)
"We enjoyed the total seclusion, relaxation and fantastic views in every direction. We loved Poggio Pigio - it is a slice of Sicilian paradise!" Ms Anna Laney (stayed at Poggio Pigio, July 2015)
"Our vacation was lovely, we had 5 incredible vacations with The Thinking Traveller. We are very fond of Noto and its surroundings, being in these beautiful houses makes it all amazing." Mrs Simona Stevens (stayed at I Lentischi, July-August 2015)
"The villa was great...Loved Sicily, love Taormina and Syracusa." Ms Michele Weil (stayed at Casa alla Scala, July 2015)
"All in all - it was wonderful. Was even better than expected." Mrs Plaxy Locatelli (stayed at Al Profondo Blu and Zeffiro, July-August 2015)
"Excellent accommodation that met all our expectations." Mr Earl Williams (stayed at Oriente, July 2015)
"Sicily was even more beautiful than what we expected. People were really welcoming and weather was lovely and warm. It was such a cute detail when we arrived that Livia told us that the olive oil in the kitchen had been compressed from their own olives. Neighbour's sheep had bells and some people might not like their noise, we found it quite relaxing and didn't mind but we come from rural area so we are used to all sort of noises of animals. The house had a kind of very unusual atmosphere in int. It was very relaxing and we felt at home straight away. We certainly had such a good experience this time that we will definitely check your website first!" Mrs Outi Seppa (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, July 2015)
"We're addicted to Sicily but what really struck me this time was the landscape and seascape." Mrs Camilla Mira (stayed at Cinnamon, June 2015)
"La Limonaia is undoubtedly a beautiful villa with fine outdoor areas. Sicily offers widely varying landscapes and microclimates, largely because of the influence of Etna in the North East and the North coast mountain ranges. Luxuriantly fertile in parts, flat and almost arid in others. I find something new by way of landscape each time I visit." Mr Richard Ogden (stayed at La Limonaia, July 2015)
"Villa is lovely, well laid our with great shady areas all around (which we needed!) and in a very relaxing setting - pool is absolutely perfect and could be used for a proper swim rather than just a cool off which is one of the reasons we chose Casa Chiara (i.e. bigger pool). First visited in 2013 (Casa Nuvola in Cefalu) and were keen to come back as loved the atmosphere, people, landscapes, food...you name it! This time around was wonderful as the oasis of peace that was Casa Chiara in Favignana was top and tailed with the more frenetic pace of hotel stays in Palermo, Trapani and Taormina. We'll definitely visit again as we'd love to explore the other coast (particularly areas like Menfi) and also the interior." Mrs Lucy von Weber (stayed at Casa Chiara, July-August 2015)
"Our highlight was Etna and the snorkelling was fantastic. Fortunately we were able to visit the food Festival at Trapani - Stragusto. It was well worth the drive from Poggio Pigio. The caretaker and his family were incredible and truly lovely people." Dr Peter Moncur (stayed at Poggio Pigio, July-August 2015)
"The fantastic food. All local restaurants and cafes were great. The housekeeper Antonella was fantastic and extremely caring and helpful. We loved having breakfast made for us!" Dr Fiona Clunie (stayed at Camelia, July-August 2015)
"We thought Sicily was lovely. It was everything I thought it would be. Syracuse was lovely and we enjoyed a day there. Would recommend Forra Bonu ristorante in Brucoli for pizza. We had a great time." Mr Simon Waller (stayed at Azzurra, July-August 2015)
"The weather, unspoilt by tourists, the food and wine. Wide variety of things to do, good for all ages. Amazing villa, amazing location and fantastic staff. Couldn't do enough to make our stay such a pleasure. We used Rosamaria the cook and would highly recommend her food. We enjoyed spending time in the beautiful villa with amazing views over the sea. There was 14 of us aged from 6 months to 80 years and the villa suited all our needs. No part of the holiday we didn't enjoy." Mrs Sue Powell (stayed at Crossing Together, July 2015)
"We loved the trip. We loved our stay at Ballata, and didn't have any real problems. We had a wonderful holiday. The most surprising thing for us was the friendliness of the Sicilian people. In previous trips to mainland Italy, we found the people sometimes rude, but we had only good experiences in our two-week trip in Sicily. During our stay at Ballata, we did a couple of day-trips and really enjoyed the beach at San Vito Lo Capo. We also thought the hill-top town of Erice was beautiful, and would definitely recommend that day-trip. We loved the restaurant 'Il Frutto della Passione'. We only visited it on the last night, which was a shame, as we may have gone back! We really appreciated the attention to detail and the friendly, helpful staff." Mr Michael Brown (stayed at Ballata, July 2015)
"The amazing variety of things to see and do." Ms Alex Howarth (stayed at Cinnamon and Il Palmento dei Castagni, July 2015)
"Just everything...thank you. Everything but especially the guided tour of Etna with Roberto. Stromboli volcano. My family...the heat. Absolutely great." Mr David Lloyd (stayed at Infinito, July 2015)
"The villa was fantastic - an oasis of luxury. Food was fabulous. The people were very friendly and welcoming. Went on the public cable car and bus up Etna - wonderful." Dr Iain Michie (stayed at Gioi, July 2015)
"Villa was perfect. Fantastic position, very well kitted out and comfortable." Mr Philip Hope (stayed at Panorea, July 2015)
"Asitha was excellent, a lovely man. So was the cook Beatrice. The villa was stunning and the spec was amazing throughout. My son loved the table football table! Nice touches like the board games." Mr Peter Wake (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, July 2015)
"Everything was absolutely brilliant, so much so that we have booked again for next year! WE LOVED IT. I would like to take this opportunity to say that all our dealings with The Thinking Traveller have been brilliant, everyone takes the extra time & effort to understand that these holidays are special moments for our family and, as such, having a great team behind you looking after the detail makes all the difference. The people make Sicily what it is - amazing. Can't wait to do it again next year!" Mr James Deans (stayed at Pietra Nera, July 2015)
"The whole experience was absolutely excellent. Il Gabbiano was like an aerial dream. The architecture is a delight and everything that we could possibly need was ready there when we moved in. It was our home for a week, and it was a real home. We dined out some nights, in some nights, used the terraces and of course the beaches. We got exceptionally fit with all the swimming - we couldn't stop - even greeting the fishing boats out in the shipping lanes as they came home with their catches. Everything also was very generous. TV/Sky worked fab and the sitting of the corner windows to the sunset is that extra little twilight delight that makes the property entrancing. It's obviously very much loved by its owners, respected by its guests and maintained to an excellent standard by your on-ground crew. Thank you indeed. We come to Sicily a couple of times a year. We enjoyed focussing on Cefalu nut the island as a whole is a traveller's delight. The people are lovely, the food phenomenal and touristically there's something for everyone." Dr Jane Stackpool (stayed at Il Gabbiano, July 2015)
"The owners were very kind and helpful. What I enjoyed the most was the authenticity of the atmosphere." Mr Rob Abendroth (stayed at Lillì, July 2015)
"Great grounds and views, lots of different places to eat and have a drink. Fantastic pool. We liked that the pool was deep, 2.4 meters. The pool and the garden is what makes this villa a great visit. We liked the weather :-) The pasta and pizza. We were surprised that there were so few out of Italy tourists in San Vito. Would recommend the cabin up to Erice. The best restaurant for us was Gna Sara in San Vito Lo Capo. We also liked taking a hike in the national park Dello Zingaro. Great service." Mr Johan Jersby (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, July 2015)
"It was our third visit. We love it!! We really liked Le Chat Noir restaurant in Cefalu, We enjoyed the boat trip with Sergio a lot. All of it was amazing. The villa itself was spectacular. The private beach made it very special. Rosaria the cook really livened things up! She is great fun and a fantastic cook." Mrs Joanne D'Andrea (stayed at Il Gabbiano, June 2015)
"It was absolutely beautiful and we were really grateful to stay there." Ms Kate Lawrence (stayed at Buzza Alta, June 2015)
"We loved it all. Thank you. We will definitely recommend your company. We loved the character, location and luxury of this very well presented villa. Barbara, Laura & Rosario did everything within their power to ensure that our stay was everything that we imagined...and more. We loved the history, culture and scenery. We recommend Cefalu for its location on the sea with the beautiful Madonie mountains also within an easy drive. Cefalu has many varied restaurants with superb views and ambiance." Mrs Lynda Vernon (stayed at Rosina, June-July 2015)
"We enjoyed everything and everything was a huge positive surprise. Ortigia was the perfect little world of its own, and we particularly enjoyed the fact that it was not in any way a touristy trap. The food and wine was amazing and the atmosphere very friendly. Actually it was a big surprise that everything was so fresh, clean and safe. Our evenings on the roof-terrace were amazing! Fantastic view! Ortigia was the very best place ever." Mrs Tone S Ovrebo Johannessen (stayed at Ortigia, July 2015)
"It was truly relaxing. The local food was amazing. All recommendations were great! In this modern life it is always difficult to relax and this was a real treat - we are returning home rested and happy!" Mrs. Jane Mudge (stayed at Corte del Sole, July 2015)
"The wonderful views and to be so near and accessible to the beach. We only went into the local town as our villa was too nice to leave." Mrs Deborah Harris (stayed at Azzurra, July 2015)
"The general layout of the villa's outside areas with shaded communal seating was a huge bonus for our large group meaning that there was always someone sitting down to chat with in the shade whilst others were off swimming etc. It made it a very sociable holiday. Large outside dining area perfectly located too, near to bbqs etc. The staff were truly amazing and absolutely made the holiday - they couldn't have been more friendly or helpful. We all really enjoyed the holiday." Lady Heather Robinson (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, July 2015)
"Absolutely wonderful. Unbeatable views, fabulous pool, beautiful grounds. Quaint villages, magnificent, friendly people, beautiful vistas, beaches, wonderful restaurants. Loved Sciacca, definitely deserves a wider exposure. A perfect tiny city with fabulous shops, restaurants, services and above all, people. Also enjoyed Marinella di Selinunte. Really hard to find anything less than fabulous." Dr Miles Dinner (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, July 2015)
"The villa was fantastic! Beautiful location, friendly staff & owner and absolutely amazing food - I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful, chilled holiday. Simone, who worked at the house was also amazing and really lovely. The extra cot & high chair were really useful. We loved Sicily, it was really beautiful and such a laid back place - really unique! We all had a fantastic time and would definitely visit again!" Miss Cleopatra Graves-Johnston (stayed at Casa di Pietra, July 2015)
"Lovely Sicily, good space in the villa and its swimming pool. Food, wine, country views. Size of the island." Mr Peter Kysel (stayed at Lillì, June-July 2015)
"The whole experience was fantastic and everything was enjoyable. It exceeded our expectations. It was lovely to meet the owners and we found Giuseppe, the caretaker, very helpful. The landscape was beautiful. We didn't explore the coast very much and would have spent more time in the sea if we hadn't had our own swimming pool. The centre of Castelvetrano is lovely. For windsurfing lessons for teenagers, we would recommend Karti Bubbo, Puzziteddu Reef close to Punta Granitola. The beach there is recommended too for small children as the water is very shallow. Good for snorkelling too." Mr Carl Callaghan (stayed at Altea, July 2015)
"Excellent restaurants throughout the area, the villa was outstanding, our trips to multiple destinations. Tagliaborsa, the little town we were in was a very comfortable, hospitable place to live for the week. Siracusa, Taormina were our favourites. Hotel Timeo restaurants were amazing. The food and the views from the beach to up top were outstanding." Mr Daniel Mudd (stayed at Camelia, June-July 2015)
"The villa itself was exceptional - the photos and description really don't do it justice. The settings and grounds were beyond excellent - I would rate these a 6 if I had the option." Mr David Pagliaro (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, July 2015)
"We did love the villa all around - it was great and our house manager, Tina, was extraordinarily friendly and helpful. Holiday was just great. Looking forward to return to Sicily as soon as we can pull it off. It was nice meeting the home's owner as we were departing...in fact, we were hoping to get his contact information to talk more about design and he offered to send us a copy of the London Telegraph issue that will be highlighting his home! This was my first visit to Sicily. Loved it. Loved the Aqua Residence Lido - great for kids and well maintained. Eating lunch on the piazza in Ortygia was lovely (and the adjacent gelato shop had a flavour called Note di Sicilia blending pistachio and almond that was amazing), Taormina was worth a visit for the views from the terrace of the Hotel Metropole where we had drinks and lunch were amazing. The family at Piano Grillo were welcoming and their olive oil, Grillo wine, and black pig salami was all delicious. All went pretty smoothly." Mr Joshua Mogal (stayed at I Lentischi, July 2015)
"The villa itself was of a very high quality and tastefully furnished. Lucia was an excellent hostess and very helpful. Antonella was a very thorough housekeeper and was discreet. We very much enjoyed the food and wine." Mr Tim Steadman (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, July 2015)
"The food, hospitality of the staff, and the beauty of the property (including the pool) were all amazing! We loved Erice, Sciacca and Selinunte." Mr William McGlone (stayed at La Favorita, June-July 2015)
"Mount Etna. The food was fantastic. The owner of the villa was so lovely. Please pass on our gratitude for all her help and the dinner she kindly prepared for us on our arrival." Dr Neena Jha (stayed at Casa di Pietra, July 2015)
"When in Modica/Pozzalo it is a must to eat fresh fish sold in two fish places in Pozzalo - our favourite one is in the first roundabout before the lungomare starts. The grill was working every day! Coming back again next year." Mrs Katherine Grigorian (stayed at Casa Nuvola and Casa di Pietra, June-July 2015)
"The owner of our house was very helpful, always walked the extra mile for us. She made our holiday expectations come true. We would love to come back to the house again. We really liked Modica, but all areas around the house was well worth a visit. We only stayed at the beach where we lived, well suited for children. We did not visit that many restaurants but Tonno Rosso was a favourite for us." Mr Magnus Andersson (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, May-June 2015)
"Having Antonella around as a daily housekeeper and assistance during the morning hours turned out as a nice and very appreciated experience. Lucia was also fantastic as an owner, providing much advice and help, also on ordering food for take away and other practicalities. She was kind enough to check in with us a couple of times during the week. We found the house to be of outstanding quality in terms of what we have seen in the portfolio so far. Everything is thought through and very well laid out." Mrs Vanessa Knudstorp (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, June-July 2015)
"Everything was lovely. The Ortigia area was wonderful and contained everything we needed. We especially liked the morning markets." Ms Michele Brooks (stayed at Ortigia, July 2015)
"The nature and the weather! Beautiful beaches, sun every day with temperatures around 30C, not too hot thanks to the breeze from the sea. Very tasty seafood (great thanks to our cooks), and good local wine. The size, amenities and location was perfect for a family like ours. Only minus: should have stayed a week longer!" Mr Ola Haugsrud (stayed at Cinnamon, July 2015)
"The villa was terrific, an absolutely beautiful setting. We had an amazing time. The beaches were beautiful and there was so much to see and do. Siracusa is a wonderful city - the market is terrific and it is a very fun place for a day trip." Ms. Shana Kelley (stayed at L'Olivastro, June-July 2015)
"Sicily was lovely and people friendly and helpful and the weather was beautiful. It was one of our best holidays. Your service was wonderful and we would like it anywhere we would travel again with you." Miss Louise Cubbage (stayed at Serralunga, July 2015)
"Crossing Together provided the perfect setting and amenities for our family of 12 (7 adults and 5 children). The villa is well-appointed and the grounds are beautiful. All of the bedrooms and baths were comfortable and nicely furnished. The owners have attended to every detail. It is difficult to imagine a finer villa in all of Sicily. The staff adds an element of luxury and convenience. The daily service by Cettina was an added bonus and made our stay delightful. The caretakers, Giuseppe and Maria, were charming, friendly and caring. The town was delightful and the villa position presented a setting for beautiful evening gatherings. In my opinion, the reviews which I had read understated the beauty and charm of this villa. It was extraordinary. Adults and children enjoyed the entire experience. I have visited Sicily before, but the villa experience creates a special setting which provides an enjoyable base of operation and family togetherness in a beautiful country. Siracusa is wonderful. The Mt. Etna Tour was great." Mr Joseph Lonardo (stayed at Crossing Together, June-July 2015)
"Kind people, fresh food, sometimes the sensation of getting back in time." Mr Andrei Lopata (stayed at Zeffiro, June 2015)
"This was one of the nicest villas we have rented to date. It was in excellent condition. We were surprised by how much there was to see in Sicily. It was beautiful as well as diverse, with so many options to explore. Erice, San Vito lo Capo, and Selinunte were great visits. Downtown Trapani was also pleasant and lively in the evening." Mr Howard Bujtor (stayed at CaSale, June 2015)
"We were very impressed with the property. We were delighted to have a maid, she kept the villa beautifully clean. We loved the variety of historical sites, the food & countryside. Villa Romana Castale, absolutely wonderful. We also enjoyed our visits to Etna and Agrigento. We enjoyed the facilities at the villa, the spacious rooms, the pool & barbecue." Mr William Neill (stayed at Villa Armerina, June 2015)
"The area was lovely, the beaches great, the staff and local people all charming and very friendly and the local produce was delicious. The housekeeper Vittoria was a delightful and extremely warm and helpful person who was a pleasure to have around and really made big contribution to the success of the villa. We were travelling with very small children so were very villa and beach based - the beaches are lovely." Mrs Liz Wilson (stayed at Villa Blanca, June 2015)
"We enjoyed everything. It was the best vacation we have ever had. It will be hard to top this trip in the future. The parts of Sicily we visited were lovely but the villa was the icing on the cake. Our entire family loved everything about it. Taormina was lovely, as was our Mt Etna tour, our boat ride to Isola Bella, and our trip to Caparena Beach." Mr Jacob Kacsik (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, June 2015)
"The holiday as a whole was first-rate. We liked Oliva very much. It was an excellent choice for our group: five adults, one teenager, and three children aged 10, 4 and1. We especially enjoyed the spaciousness of the property and the indoor-outdoor living. Rosa and her daughter were wonderful and Rosa is a great cook. We most enjoyed the beauty of the island (which we explored extensively). I most enjoyed visiting the Greek sites, but that is because I have a special interest in Greek antiquity. The only thing that surprised us was the climate, which was glorious. We expected it to be much hotter. We loved all the major Greek historical sites. Among towns, we would recommend Erice most highly. We visited a number of beaches and would recommend all those in nature reserves. We went to many of the restaurants you recommended. Perhaps our favourite day was the one spent exploring Mt Etna. Given our experience, we would follow you anywhere!" Mr M Richard Zinman (stayed at Oliva, June 2015)
"Wonderful. Beautiful country with beaches, mountains, rocky coves, ancient towns, etc. Friendly, helpful people. Lovely food. Very good value for money for most items. Scopello area surprisingly green and unspoilt. Really excellent and relaxing holiday. Top class destination and service." Mrs Denise Phelan (stayed at La Fenice, June-July 2015)
"We had a great time and all said it was the best house we ever rented. Everyone in our party had travelled extensively in Italy before and most said it was the best of Italy... we had high expectations which were surpassed, not an easy thing for this group. We loved the mix of beach, sun, history, culture, food, wine, etc.We loved La Pineta for beach and food and would highly recommend." Mrs Jennifer Argenti (stayed at Balu', June 2015)
"We enjoyed the sunshine and the relaxing atmosphere at the villa. We enjoyed going into Noto for coffee and food. I found eating out cheaper than we thought it would be. We enjoyed the fresh food on sale on street corners! Noto is great, Hotel Sofia in Noto was lovely. Tina our caretaker was great and spoke very good English, we had a small problem with hot water which was dealt with very quickly. The boys appreciated the wifi and sky sport which was great and the kitchen was very well-equipped wich was great. The pool was fantastic and we spent a lot of time in that area. All in all we loved the villa and would recommend it to others!" Ms Sandy Delap (stayed at I Lentischi, June-July 2015)
"Probably the best property we have ever rented -spotlessly clean and everything worked (a rarity in our experience!). A real opportunity to sample the local culture and produce. You did say that the local driving style was somewhat idiosyncratic and it certainly was - it took a little getting used to but after a while one soon learns to drive like a Sicilian! We enjoyed the northern coast of Sicily and liked Capo d'Orlando. A trip into the Nebrodi Mountains is a must." Dr Peter Rees (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, June 2015)
"We all thought the holiday was excellent. The views were stunning - the property spacious and well-equipped. The weather - the restaurants and swimming in the sea. We were pleasantly surprised that food and eating out was so cheap." Dr Annie Linley-Adams (stayed at Oriente, June-July 2015)
"Clementina itself was incredibly beautiful, beyond my already high expectations. I was surprised by how untouristy it was, at least in June. Although things were set up for tourists, we weren't bombarded by vendors. And we didn't feel surrounded by tourists. Licia and her husband were lovely: intelligent, helpful, cheerful. The house was spotless when we arrived and spotless after the midweek clean/sheet change. Altogether, this is an incredibly professional team that really delivers on its promises. Il Baglietto, right outside the entrance to the Vendicari Nature Reserve, was sublime. Highly recommend. Villa Romana del Tollaro. And, of course, Noto and the sights in Syracuse. Callamosche beach. Agrigento is a long drive, but worth it and possible for a day-trip. We loved it all. The house, the landscape, the layers of history. Not a single thing was wrong." Professors Jonathan and Gabriel Lear (stayed at Clementina, June-July 2015)
"Perfect relaxation. The view from the villa was even better than I imagined. We spent hours just watching Etna and the sea." Mr Pekka Kuusela (stayed at Villa Saracena, June-July 2015)
"It's a really lovely property that allows for a large group to have individual privacy. The pool is beyond words. We had a chef on two different nights and liked it a lot." Mrs Sarah Teaford Colby (stayed at La Limonaia, June 2015)
"The food, history, the sites, the weather, the swimming. The big surprise was the statue 'The youth' of Mozia. For us the whole point is that everywhere has something special and interesting. Planeta wines are very good but there are many excellent local wines everywhere that should be tried. The location, views and peacefulness are excellent. We have spent 5 weeks there now and will doubtless return. The owner and his wife are extremely friendly and helpful. The pool area is beautiful and the abundance of fruits in the grounds overwhelming." Dr Michael Cole (stayed at Egesta, June 2015)
"The weather was exceptional. The history of the place. The friendly people. Was surprised how touristy Siracusa was - while also acknowledging that it was still not really 'busy' - so was totally fine for us. Was surprised at how great the Planeta wine was given I don't normally love the Italian wines I have ordered at restaurants - really enjoyed visiting their winery! Ortigia is one of my new favourite places on earth. What a great town and so glad we spent a night before the villa and another after the villa. Lots of good accommodation options. Amazing market. And absolutely phenomenal little rocky beaches that are great for sunbathing and lounging in the water with a cold drink on an inflatable floatie (our last day in Sicily and one of the best things we did!). The villa San Tommaso was a wonderful recommendation. My wife and I both agree that our week at the villa was one of the best in our lives. We did not know what to expect of Sicily and now we absolutely love it and can't wait to go back. I spent a lot of time looking at the other Thinking Traveller villas and am eager to try another as soon as possible! The villa deserves its exquisite status. The home is absolutely stunning and the most amazing property we have ever stayed at. We felt so comfortable both inside and out. The furniture was incredibly comfortable (I need to find out where to buy the chairs that were all over the house - wow!) and the kitchen perfect for making beautiful home-made meals with fresh produce every evening. I thought we may miss wander around in a town each evening and go out for dinner, but I'm lucky to be married to a great chef and she made us phenomenal meals which we paired with great wine and sat outside each evening watching the sun go down and stars come up. It was like being in a dream. I miss it already! One of the best weeks of my life. My favourite thing was just being at the villa and enjoying the view, the pool, the beauty of the home, great wine and food." Mr Nathan Flaman (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, June 2015)
"We loved Panarea. Totally relaxing and so friendly. We had a great day visiting Stromboli and had a lovely lunch at Punta Lena. I thought Tecla and Franco were excellent. We wanted to do some of our own cooking and we weren't made to feel that we were mucking up her kitchen. She noticed it was my husband's birthday from our passport and she baked a cake for breakfast that morning." Mrs Dinah Docherty (stayed at Aphrodite, June 2015)
"Sun, warmth, scenery, historical sites and cities, food and wine. Val di Noto, Syracuse, Villa Romana del Casale - we also liked Catania and Acireale, which are not so touristy. The villa was beautiful, the setting lovely. Our landlady was very friendly and helpful and the dinner she prepared us was wonderful and really delicious! House was also very clean and all the grounds well kept. We had a wonderful stay! We felt everything was very well organised and trustworthy and you really made everything possible to make sure we have all the necessary information and we will enjoy our holiday." Ms Päivi Salonen (stayed at Azzurra, June 2015)
"Time to unwind in a beautiful place. Very relaxing holiday." Mrs Latika Davis (stayed at Acquamarina, June 2015)
"The Villa! We loved Taormina as well. Taormina to go visit & restaurant to have a drink on the balcony with amazing view at the Grand Hotel Timeo. Mondello, Agrigento, Isola di Ortigia - restaurant Fratelli Burgio. We enjoyed the villa and the owner and everyone working there! The food was amazing and everyone had a wonderful experience! The owner, staff and everyone at the villa were WONDERFUL! The villa itself was breathtakingly beautiful, but everyone working there exceeded our expectations beyond words. The food was delicious! One meal was better than the next." Dr Gary Mauro (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, June 2015)
"The beaches, the food and the scenery. Agua beach, Siracusa. Everything was to a 5-star level. Loved it, was very sad to have to leave." Mr Henry Lawson (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, June 2015)
"Everything was just great. No disappointments. It's made me want to visit more!!! The food, the luxury of the villa. We used your guide and visited what we could on the day." Mrs Lula Redpath (stayed at CaSale, June 2015)
"Taormina, Mount Etna, Villa Romana del Casale, Isola Bella, Agrigento. The views, the food, the variety of experiences. Once again, a superb vacation with unmatched service in a spectacular location." Dr Susan Zarbin (stayed at Respiro, June 2015)
"I was very surprised with Sicily. I don't know what I expected but the towns, the food, the people, the cooking class and, of course, the lovely Antonella who worked in the villa were delightful. I can hardly wait to go back to Sicily and do more exploring. I love Modica, Noto, Ragusa Ibla and Marzamemi. I think I loved all of the towns. I loved being able to walk into Pozzallo to do shopping etc. It is always great to be able to walk and not have to rely on a vehicle all of the time. The owner of the villa, Lucia, met us when we arrived. She was lovely. She explained everything and showed us the villa and how everything worked. She kept in contact with us and I cannot say enough about Lucia and her absolutely perfect villa. I was sad I didn't book an additional week or maybe two! I wish I could think of one negative thing... but I cannot. My sister and brother in law and my friends from Los Angeles would concur. They told me over and over again that I made an amazing selection. I told them the truth and had to admit I had some help from Ruth. I love Italy and I would use your company anywhere in Italy. I enjoy your services so much you could probably entice me to an entirely different country. I am seriously thinking of returning to Sicily and if I do O would not use any other company. My trip to Puglia last year and this year's trip to Sicily have been wonderful. These have been difficult years without my husband at my side. He was a great planner and with your assistance I have planned two very nice holidays. Thank you again for everything." Ms Carolyn Gray (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, June 2015)
"Amazing food and wine, countryside. Sciacca was lovely, the slow-food restaurant was fantastic, beach outside and the restaurant Da Vittorio, the thermal baths." Ms Flo Deptford (stayed at Al Profondo Blu, June 2015)
"The summer sun in June! and being able to relax and unwind in a wonderful setting and have the holiday I had dreamt of. With a young toddler I found this villa was perfect for my family and I can highly recommend it. We spent most days in the pool although the lovely sandy beach of Mondello was only a few minutes drive away. I would recommend the sandy beach at Mondello, a trip into Palermo and one of our highlights was to the cathedral at Monreale. I enjoyed it all!" Mrs Ruth Power (stayed at Lillì, June 2015)
"Beautiful architecture, amazing food, great wine. Went to Noto, Syracuse and Taormina, all of which are beautiful. Syracuse has great markets for fresh food in the morning. Couldn't see the opera at the Greek theatre in Taormina whilst we were there but will definitely try next time!" Miss Kate Raymen (stayed at L'Eclisse, June 2015)
"First sunrise behind Etna on our first morning was magical and the constant changes of the view from Etna were a delight. The villa had the most well-stocked kitchen that we had ever had and there were even some bottles of drink on a tray which we were told we could help ourselves to. Mariano picked us some lovely apricots from the orchard. He was very discreet." Mrs Deborah White (stayed at Casa de Arena, June 2015)
"The villa was lovely and clean and a wonderful spot. It was very beautiful flying across the island and lovely and green." Mr Nick Sharp (stayed at Buzza Alta, June 2015)
"Having an al fresco breakfast on the square in front of Il Duomo. Good value meals in local restaurants every evening. We didn't move from Cefalu - it's a lovely town. It exceeded our expectations and we are already thinking about returning next year. Good value for the size and quality of the property." Mrs Julie Mawby (stayed at La Corte, June 2015)
"Ragusa, Noto, and really you can spend days exploring Syracusa. Near the villa there is a great beach-club type spot - Varco Venti3. Beach volleyball, beach tennis, lounge chairs, cocktails. We left the kids with the grandparents and walked there for aperitifs a couple of nights. Also advising guests to bring snorkel masks and water shoes to enjoy the sea right of the villa. We really loved Sicily and are already planning another visit. Most surprising was how large Sicily really is." Ms Nicolle Diver (stayed at Al Plemmirio, June 2015)
"We liked the isolated house and the beach we almost had to ourselves. All Sicilians we met were extremely friendly. We also liked our "neighbours" on the piece of land along the fence where you can walk down to the beach: a herd of donkeys. The outside veranda was just perfect! The landlady left such a large food basket that we could barely eat it, even taking into account that we eat vegan - lots of fruits and vegetables." Frau Angelika Braun (stayed at Cinnamon, June 2015)
"Ortigia and Noto. Very interesting and impressive buildings and towns. The views from the villa were stunning, the pool was excellent and the cleaner, Simona, was very efficient and pleasant." Mr Peter Dennell (stayed at Al Plemmirio, June 2015)
"Fantastic location, lots of space, great views, lovely pool and excellent sea-bathing for keen adults. Overall, a very lovely place in an unspoilt area which we would consider returning to." Mr Matthew Symonds (stayed at Le Sorbe, June 2015)
"Couldn't fault it, all very good. Lovely relaxing, little haven of peace at the villa. Anywhere else, it was a pleasure dealing with such an efficient, customer-focused company." Mrs Fiona Barkhouse (stayed at Poggio Pigio, June 2015)
"Syracuse, Marsala, Catania, Segesta. How charming and friendly people were. Wonderful choices of places to sit outside and admire the stunning views - I counted 8! Swallows over the pool at sundown was delightful." Ms Victoria Brandon (stayed at Ballata, June 2015)
"The beauty of the baroque towns we went to surprised us, the quality and freshness of food when we ate out, and the variety of the scenery. Noto was a delightful place to stroll around after dinner. Syracuse, Ragusa Ibla and Noto were our favourites; Ristorante Dammuse in Noto was so good we went back there. Saw a few beaches at the Vendicari and a few closer to Noto but none compared to sitting by the villa pool and enjoying the views. Loved the villa, the location the views, the space, the comfort and the immaculate presentation. The staff were friendly but discreet and if we'd been there with a larger group or for longer it would have been fun to have a meal cooked for us in the villa. Having the mid-week laundry change was great and the additional groceries the staff provided was useful. The kitchen was a delight and made eating in after a hard day exploring an easy option with the added bonus of lovely views." Ms Clare Risby (stayed at Clementina, June 2015)
"We couldn't fault the villa. It was great to arrive at the property to find that it was really well stocked with food and drink. For us, the fact that it was so close to the sea and had such amazing views was wonderful. This was our third trip to Sicily and we love it. Beautiful beaches, excellent food and wonderful history." Mrs Louise Joyce (stayed at Oriente, June 2015)
"The number of towns and places to see. The weather. The villa swimming pools were a great bonus. The quality of wine and fresh produce. Particularly enjoyed the attention and help from Turi and Alicia at Clementina. Country road driving very pleasant." Mr Roger Ford (stayed at Ballata and Clementina, May-June 2015)
"So much more than we anticipated, wouldn't really have asked for more. The overall experience was great but thankfully the food and wine stood out!! It was much cheaper than I expected! Castellmare del Golfo was fun, Segesta was enough to keep the children entertained and interested and the Island trip was memorable!!" Mrs Emily Evans (stayed at Corte del Sole, May 2015)
"Housekeepers were great. Fantastic hamper and win delivery on arrival. Quality and volume of food and wine. Very friendly people. Amazing architecture in Taormina and Syracuse. Enjoyed the whole experience!" Mrs Jean Golledge (stayed at Casa al Faro, June 2015)
"Loved the beaches and some of the towns (Siracusa, Scicli and Modica). People were always nice all over. Surprisingly uncrowded everywhere (middle of June explains most of that, but still we were surprised). Siracusa was great... taking a boat and swimming near the caves was great for kids too. Marina di Ragusa was the nicest Lido we went to, with a great restaurant. The villa itself was nice. The owner was helpful and the cleaning lady was super and did a great job." Mr Aron Shein (stayed at Casa di Pietra, June 2015)
"The beautiful coastal towns! Patricia was fabulous - nothing was too much. Her easy-going nature was appreciated and valued! Taormina my favourite town! I was surprised by a birthday celebration - Music was great - catered to our group. The birthday cake was the most beautiful cake I have ever seen!!!" Mrs Patricia Holloway (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, June 2015)
"The landscape is beautiful. We had great views of the sea and Mount Etna from our villa. I did not realise it was so rural. We really enjoyed Syracuse. We ate at a small restaurant that was very good. We had a wonderful dinner at Timeo, the view is spectacular and the food excellent. Charlotte recommended two restaurants in Santa Maria la Scala which were delicious and fun. Our vacation was fantastic. Maria and Paolo were wonderful, they exceeded our expectations. Their care of the villa, the delicious food and their attention to our needs made our vacation perfect. They are a wonderful couple and great asset to Badia. We had a wonderful vacation. Maria and Paolo made it the perfect vacation for me, the Mom." Mrs Margaret Toce (stayed at Badia, June 2015)
"Great weather, found everyone extremely friendly and helpful. Fantastic food. Sheer variety of experiences available, something for everyone. The steak at Becco e Bacco in Monreale - amazing quality and value." Dr Anne Hemming (stayed at Casa Agave, June 2015)
"The warmth of the people and beautiful settings. The winery at Santa Anastasia in Castelbuono." Mrs Eloise Bellard (stayed at Il Ciliegio, June 2015)
"The villa, pool, location near Noto all superb!" Mrs Frances Arthy (stayed at Gioi, June 2015)
"We were surprised by how beautiful the interior of Sicily is. We really enjoyed the drive over from Catania to Il Canneto. It now vies with Corsica as our favourite island in the Med. As Montallegro is not exactly on the tourist route, we loved meeting the people in local shops, and playing with our limited Italian. The two 18-hole courses at Verdura are gorgeous. Ditto the people there. We had a wonderful evening at what you describe as the best restaurant in Montallegro. Again, not just because of the food but also because of the chef and his wife. We'd never have found it without the recommendation. But best of all were the views from the villa - it was hard to make the effort to go out!" Mrs Dorothy Garland (stayed at Il Canneto, June 2015)
"Exceeded our expectations and we are a very highly travelled group. Everything about this villa exceeded expectations! The villa was stunning and enormous, beautifully furnished and the bedrooms were all beautifully furnished and pretty comparable. The grounds were beautiful, the setting rural and serene and the vistas were spectacular. We cannot say enough about the staff headed by the lovely Laura - seamless service always with a smile. We opted for the daily breakfast which was expansive and delicious - definitely worth it. We were a group of 12 - six couples. The villa is so large and has so many sitting areas and terraces that you never felt crowded Wonderful!! We opted for a fairly remote location in the Vendicari Reserve in order to experience the Sicily of old away from the larger cities. We were not disappointed. We drove to Noto, Ragusa, Modica and Siracusa on day trips from the villa. All the historical centers were beautiful and charming - especially loved Ragusa. Agrigento is a must, the Roman mosaics at the villa are spectacular (best anywhere) and Caltigirone is a must-see city with many wonderful ceramics." Ms Peggy Ricciardi (stayed at Masseria Costanza, June 2015)
"Our favourite place was Syracuse/Ortigia - we aim to return!" Mrs Jacqueline Pomfret (stayed at La Favorita, June 2015)
"This was a homecoming visit for our family; previous generations hail from Palermo. The villa exceeded our expectations and Sicily itself was a treat. The food is the best in all of Italy, the beaches are lovely and the people friendly. I would use your services anywhere that you offered them. The villa was great, the service was great. Thank you for all your assistance. You played a key role in making this a most memorable family vacation." Ms Lana Cordes (stayed at Gli Ulivi, June 2015)
"The driver arranged for transfer both ways was great. The villa greeter was very nice and responded promptly. The welcome pack was terrific after a 24 hour trip, we were exhausted. The cottage was quaint and fantastic, we loved it, the various levels, the patio, the views etc. The lidos were fantastic as was the sea! Great fun, food was great, people friendly." Mrs Debra Connell (stayed at La Corte, May-June 2015)
"Please note the email I sent in which I praised all aspects of our experience and the staff. Exceeded all expectations of the 12 of us. Thank you to all! The beauty of the island! We would love to return some day. Our time was much too short. Noto, Ortygia, Marzamemi, Vendicari... the seaside restaurant in Brucoli and the best... our personal cooks! The villa beautifully accommodated the 12 of us, a very pleasant surprise. Because our time was short we did not travel far and had more time to enjoy the villa's amenities. Salvatore, our sometime driver and Daniela, our daily support were wonderful. Thank you again to all." Ms Mary Anne O'Hara (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, May-June 2015)
"Great food, friendly locals." Ms Kate Lewis (stayed at La Riva, May-June 2015)
"The entire experience with your company was fabulous! The villa was magnificent. The chef and houseman were friendly, helpful and fun. We all wanted to cry when we left, it felt like home! None of us were prepared for the beauty of the countryside. The food was beyond anything we could compare to. All over a great experience. Not enough words to compliment you all! Perfect." Mrs Susan Emptage (stayed at Aphrodite, April-May 2015)
"It was wonderful. The cook was excellent and the home is well-appointed. The flowers were amazing. Salina is beautiful and Palermo is fascinating." Ms Elizabeth Faiella (stayed at Aphrodite, May-June 2015)
"The villa is perfect, even with a small child." Mr Clemens Von Bechtolsheim (stayed at I Lentischi, June 2015)
"Our trips out to Noto, Siracusa and in particular Taormina were wonderful. Amazing architecture, restaurants and vistas. Generally fantastic. In particular the owner was both welcoming and generous." Mr Simon Wright (stayed at Estiva, June 2015)
"We enjoyed touching on the cultural and historical background of the island, and understanding more about its present day issues of this beautiful island. We loved relaxing at Pietra Nera amidst such fantastic scenery, in such a brilliantly comfortable and well-equipped house, with its spacious and beautifully maintained grounds." Mr Jonathan Evans (stayed at Pietra Nera, June 2015)
"The location and views are just stunning. Didn't venture out apart from going to the shops. No need to with that view :)" Mr James Price (stayed at Villa Saracena, June 2015)
"The views are outstanding and very private. Housekeeper, although did not speak English, was very courteous and had made us a wonderful pasta dish. A real relaxing adventure. We loved the people, who were genuinely pleasant and helpful when asked and approached us to help when they saw us perhaps in need. Cefalu was really nice and we ate at Da Nino on the sea front. Nice beach at Capo d'Orlando. In our previous week above Taormina, we loved the visit in Castelmola, beautiful hilltop town, outstanding views. Local markets at Acquedolci and Villafranca were interesting and fun, browsing with the locals. The quality of such beautiful very private site, with a pool and great veranda outlook, would be difficult to beat. Also from our villa we had spectacular views of eagles flying in the area. Had several barbecues with orate (fish), sword fish, sardines - yummy!" Mr Andrew Ingram (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, May 2015)
"The staff at the villa were exceptional in the care they took to ensure that we enjoyed our holiday experience. Davide and Maria took care of us very well also. Could you please thank them for me and send our very best wishes. I enjoyed the villa and grounds most and being with my family. Sicily seems quite different from the rest of Italy and I may explore more with another visit. I would recommend a visit to Scopello which has beautiful views. We also enjoyed a visit to Mozia, San Pantaleo Island. It has a fascinating history and the archaeological museum and the ruins are well worth a visit. Selinunte is another archaeological site well worth a visit, as is Marsala. My daughter (who stayed on in Sicily after the family left) would recommend the Egadi Islands and Erice. It was an ideal setting for a family celebration holiday. All of our children and grandchildren have said how much they enjoyed it. The children enjoyed the pool particularly and the adults all had a wonderful time." Ms Jan Fiore (stayed at La Favorita, May 2015)
"Totally amazing and 100% success. We had a really good family holiday with 2 small children." Prof Robert Pounder (stayed at La Limonaia, May 2015)
"Second time there, a lovely place. Our third time with The Thinking Traveller, twice in Sicily and once in Puglia. Always excellent service, good response to queries, problems. Houses are what they are promised to be. Maybe we'll do Greece next!" Mr Brian Toller (stayed at Il Cappero, May 2015)
"The beautiful landscape, clear waters, beautiful islands and the food." Mr Sigurdur Ragnarsson (stayed at Lillì, May-June 2015)
"Perfect." Dr Anthony Sethi (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, May 2015)
"The location of La Fenice is quite spectacular. We thoroughly enjoyed the terraces, particularly the upper terrace as it was warmer there! The Sicilian people are very friendly. I am Italian myself, from Emilia Romagna, and I noticed a difference! Scopello is a hidden gem. Scala dei Turchi is a must-see, so unique! San Vito Lo Capo is breath-taking... Caltabelotta was beautiful and unexpected!" Mrs Sonia Trogi-Menard (stayed at La Fenice, May 2015)
"Loved it. The views were to die for. [Sicily] was beautiful. Cefalu and surrounding area was gorgeous. We loved it. Went with friends who loved your service and we have since recommended you to a number of other friends. Also be good to promote the cycling in Sicily. Our husbands hired bikes for the week and both were totally in love with all the cycling - the roads and the views." Ms Vidhu Sood Nicholls (stayed at La Mora, May 2015)
"Marzamemi - an absolutely beautiful little town. We especially loved a restaurant called Cortile Arabo - amazing setting overlooking the sea." Ms Anna Johnstone (stayed at Gioi, May 2015)
"The weather, the food and the countryside. The villa, gardens and pool were very well kept and relaxing." Mr Ben David (stayed at Casa di Pietra, May-June 2015)
"It is the first time I rented a villa, the service of your travel agency was fantastic, and also Charlotte and the staff in the villa. It is a beautiful island, besides Syracusa, we loved Noto and Taormina." Ms Sybille Sasse (stayed at Villa Saracena, May-June 2015)
"Beautiful countryside, friendly people. Roman ruins at Agrigento." Mr. Joe Redden (stayed at Il Canneto, May-June 2015)
"The food was very good and we found the people very friendly and helpful. The cost of meals pleasantly surprised us. It was possible to eat and drink well and have a very reasonable bill. Cefalu had a very relaxed feel to it and felt safe at all times. Cefalu is interesting historically, and a very enjoyable place to stay. Enjoyed Cefalu as a destination and the facilities in the apartment. The fact that we were immediately in the main street from the front door and in the sea from the balcony was a joy." Ms Teresa Head (stayed at Brezza di Mare, May-June 2015)
"Sicily is very beautiful and the people very friendly. Casa delle Sirene was the most fabulous villa to stay in. Lucia was absolutely a wonderful hostess - I can't praise her enough. She even provided hot meals for dinner when we arrived, had champagne on ice and had set the table. After a long drive to get there, we really appreciated it. The villa was beautifully furnished, spotless and so comfortable we didn't want to leave. We all loved Patata! The cook was amazing - the food she prepared was delicious and so much food! The accommodation, Lucia and the cook were outstanding." Mrs Kim Walker (stayed at Brezza di Mare, Casa delle Sirene and La Riva, May-June 2015)
"The villa was wonderful and so was the staff! We loved Rocca delle Tre Contrade! The beautiful villa, wonderful food and spending a great week with close friends. Syracusa is interesting and beautiful...in particular Ortigia. We enjoyed in particular the beauty and atmosphere of the villa: interiors, surroundings, the loving and caring staff and outstanding food!" Ms Sari Baldauf (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, May-June 2015)
"We loved the market in Ortygia, and went several times, as we love to cook. We also did the hour boat ride and visit to the caves, which was amazing. Our biggest trip was to Agrigento, which was worth the time. We also really loved spending the morning in Caltagirone and bought some lovely ceramics to take home. More about the villa that we loved! The views, the views, the views. From everywhere! The pool area is just lovely. We loved and used the new outdoor kitchen quite a bit, both the pizza oven and the grill area. The kitchen was very well-equipped, with just about every gadget we needed. The bedrooms were comfy and well appointed. The sauna was a very nice bonus. The veranda was always shady and was a very comfy place to sit morning, noon and night. My husband loved the hammock. Overall, our family had a wonderful time that we will remember for years to come and I will absolutely recommend both the villa and Think Sicily to anyone and everyone. This company is fantastic. I would absolutely book with you again, as we plan to return to Sicily and see the rest of the island that we missed!" Mrs Mariann McDonagh (stayed at Priscilla, May 2015)
"We enjoyed the beaches, the food and the friendly people the most. The old town in Modica is beautiful, the hotel Torre Marabino is wonderful and has a wonderful restaurant very reasonably priced. Casa delle Sirene is a beautiful villa set in wonderful gardens that sweep all the way round the house (the villa is in the middle of the plot). It is fenced and gated and completely safe and secure for children. There is the friendliest most charming cat 'Patata' who lives in the garden there, she is a domestic cat and very affectionate, she is so good with children we joked that it was like having a nanny on holiday with us - our 3 year old spent lots of fun times in the garden with her." Mrs Alice Fowler (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, May 2015)
"Stromboli was unforgettable - to watch from the terrace, and to visit. The sublime view from the terrace which I have imprinted in my memory. It was breath-taking. The food was divine - granite, coffee, pasta of course, fish... Giovanni's pizzeria. We loved the boat trip to the outlying rocks with Marco. The presence of Tecla and Franco made this holiday something really very special... They are a delight, hospitable, unobtrusive, friendly, knowledgeable, efficient, flexible. And Tecla's cooking! I miss it so much." Mrs Tessa Allingham (stayed at Aphrodite, May 2015)
"Everything was incredible. We cannot believe how wonderful it was to have such a beautiful place to use as a home-base and also to relax at on the days we weren't sightseeing. Overall the staff was extremely helpful and professional. Of course the language barrier was a bit tricky but we managed! We LOVED having the cook and waiter service - was one of the highlights of the entire trip! Our great-grandmother was from Augusta so we loved being able to see the country she came from. I think it surprised us how different Sicily is from the rest of Italy, and how similar the landscape and agriculture was to our hoe state of California! We saw some of the most gorgeous cathedrals we have EVER seen (Monreale & Erice) and this was our first time staying as a group in a villa vs hotels and we LOVED it. Monreale/Erice were incredible. So happy we made the long drive to go there! Il Duomo in Ragusa was one of the very best meals of our lives! Honestly, I would book a trip ANYWHERE in the world with your expertise with no hesitation. If you had a villa in a place we were looking to go to, it would be a no-brainer. We were blown away by our experience from start to end. Without question, this was our favourite family vacation to-date!" Ms Sarah Larsen (stayed at Crossing The Rock, May 2015)
"Excellent people. Wonderful historic monuments, astonishing views in the villa and surroundings." Mrs Lina McAllister (stayed at Masseria Costanza, May 2015)
"One lovely thing - to be greeted by the family who owned the villa for a personal show round was delightful. The beauty and glorious antiquity of the place. Etna top experience of the lot. Etna was absolutely unbelievable - being at the top with ice, snow, sun and hot gravel to warm your hands was unforgettable." Mrs Wendy Berliner (stayed at Adagio, May 2015)
"The beautiful terrace overlooking the sea with total privacy. The friendliness of the people; the freshness of the food; the murmur of Sicilian voices. Certainly the town of Noto which has an excellent restaurant Il Crocifisso off the tourist track. Ortigia of course where we stayed. A glass of Prosecco in front of the Duomo in Ortigia. Our memories did not do the place justice, it was even better than we remembered." Mr Richard Furlong Brown (stayed at Archimede, May 2015)
"It's lovely. Everything clearly 5*. I'd also add the welcome food and drink went above and beyond: I asked for beer so Sergio had bought a lovely Sicilian beer instead of say Heineken. And there was bread, ham, tomatoes, melon etc, as opposed to the usual generic stuff. All very thoughtful. We will come back to Sicily and we will use Think Sicily." Mr Chris Cowan (stayed at Brezza di Mare, May 2015)
"Lovely weather - lovely setting in a lovely villa. Ortigia, Noto. Restaurant Al Catello in Brucoli. Also Caipello or something like that in the fishing village. All the staff along with your local representatives were charming and helpful at all times. A great time was had by all." Mr Edward Rossdale (stayed at Al Plemmirio, May 2015)
"We loved it! We especially loved the grounds at Acquamarina, sooo lovely! We simply loved Segesta and Selinunte. And we went all the way to see Villa Romana Casale mosaics. Very worthwhile... also Erice is very nice." Mrs Marianne Granpre Moliere (stayed at Acquamarina, May 2015)
"The ambience of the island, particularly the area we were staying in, was great - very relaxing and enjoyable. We didn't do much (too busy enjoying the villa, pool and beach!) but enjoyed our morning at Selinunte and had a great lunch at Pierrot in Marinella di Selinunte afterwards. We enjoyed our day at La Foresteria, too. The lunch was delicious, and the staff lovely." Ms Jo Brittain (stayed at Casa Agave, May 2015)
"The holiday was excellent, we rarely left the villa as it was so beautiful and we were made so welcome. The food and service was outstanding." Mrs Lucy Shaughnessy (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, May 2015)
"The food, wine, boat trip around the island. Shopping was great and reasonable. Morning market was beyond wonderful. The villa was exactly as portrayed. Lovely appointments, fully stocked, breathtaking views, convenient to everything." Ms Dilys Farney (stayed at Ortigia, May 2015)
"There is always so much to see and do - every area is different. The climate is perfect and the food excellent. The people are extremely friendly and quite rightly proud of the island, which makes it just a little extra special. I love recommending it as a holiday destination because most people haven't been. Scicli was lovely - we even saw Montalbano being filmed! Syracuse was must see, and the chocolate from Modica was fabulous. The villa was spectacular, perfect for the family and stunning in the Spring. The flowers and garden were lovely, and Andrea and his family couldn't do enough for us. We loved it, and can't wait for Corfu. We always recommend the company - we have had some really great holidays!" Mr Cyrus Kapadia (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, May 2015)
"The villa. And the view from the villa was excellent." Mr George Winstone (stayed at CaSale, May 2015)
"It was our first time in Sicily and I have to say we so enjoyed our villa that we hardly left it! We loved Ragusa Ibla - a really beautiful place. Villa Gabbiani was an absolutely stunning villa. The grounds were beautiful and everything so well maintained. Lucia, the owner, was so helpful, and Antonella, the housekeeper, was just amazing! We had to pinch ourselves, we just loved the space, the outdoor kitchen and the villa. Just brilliant. We will definitely be using The Thinking Traveller again - we had the best time!x" Mr and Mrs Simon and Sophie Hill (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, May 2015)
"We had a great time and your company was the most thorough of any rental agency that I have dealt with." Ms Anne Pappas (stayed at Casa Nuvola, May 2015)
"Friendly people who love their island; fantastic food and spectacular scenery. I doubt whether the location and grounds of the villa could be surpassed." Mrs Jill Pittaway (stayed at Il Gabbiano, May 2015)
"We loved the beautiful sunsets viewed from the pool each night. The setting in the vineyards, olive trees and wheat fields made our stay restful and enjoyable. We loved the area immediately around the villa. The local shops were interesting and we enjoyed the agriturismo restaurants just behind the villa. We loved the Salt Museum and the visit to the salt pans The local markets and restaurants in Trapani were wonderful. Having rented 2 villas in Sicily this May, we were extremely happy with every aspect of our travels. We definitely will be back!" Mrs Tanya Gitto (stayed at Corte del Sole, May 2015)
"All 6 ladies loved the whole experience. The villa was exceptional and the house-keeper/cook was a real jewel. She made our stay especially fun with wonderful Sicilian food. Would love to return to Balu'. We loved the food and wine. The wine excellent and a wonderful time of the year to be in Sicily. We enjoyed it all. It ended too soon!" Mrs Tanya Gitto (stayed at Balu', May 2015)
"The holiday was a wonderful family holiday - we all had an amazing time. The villa was absolutely fantastic - we were thrilled with it. The maid was excellent and the cook superb. Lucia made us feel very welcome when we arrived and she went the extra mile for us on my Mum's birthday. We loved Modica and the drive out to the Roman temple. We would definitely use The Thinking Traveller again and would absolutely recommend you to friends." Mr Mario Thomas (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, May 2015)
"The gorgeous house, the views, and that fabulously landscaped garden." Dr Martha Eger (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, May 2015)
"The villa experience - it was quality, brilliant, relaxing, memorable - all good words. The villa experience was a dream. We had a wonderful time with easy access to S/E Sicily. We ate in and out and the kitchen facilities were superb. All in all an excellent vacation." Mr John Gordon (stayed at Azzurra, May 2015)
"The villa was of a truly beautiful standard, and was very comfortable indeed. The pool, Jacuzzi, gym, sauna and hammam really made it exceptional. The property was cleaned to a very high standard, and was really more like staying in a hotel than a holiday villa, with the regular cleans, clean linen and towels every other day. Brucoli is a little gem, and has everything that one could need for fresh produce (fish direct from the fisherman is a real treat!), excellent bakery, fresh fruit and veg from back of the veg van. Syracuse, Modica and Scicli are all worth a visit." Mr Marcus Brown (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, May 2015)
"Kindness of people, excellent food, varied landscape. Very relaxing holiday, in a small paradise." Mr Edgar van Tuyll (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, May 2015)
"The landscape is truly breathtaking." Mr James Clark (stayed at Poggio Pigio, May 2015)
"The food and the views. Santa Tecla was beautiful. Taormina was lovely and we loved the journey on the cable cars." Mr Gary Lumb (stayed at La Timpa, May 2015)
"We really enjoyed the lack of many visitors, the views were fantastic and the countryside was marvellous. We loved Scopello and found the restaurants very good and, compared to Ireland, great value. Swimming in the old tuna factory was a great experience." Mr John Gageby (stayed at Cala Bianca, May 2015)
"The villa. Da Vittoio restaurant in Porto Palo was fantastic. Selinunte was great." Mr Hugh Morland (stayed at Acquamarina, May 2015)
"The beach. Donna Carmela was a great surprise. Villa Romana Del Casale, Etna Tour, La Foresteria Planeta Estate. I enjoyed La Capinera Restaurant which is very close to La Pergola." Mrs Monica Belfort (stayed at La Pergola, May 2015)
"The scenery especially on the Northern coast in the Madonie Mountains area is spectacular. Noto, Siracusa and Taormina are truly beautiful towns and cities. The greek theatre in Taormina is spectacular as are the views from the Grand Hotel Timeo where we ate lunch. The Madonie and Nebrodi mountains are incredibly beautiful and the towns perched on hilltops are very picturesque. The villa is lovely and the owner and staff were great.The accommodations were wonderful and the support from The Thinking Traveller is the best we have ever experienced." Mr Edward Lindsay (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, May 2015)
"Most enjoyed the varied landscape and its history. Weather was great. Surprised by lack of sophistication - which was good! Roman villa, Palermo, Locando don Serafina restaurant in Ragusa - fabulous! Mountains and drives and villages behind the villa in the national park were great. We thought the house was really well appointed." Mr Richard Knight (stayed at Il Gabbiano, May 2015)
"The beauty of it all, the people being so friendly and helpful. We used your books and found them extremely useful, our favourite restaurants all came from these books. We loved this villa for its simplicity and ease of use, it had everything needed and the outside furniture round the pool was great. We ate in more evenings than we thought we would because it was lovely and light with beautiful sunsets." Mrs Karen Riley (stayed at Corte del Sole, May 2015)
"It is a beautiful island. This is without a doubt a most beautiful property. It is so well appointed, the grounds attended to daily even before we all awoke. Daniella the private concierge is excellent, as are the girls who come in each day. We could not recommend the "chef package" highly enough, as the girls came in for three nights during our stay and the quality of food was superb. We had an absolutely wonderful week as a family from Australia. Congratulations to the owner of the property." Mrs Marion Patrick (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, May 2015)
"The food, the wild flowers, Etna, the easy pace." Ms Fiona Grobien (stayed at Respiro, May 2015)
"No real surprises, but above our expectations. We loved the culture, food, friendliness of people." Mr Bob Reichenfeld (stayed at Casa al Faro, May 2015)
"The lack of hordes of tourists and the wonderful surprise of the beautiful drive to Villa Romana - almost alpine landscape. We did not travel much - the villa was too wonderfully restful but Villa Romana was amazing and I would go again. We only had two meals out, but they were delicious and everyone so kind and welcoming. The best holiday we have ever had." Mrs Sally Browne (stayed at Azzura, April-May 2015)
"Wonderful scenery. The fish restaurant at Porto Palo was very good. We really enjoyed the holiday." Mr Alan Brooks (stayed at Acquamarina, April-May 2015)
"We just truly appreciated the apartment set on the harbour where you can get a pretty good taste of everyday life in a small non-touristy village. The other side with the terraces gave us great privacy and peace, the sea was wonderful. The authenticity of the house was fabulous!" Ms Anna Torfs (stayed at Casa alla Scala, April 2015)
"The food was very good. Ragusa was outstanding. The Greek temples at Agrigento are definitely worth seeing." Mr Lewis Culliver (stayed at La Riva, April 2015)
"Beautiful and varied landscapes, sunshine, amazing food, gelato and wine, lovely people, historic sights. We absolutely loved the property and especially the kitchen and terrace. Thank you so much!" Ms Angela Oglesby (stayed at Brezza di Mare, April 2015)
"It was our fourth visit but the beauty and diversity still continue to amaze me. Loved Cefalu. The anniversary gifts you provided were an unexpected surprise Our holiday was amazing, can't wait to go back." Mr Jeffrey Ganssle (stayed at Il Gabbiano, April 2015)
"Great oranges! Sicily was perfect for road cycling. Great history and quite understated. I would recommend the in-villa meal." Ms Sandy Guy (stayed at I Lentischi, April 2015)
"The baroque towns we visited in the South East were spectacular. Loved being in non-touristy areas. Scicli (no tourists, very authentic and lively place). Seeing a play in a Greek theatre in Siracuse is also something unique. Casa delle Sirene was a perfect setting for us - being literally on a private deserted beach couldn't be better... and a short drive from the most beautiful, spectacular baroque towns. Liked the fact that the region is not busy and crowded. We just didn't want to leave and want to come back ASAP!" Ms Johanna Reder (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, April 2015)
"The views, the people and the food." Mrs Margreet van der Zee (stayed at Acquamarina, April 2015)
"The privacy of villa and deserted beach." Dr Astrid Bonfield (stayed at Cinnamon, April 2015)
"The Villa was amazing, a week we will never forget. Everyone so friendly and helpful. I actually cried when we left. Sicily was pretty, food excellent no matter where we stopped. We all enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of the villa. We had so many laughs, and enjoyed cooking in the kitchen with my cousins. Our grandparents are from Sicily so it was a really special trip. We pretty much enjoyed everything. I just can't tell you enough how wonderful planning this trip and spending the week there was." Mrs Maryanne Young (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, April 2015)
"The friendliness of the people. Ortigia and Benanti Vineyard." Mrs Deborah Paton (stayed at Ortigia, April 2015)
"The villa was lovely - very comfortable. The owners were lovely - very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our holiday in Sicily immensely and hope to visit again soon. We loved the fact that we were the only tourists. Cefalu is a wonderful little town. The beaches were great and our last night in Palermo was interesting. We found Sicily more old fashioned than expected - which we loved!" Mrs Sarah Kinnoch (stayed at Casa Nuvola, April 2015)
"A beautiful country and everyone we came into contact with was very friendly even though non of us speak Italian. The views from the property were breathtaking and it was so peaceful. The ever changing mood and presence of Etna was an unexpected delight - even in the snow!" Mrs Christine Wordsworth (stayed at Pietra Nera, April 2015)
"The scale and the history was beyond expectations." Mr Nicholas Dale (stayed at Ortigia, March-April 2015)
"Congratulations on everything!!!" Mrs Marina Munoz (stayed at Azzura, April 2015)
"Acquamarina - the light, the colours, the atmosphere, the mood, the sounds - an unforgettable place that enchants our hearts with emotion." Dr Heinz Müller (stayed at Acquamarina, March-April 2015)
"'This is the best place in the world' said our 4-year old daughter when we arrived - it's like a magic combination of being on a boat with no sound but the waves, and being in the centre of the old town. We had a wonderful time, including a truly vast meal from our wonderful friendly cook on Tuesday. It was honestly wonderful and we hope to come back one day. Sicily was magically green at this time of year - we hit orange groves almost as soon as we left the airport! The oranges themselves were staggeringly sweet and juicy - orange and fennel salad with lashings of good olive oil as made by our cook is my new favourite. Although I have some Italian, it was a surprise and relief how many locals speak good English - it was very easy to manage what we needed locally. I could sit in the Piazza del Duomo in Cefalu all day - lovely views in every direction. It was a really wonderful holiday!" Mrs Helen Hardy (stayed at Brezza di Mare, March-April 2015)
"[Sicily] is just beautiful. We liked the simpler atmosphere and the delightful people. The sea food. Nowhere in the world have I had this fresh and tremendous sea food anywhere! The staff [of the villa] was just excellent. The views of the town and sea are just spectacular. We enjoyed very much having Chettina cleaning and Rosamaria and Santo preparing some meals. Santo was a real joy as waiter, very elegant, resourceful and accommodating and extremely funny." Dr Maribel Rodriguez-Torres (stayed at Crossing Together, March 2015)
"The location of the villa was truly beautiful. People were friendly and the topography was beautiful. We were travelling with a group of teens and they all had a great time too." Mr Frederick Wickham (stayed at Casa Nuvola, March-April 2015)
"The owner and housekeeper couldn't be more helpful and professional in their attempts to ensure we had a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Sicily grew on us! We felt the immediate area of our villa was very unspoilt and, as such, a little difficult at first to navigate around but, as we settled into the way of life there, we enjoyed it more and more. We particularly liked Scicli and the surrounding area. We could recommend the horse riding at Parco dei Cavalieri near Ispica. Even though they couldn't speak English, they helped to make our daughter's two rides memorable on the beach and through woods and hillsides." Lady Gill White (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, March-April 2015)
"Everything was perfect. The staff is phenomenal!!! Cannot wait to return some day!!! Excellent, Phenomenal and everyone had a fabulous time." Ms Dina Smith (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, March 2015)
"The Thinking Traveller is the best holiday company that we have ever used, you really looked after us from the moment I contacted you until the time we left, you really gave us an extra day by allowing us to stay until our late flight home." Mr Bruce Rankin (stayed at Ballata, March 2015)
"We were very happy with our week in the villa. It is a very relaxing and comfortable property and we would like to book it again. The gardens are truly beautiful and the pool is very well maintained. It is a wonderful environment for a family holiday. The villa and it's beautiful setting is exceptional, and we thoroughly enjoyed the grounds, views of Mount Etna and the gorgeous sunsets from the deck. Our experience was enhanced by Dorata and her outstanding personality and cooking. Her wonderful cooking made our holiday perfect. I think we enjoyed the beautiful views most and of course the wonderful food. Sicily has a bit of everything...history, views and great food. We particularly had a wonderful day at the Benati Winery. We were taken on the tour by the son and later in the day had the opportunity to meet and visit with the father, who gave us a tour of their family chapel. We have been on many wine tours, but this was one of the best. The whole day was unrushed and the cooking lesson was fun, informative and everything was delicious. We also enjoyed our day with Allessandro in Siracusa. Our lunch with her, also, was very memorable. We toured Taormina on our own and enjoyed this beautiful setting and city. Our holiday was truly memorable! I already have recommended Thinking Sicily to many friends." Mr and Mrs Rob and Cindy Hardin (stayed at Azzura, December 2014)
"The staff/owners at the villa really made the stay so enjoyable. They cooked some amazing meals for us and made us feel at home. They took such good care of us. Our family enjoyed the food and the warmth of the people. Sicily still feels like an undiscovered gem. Time seems to have stopped in Sicily and we're just glad we go to experience it before it gets overrun with tourists. We were a little worried about driving in Sicily but it turned out to be like driving in any big city. We didn't have any problems. We were surprised by how much produce is grown in Sicily. I think we assumed because a lot of the land is arid and dry that produce wouldn't flourish but we saw so many farms while driving through the country side. We visited Modica and did a cooking class with Katie Amore. She was amazing in her knowledge of culinary arts and food history. She answered all our cooking questions (which there were many since there was 13 of us). We also had a lovely birthday dinner at Il Consiglio di Sicilia in Donnalucata. The owners Roberta and Antonio were the best host and hostess. The food was delicious and you can tell they take pride in their food. Roberta was ready to answer any and all questions. We did a Mt. Etna tour with Etna Moving (a tour we booked on our own) and had the best time! We also did a wine tour of Planeta in Noto. The staff there was very knowledgeable and laid out the best lunch for us. We loved everything about our trip to Sicily!" Mr Mark Cira (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, September-October 2014)
"The experience at the villa was outstanding. Everything from the view to the condition of the villa surpassed our expectations. We highly recommend the Oriente. Everything was beautiful. We could not pick one experience above another. We were surprised by the topography. Cefalu, Taormina, Cinisi, Agrigento, Sienna, - you can spend a year and not see everything of interest. Did not have a bad meal. Food is spectacular! We loved every minute of every day!!!" Mr Thomas Insana (stayed at Oriente, October 2014)
"We spent ten wonderful days in Casa dei Gabbiani with our two little boys and our nanny. The setting is exceptional: The property is located directly by the sea and the local beach - which is perfectly sandy- is just a few-minute-walk from the villa. It felt like we had our own private beach! We loved Casa dei Gabbiani and its gardens. This is a villa where indoors and outdoors merge together: the garden is really part of the house, so is the outdoor pool and the sea. The use of glass roofs and shaded patios makes this house airy, light and creates intermediate spaces between the house and its gardens. The villa is well designed and executed, the owners thought about even the smallest details. The best materials were used throughout: lots of natural stone in the garden, wood and concrete floors in the house. There is a heated indoor Jacuzzi in the basement which we particularly enjoyed in the evenings. It's a very relaxing place, beautifully designed and detailed! There is a fantastic outdoor kitchen with a barbecue which beautifully works together with the indoor kitchen, both are very well equipped. The outdoor pool area is beautiful and tranquil, the olive garden is delightful. There is a large sandpit in the rear garden which our older son loved playing in. The owners even thought about providing little plastic toys for the sandpit! Very thoughtful! We were also well taken care of: On our arrival the Villa's owner, Donna Lucia, gave us a very warm welcome, and she was very kind and helpful all along. (Thank you!) Antonella, the maid, came every morning to clean the house. She brought and served delicious breakfast, and also did all our shopping! Since Antonella knows the best local bakeries, butchers and fishmongers we had the most amazing ingredients to eat and to cook with. We loved Casa dei Gabbiani and we highly recommend it to likeminded quality-conscious travellers!" Mrs Annamaria Tonwe (stayed at Casa dei Gabbiani, September-October 2014)
"Excellent service and very happy with the holiday we had and the help given by your team. I would recommend The Thinking Traveller in the future." Ms Leah McNiece (stayed at Profondo Blu, October 2014)
"The people, the food, the beautiful towns, the sea! I guess I was surprised that I could swim in the sea -even though it was mid October (when Piero took us out on his boat which was wonderful... and again just from the villa's . own private beach) The water felt warmish and fantastic!" Ms Fran Gallo (stayed at Villa Saracena, September-October 2014)
"The entire staff was excellent. Rosamaria was outstanding. Her meals were exceptional. Santo made our dinners so entertaining. His lack of the English language along with our lack of the Italian language created many evenings of laughter. Alfio created wonderful breakfasts every morning and even worked for us on his day off! Cettina did a great job and Guisseppe was very helpful. We loved everything!!! Our biggest thanks and appreciation to Thinking Traveller and to the entire staff at Crossing the Rock." Mr Jacob Kacsik (stayed at Crossing The Rock, October 2014)
"Sicily is paradise. The people are warm and friendly. The scenery is spectacular. Each town is unique and offers so much. The food is outstanding, from fine dining to little hole in the wall cafe's. The supermarket's in Castellammare and Scopello have everything you need and if you want to have a meal in the villa, they offer the finest, freshest foods. Our holiday was an amazing experience. I would recommend Think Sicily to anyone and everyone." Mrs Jill Miller (stayed at Cala Bianca, October 2014)
"As a company you are the best I have ever experienced." Mrs Meryl Harrison (stayed at Corte del Sole, August 2014)
"I just wanted to thank you for helping us organize our trip to Sicily. It was a great success and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely! The experience was once in a lifetime and Think Sicily really helped us make it happen." Ms Cira (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, September 2014)
"Loved it - will be back!" Ms Jo Taylor (stayed at Gioi, October 2014)
"We really enjoyed our experience at Brezza di Mare. The location took our breath away, it was amazing to look down from our balcony and see crystal clear water directly below. The location was also fabulous for walking to the beach and finding wonderful little restaurants to dine in. Cole was there to meet us and direct us to our villa, which went really smoothly, and apart from this we did not require any help from staff. We felt the value for our money was very good. We loved our holiday, it was the perfect choice for us - a great balance of fun interesting experiences and relaxation." Mrs Mary-Jean Butler (stayed at Brezza di Mare, October 2014)
"This villa was fabulous. We did less touring than we planned because we were so comfortable and happy to stay 'home', enjoying the lovely villa and the view. In St Alfio we enjoyed interfacing with the villa owner, Gaetano. Alfia and her brother prepared a great night of fabulous pizzas!" Ms Cherry Capik (stayed at Infinito, September-October 2014)
"I have Sicilian parents and have visited Sicily several times. So, my roots are there and nothing surprised me. Having said that, I loved the peace of Pietra Nera. Away from traffic noise and sirens! A truly restful holiday. The serenity was surreal and the double view amazing." Mrs Liliana Vinciullo (stayed at Pietra Nera, September-October 2014)
"This villa is a rare find. It is impeccable from top to bottom. The site is spectacular, the beaches are private and wonderful, the villa itself is equipped to make you feel at home and spoiled at the same time. From the linens to the table service to the patio furniture--this villa is beautifully equipped. I will never forget my stay here. Cefalu is a spectacular spot. The water is fabulous. The people are delightful. I am going on a limb here but I rate it higher than Taormina for sheer beauty and ease. Il Gabbiano is a stand-out experience. This was an utterly unique experience that will linger in my memory for a long time." Mr Richard Frey (stayed at Il Gabbiano, September 2014)
"We loved Il Cappero. The architecture and great room were fantastic, was well appointed. Pool was great. Luigi kept coming, bearing lemons, pomegranates, olive oil, tomato sauce and making us feel welcome. The food in the welcome basket was a nice touch. Thank you, thank you." Rachel Ben-Shmuel (stayed at Il Cappero, September 2014)
"This is the second year we booked the villa- that speaks for itself. We really love the amenities, the view is priceless, the closeness to the cable car is excellent. My friends also went swimming every day, and we loved the il barcaiolo restaurant just a few steps down from the villa. Tour buses are also available within walking distance." Ms Elfie Stamm (stayed at La Pergola, September 2014)
"The description of location and views was not an exaggeration. A really well designed building for outside living with very wide vista exploited well. Beautiful !!!!!" Dr Malcolm Roberts (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, September 2014)
"It was an unforgettable experience. We all enjoyed it. The staff are attentive but not intrusive and catering for the special needs of the children beautifully. I'd rate it as one of the best holiday experiences I've ever had. It was so lovely to stay in such a beautiful Villa. The staff and food were excellent." Mr Andrew Grech (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, September 2014)
"AMAZING!!!!" Ms Martha Lam (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni, September 2014)
"Stick to the knitting! You are an extraordinary professional company that really understands that it is in business because it has customers, and you really do try to understand what they want, what motivates them, and what will keep them coming back. You evidently know the places you operate in, and that can't be scaled easily." Mr Mark Helme (stayed at Villa Armerina, September 2014)
"We just loved the villa. It was very clean; kitchen was well stocked; the views were amazing; the sunset awesome; everything about it was perfect. We were surprised by the sheer ruggedness of the mountains. We did not expect the terrain to be so mountainous. Sicily was magical . . . Everything surprised us; it was so better than expected. We would not hesitate using your services again. Our trip to Sicily is still magical - can't get the feeling out of us. Thanks again for all the service you provided for us. If there were a "10," I would rate it that. We particularly enjoyed the villa itself, the shear surrounding, the Sicilian cuisine - we enjoyed everything." Mr John Redmond (stayed at Casa Nuvola, September 2014)
"We were new both to 'Think Sicily' as an organisation and to the Island as a destination, and from the very first contact the customer friendly approach of your team delivered to us one of our best ever holidays: We absolutely fell under the spell of Villa Cecilia: a cubist rendering of the Roman Villa by Italian architect Bertorelli, it is a very unique setting surrounded by the beautiful Nature Reserve of the Parc de la Madonie, looking out to the Aeolian Islands on the Northern Coast. Its deceptively simple layout made it for us the perfect holiday house (with three active, adventurous boys aged 8 to 13!), perfect for the geography and the climate. It was great to enjoy so easily the characterful beauty of the coastline between Cefalu and Capo de Orlando from the walk-around terrace of the house, sometimes following the shade around the house as the sun changed position. We thrived on a daily diet of Spectacular sunsets, wonderful Mediterranean landscape, vegetation and fauna, to surround our evening conversations after another delicious meal... Looking up and inland the charming nearby eagle's nest town of Pollina (10 min by car) offered many memorable visions, being a perfect setting for fantasy plays by the boys, and delightful food at the restaurant overlooking the Roman open–air theatre. Last but not least, we felt truly 'invisible'. Enjoying the fray of beach activities along the coast and able to retire to the solace and cool relaxation of the house at will, time had truly suspended its flight.. I hope I was able to convey how truly happy , refreshed, regenerated and charmed we all were from our holiday in this particular villa. The children all loved it, the friend who joined us with her son loved it. We look forward to visiting other parts of Sicily, but will definitely look to return to Villa Cecilia in the not too distant future" Mathilde Drescher-Taylor (stayed at Cecilia, September 2014)
"We enjoyed every minute of our holidays" Mrs Ewa Szymanski (stayed at La Pergola, September 2014)
"We are well travelled, but given this positive experience, we will definitely be looking at Puglia and would consider using you anywhere in the Med, if you had the same level of product and service." Mr Nigel Halkes (stayed at Al Plemmirio, September 2014)
"I have had the good fortune to travel to some of the world's best hotels in my time so far. This was our first time dropping the hotel option and booking a villa, I must be honest and say that I really am not easily pleased. The entire trip from start to finish was fantastic. The service and general experience of using Think Sicily was awe inspiring. Until we stumbled across your website we had spent weeks trawling through villa websites, only to find that each one we liked had been taken already. It was a bit of a ploy just to get us in contact with the estate agents in Italy. The websites were difficult to use, the pictures often were not great and there was no service plus the costs of good villas were vast in comparison to your villas. When Sarah found your website, I refused to believe that any of your fantastic late deals were available and even bet her that it was a con. To be able to book these villa's directly on your very customer friendly and brilliantly designed website was refreshing. This was only the start, to receive the villa/area bespoke book with full instructions and entertainment suggestions was a very nice touch. As was having the mobile number of a local person on call for any of our needs. The list goes on really and I find it hard to put into words how impressed we are with your company. Please get more locations under your belt. As for the villa. It was equally brilliant. We wanted seclusion, beautiful views, something rustic/old fashioned and a bit of luxury – that is exactly what we got. The villa itself is at the top of a private road, the only thing that you can hear is the cows and goat bells as they walk around in the surrounding fields. The views of the mountains were brilliant – the local villages (two) all had lovely people and absolutely no one spoke a word of English which made it feel that bit more special. The local butchers without doubt had the best meat we have ever eaten and the owners of the villa that met us upon arrival were equally charming." Richard Nehme (stayed at Principato, September 2014)
"We have just returned from our wonderful stay in Zeffiro. It exceeded our expectations by a wide margin. The welcome pack was more of a complete introduction to the wonders of the very best of Sicilian fare and kept us going for most of the week. The location is just too good to be true, right on the beach, wonderful views of the bay and of Selinunte. We loved going to bed with the sound of the waves lulling us to sleep. The villa is so well equipped and laid out with it's lovely terraces and gardens. Thank you for arranging the chair for Sylvia - it was just right for her. She managed very well on the holiday and even got in the sea a couple of times, made easier by the doors downstairs opening directly onto the beach. Please thank the owners for their generosity. We will be using you again - plans already formulating!!" Jo Dennis (stayed at Zeffiro, September 2014)
"Experiencing new adventures with our friends has added to our repertoire of great trips and memories to share." Mrs Diane Arrell (stayed at Casa Nuvola, September 2014)
"It was a great place, your villas are possibly the best that I've seen anywhere and we all agreed that it was probably the best villa holiday that we've had." Mrs Delyth Turner-Harriss (stayed at Le Chicas, August-September 2014)
"Sun, food, seafood, diving off the rocks, ice cream, peace on Archimedes roof terrace. Cooking with unusual ingredients. Coffee. Peace and the ability to relax." Dr Elizabeth Stokes (stayed at Archimede, September 2014)
"It is a beautiful villa in a lovely location in a beautiful area of Sicily. Rosa and her daughter were charming and looked after us superbly including cooking 3 amazing dinners. This is a beautiful area with great food restaurants beaches and wine! We did not hear an English voice the entire 2 weeks." Ms Amanda Aspinall (stayed at Oliva, September 2014)
"The property was perfect for us, the pool and outdoor areas were our favorite part. This was a perfect family holiday, relaxing, great weather and of course food. We had sunny days every day with the exception of one afternoon storm. Amazingly (even though it was summer) Etna was covered in snow! We really didn't like leaving... If only we booked two weeks,,,," Mrs Di Ritter (stayed at La Limonaia, September 2014)
"It is hard to say..everything was wonderful. The people are very friendly. The landscape amazing, not to mention the food and wine. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Sicily. The villa, staff and driver were all wonderful. We will consider another trip to Sicily, and we look forward to working with Think Sicily again! We will refer your services to our friends. We did not want to return to the USA! We had a wonderful time and would recommend you services to our friends." Mr Robert B Orler (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, September 2014)
"Loved, loved, loved the food market in Ortegia and particularly enjoyed the lovely deli where Charlotte suggested we had lunch on our last day. We loved it all!" Ms Daryl Stevenson (stayed at Al Plemmirio, September 2014)
"I loved my holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it." Mr Lindsay Johnson (stayed at Le Sorbe, August-September 2014)
"As you know, we are back from Sicily almost a week now, and we cannot believe how much we loved Sicily and our Villa Pietra Nera. I have written to Poppy, and was remiss not to send you a line earlier as well!! We all fell in love with Sicily, and in particular, Pietra Nera was so perfect!!!! We cannot believe the incredible 360 degree views from the house…..and we woke up every morning very happy to be exactly where we were. The house was perfect……a little rustic, super chic, very country Italian. And we loved Dina so much! She was so wonderful to us….always smiling and cheerful…..and was such a hard worker. She never stopped. She even went to the store to pick some things up for us one morning…..as we were out of milk and eggs and something like that. What a doll she is. Please tell her we love her very much!!!! We had the most amazing days…..and relaxed at night at the Villa. It was definitely a bit hard to find, up that winding road…..but we loved that isolation…..and we knew that the local villages were only 10 minutes away…..and that we could get on to the Autostrada within 15 minutes! We went to Mt. Etna, Gambino Winery, Syracusa, Ortigia, Taormina, and of course some local villages near the Villa. We also spent an entire day on the sea in a wonderful boat, which I booked separately through the Internet. We had the most INCREDIBLE day at sea, spent all day swimming and relaxing…..and the boat was awesome as was the Captain. I had booked this excursion through Portum, Ltd……and if you are interested in adding another vendor to your boat excursion list, I highly recommend Portum. They gave me a slightly better price than you offered, and the boat, captain, and service was amazing. The best day of the trip!!!!! The boat was hot! (As was the young Captain….hahahaha…..). You were most wonderful in my pre planning preparation……and you were one of the reasons this trip was such a success for us!!! My friends thought I was a genius for planning such a wonderful trip in a wonderful place…..but it was really you and Poppy who were the smart ones! Poppy really steered us into the right Villa….and you helped us prepare for the best week ever!!!!! No request was too big or too small for you and you filled all of my requests with a smile! Charlotte even hand delivered the Yoga Mats to us on our arrival day. That's what I call service!!!!!! Thanks so much, again, Barbara…..and I hope to work with you and Poppy again. Hopefully next year……fingers crossed. I love the Thinking Traveller…..and I will tell all of my friends about your wonderful agency." Carol Richman (stayed at Pietra Nera, September 2014)
"What an amazing villa- and location. The size- I thought it was a small island. The history and the variety of historical places to visit. The food....simply fantastic." Mr David Miller (stayed at Lilli, May 2014)
"Perfect in every way possible. So many special touches, the owners delightful. We went as an extra special holiday and it certainly was. Friendliness of the locals, especially in the area we stayed. Everything was wonderful, thank you everyone." Miss Susan Watt (stayed at Giara, August-September 2014)
"Really friendly locals, who were very tolerant and helpful despite our lack of Italian. Really good cheap and authentic meals. Ice cream, granitas, arancini, tomatoes, figs (fresh from the villa's own tree...........wonderful!! we liked the villa so much so did not venture too far afield..........but we preferred small and local. Good local food shops, pizzeria etc and lovely pace of life. We loved by contrast Castelbuono. Beautiful and peaceful. Mount Etna on a tour was stunning. Great experience. In particular we enjoyed the feeling that we were independent visitors rather than part of the tourist hordes. The layout of the website really helped us choose a villa that fitted in with that ideal." Mr Michael Lambert (stayed at Buzza Alta, August-September 2014)
"The photographs on your website cannot do justice to the most magnificent setting and the 360 degree views. The setting, location, and views of the Villa exceeded my expectations!!!!! What we enjoyed most was the Villa itself.....the views, views, and more views. It was so special to have this beautiful Villa as our home for the week. We also enjoyed our excursions to the most wonderful places, and the ease at which we were able to travel to our various destinations was actually a pleasant surprise.We all enjoyed this Holiday so much that I am already thinking of what/where we want to go next year. This was the most wonderful holiday we've had.....and that includes a Honeymoon 20 years ago on the Amalfi Coast!! We loved this so much!!!!!" Ms Carol Richman (stayed at Pietra Nera, August-September 2014)
"Infinito and Enzo and Simone cooking delicious meals for us." Mrs Fran Morris (stayed at Infinito, August 2014)
"The kindness of the local people and the wonderful food and wine. Had a great holiday overall and planning next one." Mrs Jane Staveley (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, June 2014)
"We enjoyed everything honestly. the scenery was amazing and the scale of mount Etna was breathtaking." Mr Gaby Charbachy (stayed at Badia, August 2014)
"The most wonderful experience was that we enjoyed our trip with the Thinking Traveller from beginning to end, nothing in particular :)" Mag Marie Harmer (stayed at Archimede, August 2014)
"The villa! The food! The pool!" Mrs Lucinda Leathes (stayed at Lilli, August 2014)
"We had a fantastic time, weather beautiful and scenery lovely. Loved the villa, especially the view!" Mrs Karen Casson (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, August 2014)
"A charming romantic island. Depending on where you are staying visits are really worthwhile. We loved Casa di Pietra - offered us exactly what we were looking for and most of all loved Marika and her family who treated us like family. I hope that you will pass on to her our thanks for making our stay so special. Marika was our guide and sent us to fabulous beaches and the surrounding towns of Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli - all beautiful." Mrs Emma Green (stayed at Casa di Pietra, August 2014)
"Well having an erupting volcano was pretty surprising and was mesmerising! The people were kind and eager to be helpful. Villa Badia is a treasure trove of history and very special. Excellent value for money - we have paid a lot more for a lot less before! Thank you so much." Miss Rowena Miller (stayed at Badia, August 2014)
"The people, scenery, weather, food. Everything. The owners being on site on arrival was wonderful and greeted us to a home prepared meal and wine. Again another added touch. The rustic feel, beautiful gardens and antiques made us feel like we were staying in a home rather than a rental property." Mr Mark Nightingale (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, August 2014)
"It was a lovely villa and pool and close to the beautiful city of Scicli which was brilliant to visit at night and eat there . Also close to the beach at Sampieri. Scicli was an astonishingly beautiful city, rich in history, architecture and culture. Everybody was extremely friendly and helpful particularly as we can't speak any Italian- but have joined an Italian class on returning home! We were surprised by how much we wanted to return. We enjoyed everything and cannot think of any improvements! I can't think of anywhere! We really liked not having to stay in a hotel and all that that entails. We will definitely be booking with you again next year as we trust your judgement regarding the villa and area implicitly !" Mr Gary Marshall (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, August 2014)
"We loved the baskets of fresh figs which the gardener delivered to us during the week. Driving along the coast line. Erice is a beautiful town, great for wandering around and getting lost. The beautiful landscape; being so close to the sea. The sun, food and wine." Mrs Karen Foley (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, August 2014)
"We were extremely satisfied with the villa and especially the caretaker service. The main villa is very big and we felt that we all had our own space. Having two independent apartments within the villa was advantageous as each family had their own privacy while being able to enjoy each other's company eg at mealtimes. It was a real treat to have our washing done and returned so efficiently." Mrs Barbara Doherty Hrabovska (stayed at La Rosa dei Venti, July-August 2014)
"The whole staff couldn't have been better. The food was fabulous and the service was great too. the fresh out of the oven cake in the morning for breakfast!!" Mr Joseph Volpe (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, July 2014)
"The villa was beautiful and surrounded by lovely countryside. Luigi was lovely and left some fantastic food for us the first night. It was very gratefully received as was the beer and wine! Thank you Luigi for the fresh tomatoes and figs and for buying floats for the children. It was much appreciated." Mrs Kate McLean (stayed at Il Cappero, July-August 2014)
"The rich cultural diversity of the Island together with the helpfulness of the locals. My son especially enjoyed discovering cannoli." Mrs Anna Lozinska-Brown (stayed at Profondo Blu, July-August 2014)
"This was the best villa we have rented. We loved it. We didn't use a cook this time, and the maid was great. The owner is absolutely wonderful, he was extremely helpful and friendly. After all these years in Sicily nothing surprises us anymore, for the good! We mostly value the house, the beach, and the closest town to the house. This might have been our best holiday in Sicily. The house was the most important part, and Noto is like home now. I think you should add Palazzolo Acreide in the visiting tours, and the restaurant Da Andrea there is wonderful." Mrs Simona Stevens (stayed at Cubo al Mare, July-August 2014)
"We had the most fabulous fortnight at Casa Carcicera. Lucia was a fabulous caretaker and was extremely welcoming. She and her sister cooked two delicious meals for us and could not have been more helpful answering all our questions regarding the surrounding area. We will definitely return! We thoroughly enjoyed our villa and the fantastic pool. The beaches on the south coast were beautiful and the lidos provided good food and facilities. We were surprised what good value the supermarkets were." Mrs Louise Kitchen (stayed at Casa Carcicera, August 2014)
"Very friendly people, great weather, fantastic location, very diversified countryside. would have loved to have stayed longer." Mr Richard Fernandes (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August 2014)
"Excellent food, fabulous ice creams and very hospitable and friendly people wherever we went." Mr Richard Pettifor (stayed at Cecilia, August 2014)
"This villa was outstanding. The rooms were bright and flowed so well. We loved all the different outside areas. The outside was as much a part of the villa as inside. Staphania was really great. We had decided to have a food shop waiting for us and she cooked our first two meals. The food she bought was fresh and great quality and the meals were wonderful, as good as any restaurant. We loved every minute. During our stay we had the beach at the bottom of the garden to ourselves every day." Mrs Yvonne Bennett (stayed at Buzza Alta, August 2014)
"Our villa was faultless and even better than expected - despite all the amazing reviews we had read it still surpassed expectations. The pool and garden at the villa! It was so hot and having that oasis of calm was just heavenly. It was absolutely brilliant - we can't wait for our next villa holiday." Mrs Annabel Davidson (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, August 2014)
"This Villa was exceptional, the stay was unbelievable. So private, even though a couple of homes around which we enjoyed having in the background. Lovely little town, very safe. We loved the history, food, wine, shopping. Most of all enjoyed their relaxed way of life." Mr Andrew Tramonte (stayed at Ballata, July 2014)
"The owner Benedetto was very generous, helpful and charming. We immediately felt at home in his beautiful place and enjoyed every inch of it! Every morning we were stunned by the beautiful view of the sea and Etna (should really be mentioned on the site)! We were absolutely fascinated to see so many different historical and cultural sites concentrated on this island. The people, the food and very versatile nature are one of a kind! We're coming again!!! We hope that says it all!" Frau Sasha Foster (stayed at Estiva, July 2014)
"Sicily was a real pleasant surprise. The nature, friendly people, excellent wine and food and not expensive at all." Mr Anselm Van den Auwelant (stayed at Acquamarina, July-August 2014)
"The cooks (Giovanni and Rosa) were remarkable. We had such a wonderful, friendly and enjoyable time while they looked after us. I would recommend them highly. Although their English was non-existent and my Italian stretches to about 10 words we had a great time. They recommended places for us to visit and cooked marvelous food. They cleaned up afterwards and left the place spotless. It made a real difference to our holiday. When we were left both my family and Rosa & Giovanni were sad to say goodbye - always a good sign." Mr Sean Davies (stayed at Adagio, July-August 2014)
"Wonderful place, company and food." Mr Alex Lejeune (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, July-August 2014)
"The outstanding monuments, art, architecture and the wonderful food." Ms Joanne Simpson (stayed at Cinnamon, July-August 2014)
"Owner very welcoming, welcome pack above and beyond anything we'd ever had before in other villa companies. We had a small issue with drainage in the summer house in Egesta, which was dealt with in a quick, friendly manner, pool was exceptional, as were views and grounds, with fruit trees laden with fruit. great place to escape from the hassles of modern day life. The friendliness of the people, the scorching sun and delicious (and reasonably priced) food. In particular our daughters adored the real Italian ice cream and my goodness the seafood was wonderful!" Mrs Sam Cope (stayed at Egesta, July 2014)
"Wonderful experience at the villa. The owners were SO amazing, kind and helpful. All in all, we had a great time and really fell in love with the area! The fruit, bread, cheese, etc. waiting for is on arrival was just wonderful! The Think Sicily staff were great and villa owners are wonderful folks!" Mrs Allison Brant (stayed at La Pergola, July 2014)
"The natural beauty of the countryside & coastline is breathtaking & the architecture in the towns & cities is amazing, making Sicily one of the most picturesque places ever to visit. The Sicilian people were warm, friendly & welcoming & nothing was ever too much trouble. The food, wines & lemoncello added to the experience to make this our best holiday so far.Sicily was a dream holiday destination which I would recommend to anyone wanting a holiday with that something extra special, regardless of it being a for a family or break for two Our villa stay was the middle part of our Sicilian holiday & the best with its beautiful surroundings, house & pool. We are already discussing our return visit to a different part of the island, but there was still so much to see & do on the east coast that we ran out of time. Overall we had a fantastic Sicilian experience." Miss Treena McWilliams (stayed at Villa Armerina, July 2014)
"This has to be one of the most attractive and well set up rental properties I have ever hired." Ms Amanda Wedgwood (stayed at Ortigia, July 2014)
"The staff and grounds of carcicera are fantastic. Great people and great property. We love sicily and we adore Think Sicily." Ms Rebecca Messina (stayed at Casa Carcicera, July 2014)
"It was really fantastic. The attention to detail inside the house was above our expectations - and the bedrooms were significantly more comfortable than in many villas I have been to. The maid Maria was fantastic and I would encourage people to get her more and the cook - Beatrice was really wonderful - above our expectations and good value. Simon and Martin were incredibly helpful and extremely discreet. How wonderful it was! I think it is good that you stick to what you really know." Mrs Helen James (stayed at L'Eclisse, July 2014)
"We loved it! the views, location were fantastic. We enjoyed the beach, the food and especially the people!" Mrs Roxane Angotta (stayed at Oriente, July 2014)
"We loved it and will probably be going back there. Early morning sunshine overlooking the sea. Closeness to shops and bars. The freshness and quality of the food and the friendliness of the people." Mr Richard Furlongbrown (stayed at Archimede, July 2014)
"The villa was of a high standard, very clean and well appointed. The owner was friendly and helpful but not obtrusive. We had a great time! relaxed and good value. " Mrs Jane Van Aken (stayed at Casa di Pietra, July 2014)
"Absolutely wonderful villa that suited our needs - wonderful location - and with proximity to nearby towns and restaurants - could not be better." Ms Robyn Norton (stayed at I Lentischi, July 2014)
"Perfect holiday location. Fascinating island with something for everyone. We were a party with ages ranging from 4 to 68 and we all had a fantastic time. we did a little bit of adventuring but were equally happy enjoying the villa and its surroundings." Mrs Caroline Scott-Gall (stayed at Azzura, July 2014)
"Fascinating and wished we had been there longer. Hopefully next time." Ms Patricia Salas (stayed at La Corte, July 2014)
"With so many people to look after it was lovely to have a fully staffed villa and the cook Daniella and Davide could not have been helpful and accommodating. we did especially love La Favorita, with its at times quirky but beguiling elegance, a true oasis in an otherwise perhaps not as breathtakingly beautiful part of Sicily as some others." Mrs Geraldine Thomas (stayed at La Favorita, July 2014)
"We loved the villa - a perfect lay out for our extended family of different ages. Marika and her husband were very friendly and helpful and Marika is an excellent cook! We loved our time in the villa - the environment was beautiful and the outside kitchen and big table was a great focal point where we could all meet for breakfast, lunch etc. Lovely pool and plenty of comfortable sun loungers. Also plenty of attractive shady spots. The rooms were really cool - all the teenagers loved having there own space and ensuite showers, many outside. Beautiful." Mrs Sara Nevrkla (stayed at Casa di Pietra, July 2014)
"Thank you - this was a superb holiday and we'd do it again. Altea, (less isolated than anticipated = good) Food, Da Vittorio, beach at Da Vittorio, epic landscapes, variety in landscape." Mrs Julia Slocombe (stayed at Altea, July 2014)
"I took 9 people to Badia that hadn't been there before and they all loved it and want to go back next year. The only times that we left the villa were to go shopping. Otherwise, everyone was perfectly happy to stay at home enjoying the place." Mrs Sally Pyke (stayed at Badia, July 2014)
"Loved the villa, views are amazing. Everything! food, wine, lovely historical buildings. Cefalu was a delight. Sea is crystal clear, people were great, nice that we had to make an effort with the language as not too touristy." Mrs Sally Pyke (stayed at Casa Nuvola, July 2014)
"The goats. The cheese. The breeze." Catherine Villiger (stayed at Egesta, July 2014)
"We expected good food, warm weather, plentiful historical ruins and a beautiful ocean. We did not realize just how physically beautiful Sicily is. Further, although not cheap to get to from the US, it is much less expensive then many parts of Europe once you are there. Finally, even though we were there in the middle of July, it never seemed crowded to us. Sicily greatly exceeded our expectations." Peter Charvat (stayed at Le Sorbe, July 2014)
"Everything! food,wine,lovely historical buildings. Cefalu was a delight. Sea is crystal clear,people were great,nice that we had to make an effort with the language as not too touristy." Sally Pyke (stayed at Casa Nuvola, July 2014)
"Ideal combination of amazing sea/beaches, sublime food, extensive history/culture (Noto, Ortigia, Ragusa, Modica...) and fantastic weather. The perfect destination." Emilioano Ragnini (stayed at Clementina, July 2014)
"Etna erupting! The wine tour was so much better than any wine tasting we have done previously, and the wine was a very high standard." Stacey Curran (stayed at Pietra Nera, June-July 2014)
"(i) The scenery; (ii) The scenery." Francis Charig (stayed at Casa de Arena, June-July 2014)
"The beautiful scenery and the prices of food are very reasonable. Quality of produce and meat was great." Charles Best (stayed at Egesta, June 2014)
"We visited last year, so we know the area pretty well now. We were again surprised by the warmth and friendliness of everyone we met: in several restaurants people actually remembered us from last year." John Vater (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, June-July 2014)
"We found Cefalu a wonderful town with lovely streets to wander around, super restaurants to lunch in and a great beach with the choice of sun beds or places to just put your towel down and enjoy. The hill towns such as Castell Buono are wonderful to walk around and just sit in the evening in the square and get the feel of local life." Jennifer Wells (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, June-July 2014)
"The villa was lovely especially having our own pool and beach! The weather was perfect, so hot!" Hannah Russell (stayed at Buzza Alta, June-July 2014)
"Sicily was great. Beautiful, great weather, food history, culture, etc." Ricardo Vazquez (stayed at La Rocca, June 2014)
"The sheer number and variety of things to do in Siciliy is fabulous; the Baroque, Roman, Greek remains; the fantastic beaches; the good markets and the wonderful site that is Etna." Joanna Clark (stayed at Casa di Pietra, June 2014)
"How tranquil it was and how good the roads were in general. Our favourite town was Taormina." George Spurling (stayed at Altea, June 2014)
"The villa, some of the small villages, the people." Graham Hunt (stayed at La Limonaia, June 2014)
"I am a big foodie and I was stunned by the quality of the produce and the availability of good food. I spent a lot of time cooking which is my way of exploring. I found the people really open and friendly and fell into the way of life very easily. Noto was beautiful. Calle Monche in the south was great. Piedimonte and the local area was really enjoyable but above all, we loved the house and relaxing there. The view was unsurpassed." Simon Bucknall (stayed at Pietra Nera, June 2014)
"The crystal clear water, lovely food, enormous gelatos and beautiful coastline.We loved Scopello. Beautiful views, charming and friendly locals, and you could walk to it from the villa. The Zingaro nature reserve was also fantastic. We enjoyed the little beach in Scopello, between the tuna factory and nature reserve. Much nicer then Guidalocca." Hannah Tongue (stayed at La Fenice, June 2014)
"Doing absolutely nothing and enjoying the villa, views and peace!" Peter McDonnell (stayed at Al Plemmirio, June 2014)
"The trip there for me and my family was a dream we have had for a long time that came true. Since, my parents were originally from Sicily. It gave me an opportunity to experience a little of where they came from. The countryside is beautiful, the weather was delightful and the people were very friendly. The views from the villa were breath taking." Liborio Ferracane (Stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, June 2014)
"We enjoyed the wonderful combination of cultures - ancient and modern - the blue sky the warm sea, , friendliness of the inhabitants (towards us!) the varying landscapes - and the food! ighlights were the wonderful performance in the Greek Theatre in Syracuse and the Etna experience... We enjoyed everything we did - there was nothing we did not!" Jean Symons (stayed at La Timpa, June 2014)
"The wonderful warm people, the beautiful produce grown in the southeast (those tomatoes!)" Jennifer Walsh (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, June 2014)
"Everything was wonderful, although it we had to pinpoint one or two things that were our favorite, we truly enjoyed the day sailing as well as the wine tours. Additionally, the food and wine were spectacular." Dan Vohs (stayed at Mila, June 2014)
"Because the villa was set in the most spectacular surroundings we hardly left and unfortunately saw very little of the island except for the local village. Loved shopping at the local market." Jacqui Donaldson (stayed at Azzurra, June 2014)
"West and south coast - a very different experience to the north and east side." Dianne Bowell (stayed at Cinnamon, June 2014)
"We visited Taormina and Siracusa and enjoyed both trips! The highlight of our trip however was the helicopter flight to Mount Etna - an experience not to be missed!" Angela Bortenschlager (stayed at Crossing the Rock, May-June 2014)
"Reconnecting with ancestry and sharing with our children was most enjoyable. The views/ beaches in Taormina was lovely. The food in Catania was Devine, chocolate in Modica was so fun and delicious." Jillian Perucki (stayed at La Casina del Biviere, May-June 2014)
"The sunsets from la mora are already missed. The cork trees were special. The small mountain villages were fantastic and the terrain (and height of Etna) surprised me." Jenny Williams (stayed at La Mora, May-June 2014)
"Scenery, coast, wildlife, food, wine, archaeological sites, hilltop villages, different character of various parts of the region. Our third visit to Sicily and would go back again." Helen Crews (stayed at Acquamarina, May 2014)
"Federica and Luisa were truly amazing before and during our week there, our wedding day was truly magical thanks to them." Jane Linsell (stayed at Villa Farli, May 2014)
"The sun, the food and the beautiful countryside." Michael Gibbard (stayed at Adagio, May-June 2014)
"Lovely food, particularly fruits, tomatoes, fish,surprisingly sophisticated wines. An open day at Planeta Estate much enjoyed, entrance ticket covered generous and varied foods and wines. The variable date of this happened to coincide with our stay." Janet Perrin (stayed at Cinnamon, May 2014)
"The culture, the sea, and the concentration of different influences and historical elements, along, of course, with the food and the Mediterranean laid back atmosphere - basically, everything." Joao Xavier (stayed at Profondo Blu, May 2014)
"Beautiful May weather and flowers" Sarah Rogers (stayed at Ballata, May 2014)
"Not our first trip - enjoyed it all - I had forgotten how volcanic and mountainous it is in the north - with fantastic views and walking.... It is very child friendly." Gill Walt (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, May 2014)
"The town we stayed in was absolutely 100 % what we were looking for, a working fisihng village and community, a brief glimpse but worthwhile." Edward Donne (stayed at Casa alla Scala, May 2014)
"Great combination of things to see, delicious food and drink and beautiful sea. We loved the house and views and peace at Clementina. The water at Vendicari was unbelievably clean and clear." Sophie Weitzman (stayed at Clementina, May 2014)
"Loved the views from the villa, the firm bed, Ortigia and the seafood restaurants." Suzanne Whiston (stayed at Azzurra, May 2014)
"The amazing views, beautiful countryside, and cliff top villages. Incredible!" Jackie Wimberley (stayed at Il Borghetto, May 2014)
"The location was great. We enjoyed being able to walk everywhere. The market was a highlight. We cooked fresh tuna steaks that our fussy 12-year-old daughter loved. The restaurants and cafes were reasonably priced, which we found surprising." Francis Keeley (stayed at Ortigia, May 2014)
"We enjoyed just staying round the villa, using the beaches, and occasionally walking into Cefalu. We were surprised how (unusually for us) we didn't actually do a great deal of sight-seeing, because the villa was so great." Guy Morpuss (stayed at Il Gabbiano, May 2014)
"how much there was to do.. and how crazy the roads were..." Zorin Finkelsen (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, April 2014)
"The beauty and peace were unsurpassed. The villa is exactly as you would picture an Sicilian villa to look like. It was absolutely beautiful, with old world charm." Anita Fay (stayed at Mila, May 2014)
"The landscape and views were breathtaking! We enjoyed the people and the local foods." Jan Rigdon (stayed at Casa Nuvola, May 2014)
"The local wines and food were superb." Nathalie Stevens (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, May 2014)
"It's our third visit to Sicily, so no surprises. We enjoy the people, the food and wine, the towns and seaside." Joyce Kitchen (stayed at Corte del Sole, May 2014)
"Beautiful location. Ortigia is one of the most beautiful cities we have visited." Rob Knowles (stayed at Casa al Faro, May 2014)
"I never knew it was so stunning!! Even though my husband is Sicilian. We lived it different this time around." Yaquelin Coniglione (stayed at Al Plemmirio, April-May 2014)
"We enjoyed everything: people, culture, history, shopping, food, ..... The beauty of Catania was a surprise." Monika Sebold-Bender (stayed at Cubo al Mare, April-May 2014)
"Beautiful island, friendly people and wonderfully rural." Georgie Hudson (stayed at Acquamarina, April 2014)
"We enjoyed very much the springtime, the blossom. the colors, the perfect food, the beautiful barock cities, the wine, the people and the mad traffic. The biggest surprise, what we did not expect, was the guided tour to the Etna. That was really an amazing surprise !" Caroline Chiarella (stayed at I Lentischi, April 2014)
"The region, towns were stunning and all very authentic.Refreshingly un touristy! People were all very warm and friendly." Chris Crosby (stayed at Casa di Pietra, April 2014)
"We enjoyed everything about Sicily. Driving through the interior from Palermo to Agrigento, then on to the villa near Catania was great because of the beautiful landscape." Matthew Downing (stayed at La Timpa, April 2014)
"We enjoyed numerous things about Sicily. We were surprised by the beautiful terrain of Taormina. Etna, the theaters in Taormina and Siracusa, the castle in Taormina, and the fish market in Catania were highlights. Also to be in Taormina during the Good Friday procession was special." Claire Hearne (stayed at La Pergola, April 2014)
"I loved the people - all extremely friendly in every shop and restaurant; the UNESCO towns - Noto, Scicli, Ragusa - stunning; the food was a surprise - I hadn't realised there were so many variations (eg. use of pistachios) - and the beautiful fresh oranges, ricotta, lemons, artichokes were such a treat for everyone who has been through a long winter. The wines we enjoyed were also great. We visited a winery called Cos that impressed everyone." Christine McNab (stayed at Villa Farli, April 2014)
"My great grandfather was Sicilian so for me it was a personal journey, and I felt very much at home. My wife, it was her first taste of Sicily, and she loved it!!" Steve Capel (stayed at Corte del Sole, April 2014)
"The fact it was lemon and orange picking season and the spring weather." Gavin Scilittoe (stayed at I Lentischi, March-April 2014)
"The physical beauty of the countryside and Baroque towns." Rhona Leith (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, February 2014)
"The beautiful house and professional service!" Joy Zhao (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo (February 2014)
"The beauty and the climate" Alberto Lavia (stayed at Cubo al Mare, Dec-Jan 2014)
"The historical cities of the East and South East" Carmen Velasco (stayed at Villa Farli, Dec-Jan 2014)
"The wonderful scenery, the delicious food (fresh tasty fruit and vergetables, and amazing meat and seafood), friendly people, a different pace of life, not over-run by tourists" Judy Cashmore (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni and Il Gabbiano, December 2013)
"Weather, silence, clean water" Dieter Erhard (stayed at Azzurra, October-November 2013)
"The country. Key areas such as Taormina, Siracusa and Ortigia were great. Just relaxing in Santa Maria la Scala was the best. We 'debriefed' Sicily over dinner in Milan and time at the villa and village rated number 1. We all needed the break." Byren Innes (stayed at Casa alla Scala, October-November 2013)
"Temples, churches, Etna, beaches and baths, restaurants" Bruno Pary (stayed at Villa Farli, October-November 2013)
"Ideal weather and peace and quiet very late in the year" David Benedict (stayed at Brezza di Mare, October-November 2013)
"The sunshine and the food - we didn't travel very far afield from the pool!" Alexandra Williams (stayed at Balu, October-November 2013)
"Really loved Cefalu - what a gem. Wasn't sure which area to position ourselves but chose based on villa availability then extended our trip and travelled to east of island to do Etna and Taormina for two nights. Flew into Palermo and out of Catania which I would recommend to see depth of what island has to offer." Julie Norman (stayed at Casa Nuvola, October 2013)
"We loved Cefalu - absolutely perfect for small children, particularly out of season" Julian Greenfield (stayed at La Rocca, October 2013)
"The villa, the garden, beach, sea and tranquility of the area" Pamela Wildsmith (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, October 2013)
"Fantastic weather, great local food market, superb restaurants, and above all the cultural sights of historic Ortigia, Siracusa & nearby Noto. We found the Sicilian locals to be most calm & courteous, and not at all tourist weary as they can be in other parts." Mark Rea (stayed at Ortigia, October 2013)
Thinking Traveller is the best travel company that I have ever used. The combination of informative research and intelligent professionals makes so much difference. This is service on casters - you feel that you are excellent hands whatever you do - you know that the guides will be wonderful and the restaurants excellent - and they are." Michael Donovan (stayed at Villa Saracena, October 2013)
"Sharing Sicily with my cousins who had never been before. I have visited many times and not just the tourist places so have a feel for the island and enjoy sharing it with others." Barbara De Luca (stayed at Cala Bianca, October 2013)
"The visiting dinner service was great." Martin Deeson (stayed at Casa Nuvola, October 2013)
"The food was fantastic (especially as we love fish)! Early October seemed to be a great time to visit - nice weather (for us) and no crowds." Melanie Kemp (stayed at Ortigia, October 2013)
"Relaxed athmosphere, great fish, pleasant weather, food..." Elizabeth Koluk (stayed at Crossing the Rock, October 2013)
"The views are amazing. The people were always willing to assist us as best they could with directions and shopping issues, etc." James McMorrow (stayed at Respiro, October 2013)
"We enjoyed the quality of the food, friendliness of the people and slow pace of life." Brock McGinnis (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni, October 2013)
"Amazing scenery, great food, very comfortable villa and great staff support." Judith Norton (stayed at Buzza Alta, October 2013)
"Etna, Siracusa, Noto (great city), the beaches - the food!" Ute Neugart (stayed at Cubo al Mare, October 2013)
"The weather, La Riva location,Taormina is a beautiful town,views,available trips,number of restuarants/cafes,greeness of the countryside and classical sites." Nicola Hay (stayed at La Riva, October 2013)
"The scenery, the natural evironment, the history and the food and wine." Elizabeth Robertson (stayed at Brezza di Mare, October 2013)
"Great weather, varied landscapes, incredible history, wonderful food and all just 3 hrs away!" Michael Donovan (stayed at Villa Saracena, October 2013)
"The Villa and staff." Flloyd Falcon (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, October 2013)
"The weather, the historical sites, the food, the wine and, of course, the Sicilians themselves." Clare and Duncan Hill (stayed at Egesta, October 2013)
"The weather, the urban spaces - Noto, Ragussa, Marzamemia, Ortigya, San Lorenzo beach, Venemia wine." Dr Deborah Keith (stayed at Gioi, September-October 2013)
"We loved the music in the square in Taormina, the sites of Siracusa, the wonderful food in Our pension in Scopello, the mosaics and the excellent guide at Villa Romana del Casale, the lovely museum in Aidone and the friendly cafe proprietor next door, Morgantina with its surprising wealth of archeological treasures, and visiting the sheep dairy down the road from the villa." Jennifer Bayley (stayed at Casa de Arena, September-October 2013)
"Wine, Weather, Relaxed vibe" Mark and Barbara Sadler (stayed at Acquamarina, September-October 2013)
"The food, the culture, the villa, the relaxing lifestyle. We enjoyed hopping into the car and heading to a spot on the map. Each town/city offered something new and enjoyable. It was always nice after a day of travelling the countryside, to return to our villa and relax." Joe Hutter (stayed at I Lentischi, September-October 2013)
"Views, wine and lovely food and friendly locals" Michael Morley (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, September-October 2013)
"As before, Sicily offers so much. We love the people, the food, the wine, the history and the plentiful land.There may be better countryside views in Southern Tuscany, but the centre of Sicily comes close. The west coast offers the beaches, the South East is a wonderful Baroque experience and everywhere the food beats mainland Italy( the pastries, the fish). The history is everywhere, it will take a very long time to visit all that is on offer. Sicily is an experience like no other, it feels very different to mainland Italy. Loved the salt pans, Marsala, Egadi Islands, Selinunte and Erica." Janet Thomson (stayed at La Favorita, September 2013)
"The villa and the late September weather which was perfect." Justin Whalley (stayed at Casa al Faro, September 2013)
"The variety of holiday that could be had, superb and generally deserted beaches, ancient history and bustling ornate towns. loved it." Melanie O'Hara (stayed at Cinnamon, September 2013)
"The Villa and its staff. They were so helpful and the food was truly delicious." Michael Allen (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo, September 2013)
"We loved southern Sicily, it was so unspoilt and non-touristy. The architecture in the local towns was breathtaking." Helen Langford (stayed at Gioi, September 2013)
"It was purely a family holiday in a wonderful setting." Dr John Dale (stayed at Casa al Faro, September 2013)
"The villa, the Baroque architecture, the food, Etna, the weather." Karen Perry (stayed at Clementina, September 2013)
"This was our third trip to Sicily and very much enjoy the people, the culture, and the overall laid back feeling of the islands... makes for a relaxing vacation." Lynn Ganssle (stayed at Cubo al Mare, September 2013)
"We loved the Villa. Enjoying the closeness of the beaches, the convenience to get to Taormina, the historical sites, spectacular views" Elfie Stamm (stayed at La Pergola, September 2013)
"Beauty and people." Cathy Hayes (stayed at Profondo Blu and La Pergola, September 2013)
"The sheer variety of history and culture and the glorious views from the villa." Clair Grant (stayed at Pietra Nera, September 2013)
"The food, the checkered & varied history, the natural beauty of the mountains and vistas, the architecture." J. Mooney (stayed at La Mora and La Corte, September 2013)
"The people we met, the history, the sites, the food." Lorraine Trainer (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, September 2013)
"Natural beauty, gracious people, delicious food." Leslie Hanna (stayed at Il Cappero, September 2013)
"Outdoor life, sea, sun, food and wine." Jonathan Grace (stayed at La Timpa and Buzza Alta, September 2013)
"This trip was all about family being together and experiencing life in Sicily. That was accomplished in a big way because of our relaxed villa with the lovely porch overlooking the sea, the great beach right in our back yard, and the fun day trips and excursions we took along with leaving time for a little bit of hanging around and just enjoying our surroundings. It is hard to say what we enjoyed the most, but I think our crew would definitely agree that the hike and swimming at Cavagrande del Cassibile was amazing!" Barbara Sezna (stayed at L'Olivastro, September 2013)
"The vibe of the island. Food, wine, sites and of course the lovely beaches....all made special with family by your side to enjoy it all." Joe Pane (stayed at Oriente, September 2013)
"The ability just to relax." Ian Robertson (stayed at La Timpa, September 2013)
"The villa: it had a very relaxing atmosphere, good facilities, and was extremely comfortable. The caretaker and cleaner were wonderful and unobtrusive. The grounds are lovely." Philippa Gitlin (stayed at Villa Armerina, September 2013)
"The food and wine, the weather, the mountains and the archeological sites." Vivien Hunot (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, September 2013)
"All the towns, e.g. Siracusa, Taormina, Ragusa, Modica and Noto, and our trip to Mount Etna." Jacqueline Alderton (stayed at La Casina del Biviere, August-September 2013)
"We enjoyed the food, the friendliness of everyone we encountered, and our villa by the beach." Herbert Fox (stayed at Giara, August-September 2013)
"Food, the warm waters, which are not easy to find in Europe. The beach was very good for kids." Cristina Alcaide (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, August 2013)
"The breadth of the experience... from visiting ancient Greek ruins, visiting baroque towns, snorkeling in green waters to having the possibility of having dinner with my wife in the privacy and luxury of the villas. There's always something to do, especially if that involves staying quiet and reading a book while looking out to the sea." Jeremy Stretch (stayed at La Corte, August 2013)
"The villa, the pool, the beaches and water sports." Inalda Butler (stayed at Casa di Pietra, August 2013)
"The atmosphere of the old town [in Cefalu], around the cathedral was wonderful making it feel like authentic old Italy." Jeremy Stretch (stayed at La Corte, August 2013)
"The sea, the lovely towns of Noto ,Siracusa and Ragusa that we visited and meeting Lucia the wonderful owner of the villa." Joseph Batori (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, August-September 2013)
"The mountains, the history, the lizards, and the beautiful wild fox who visited us every evening." Julie Hitchman (stayed at Il Cappero, August 2013)
"The Unesco sites and all of the small cities" Ivana Giachino (stayed at La Riva, August 2013)
"Scenery, architecture, food & wine." Laura Polglase (stayed at Ortigia, August 2013)
"Everything, the landscape, the villa, the wines and food, nice beaches!" Julia Farrell (stayed at Baglio delle Oche, August 2013)
"Loved Sicily - loved the food - loved Etna" Louise Davy (stayed at Gioi and Pietra Nera, August 2013)
"The sunshine, the warm sea waters and the friendliness of the local people." Gillian Fletcher (stayed at Gli Ulivi, August 2013)
"The food, the scenery, the villa, very friendly people, practising my Italian!" Sarah Butterworth (stayed at Buzza Alta, August 2013)
"Food, wine, beautiful towns, beaches. Beautiful villa and pool. In-villa cooks were fantastic." Martin and Fiona Lamb (stayed at Itaca and Casa Carcicera, August 2013)
"My grand parents came from Rocalmuto and Mussomeli and visiting the towns was great. We are history buffs and Segesta and Selinute were highlights." Dr Joseph Tazzeo (stayed at La Rocca, August 2013)
"We love Sicily - food, culture, language, exploring, sea." Alison Loehnis (stayed at Al Plemmirio, August 2013)
"Everything: sigthseeing, beaches, water, nature, food, Sicilians' "composed" friendliness" Sara Ferrari (stayed at Casa Alma, August 2013)
"The variety - the amazing baroque towns, the fishing villages and beaches, the food and the very friendly Sicilians" Frances Sidi (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, August 2013)
"Landscape, nice people and fantastic food" Philippe Hosotte (stayed at Egesta, August 2013)
"The variety of activities and countryside - never a boring moment." Cecile Toubeau (stayed at Le Chicas, August 2013)
"Combinations of good weather, nice landscape, real holiday atmosphere and good food and wine" Guy Van Den Bossche (stayed at Il Cappero, August 2013)
"The beautiful views, the weather, eating every meal outside, the historic sites, the friendly restaurants." Patricia Heathcote (stayed at La Mora, August 2013)
"The antiquities and the meals out, also the pool and garden, and the historic house" Joanna Edwards (stayed at Villa Armerina, August 2013)
"We enjoyed the proximity of the apartment to the sea." Dr Daniel Jackson (stayed at Brezza di Mare, August 2013)
"The mixture of cultures and remains of so many civilisations as seen in the food, historic sites and the different regions." Janet Smith (stayed at Adagio, August 2013)
"The pool - the views - the inland villages and towns" Prue Chiles (stayed at Il Ciliegio, August 2013)
"The variety of towns and diverse cultural and natural experiences. We stayed in Taormina, and the Verdura resort as well as the villa near Noto." Catriona Lovatt (stayed at L'Eclisse, August 2013)
"The land, the people, the food. And the wine is awesome." Aaron Beckman (stayed at Zeffiro, August 2013)
"It was a fascinating mix between the old and new worlds. The people were so friendly and the food delicious." Tobias Nanda (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, August 2013)
"Villa, food, wine, weather, scenery and places to see." Detta Gregson (stayed at Rocca delle Tre Contrade, August 2013)
"The ability to relax and stay together as a family and enjoy visiting our family and also discovering the local towns and people." Terry Ciancaglini (stayed at Le Sorbe, August 2013)
"The villa!" Karen Gallant (stayed at La Limonaia, August 2013)
"Pace of life, terrain, food, weather, people." Rebecca Messina (stayed at Priscilla and Cubo al Mare, July-August 2013)
"Beautiful villa with lovely views." Jane Stewart (stayed at Casa Carcicera, July-August 2013)
"The ice-cream, the scenery and the friendly people." Katherine Henderson (stayed at Cecilia, July-August 2013)
"The views, the antiquities and the food." Robert Luciano (stayed at Crossing the Rock, July-August 2013)
"Food/sun/relaxation." Kate Hicks Beach (stayed at Itaca and Baia dei Turchi, July-August 2013)
"The spectacular vistas and villages." Julie Smith (stayed at Il Ciliegio, July-August 2013)
"Opportunity to relax in peace and quiet." Neil Pemberthy (stayed at Profondo Blu, July-August 2013)
"The food, historical sites and just chilling out by the pool." Jacqueline Francis (stayed at Il Cappero, July-August 2013)
"Nature (scenery) and climate in conjunction with a great culture and history." Vanessa Knudstorp (stayed at Casa al Faro and Casa Alma, July-August 2013)
"The quiet beaches without lidos. The fresh seafood. Not as touristy as some other parts of Sicily." Lyn Mao (stayed at Cala Bianca and Azzurra, July-August 2013)
"How unspoiled it is, especially the western part. Very peaceful and people were very friendly." Jennifer Forrester (stayed at Ballata, July-August 2013)
"Taormina was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen." Richard Silvano (stayed at Villa Saracena, July-August 2013)
"The waterside villa and the Sicily tourist experience... temples, food, beaches, churches..." Tom Cutbush (stayed at La Fenice, July 2013)
"The food, the warm and welcoming people, and the sunny climate!" Dr John Griffin (stayed at Il Borghetto, July 2013)
"Beautiful scenery, relaxing atmosphere, amazing food and weather." Jeannine Medeiros (stayed at Badia, July 2013)
"Angela & Franco's hospitality and the insight of everyday living in the local community." Diane Conti (stayed at Giara, July 2013)
"Every single thing." Lisa Minucci (stayed at Ballata, July 2013)
"Total relaxation at villa Oliva !" Nada Nasr (stayed at Oliva, July 2013)
"The friendliness of the Sicilians is great." Caroline Spinney (stayed at Buzza Alta, July 2013)
"Warmth of welcome pretty much everywhere." Tim Woffenden (stayed at Casa Carcicera, July 2013)
"Swimming in the ocean, touring interesting towns and cities. The food and wine !!!" Dennis Janzen (stayed at Al Plemmirio, July 2013)
"The good mix, culture, sea, eating..." Jan Bossens (stayed at Gli Ulivi, July 2013)
"Mixture of historical sites/beaches - good holiday for mixed age groups/interest" Lucy Harris (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo, July 2013)
"Great food, beautiful scenery." Mark Laflamme (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, July 2013)
"Wonderful Beaches, sea and history." Sue Jewell (stayed at La Casina del Biviere, July 2013)
"The people, ancient ruins, restaurants, swimming, boating and especially the two catered dinners at the villa." Jane Jackson (stayed at Crossing Together, July 2013)
"The diverse cultures that make up the unique fabric of the island... Its diverse architecture, food and people." Karen Hillenburg (stayed at Il Ciliegio, July 2013)
"The food, the people, the weather and the island of Panarea" Anna Baddeley (stayed at Aphrodite, July 2013)
"The outstandingly unique setting of the property, its lovely warm welcoming owner and family and the homely, good quality and well-thought -out comfort of the accommodation." Pat MacCarthy (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, July 2013)
"The most enjoyable part was the freshness and taste of the Sicilian food made by our chef. It was soooo delicious!" Mr Avtar & Geven Opal (stayed at Le Corti di Cannamara, June 2013)
"The beauty of the land, the wonderful people and the sense that we were somewhere that no one else knew about!" Jennifer Walsh (stayed at La Fenice, June 2013)
"It's our fourth year and we most enjoy the simplicity and food (best in Italy)." Scott Davies (stayed at Cubo al Mare, June 2013)
"The warmness and assistance from our host Marika. The great weather." Tony Azzara (stayed at Casa di Pietra, June 2013)
"The way of life and the stunning beauty of the sea and the hills." Joseph Simone (stayed at Crossing Together, June 2013)
"The food, the people, and the incredible natural beauty. We love Sicily." Philip Schaeffer (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, June 2013)
"The climate, the scenery and the beautiful little towns we visited." Judy Butterfield (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, June 2013)
"Amazing landscape, fascinating architecture, great food and produce, and really nice weather." Simon Everest (stayed at Cecilia, June 2013)
"Sunshine and local produce" Rosemary Holmes (stayed at Azzurra, June 2013)
"Quality / location of villa and opportunity to visit beautiful towns such as Noto and Syracuse." Joanne McDonald (stayed at I Lentischi, June 2013)
"Cinnamon, obviously - plus all the usual aspects, the food, the wine, the scenery - and the sun." Robert Stephenson (stayed at Cinnamon, June 2013)
"It's a really interesting place, the people are lovely, weather fantastic and Think Sicily are really professional, friendly and patient!" Liz Crotty (stayed at Buzza Alta, June 2013)
"The incredible history, weather , friendly people and above all the food." Divakar Mandapati (stayed at Lilli, June 2013)
"The food and wine, in the restaurants, and buying our own in the wonderful market in Syracuse. The Baroque towns and the ancient monuments. Standing on the roof terrace with a glass of wine in my hand watching the boats and the sun go down over the turquoise sea... Walking in the Pantalica gorge was easy and very peaceful. The bird reserve at Vendicari was also nice." Stella Maxwell (stayed at Archimede, May 2013)
"Great food and wine, friendly people, perfect weather and a typically Italian rustic feel to the place, a sort of faded elegance which is always attractive... Taormina, Siracusa, Noto particularly and their attractions." Jeremy Boadle (stayed at Villa San Tommaso, May 2013)
"Quality of food. The friendliness of the people wherever we went." Diana Gore (stayed at Conca d'Oro, April 2013)
"Walking in the Madonie, cooking, eating and visits to different parts of the area, weather of course and the small towns and villages." K P (stayed at Il Cappero, April 2013)
"The people were so friendly and helpful, the food was fantastic and it was a very relaxing destination." Therese Gittoes (stayed at Respiro, April 2013)
"The scenery...Siracusa, Palermo and its colorful people, Taormina, Cefalu and even the little town where we would go to shop, Sant'Agata. We really enjoyed Monreale and its beautiful Duomo, and hilly streets, Caccamo and its incredible castle." Jan Kahn (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro, April 2013)
"The diversity of landscapes, the food, the nature and history, and the people. I've never met more hospitable helpful folks." Regina Hamilton (stayed at Casa Nuvola, April 2013)
"Ortigia town (Syracuse) is a little gem, not too touristy but has plenty to do and see and some great bars and restaurants." Clive Orford (stayed at Ortigia, April 2013)
"Choices.... the architecture of Ragusa was breathtaking, the endless samples of chocolate in Modica, the little beach at Casa delle Sirene, the amazing coastline at Ortigia, the Easter parade at Avola. Although topping all that is the friendliness of the Sicilians and their willingness to communicate in gestures and a random assortment of whatever foreign words popped into our heads!" Stephen Reid (stayed at Casa delle Sirene and Pietra Nera, March-April 2013)
"The view from our Villa and connecting with long lost family." Stephen Boccardo (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia, August 2012)
"The lovely pool at the villa and the endless sunshine." Anna Coxon (stayed at La Limonaia, August 2012)
"The weather, the lifestyle and visitng Noto and the beautiful setting and space in and around the villa." Rona Cruickshank (stayed at L'Olivastro, August 2012)
"This is our 5th visit to Sicily. We find the island fascinating because it works on so many levels - it's relaxing, it's warm, the food is the best on the planet, there are so many interesting places to visit, the Baroque architecture is jaw-droppingly amazing, and the Sicilians themselves are extremely friendly." Neville John Browne (stayed at Ballata and Poggio Pigio, August 2012)
"The plocal residents. On the beach, in the restaurants and everywhere we went everyone was very welcoming and friendly." Mark Tanase (stayed at Giara, August 2012)
"The lack of tourists in the area. We really felt as though we were experiencing real Sicily... Food market in Acireale. Lido in Aci Tezza was a chance to see the Sicilains at play!" Hilary Willgoss (stayed at La Timpa, August 2012)
"The evenings in the towns, eating out while watching the passeggiata." Thomas Stewart (stayed at Casa al Faro, August 2012)
"History, variety of scenery-coast and hinterland. The peaches were wonderful and shopping in smaller local shops rather than Supermercato enhanced the experience." Neal Vaughan-Jones (stayed at Profondo Blu, August 2012)
"Il Piliere and the surroundings - beautiful nature, the nice Sicilians, the food and wine +++" Kjersti Jensen
"Hard to be specific. We loved Syracuse, the surrounding area and the Greek Theatre as well as the local restaurants. When we moved nearer to Catania then La Limoniai was just a beautiful location and we hardly felt the need to leave the place." Paul Ingram (stayed at La Limonaia, May 2012)
"The friendliness of the people. Food... & wine! The culture." Josephine Kellett (stayed at Acquamarina, May 2012)
"The gorgeous villa, the lovely food, exploring the nearby towns, the lovely sunshine!" Fiona Farrell (stayed at Casa di Pietra, May 2012)
"The weather, the quality of the villa Profundo Blu and the friendly helpful attitude of the local people... Selinunte, Belice Nature Reserve / beach and its restaurant, the Madonie Mountains..." Julian Ware (stayed at Profondo Blu, May 2012)
"The general ambience, spectacular scenery, blue seas and warmth of the people... One of our best holidays! As a former airline man I've travelled far and wide but there are few places I can imagine us re-visiting time and time again more than Sicily and I must thank you all at Think Sicily for that - I will." Stephen Jones (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, May 2012)
"The house with pool, the staff, the sun, the food and the atmosphere overall...San Vito lo Capo, Erice, the old town of Trapani, Favignana." Tina Eklov (stayed at Al Jafar, May 2012)
"Atmosphere, escape from Brits & tourists! Good weather which was not the case in many parts of Europe/Med last week! It was our honeymoon, so we did not investigate very far. That said, Cefalu was beautiful and we loved roaming the streets." Guy Morrison (stayed at Il Gabbiano, May 2012)
"It is truly an island with many hidden gems and very different from North to South particaluary Cefalu to Siracusa a notable difference. It is rich with history.....amazing!!!! The people were lovely and on many occasions when we were lost people were kind enough to alow us to follow them in their car to our destination. The food was great." Daniela Kohut (stayed at Casa Nuvola, April 2012)
"The villages are all wonderful. The people are great. But Mount Etna, no matter where you stay, you gotta go there." Dan Hurley (stayed at Buzza Alta, April 2012)
"We enjoyed most the landscape in blossom. The scenery was breathtaking. We liked very much the people and their friendliness... Noto we love very much, and there of course the bakery at Caffé Sicilia... We liked also very much Ragusa and Modica, especially in the evening. A special experience was also lunch at La Cialoma in Marzamemi." Roberto Frezza (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, April 2012)
"Proximity of towns in a specific area of interest, beautiful scenery, excellent tables, warmth and kindness of people." Yves Hebert (stayed at Casa Carcicera, April 2012)
"Beautiful setting, magnificent Etna, wonderful architecture, friendly people, relaxed, cheap food and drink by all European standards... Noto was a gem, so was Syracuse." Natalya de Lance-Holmes (stayed at Baia dei Turchi, April 2012)
"The friendliness and warmth of the Sicilians, the very beautiful landscape and the quality of the food were significant factors for the enjoyment of our holiday." Rhona Leith (stayed at Casa delle Sirene, March 2012)
"Everything was wonderful, but we probably enjoyed the villa most of all. We wish we had more time to just spend at the villa... The restaurant in Brucoli that was on the beach was probably the best culinary experience we had in our 2-1/2 weeks in Italy. We loved climbing Mt Mt Etna, Taormina, Monreale, horseback riding, golf and Siracusa." Kristine Raino-Ogden (stayed at Priscilla)
"The warmth, sun, and artistic inspiration." John Crosby (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"The food and wine; the quality/color of the ocean." Genevieve Anderson (stayed at La Pergola)
"I have travelled the mainland a bit. I never went to Sicily. I missed everything. Tremendous place. Easily the best part of Italy." Mike Romano (stayed at Baia dei Turchi)
"History. Fresh fish so simply cooked and so delicious... A fascinating island." David Sneddon (stayed at Crossing the Rock)
"Beautiful beaches in the Vendicari Nature Reserve. Loved the town of Ortigia and of course our villa! Ragusa, Siracusa, Noto and Taormina were towns that we really enjoyed: rich in architecture and culturally very interesting." Andrew Hayes-Watkins (stayed at Gioi)
"History. Fresh fish so simply cooked and so delicious." David Sneddon (stayed at Crossing the Rock)
"It's beautiful and fun, the food and wine is delicious and the people are lovely." Cheryl Ellis (stayed at Al Plemmirio)
"Historic sights, culture, focus on food and wine, sunshine and scenery." David Nickols (stayed at Balu)
"The villa and it's remoteness were very special... Selinunte - ruins and beach restaurant - well worth the trip." Jonathan Boyle (stayed at Profondo Blu)
"Sunshine and warm nights in October and the beautiful beach." Katy Peagram (stayed at Serralunga)
"It is a very beautiful country with great food and wine. It is a great place to escape from the stress of London life... We would recommend Fontaine Bianche - a lovely sandy beach with fantastic restaurant." Alexandra Larkin (stayed at Casa Carcicera)
"The food, the atmosphere, historical sites (Palermo in particular) - the overall experience." John Leslie (stayed at Masseria Moscala)
"It was lovely to stay near Noto - beautiful and access to a range of sights and interesting towns was easy. Loved the pool at the villa and the views." Kate Philip (stayed at Gioi)
"Location of the Villa was stunning... Segesta - the temple & the amphitheatre - is a must-see. Trapani worth a day trip." Mark Anderson (stayed at Egesta)
"Chilling out on the beach. Going up to the old town (Taormina) and shopping." Rebecca Head
"People, food, wine, wandering around the towns, shopping for the stunningly fresh local produce." Avril Page
"The relaxed atmosphere, amazing scenery, beautiful wines and the weather." Elaine James (stayed at Ballata)
"The villa, beach, and weather." Judith Atkinson (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Everything. The people the weather and the food." Paul Stillwell (stayed at Villa Farli)
"The villa - it was absolutely gorgeous!" Sarah Brown (stayed at Il Gabbiano)
"The food, the people, who are very friendly and helpful, the weather." Kathleen Ranneck (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"The warmth and genuineness of its people." Paul Slepakoff (stayed at Casa di Pietra)
"Geography, ruins, churches, some of the food. Views from the villa". Lillias August (stayed at Poggio Pigio)
"It is genuinely Sicilian, much of Europe is less distinct now, a pleasure to be somewhere so authentic... Ortigia in Siracusa was amazing, the beaches around Vendicari and Noto itself." Oonagh Jobling (stayed at I Lentischi)
"The views from the Villa were absolutely incredible, and Cefalu was such a friendly, beautiful little city." Courtney Cushing (staed at Casa Nuvola)
"The weather, pool and the beach... Cefalu is a nice town. The beach in Mondello is great." Rolf Eriksson (stayed at Lilli)
"The weather, Mount Etna which did erupt a bit while we were there. The flowers, the sea, the opera at Taormina's ancient theater. Catania is a really nice city and I must say I did not expect that. And we loved the fish and fruit markets there. The local festivals and the local art. I bought plenty of stuff to bring back home including some ceramics which are gorgeous and famous." Mary Anne D'Onofrio (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"The weather, the nature, the sea (and the diving and snorkling), the mix of cultures, the villages, the Italian/Sicilian food... Scopello, Erice (a must!), the cathedral in Monreale (also a must!)." Wiebe Goslinga (stayed at La Fenice)
"We have been to Sicily many times and really love the place. The great weather, the food, the beaches everything!... The beach at San vito lo Capo is lovely... Erice is lovely with some good restaurants." Karen Murray
"The mix of beautiful ruins, fabulous Barogue architecture, incredible food and really warm, friendly people. We stay in Italy twice a year but this was first visit to Sicily. Really bowled over. It feels very different to other parts of Italy... We loved Ragusa, Aidone (our local village) - fantastic museum and Greek city of Morgantina was superb - very atmospheric with wonderful views over to Aetna. Enjoyed Siracusa." Janet Thomson (stayed at Casa de Arena)
"Sicily has been on the list for a long time, we enjoyed the diversity of the island, travelling to Taormina, Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands... the food, the wine, the weather... it was all fab!" Graeme Pallant (stayed at Poggio Pigio)
"Food and people, the driving! Chilling at the villa. Views fo Etna at sunset. Etnaland is amazing for kids." David Wallwork (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni)
"Siracusa, Catania and Taormina were delightful and our experience at the villa was just wonderful... The beach we went to at Fontane Bianche was very nice... The wines and fruit were excellent." David Powell (stayed at Villa San Tommaso)
"The scenery and historic centres. But perhaps most of all the pool... Noto is gorgeous." Janice Robinson (stayed at Gioi)
"The quality of the sea was outstanding as was the seafood to go with it." Daniel Wilkinson
"We really appreciated the friendliness of the Sicilian people. Nothing was too much trouble, and they were very kind. We loved the laid back, almost old-fashioned simplicity of life there, the beautiful weather and of course the food." Penelope Battrick (stayed at Ballata)
"The weather was beautiful and the people were friendly and helpful... Taormina was really beautiful and full of history. Catania was also full of historic buildings." Kim Stephenson (stayed at Mila)
"The peace of the Villa, the fabulous views, the wonderful food...the lovely people we met. Lascari beach was great." Sara Kozak
"We loved the house, the beach, the food and the simplicity of life in the town (Scicli)." Elaine Wasserman (stayed at Palazzo Hedoné)
"The food was amazing... Scopello was lovely, Segesta was great and Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa marina beach was stunning and not too crowded despite being August... How did we enjoy our holiday? If the scale went up to 10 it still wouldn't be enough. All that's missing is post Sicily councelling for the misery I feel being back in cold anti-social and Canolli-less Britain." Ronke Arogundade (stayed at Cala Bianca)
"The tranquil setting of the villa and the nearby beaches. Only a few local tourists, no congestion... Selinunte, Planeta Winery tasting with aperitifs in Sambuca di Sicilia, Da Vittoria and Il Vignetto restaurants, the beach in front of Da Vittoria is particularly nice." Jasmin Rahman (stayed at Le Chicas)
"We did an excellent trip to Mount Etna which was incredible." Amanda Brooke (stayed at Cecilia)
"Food, wine, warmth, sunshine, beaches..." Jill Jackson (stayed at Cinnamon)
"The scenery everywhere but the interior and Siracusa in particular. Ortigia at night was just stunning." Mary George (stayed at Villa Favola and L'Olivastro)
"Selinunte & surrounding area: Zingaro nature reserve and surrounding area: the old town at Sambuca Di Sicilia." Tony Corrigan (stayed at Serralunga)
"Lovely combination of beach and countryside with a little culture." Lady Blackett (stayed at Casa Nuvola)
"The food and wine - especially the bread man on his tuk tuk at the garden gate with warm brioche in the morning! Ragusa and Modica are wonderful and really worth a wander around off the beaten track and into the back streets. Go to Duomo in Ragusa and have the tasting menu!! Dont try to drive home!" Genevieve Duhigg (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Mix of sites to visit locally - Etna, Taormina, nearby islands as well as relaxing on beach and local restaurants." Lyndon Norley (stayed at Giara)
"Weather : warm, little bit windy. Nice food and wine. Friendly people." Anne Mandel
"Location of villa (great views back to Catania & Mt Etna), layout of house and facilities, fantastic weather ." Catherine Mortimer (stayed at Villa Saracena)
"The food was amazing, such fabulous, fresh ingredients and wonderful fish. We enjoyed the buzz of the towns in the evenings... The archaelogical park in Siracusa is well worth a trip. Siracusa and Noto were terrific." Lynn Doughty (stayed at L'Olivastro)
"The beaches and people... Would recommend San Vito Lo Capo for the beach and Taormina is also spectacular." Joe Conti (stayed at Serralunga)
"The nature reserve (Lo Zingaro) was our favorite thing. We felt very lucky to have it so close to the house. We hiked to the first beach with the children and loved the experience. We also rented a boat and went along the coast of the reserve to reach other places to swim that were too far for us to hike to... All visitors should visit Scopello in the evening. It is so charming and has easy parking (although you have to pay). Also liked Erice, Segesta, and especially liked Marsala, a lovely Italian town." Mary Gearon (stayed at La Fenice)
"The kind, generous people. The delicious food and the beautiful landscape... Scicli was spectacular! We also visited the Vendicari Reserve, Ragusa, Noto and the local beaches. We were not disappointed with anything and would highly recommend these destinations." Franco Magliocco (stayed at Palazzo Hedoné)
"The wonderful views, beautiful countryside and coastline..." Philippa Devas (stayed at Mila)
"We had a great time. Weather was stunning. Cefalu was a perfect location for a week's holiday. Strolling through the narrow streets before dinner was a joy... Lack of English people where we were! It felt unspoilt and therefore natural... The climb to La Rocca is a must, just make sure you take some water and wear footwear with some grip. We tried a different restaurant each time we ate out, we were never disappointed, even in the main square the service is good and the qualty fine, just make sure you eat outside and watch the world go by! Just stick with the local 'house' wine, no need to drink anything more expensive." Nick Hatton (stayed at La Corte)
"Relaxed, warm and friendly. Great for family... Valley of the Temples, Selinunte, driving around and stopping in small towns / locations. Take the helicopter ride up Mount Etna - especially when smoking." Alan Fairhead (stayed at Respiro and Le Chicas)
"We enjoyed the remoteness and the lack of other tourists... We recommend Noto, Modica, Siracusa and Marzamemi." Nicola George (stayed at Casa Carcicera)
"The combination of wonderful climate, intense colours, food, drink, and deep and varied history." Keith Haviland (stayed at Villa San Tommaso)
"Beautiful landscape and views from house, trip to Palermo, seeing Etna erupt in the night, the nice Sicilians." Helle Nielsen
"The people, the food and wine, the surroundings and the sea. We have seen Sardegna and Puglia but this was a delightful unknown area to us." James Noble (stayed at Funcia)
"The private beach only a few steps from the villa, the wonderful garden, the nice swiming pool, many places with shade around house.... good wine... The 4x4 Etna trip was fantastic." Jaromir Vejpustek (stayed at Buzza Alta)
"Good granita in Pachino: try mandorle and caffé. Check out the flamingos in Vendicari. Noto is an absolute must: beauty everywhere. Sciacca is lovely too, Modica, Ragusa... what can I say? Magic. 'Gelati Divini' is a must, right in front of the Duomo."
"Beaches, the food, the low key aspect of the locals and tourists. Cefalu is delight." Beatris Head (stayed at Il Cappero)
"Small barocco cities and villages, nice people." Mardiros Kaloustian (stayed at Villa San Tommaso)
"The view and the weather! Cefalu was great - we went there a few times to the beach and in the evening. We had a pizza in the main square and of course sampled gelato at the artisan shop at the beginning of the old town." Karen Roberts (stayed at Casa Nuvola)
"Swimming in the ocean. Seafood. Climb up Mount Etna." Tony Davis (stayed at Priscilla)
"Landscapes, archeology, temples, sea, hot day & cool night, good food..." Pascal Hirtz (stayed at Serralunga)
"The weather, the beach and location at Acquamarina." Claire Manktelow (stayed at Acquamarina)
"The friendliness of the people, the wonderful water and the beautiful weather." Irene Fellner (stayed at L'Olivastro and Casa delle Sirene)
"The weather, the food, particularly the abundance and low cost of fresh fruit and vegetables." Darren Jones
"The climate, the Sicilian people, the Madonie." Edith van de Wal (stayed at La Mora)
"The weather, the beaches, the food ....really there isn't much we didn't enjoy! The Valley of the Temples is truly spectacular and not to be missed." Natalie Warman (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia)
"The villa, Mount Etna, the boat... Catania fish market is worth a trip. It is something that is fast disappearing in Europe and no longer really exists in the US. It is sad to realise, and definitely worthwhile." Liesl Eisenbeiss (stayed at Don Arcangelo all'Olmo)
"Swimming in the pool, cooking in the kitchen and hiking down to the phenomenal waterfalls and pools of Cassibile - we went twice!" Tamara Joffe (stayed at Casa Carcicera)
"The weather and food ... particularly the first week with Cinnamon's garden produce." Rob Siderfin (stayed at Cinnamon and Villa Principe di Lumia)
"Access to sea and culture and weather... Temples at Selinunte." Aidan Coleman (stayed at Villa Armerina and Profondo Blu)
"The sun and the villa and the food and wine..." Elizabeth Lombardo (stayed at Poggio Pigio)
"We enjoyed the villa experience. The views from Respiro were breathtaking. Our cook made amazing meals. We enjoyed Sicily immensely... The entire island is very scenic. I couldn't believe how mountainous Sicily is. Taormina was a great town to visit. Great shopping and restaurants. Cefalu was beautiful as well as the towns just outside of Palermo." Wendy Morris (stayed at Respiro)
"The variety of geography, people, food, historical sites. What's not to like? Noto is lovely, Modica was a surprise and we loved Ragusa Ibla & Ortygia... Anyone going anywhere near Palermo should not miss Monreale. In general, the Greek and other ruins are all awe-inspiring. We enjoyed the beach right at Cefalu for swimming and people watching." LI (stayed at Gioi and Il Gabbiano)
"We have been before twice: the people are kind, the food is georgious, the sea is beautiful." Gudo van Hal (stayed at Il Ciliegio)
"Weather, sea, historical sites, Etna's eruption." Pavla Love (stayed at Villa Saracena)
"The food, the setting... the peace and quiet. Everywhere you looked was like a scene from a movie!...We also visited San Vito lo Capo twice - the beach was gorgeous and the views on the drive down were breath taking! " Victoria Row-Traster (stayed at Ballata)
"A Mediterranean jewel with a surprising lack of tourists (first 2 weeks of July)." Paul Carpentier (stayed at Cecilia)
"The beaches, Mt Etna, small historic towns, wine, food and Casa delle Sirene!" Sophie Clark (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Definitely the old towns - Modica, Scicli, Noto, etc. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Very un-touristy, too." Mark Oliver (stayed at Casa di Pietra)
"The historial sites and the beautiful scenery could be visited in the morning and then have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the villa's pool." Susan Dutton (stayed at Casa al Faro)
"In Taormina we found that it is really a small community. Everyone knows everyone and you begin to feel a part of the culture. We made friends we will keep for many years to come. That kind of experience s hard to match! I would recommend Erice - which we really enjoyed and would have planned to spend more than an afternoon there had we known how lovely it was. We also enjoyed Castlemola - a gem and very comfortable to visit. We went to Sciacca just for the fish but would have loved an idea of how to get a quick spa - even though we were dashing off. Trapani was also lovely." Staci Cunliffe (stayed at La Riva)
"Wonderful scenery, sea swimming, great food and wine, lots of interesting historical sites and great variation in topography around the Island. Friendly and helpful people." Harriet Joll (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo)
"The opportunity to visit the place (Sicily) from which my parents came to America and to do this with all of my family from such a beautiful place as Villa Saracena...Take a trip inland at least one day, as there is a very different view of Sicily than what is one the Coast." Joe Russo (stayed at Villa Saracena)
"Sicily is an undiscovered island and not cosmopolitan - that makes it just wonderful - there isn't the feeling of the package tourist which tends to be typical of warm islands... Syracuse is wonderful and feels very local... Vendicari Nature Reserve is just wonderful for those not keen on packed lidos. There is a tonnara there which is just awsome - even for kids to understand how tuna was made. You can also walk around there so its great for nature lovers. We went every single day for the whole week. Noto is a wonderful town but a day trip. The area of the Gioi villa is excellent as there is alot to see and do around it." Denise Borg (stayed at Gioi)
"Food, scenery, friendly people, unspoilt, served by a scheduled airline(!)" Andrew Morris (stayed at Cecilia)
"The magical blend of history, physical beauty and diversity, culture and food - all on one not-too-big, not-too-crowded island." Daniel Shaw (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia)
"The weather, the food, the villa and the scenery... Cefalu was gorgeous and the beach very clean. The staff and the food at Al Porticciolo in Cefalu were superb, the maitre d' made us feel like locals and always gave us a lovely welcome." Liz Lake
"Vendicari Nature Reserve, Cava Grande di Cassibille nature reserve - a tough walk back up but lovely pools and great flowers, the cable car on Mt Etna - expensive but an experience! Market in Siracusa (go in to the town early to make it an easier experience all round). We all enjoyed a real Italian lido experience for a treat at Fontane Bianche. The children thought they'd gone to heaven - chips on the beach!" Nicola Lloyd (stayed at Al Plemmirio)
"Food, wine, sunshine and the fantastic pool in the Villa!" Matthew Bubear
"Food, wine, hill top towns, having a house with a pool." Brian Toller (stayed at Egesta)
"The place is magical, we loved the the food and the people and exploring the coast." Fiona Read (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni)
"Too many to list - weather was great, people were friendly, food is fabulous." Joseph Loiacano
"Food, historic sites, villa accommodation... Noto, Siracusa, Marzamemi, Ragusa all terrific." Christopher Aulich (stayed at Casa Carcicera)
"Easy access to the sea and wild flowers everywhere! Things to recommend? Generally museums are very good. We particularly enjoyed the Punic Ship museum in Marsala and the Dancing Satyr in Mazara perhaps because it was good to concentrate on one item - the other museums are excellent but can be a bit overwhelming! Ortygia is a particularly nice town just to wander in." Ian Millward (stayed at Cinnamon)
"Hmmm. The food? The people? The wine? The sights? Probably the chance to relax in a quiet village before the crowded season..." Bill Altmann
"Villa, landscape, people. Palermo generally... Alastro Planeta wine." Michael Van Der Graaf (stayed at Ballata)
"By staying in villas instead of hotels, we had the most relaxing holiday we have ever had...The staff and the Sicilian people were great. Loved the variety of historical sites and visiting many small mountain towns which seem frozen in time." William Otto (stayed at Le Sorbe and Baia dei Turchi)
"Italy, weather, Etna, new place, villa, villa views, mountain walks in the Nebrodi... Castello Nelson near Bronte is well worth a trip." Martin Knight (stayed at Pizzo Castellaro)
"The wild flowers, the friendliness, the good food found in restaurants, the ice-cream." Vivienne Ibrahim (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Cooking with the Duchess... the Greek archaeological sites." Chantal Wierstra (stayed at Masseria Moscala)
"The countryside - we loved the Madonie Mountains." Lisa Ruddock (stayed at Il Cappero)
"The great landscape with extremely wide views. The spring time adds to it probably a bit of color that might be missing during the rest of the year... We visited Segesta and Erice and I would recommend both places." Nils Schlote (stayed at Ballata)
"The food and the wonderful things to see and do... Marsala wine tour, Selinunte and lunch on the beach at La Pineta." Nikki Butt (stayed at Conca D'Oro)
"Very friendly people and amazing wild flowers at this time of year (April)... Segesta and Monreale quite stunning." Cristopher Preston (stayed at Casale Castelluzzo)
"What's not to enjoy! The food, the people, the villa, the views - all wonderful." Nicola Saunders (stayed at Crossing the Rock)
"Discovering family roots, visiting historical sites, food, wine, the markets in Palermo, Erice, Segesta, Agrigento, Cefalu... the meal prepared by the owner was one to remember for a lifetime." Jay Hochheiser (stayed at Conca D'Oro)
"Beautiful beaches, culturally interesting. Amazing food, friendly people and not at all touristy... One of the best holidays we had in a long time!" Franciske Evans (stayed at Casa delle Sirene)
"Sicily has it all - climate, geography, beaches, cities, history and best of all - food that was off the charts... I very much liked Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa, and Taormina." John Cassanos
"The countryside. The weather for March was really good. The villa was fantastic in a beautiful setting." Josephine McQueen (stayed at Poggio Pigio)
"Volcanoes, clear clean sea, stunning scenery, captivating culture, delicious food and friendly people. A top combo!" Richard Dixon-Clarke, UK
"Noto - in particular Noto Antica - my wife fell in love with this 'romantic' location. Easy drive down the motorway A18 as well... Lido Caparena in Taormina (executive area) was good - but need rubber shoes for the rock. Kids loved the cable car trip up Mount Etna - their favourite part of the holiday. Siracusa archeological site is fantastic, and there is a very friendly cafe/granita/fresh juice place inside its entrance. The archeological museum in contrast was very dull!." Joseph Holderness, UK (stayed at Pietra Nera)
"Everything... we just love the island!" Derk Hendriksen, US (stayed at Pietra Nera)
"Mondello (Palermo's beach) was lovely and surprisingly uncrowded given the high season. We also loved Selinunte and the beach restaurant La Pinetta was superb." Tom Drake, UK (stayed at Conca D'Oro)
"Sicily is beautiful and unspoilt, yet primitive and harsh especially in the south. We enjoyed the contrasts of the regions and exploring the sights. We even enjoyed the driving but our rental car took a beating! Sicily is a very special place." Nicola O'Sullivan, US (stayed at Casa Caricera and Pietra Nera)
"We had a very relaxing holiday and the weather was amazing. We loved Noto and we loved all the Vendicari beaches...The 4x4 trip to Etna was a really good day out and Roberto was very interesting." Nicola Wherity, UK (stayed at Al Plemmirio)
"It is a lovely country. The coast and the mountains are beautiful. The food is also superb... Cefalu is very pretty. I would recommend a trip to the Madonie Mountains." Julie Walsh, the UK (stayed at Buzza Alta)
"We loved the island - the people, food, history, geography... We fell in love with Cefalu." Lynn Gadd, UK (stayed at Cecilia)
"13km beyond Selinunte, is the best preserved Greek stone quarry in Europe, the Cave Cusa, dating from the 6th century BC. The Selinunte columns were cut here, and the remains of gigantic half-finished columns litter the site, some still embedded in the rock. In spite of the tourit board's efforts to put it on the map, with a large car-park and a little museum, it remains almost deserted and extremely evocative... Even though this was the middle of the Italian holiday season we only once shared our beach with another person in the seven days we were there. The water is wonderfully clean, as is the beach." Libbie Howey, UK (stayed at Acquamarina)
"We had been to Sicily several times before but this was our first experience of the region between Palermo and Messina. While it's certainly beachy and lacks the Baroque towns you find in the south east, the landscape was breathtaking, and the people were very warm and open... Discovering a new part of the island made us appreciate Sicily's diversity." Juliana Farha, UK (stayed at Le Sorbe)
"The weather , views, swimming, pool and beach, eating at local restaurants and exploring the towns nearby... Villa Romana del Casale, Agrigento, Siracusa, Morgantina, Marina di Ragusa, Enna..." Patricia Ferguson, UK (stayed at Casa de Arena)
"The environment/culture/food. Very friendly people... Beside usual famous towns and known historical sites we recommend everybody to experience Sicily in their own way. There are many lovely little towns with local bars and restaurants apart from crowded areas." Ferenc Boom, Holland (stayed at Masseria Moscala)
"Sicily was captivating, with a real sense that it is a working island and that tourism is a secondry consideration, which we liked. The scenery took us by supprise as it was beautiful and stunning. We had also heard comments about the amount of rubbish on the island but we didn't come accross this at all in Syracuse or Ortygia in fact it was spotless. Great food, (ok) wine, scenery, friendly locals make Sicily a great destination, just don't tell everyone, keep it our secret to enjoy unspoiled by high rise tourism." James Meacock, UK (stayed at Archimede)
"We loved Sicily and our vacation there... Things to recommend?: The ruins at Segesta, Erice and the restaurants in Cefalu that have dining areas on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Also the beach at Cefalu was one of the better ones on the island." Paul Rickard, Colorado, US (stayed at La Corte)
"What we most enjoyed about Sicily? The beauty, variety and genuineness." Michael Buschmann, Montreal, Canada (stayed at Villa Principe di Lumia and Badia)
"The relaxed nature of Sicily and the food + wine! Cefalu, the stretch of beach a few miles east of Pozzallo, and Noto." Gerald Rogers, Dublin, Ireland
"We love Sicily, locals in the shops in Paceco were so friendly, wonderful ancient sites to visit, delicious food and wine." Jane Sayer, UK
"We loved the climate, the food, the people, the towns. A great introduction. Hope to see other end of island next time." Kim Burke, UK
"An authentic experience. Friendly people. Great food. Awesome history and natural beauty." Bruce Marzullo, NY, USA
"We found the people to be warm and inviting and for the most part the scenery was amazing... I would definitely recommend visiting Taormina, Siracusa and Noto." Brenda Rossi, Canada (stayed at Baia dei Turchi)
"Taormina was wonderful and the people very friendly and helpful. The Greek Theatre fabulous and Villa Communale so very beautiful... We were there the last week in April and the weather was PERFECT! Sicily is amazing, we thoroughly enjoyed it all.....the beauty, the history, the cities, the countryside, the food and the people... We would highly recommend the little family run restaurant "Gallo Cedrone" in Castlemola. We had a wonderful lunch there - the food (bread too) all homemade and delicious all served with pride and love....don't miss this experience." Susan Razzetti, Utah, US (stayed at La Pergola)
"Friendly people, excellent, interesting food, and very interesting sites. Things to recommend?: Enna (very unspolit and spectacular position), Scicli (unspoilt as not so full of baroque treasures), Siracusa." Anthony Bicknell, UK
"The incredible history of the sites; the tiny streets although a smaller car would have been better! Capo San Vito - beautiful beach, the fresh oranges and lemons from the market square in Scoppello - the children made wonderful fresh lemonade!" Eleanor Logue, UK (stayed at Funcia)
"I loved the wild flowers which were in full bloom when we visited, absolutely gorgeous, and of course the food, I am trying to find a shop that sells Cannoli in Bristol!" Helen Keen, Bristol, UK (stayed at Ballata)
"Where does one begin? This was our 3rd visit in 9 years. Food, warmth, history, views are among the attractions. On this trip we took advantage of the location of the house to visit Zingaro twice." Anthony Collins, Dublin, Ireland (stayed at Funcia)
"The variety of Sicily provided us with a totally diverse and enjoyable vacation. We were able to experience seaside communities on one day while climbing Mt Etna the next. We were able to stroll through small villages and large cities, explore historical sites and enjoy various types of food and drink. It was a totally full and rewarding vacation." Marianne Bregartner, NY, US (stayed at Conca D'Oro)
"Late autumn sunshine. Playing with the children on the beach on November 1st! Mount Etna was spectacular, much more atmospheric than I had imagined." William Swan, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK (stayed at Villa Farli)
"The vistas (numerous) and historical sites; the wine and of course - cannoli! Things to recommend? Selinunte is spectacular as is the Cathedral in Monreale - they were highlights of our trip. Erice is a wonderful town. The beach at S. Vito lo Capo is worth visiting, but only in warmer weather. The vistas along the drive to S. Vito lo Capo are breathtaking. The east coast including Taormina, Catania and Siracusa provide bountiful views and rich history. Mount Etna is amazing." Ron Truant, Ontario, Canada (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni and Egesta)
"We loved the baroque towns and the beaches. Things to recommend?: Don Serafino in Marina de Modica was wonderful for lunch. We also liked Siracusa." William Penn, Seattle, USA (stayed at Villa Farli)
"Things to recommend?: the beach of Selinunte with Restaurant Pineta." Anke Ohm, Koln, Germany (stayed at Ballata)
"Villa, Weather and Italians! Mount Etna was a great day out. The in-villa chef dinner was a real highlight." Ian Buckley, Warwicks, UK (stayed at Baia dei Turchi)
"It is gorgeous, mediaeval streets, coastal beautiful scenery. Something for everyone... Cefalu was lovely. Erice was interesting. Mount Etna was fab." Nicki Perry, Kent, UK
"Time away from work! Just wandering around the streets of Gratteri was lovely and very soothing, and we loved being up in the mountains - especially during the spectacular thunderstorm!" Vicky MacBean, London, UK
"The lovely garden!" Kerstin Berglind, Sweden (stayed at Il Borghetto)
"Where to start? The people - and especially how they were with our baby daughter. From the elderly nonnas to the smart young men, everyone would stop and coo, comment how beautiful she is (of course I agreed!), and give us advice on where to take her, and what she should be wearing... Vendicara - wonderful beach, and stunning nature reserve, Modica - not just one but TWO stunning Duomi, and chocolate to boot... in Siracusa Do Schogghiu is our favourite restaurant, for its authenticity, and its stunningly fresh fish... Don Camillo - some of the best food I have EVER eaten, and just down the street from Archimede." Siobhan Turner, London, UK (stayed at Archimede)
"What did we enjoy most? The weather, people, sites, food, and the Think Sicily properties." Stuart Danoff, Stamford, USA
"We particularly enjoyed Selinunte, Agrigento and Erice, using Balu' as a base. We also had a wonderful evening at the opera in Palermo and recommend that guests explore that option, but leave plenty of time for the drive and parking. After leaving Balu' we visited Siracusa, Enna, Cefalu and Taormina and enjoyed them all, but our week at Balu' remains the highlight of our two-week holiday in Sicily." Edward Clair, USA (stayed at Balu)
"Loved it, will definitely be going back to Sicily and hopefully to another Think Sicily property... we enjoyed the weather, the people, the food and the atmosphere." Claire Killeen, London, UK
"The people, architecture, scenery, art, food, wine, everything. Cefalu is a fantastic getaway." Christine Fabiano-Main, London UK (stayed at Oriente)
"We love the scenery, the people, the history, the food and wine, pretty much everything. Things to recommend?: for this particular property, the beach at Porto Palo outside Vittorio's Restaurant and of course the long stretch of beach below the house in the direction of Selinunte. The archeological site at Selinunte is great. The seafood antipasti and the Spaghetti Vittorio (seafood) at Vittorio's are excellent." Alison Lopez-Edge, Switzerland (stayed at Cinnamon)
"Taormina and Cefalu. The Sicilian people generally were extremely welcoming and helpful." Lucy Mitchell, St. Andrews, UK (stayed at Buzza Alta)
"The people the town the historical sites Mt Etna and the food." Andy Field, New York, USA (stayed at Villa Saracena)
"The weather, the scenery & the people. Oh and the food. Actually we enjoyed everything. The best of the world in one island." James Hindson, Southampton, UK (stayed at Il Ciliegio)
"A meal in a restaurant in the Madonie Mountains on the way back to Catania... A swim on Lipari... the impromptu meals we had in Palermo, Agrigento and in the mountains." Dewi Pritchard, London, UK (stayed at La Rosa Dei Venti - Ponente)
"Very peaceful villa, Greek archaeological sites and good food." Christopher Bailey West, Oxfordshire, UK (stayed at Balu)
"Sicily was a voyage to another world. Especially in the interior at Virzi with the winegrapes, smells and flavours was a wonderful experience by his own. We loved that all was slowed down. Better taste of life! We really enjoyed the views in Erice, the wonderful beach in San Vito lo Capo, and the beautiful town of Trapani. We were very much surprised of Palermo. Especially the Kalsa district is of real charme." Roberto Frezza, Switzerland
"Swimming in the pool at the villa. The local beach... Siracusa is beautiful, the Greek theatre and caves are incredible." George Williams, Bristol, UK (stayed at Villa San Tommaso)
"Combination of rugged landscape, beautiful sea, nice villages and great food. The appartment was also very nice... we recommend Ortigia, Taormina, Catania." Martijn van Pieterson, London, UK (stayed at Il Palmento dei Castagni)
"We enjoyed Sicily very much-covered 1500km by car and found the people very friendly. We enjoyed the churches and monuments and Cefalu, Noto and Sciacca were lovely." John Wilcox, Newark, UK
"Lovely villa and magnificent setting and views. We are all fans of Nero D'Avola (a Sicilian wine)!" Alan Devlin, Cambridge, UK
"Scopello is magical and some hidden and great places to stay, nature reserves by Capo San Vito and also by Noto were beautiful. Best eating is in Ragusa! Cucine e Vino and Duomo! very impressive...And Val Di Noto was a great place to stay...with fantastic food and people running it are very friendly and helpful." Celine Baggen, Amsterdam, Holland
"The food, wine, people, the childfriendly atmosphere." Jeroen Van De Sande, Amsterdam, Holland
"We had a fabulous time and can't wait to visit some of the other islands and other properties. We really enjoyed the atmosphere, the food, scenery, people and the as yet unspoilt nature of the islands... Salina so beautiful." Belinda and Iain Diamond, Shrops, UK
"Every day held a surprise - from the little roadsweeper giving us directions with a jolly smile to the emptyness of the autostradas, then there was the amazing way the traffic works in the large towns. We were driving like Sicilians by the end of the holiday which was quite relaxing in a kind of topsy turvy way! Things to recommend?: An awful lot. Ragusa, Modica, Noto, Marina di Ragusa, Agrigento, Pachino, Erice, Selinunte, Enna, Taormina... Lots of little pretty beaches dotted along the coast... Etna and so many others I can't remember just now. We must go back!" Pauline Whittaker, Hants, UK
"Friendliness of people, excellent food and wine. Far better than northern Italy. Great that it has not been discovered so far by the average tourist." Dominicus Doriat, Germany (stayed at La Corte)
"Excellent and especially the food cooked by the local cooks. Sicilian food and superb... the historical and architectural interest and lovely beaches... Ortigia, above all. Ragusa, Noto and even Scicli had a lot of charm if you walked." Edward Holdsworth, West Sussex (stayed at Villa Farli)
"The mix of oustanding natural beauty and interesting history... Walks in the Madonie Mountains." Neil Smith, Brighton, UK (stayed at Ballata)
"Fantastic... Thank you for a wonderful last minute trip - the first family holiday for us with our toddler. Everything was perfect. The villa was exceptional... We loved the people, the food, the scenery and the beach for our toddler!" Heather Struman, UK (stayed at Il Borghetto)
"I love the people, the scenery, in fact the whole feel of the place. I love Italy but Sicily is in a different league." Heather Robertson, Edinburgh, UK
"In total Sicily is a great place and a lot to discover! We will come back." Karsten Doppler, Munich, Germany (stayed at Il Gabbiano)
"The villa, views, food and hospitality... Local shops and cafes in the mountain towns near Cefalu. Plus Cefalu itself." Ailsa Glen, Brighton, UK
"Sicily is a huge natural, artistic and historical patrimony, everything is to be enjoyed!" Elisabetta Rubini, Milan, Italy
"Syracuse early in the morning for the most wonderful markets, the Teatro Greco is a must, and the Baroque town." Judith Connolly, Dublin, Ireland (stayed at Casa al Faro)
"The scenery. Unspoilt towns and villages. The history and the historical sites (eg Selinunte, Erice, Monreale). Silician cuisine (especially the seafood) and local produce. Sicilian wine." Toby Kwan, London, UK (stayed at Ballata)
"The country is beautiful and the people are really friendly. All the beaches in that area (Noto) are lovely - particularly the ones in the Vendicari Nature Reserve." Cressida Sparrow, London, UK (stayed at Clementina)
"Sunshine, food, wine, Mount Etna, not many British tourists! Feeling you are in authentic Italy." Margaret Reed, Suffolk, UK (stayed at Cecilia)
"We enjoyed the beautiful landscape, the interesting cities and towns, the train rides through the countryside as we traveled and the friendly people that we met... Cefalu, the Egadi and Aeolian Islands, Trapani, Erice and Palermo are the towns we visited that are must sees." Nina Parker, Massachusetts, USA (stayed at La Corte)
"Unbeatable combination of history/culture/food and sea/sun. Palermo had more than we expected - the churches and thier architecture/art cannot be over-emphasized. Smaller places such as Castelbuono (with the Serpotta stuccos in the castle chapel) and Erice were real gems." Vladimir Konovalov, Moscow, Russia (stayed at La Fenice and Il Palmento dei Castagni)
"The weather; a pool of our own; eating outside and evenings outside; the many-layered cultural history - something for everyone! Things to recommend? Cefalu definitely... We loved all the Greek and Roman sites and have now visited all the main ones and feel enriched by it." Susan Gillingham, Oxford, UK (stayed at Poggio Pigio)
"Our house, pool, food, visiting old towns, local people... actually everything! Wherever you go whichever town or village you visit there is always something to see and the food is so good." M Cvetkovic, Cheshire, UK (stayed at La Casina del Biviere)
"Gratteri is amazing, Mount Etna exciting, Filicudi and Alicudi wonderful... but everywhere you could find beautiful places!" Chiara Fantinelli Veschetti, Brescia, Italy (stayed at Casa Nuvola)
"Easy to get to but no hordes of English tourists. The climate is great and the food and wine are delicious! Syracuse is a must and Noto is beautiful and charming." Steven Bishop, Gloucestershire, UK
"Sicily, new to us, was fascinating, with an astonishingly varied history and scenery. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the beautiful houses we stayed in." Fiona Larkin, Kingston, UK (stayed at Balu)
"We loved the city of Cefalu. We rented a boat there, via Max, and that was very nice. We loved to be on the water! Palermo is very nice, beautiful, but better to visit in Spring or In Autumn. With kids it was too hot. But we really enjoyed it." Karin Bijlsma, Lochem, Holland
"Visiting areas untouched by tourism - experiencing 'authentic' Sicily, Piazza Armerina, Enna, and Aidone!" Terje Tondel, Bristol, UK (stayed at Casa de Arena)
"Modica town for an evening walk... Home cooking at our villa was the best meal we ate... Letojanni beach -just out of Taormina... Porto Palo beach - which is wonderful for children." Helen Davies, London, UK
There's so much to see and do in Puglia, whether you are a beach fanatic or a culture vulture! Take a look at our definitive on-line guide to Puglia.
Here's what our clients most appreciated:
"Absolutely fabulous villa, great pool, amazing views, beautifully furnished. Very helpful local assistance from Tamara who was very attentive but not intrusive in any way. Locoronto was beautiful in the centre with a couple of good restaurants- had a superb lunch at Restuarant Historico Centro (or similar!) Alborobello. Caves." Mr Stephen Allen (stayed at Lo Iazzu, October 2015)
"We loved Puglia! We really enjoyed the unspoiled landscape and the non-touristy nature of the area. We loved the towns of Marina Franca, Ostuni, Matterra and Cisternino. The trulli are remarkable, especially in Alberobello." Mr William Vitalini (stayed at i Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, October 2015)
"Mauro and Valentina were so thoughtful and gracious with arrival gifts and departure breakfasts. The villa has everything one needs and is warm and welcoming. We had a fabulous stay--10 friends and family in great gathering spaces, Highly recommend. We enjoyed being in beautiful towns with great food and very friendly people of the region. Each town had its own charm and different things to explore." Ms Adele Bennett (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, September-October 2015)
"This villa exceeded our expectations, it was so lovely. Perfect holiday. The people and the food were wonderful. Driving through the countryside with Trulli everywhere was delightful. We really enjoyed all of the surrounding villages, but Cisternino was our favorite." Ms Teresa Skabelund (stayed at I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, September 2015)
"The villa was the nicest thing we saw and experienced in Puglia. Some people visited several towns while others enjoyed the outdoors. We did a wine tasting at Cantele and an olive oil harvest/visit. We enjoyed Otranto the most of any town that we visited. We would recommend Dal Baffo Ristorante in Otranto. The food was excellent and more importantly, the staff was very friendly and accommodating on our two visits to that restaurant." Mr Joseph Schleppi (stayed at L'Argentiera, September-October 2015)
"Almost all of the towns! I would recommend Cisternino and Martine Fanca and swimming in Poligano a Mare. I would recommend a passagiata in a new town every night! Great way to meet people and see the towns lit up nicely." Mrs Joanna Van Tijn (stayed at Lamia Bianca, September 2015)
"Donato and staff at the house were really WONDERFUL. our meals and pizza nights were spectacular. in general, people there were very helpful and friendly. espec. loved swimming in to the grottos. walking or biking on the cart roads outside our driveway also special." Mrs Louise Strawbridge (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, September 2015)
"Town of Muro De Leccesse, Santa Maria Deleuca, Otranto, Lecce, Alberobello. Loved the beaches! People were extremely friendly. Quality of food and wine was excellent and very inexpensive." Mrs Carole White (stayed at Il Gelso, September 2015)
"Everything was perfect. The villa was the most beautiful home, and felt like this rather than a rental property, which are often finished to a lower standard. It was as if Martina was our very generous friend who loaned her amazing house to us for the week. Lolita and Luciano were a dream team, too. Our rooms were beautifully made each day and Lolita is lovely and incredibly warm, despite the language barrier. Luciano was great fun and each morning we woke to various treats laid out from the gardin (zucchini, prickly pears, super-hot chillis). Lecce was undoubtedly the highlight, but we loved eating fresh grilled prawns on tarpaulin-covered stools from a fish stall in Gallipolli, wandering the streets within Otranto's city walls and hiring a boat in Castro. In Lecce, we loved the simple local fare available at Mamma Lupa." Ms Caroline Lewis (stayed at Masseria Cisterna Rossa, September 2015)
"Alberobello, Ostuni Martina Franca. Coccoro 5* Beach Club Cibus Restaurant and Masseria IL Frantoio for a exceptional dining experience and a visit to L'azienda Winery Mellillo in Villa Castelli a wonderful experience conducted personally by Rosa the owner." Mr Vito Cilenti (stayed at Trullo Gaura, September 2015)
"Our favorite restaurant was Il Poeta Contadino in Alberobello. First class dining and fantastic service. We loved our boat ride along the coast. We also enjoyed Osteria Piazzetta Cattedrale in Ostuni. All of the recommendations in the brochure that we used were great." Mrs Susan Horne (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, September 2015)
"Lecce is a must. Otranto is fantastic. Old Galipoli is also wonderful." Dr Lisa Goos (stayed at Casa dell'Arco, September 2015)
"Loved Cisternino and Ceglia Massapica. Zio Pietro was our favorite restaurant. We loved the untouched nature of Puglia, how barely any one spoke English still and how it felt like we were truly removed from our day to day. It was absolutely gorgeous." Mr Bryan St John (stayed at Cjase Madrac, August 2015)
"The Olives, The beautiful beaches anda historical cities! Alberobello, Locorotondo, Matera, Sta Maria de leuca, gallipoli, Otranto, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Ugento." Ms Ana Maria Silva (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, September 2015)
"Our favourite was the understated town of Cegglie Messapica. We ate at the Osteria Puglia and Zio Peppe - both excellent, inexpensive meals. Zio Peppe was a hoot and he and his family sat down next to us to eat their own lunch. We also enjoyed a real family fun day at the Fasano Safari Park and Zoo. Martina Franca came as a pleasant surprise - great for a stroll around. Some of our party were blown away by the caves at Castellano de Grotte and the rest of use had a good time browsing local stalls while we waiting for them to re-emerge from the depths. We had a great lunch there. Ostuni was much larger than I had expected and I don't know why but I had thought it was on the coast. We enjoyed the shops there and the view from the top of the historical centre is excellent. We also enjoyed Alberobello but think Ostuni and Castellano were better places to buy souvenirs. We did however enjoy our visit to the Alimentari at Alberobello." Mrs Morag Redwood (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, September 2015)
"The agriculture right in our backyard. Go pick the figs for breakfast. How close and clean the beaches are. The overall friendly people. Il Punto in Torre canne. Maccheia beach club was very nice." Mr Vito Nardelli (stayed at Trullo Selva, August-September 2015)
"Puglian tomatoes and prawns - will never be able to beat those." Mr James Snow (stayed at Villa Blanca, August 2015)
"We loved Monopoli and the boat trip was beautiful." Mr and Mrs Andrew and Valeria Sassoon (stayed at Trullo Melograno, August-September 2015)
"Lecce, Cisternino, Coccaro Beach. The recommendation of the restaurant and ice cream shop in Cisternino was fabulous. Osteria in Sevelletri was wonderful." Mr John Laughlin (stayed at Cjase Madrac, August-September 2015)
"The weather, the people and the scenery - all great. Belami restaurant at Maglie was a wonderful experience, as was Maglie itself." Ms Luana Cutifani (stayed at L'Argentiera, August 2015)
"It was in a lovely quiet area. The bikes were really appreciated and it was great being able to cycle to the local village. The yoga teacher that we organised was excellent. The villages and towns really come alive int he evening, Specchia was so much busier at night." Mrs Caroline Dunne (stayed at Masseria Curti Vecchi, August 2015)
"The wide selection of beaches to find and explore. Gold beach was a particular favourite with all our party." Mr Pardeep Saran (stayed at Casa dell'Arco, July-August 2015)
"Gallipoli was a nice day out with the added bonus of a town beach for a quick dip. We loved Otranto and had a lovely evening there. Ostuni is well worth a visit too." Mr Ian Green (stayed at Casina Elia, August 2015)
"It was greener than we expected. We also realised that nothing is really too far away. Torre Cauceto is really nice. The Viar Beach Club is excellent. Tamara was so helpful and she should have a special mention too!" Mr Richard Boardman (stayed at Trullo Gaura, August 2015)
"Restaurant: MG34 in Torre Vado Beach: one and only CocoLoco if you stay in Leuca you can enjoy very different experience on Mar Jonio vs Adriatico." Mr Rafael Szczepaniak (stayed at Villa Blanca, August 2015)
"The property was absolutely stunning. It is one of the best villas that we have stayed in this region. The view was gorgeous. La scala restaurant was one of the best restaurants that we went to. The food was amazing and The staff was very helpful." Mrs Himani Dugar (stayed at L'Argentiera, July 2015)
"Ostuni. Locarotondo, Ceglie del Messapica. The beauty of the hill top towns and the friendliness of the people." Mr and Mrs James and Alison Christie (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, August 2015)
"We went to a number of restaurants, recommended by Carmen, which were all excellent." Mrs Helen Sheridan (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, August 2015)
"The diversity between coast and villages. The food and wine were delicious. Cisterno, Locorotondo and Savelletri. Best beach was Ottagno." Mrs Jane Brooke-Taylor (stayed at Ai Trulli, August 2015)
"Santa Anna in Cisternino which is the old train station. Super location and good food. Beautiful setting. Owners very helpful and really friendly. The sea is super warm and the people are welcoming." Ms Lisa Stirling (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, August 2015)
"So many different places to visit, didn't expect to see so many trulli! Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Polignano a Mare, Ostuni." Mrs Penny Lines (stayed at Trullo Selva, July-August 2015)
"Delicious fish restaurants. Very authentic area not very touristy. Everywhere we went was fab." Mrs Jan Hearnshaw (stayed at Trullo Alice, August 2015)
"We loved the diversity of the region...the charm of the olive groves and stone walls and fairytale trulli; and the drama of the coastline and the turquoise waters. I would send people to Alberobello, Cisternino, Matera, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Castro, Lecce, Santa Maria di Leuca, and Gallipoli for sure. There is a restaurant on the water side of the coastal road between our villa and Santa Maria di Leuca that we happened into for lunch, and it is on a cliff overlooking the most beautiful cove. That may have been our favorite surprise. We also loved Tora restaurant - had many meals there and were thrilled to be able to walk from our villa." Mrs Julie Katz (stayed at Le Antiche Pajare, August 2015)
"Everyone we met was extremely kind and welcoming. Bruno and the team at Masseria Scippi were truly wonderful...they really looked after us beautifully; nothing was too much trouble and so kind and thoughtful. Bruno and the ladies at the house insisted that they would come and give us breakfast on our last morning, even though it had to be ready by 5.45am!!! Just so kind. I'd happily follow you al over the world, so long as you could keep up your wonderfully personal service...that's really what makes you so special. Booking a holiday with you is so blissfully easy." Mrs Jacqueline Woolf (stayed at Masseria Scippi, July 2015)
"Oh Gosh. Everything. Absolutely everything. The staff was outstanding -- kind, helpful, excellent. Above and beyond. The setting was perfect. The value just right. Loved every minute. I will use your company again! And I've been spreading the word stateside. I am currently looking at Greece. But I would love your services anywhere/everywhere (and would be happy to help!) --- because you truly are unrivalled in the field." Ms Claudia Church (stayed at Casa Romigi, July 2015)
"It was excellent all round. Beautiful pool and home." Mr David Allen (stayed at Trulli della Mirandola, July-August 2015)
"Overall, we had a wonderful time and staff on ground and in London were most helpful. We enjoyed all the surrounding towns as they were quite different in their own way." Mrs Prue Perrott (stayed at Ai Trulli, July 2015)
"The variety of coastline, quality of food, warm and welcoming people, and relative absence of other foreign tourists. We had a wonderful holiday." Ms Rowena Burns (stayed at Bosco Marti, July 2015)
"The local towns and architecture (particularly Lecce) and the food. Lecce is a must visit. The service staff (Fiorentina and Luigi) were excellent - very friendly and professional and great value for money. Villa was very nice and well maintained but for me the key was having Federica there to make suggestions and bookings for us - she was a star." Mr Mike Jones (stayed at Villa Elia and Casina Elia, July 2015)
"It was beyond our expectations. It is a phenomenal property, everything was perfect and we wouldn't change a thing. We enjoyed the relative inexpensive nature of Puglia. The food and wine were delicious. Cocoloco Lido was fantastic." Ms Jacqueline Harkness (stayed at Masseria Scippi, July 2015)
"Great weather and lovely relaxed vibe - we went to 3 lidos but all of them were relaxed and very good value for lunch - pleasantly surprised that beach side dining was not at some silly premium. Martina Franca is well worth a visit as is Cisternino. Wine shops are thin on the ground but the recommendation of Il Cucco in Cisternino was great and staff were very knowledgeable and spoke English. Marza Lido (as recommended by Tamara) was beautiful for swimming and great for children as lovely small sandy cove." Mrs Sarah Willis (stayed at Trullo Selva, July 2015)
"The property was beautiful, with all comforts, the grounds and the pool worked perfectly with 3 couples and two small kids." Mr Paolo Jelmoni (stayed at Casa Ceno, July 2015)
"Trully a great experience, from setting and style to service. The masseria is gorgeous and beautifully maintained. Franca, the housekeeper, is wonderful. We've visited Puglia a number of times and have stayed in beautiful hotels. However, staying in a private villa added a new dimension to our stay. We loved the privacy, the personal comfort and the pool! Lecce, Alberobello, Matera are beautiful and distinctive towns, showing different aspects of Puglia's history and architecture." Ms Cathy Lasowski (stayed at Masseria Lamacoppa, June-July 2015)
"We especially loved the proximity to so many interesting towns and sites - all within a day trip from the house. The variety and calibre of the local restaurants was extraordinary" Mr Peter Arnold (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, June-July 2015)
"The simplicity of the place, the openness and friendliness of the people are great! The villa was lovely and very well-equipped. The pool and facilities were fab!" Mrs Neha Mahendru (stayed at Trullo Selva, July 2015)
"The views and the location were the main draw for me to this property. Get lost and find yourself in awe of the natural beauty." Mr Mason Lesure (stayed at Le Antiche Pajare, July 2015)
"My husband and I were guests of our daughter and we had a really wonderful week. We were most impressed with the warm welcome from Maura and the welcome pack, the clear way he explained everything we needed to know and the fact that he was always at the end of a phone if we needed any assistance. The quality of the accommodation was exceptional (especially the bathrooms!) and we loved all the individual touches everywhere in the house. The grounds and pool were fantastic and particularly child-friendly. We would definitely recommend Trullo Rosmarino as a first-class holiday experience. We enjoyed the peace of a week in the countryside, the delicious goodies in the welcome pack which were presented in a particularly attractive way in rustic baskets and especially the wonderful pool!" Ms Es Devlin (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, July 2015)
"Rural and rustic nature of the region. Masseria Il Frantoio, every time we go it is a very special evening." Ms Andrea Woolcock te Kloot (stayed at Lamia Bianca, June-July 2015)
"We were really happy with the villa. The outdoor area was absolutely amazing and couldn't be faulted and the indoor layout / set up was surprisingly functional. The staff (Anya and Alberto) were absolutely excellent - Anya hands down the best cleaner / the house the best-serviced of any villa we have stayed at. The babysitter, Sara, was excellent, great with the children, great initiative, couldn't have been happier. We had the best time when we were home at the house. The countryside I found gorgeous. Some of the towns lovely. A couple of our group went to the Cave hotel/restaurant and loved it. We had a beautiful dinner at Fornello di Ricci. We had a couple of lovely pizza lunches at the little pizzeria that is on the water as soon as you turn left on to the coast road if coming from the house. You can swim off the rocks there before/after lunch and on a non-windy day the swimming is beautiful. There was a really nice bakery / home-made food shop just near the house. Main thing we really loved the house, worked perfectly for us and the nicest and most functional outdoor area we have ever stayed." Ms Elizabeth Oswin (stayed at Trullo Alice, June-July 2015)
"Our concierge was unbelievable. She took care of everything for us. This is the service that sets you apart and is invaluable. I would book with you again for this amenity alone. Thank you. [Puglia] was beautiful and each different. We had a little of everything on this trip! It was an amazing trip." Ms Rosa Scarcelli (stayed at Trullo del Sale, June 2015)
"The weather was better than expected for that time of year. Our high expectations were all met. A surprising amount of things to keep us occupied doing. All the standards were well worth their while." Mr Steven Ross (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, May 2015)
"The beauty of the area was quite striking. The towns were enchanting. We were pleasantly surprised that there weren't many tourists while we were there! Cisternino, Ceglie Messapica and Locorotondo were really lovely towns. Lecce was wonderful and definitely deserves another visit! The three restaurants we dined at were great. Our top two were Osteria Bella Italia and Cibus. We loved Coccaro Beach Club." Ms. Kajy Vicinelli (stayed at Trullo Pinnacolo, June-July 2015)
"We loved being the only Americans for miles. We enjoyed exploring the area and seeing new things in each new town. We loved Lecce, Maglie, Otranto, of course Castro Marina, we visited the beach club "Balelido" in Torre Mozza that was great. The home was simply gorgeous - and Luigi was a gem and great asset. Best holiday ever and we have rented many luxury villas over the years!!" Mrs Anne Puricelli (stayed at L'Argentiera, June 2015)
"Immediate impression was the friendliness of the locas, very polite and helpful wherever we visited. Brochure description accurate - a contemporary villa, very well-equipped and comfortable." Dr Peter Travis (stayed at Mia, June 2015)
"Absolutely perfect. The Thinking Traveller is the best villa agency we ever used. Your attention to detail is second to none." Mr Jesper Kragerup (stayed at Ai Trulli, June 2015)
"Cisternino, Ostuni, Martinafranca. Fantastic rural scenery. Our best villa yet! Everything was provided, not once did we think 'wish we had this here'. The owners were fantastic, we were totally spoiled, a locally sourced starter pack and drink, but a leaving brunch as well! Not only will we have memories that last a lifetime, but pasta-making skills to pass on in our family. Thank you so much Valentina and Mauro for sharing your trullo. Kind regards, Sharon and Mario Cientanni." Mr Mario Cientanni (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, June 2015)
"The Turag beach club at Campomarina, dinner at Masseria Potenti. The quality and value for money when eating out and the great wines. Puglia had some great beaches, swimming in the sea was fantastic." Mr Martin Evans (stayed at Mia, June 2015)
"We loved Puglia. Biggest surprise was the amount to see because it was much more populated than we imagined. Quality of food and wine was superb. All the main tourist towns (Otranto, Lecce, Gallipoli) were lovely but we really enjoyed Specchia. Lovely centre with excellent bar/café and good restaurants. Puglia lovely, will definitely go back." Mr Neil Jones (stayed at Lo Scoglio, June 2015)
"Lecce and the Faggiano Museum in particular. The Grotto tour (on foot and boat) at Grotto Zinzulusa. Beach, including the public beach, at Torre Vado. Loved it and hope to be able to go again." Mrs Katherine Britton (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, June 2015)
"Wonderful friendly people... Stunning, peaceful and varied surrounds. Loved our proximity to the beaches, interesting towns and great food! We loved our village of Morciano di Leuca, beach and restaurant Lido Venere, the old town of Gallipoli and Maglie. Wish we had had more time to visit Lecce and others. Loved the seclusion and décor of our villa, while still being 5 minutes from beaches, restaurants and food shops. Fabio and Antonio great support, as well. We loved this villa, the people and the whole experience! Bravo!!" Mrs Molly Campbell (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, June 2015)
"The mix of old towns and natural beauty. Peaceful countryside." Mr Tyler Belnap (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, June 2015)
"Beautiful countryside, good food and a feeling that we were seeing the real Italy. We liked Martina Franca and had two excellent lunches at Bistrot Garibaldi. Also enjoyed Locorotondo and an ice cream parlour there. Also excellent ices at Bar FOD in Cisternino. Loved Matera and the cave houses. We enjoyed watching the world go by at pavement cafes and restaurants." Mrs Carolyn Griffiths (stayed at Trullo Cutetto, June 2015)
"The wonderfully unspoilt way. Nothing was ever too much trouble." Mr Sam Beard (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, June 2015)
"Foods, weather, sceneries, people, wine...everything!!" Ms Yuka Aoki (stayed at Trullo Selva, June 2015)
"Weather, scenery, food all lovely. Cisternino was charming. We actually hardly left the house. Want to go back and do more exploring! Wonderful! Completely exceeded all of our expectations. The house was beautiful, spacious and really well-equipped. The idea of holidaying with 3 generations had caused me some anxiety but because of the spaciousness of the villa and its grounds the entire holiday went beautifully and without a single family row! The cleaning staff were fabulous. Not a bad word to say - it was a fantastic holiday. Put simply - we had the perfect family holiday. A beautiful villa with so much space for everyone. Thanks so much." Ms Sheila Chatrath (stayed at Lamia Bianca, June 2015)
"Its traditional feel - all food is local and seasonal, people are really friendly and interesting. Castro and Marina del Castro were beautiful, full of character and characters! 'Underground' restaurant was our favourite - see the catch of the day and ask the waiters how they suggest cooking / serving it. Acqua Vita nearby is great for swimming in the sea. Beaches at Leuca are beautiful white sand and great facilities. The house was much bigger than we expected - so much space outside to enjoy." Ms Gabrielle Osrin (stayed at Il Gelso, May 2015)
"The villa was great, to relax around the pool. We did enjoy the days at the beach clubs and the ease of the area. I liked the rusticness of Puglia and the closeness of different towns and villages. People were very nice too. We enjoyed the seaside port of Savelletri in the evening, which Tamara advised us on. Loved exploring the area, and felt most things we wanted to see and do were just a short drive away. The villa was really quiet and had great space and pool area for us. The kids had the freedom to run around safely and they loved catching lizards and chasing dragon flies! Such a world away from central London! The farmer up the road was very sweet and invited my father into his home to look about, the olive trees were beautiful." Mrs Leisel Lancaster (stayed at Trullo del Sale, May-June 2015)
"Puglia is great... it has the elegance of the North and beautiful architecture and fantastic restaurants but also has the warmth and friendliness of the South... [Trullo Cutetto] is a beautiful property and the grounds are lovely. The photo of the pool does not do it justice! We would recommend Le Capase for excellent food, lovely ambience and at an excellent price." Miss Amanda Wren (stayed at Trullo Cutetto, May 2015)
"Just how laid back it was and how nice the locals were. Food was great and even though it's more of a destination for adults, we still found enough to do with our 3 year old daughter." Mr Dan Simpkin (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, May 2015)
"Beautiful countryside, fascinating towns, relaxed lifestyle, charming friendly people, gorgeous food...the list goes on! Will definitely go back! We loved Ostuni and Monopoli the best. A super villa, very well-appointed, comfortable and stylish. My husband (the chef in our household) loved the well-equipped kitchen, a rare find in a rented house." Ms Vanessa Podmore (stayed at Secondo Amore, May 2015)
"Wonderful service." Dr Claire Kaye (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, May 2015)
"We loved the agricultural landscape, the two seas and the beautiful towns, especially Lecce, Gallipoli and Martina Franca. The local people were charming, helpful and very welcoming whenever we encountered them. The food, wine and service in every restaurant was excellent. Mia is a lovely house and the pool and grounds are wonderful." Mr John Reishman (stayed at Mia, May 2015)
"The caves at Castellana on a rainy day - they are the second largest in Europe and well worth a visit. Fantastic setting; suited us very well, having two houses, beautifully fitted out and excellent facilities and equipment - down to firewood and umbrellas - which we needed!! We loved it. Loved the setting, enjoyed Italian food and markets (and ice cream). The cherries were great, and the kids loved picking them from the tree." Mrs Gill Walt (stayed at Trullo Selva, May 2015)
"The people, architecture, the food, wine, scenery and the beautiful coast and mountains. Very beautiful and with some amazing places to eat in addition to your list including a Michelin starred restaurant in Monopoli and a wonderful masseria just before the villa where they cooked just for us! We loved it all so much we are going to build a new house there!" Mrs Christine Lovell (stayed at Trullo Alice, May 2015)
"We had a very relaxing time - there were no crowds or traffic problems. We were surprised at how inexpensive it was to use restaurants and cafes." Mr Michael Milbourn (stayed at Villa Elia, May 2015)
"We enjoyed shopping, eating and just wandering around Lecce, Martina Franca, Ostuni & Polignano a Mare." Mrs Diana MacKenzie-Charrington (stayed at Trullo del Sale, May 2015)
"The whole area was wonderful. I'd recommend the whole trip..." Ms Kathy Koo (stayed at Trullo Pinnacolo, May 2015)
"Very peaceful." Mrs and Mr Lucia and Frank Santoro (stayed at I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, May 2015)
"Accommodations and particularly terrace and views. The staff, courteous and very helpful." Miss Ann Jervis (stayed at Scale Nove, April-May 2015)
"The weather, food, wine and beaches. Ease of driving was probably a bit of a surprise. We just felt like the whole experience was top quality from start to finish. We would definitely book through The Thinking Traveller again. We truly loved everything and did not want to come home." Mr Micah Hurt (stayed at Villa Specchia, April 2015)
"The wine was incredibly good. Generally I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and quality of the food. Oria was beautiful and the recommended restaurant in your guide there is lovely. We had a wonderful Sunday in Lecce on Tamara's recommendation. Campomarino is a lovely beach and great for kids. La Siesta in Sava has good pizza - Angelica and our cook Isabella recommended it." Mrs Zoe Blanc (stayed at Mia, October-November 2014)
"We loved the total Puglia experience because it was different from any other Italy experience we have had. We have rented at least 7 other times in Italy and Europe and your company was by far the best and most professional. The Puglian experience was special and better than I ever imagined." Mr Frank Guzzetta (stayed at Palazzo Colucci, October 2014)
"So just a quick note to inform future clients of Masseria Lamacoppa of the wonderful week we experienced last year…..everything was as we hoped…..a beautiful location, willing and hospitable staff, and recommended in particular, Luigi, the chef. His cooking was absolutely superb, and whether there were ten or thirty of us, he was always there with a smile. Although a long distance from the main house, the swimming pool is spectacular, and as we were in Puglia for a party, provided an alternative location for many fun times. Should we need a villa of that size in Puglia in the future, we shall, of course, re-book Masseria Lamacoppa without hesitation." Lee Myers (stayed at Masseria Lamacoppa, September 2014)
"We loved the Masseria Curti Vecchi, which is a beautiful villa in which to stay. All the bedrooms are beautifully planned, decorated and furnished. The swimming pool was amazing and the garden was beautifully laid out, with its different shaded areas and plants. Also the guardian and ladies who came in each day were friendly, charming and really helpful, as well as being wonderful cooks . We could not have stayed in a lovelier house or felt more comfortable and "away from it all"." (stay at Masseria Curti Vecchi, September 2014)
"The quality of the villas were very good and the owners respected our privacy and we had a truly relaxing holiday, any issues were dealt with very speedily." Mr Colm Gaynor (stayed at Villa Blanca, September 2014)
"Likely the best villa we have stayed in! The standard is really high and literally everything (and more) that you could need was present. The interiors are great - the kitchen is amazing and the sitting and dining areas, both inside and out, are thoughtfully done and flexible. The setting is lovely and the grounds are amazing. The latter conclusion comes from a toddler and two generations of adults equally. So many areas to sit and relax, shaded and in the sun, a fire pit which we used and loved for the September evenings and really nice views. Mauro the owner how we met, and his wife, who we texted, were brilliant. Small issues were fixed really quickly and we were recommended plenty of places to visit too. Really caring owners and the welcome and farewell food gifts were outstanding and thoughtful. The local ladies who cooked us two meals were brilliant, as were the meals too and the villa was kept in a perfect state. This villa is just perfect for a family stay - the cot and high chair were high standard too!!" Ms Julia Dickenson (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, September 2014)
"It exceeded our expectations. Everything was just as it was portrayed in the brochure. No bait and switch here." Mr Joseph Rosio (stayed at Scale Nove, September 2014)
"We stayed in Trullo Rosmarino villa for a week with our family and friends. it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Even Alitalia lost our luggage and there was a strike on the day we left ,we still felt very much relaxed during our stay. Mauro (the owner of the villa) and his wife Valentina are wonderful hosts and tried to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. They were constantly in touch regarding any question. The property itself beautifully decorated throughout with a kitchen big enough to entertain 10 guests. The property is child friendly with plenty of space for a baby. The grounds are stunning with fruit trees and even there own vegetable plot. Pool is deep and extremely clean with innovative cleaning system. I would definitely recommend to ask for extra services such as cleaning and cooking as it makes your life so much easier. The proximity to the beach and to the little towns such as Martina franca and Ostuni make this property accessible from any point. I can't recommend this property enough!" Olga Popova (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, August 2014)
"It was immaculate clean, beautiful and comfortable. It had everything we need it to make our stay perfect. Highly recommend !!!! The little towns are beautiful. Great, natural food, decent prizes and some nice beaches. We are very happy with our holiday and we have already recommend it to our family and friends." Mrs María Murillo (stayed at Lamia Bianca, August 2014)
"Most enjoyed the food, wine and sunshine! All very enjoyable; no Puglia is enough for us!" Ms Frances Holliday (stayed at Casina Elia, August 2014)
"The Villa! Vittoria was incredible. She's sweet, unobtrusive and incredibly hard working. The holiday of a lifetime, the kids are already clamouring to go back." Ms Felicity Blunt (stayed at Villa Blanca, August 2014)
"The Villa was lovely and we really enjoyed ourselves. Wine delivery was excellent and the wines were of good quality. Appreciated the fact that there were screens on all windows and doors. I loved the fact it wasn't overly touristy and you felt like you were experiencing real Italy." Mrs Tara Heron (stayed at Trullo Selva, August 2014)
"Not knowing what to expect, it was all a very pleasant surprise. Just being at the villa was great and the beautiful towns nearby. The lack of tourists was a real bonus. Enjoyed it all." Ms Patricia Armstrong (stayed at Villa Elia, June-July 2014)
"The cooks and home staff were AMAZING! We highly recommend the house on this alone. it was really beautiful but with a pool and an inviting home, it was harder to tear ourselves away than I might have liked. The food was great." Ms Jennifer Doebler (stayed at Trullo Gaura, July 2014)
"We enjoyed 100% - we have nothing to add. We became part of the local life - what is really simple and amazing in Puglia!" Mr Simon Osterwalder (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, July-August 2014)
"The apartment is beautifully situated amidst the old town with wonderful views from the enormous roof terrace, while out of the front door of the property takes you into old school Italy, a wondrous combination. For those not wishing with the bother of driving and parking the venue is perfect. The combination of information on the properties ahead of booking, experience and helpful staff and great properties underlines the old adage that you get what you pay for in life." Mr Jeremy Stretch (stayed at Scale Nove, July-August 2014)
"We loved the authentic quality of the region. As of yet unspoiled by commercial tourism. From Lecce to the local gas station in Valle d'Itria, people were friendly and accommodating. I was surprised by how many people spoke English. Pugliese food and wine are the best in Italy! We loved it all." Ms Rose Vespa (stayed at Ai Trulli, July-August 2014)
"The property was in perfect condition. We had the opportunity to meet the owners on our last day there, a wonderful couple. The villa was decorated with great taste. Entertainment (videos, music) available in the house was awesome. It was such a great place that we didn't feel like going out! The summer weather was beautiful. Nature, the natural environment is beautiful. The little towns and their squares were great. People were very nice in general. We would be happy to do it again in the future, perhaps with some friends next time. It was truly a wonderful experience. We had a great time in the villa. The only problem was that it was so nice to stay in the villa that we didn't feel like going out. We found we spent more and more time at the villa as days went by." Ms Carla Cullati (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, July 2014)
"Quiet countryside, friendly people, not overwhelmingly touristic (yet)" Mr Jan Grobben (stayed at Trulli della Mirandola, July 2014)
"The Palazzo Guarini was the star and we spent many happy hours in its peaceful surroundings.Also its proximity to the village shops etc. in Scorrano for our breakfast buns was ideal. It was the best ever! The villa provided the perfect place for 3 generations to be together or ,at times, separate." Mr Philip Spencer (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, July 2014)
"I truly enjoyed visiting Puglia. Although I had travelled in Italy several times I had not been to this area. It was lovely.....and so was the wine!I really did enjoy the peace and quiet of the villa surrounding. At this time in my life it was perfect. I always like to be a bit closer to a town so I can walk to get groceries etc. but Fasano was very close and accessible by car. " Ms Carolyn Gray (stayed at Lamia Bianca, June-July 2014)
"What a unique property that has been maintained with such great care and attention to details. We could not get over how many pots and decorative water spigots there were on the property. The pool was amazing and the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables growing on the property also amazing. Maria was wonderful. Privacy was great. We enjoyed the house, the scenery, the people, and the food." Ms Megan Donnelly (stayed at Masseria Moscala, June-July 2014)
"This villa was exceptional. We especially appreciated the zoned bedrooms which allowed privacy between the guests. Beautiful cities to explore and great beaches. The people were really polite and helpful and the food was great. My husband was also able to kitesurf. I am glad that we paid a premium for the services. I had a much cheaper option to book directly with owners on alternate properties, but it was great to have people nearby to answer questions and be there is a problem arose." Ms Lucienne Agius (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, June-July 2014)
"The towns were lovely, all had interesting centro storicos and were surprisingly easy to access and park. The property was fantastic and very restful." Mr William Todman (stayed at Trullo Cutetto, June-July 2014)
"Was our first visit to Puglia. We thoroughly enjoyed, particularly the contrast after spending 2 weeks on the Amalfi coast. Was far less "touristy" and less crowded and good value for money. We particularly enjoyed the food and the ability to be able to drive to a different town each day within 20-30 minutes, all with interesting historical centres. The highway network made this relatively easy. We also like the fact that beaches, with clear, clean water and good beach clubs were close to the villa." Andrea Hay (stayed at Trullo del Sale, June 2014)
"We had the in villa Cook and that was a really fantastic dinner, would really recommend it." Thomas Petersen (stayed at Gli Ulivi, July 2014)
"The beauty of the surroundings, the delicious food and the lack of foreign travelers." Marco and Susan Zarbin (stayed at Lo Scoglio, June-July 2014)
"Beautiful cities to explore and great beaches. The people were really polite and helpful and the food was great. My husband was also able to kitesurf." Lucienne Agius (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, June-July 2014)
"Castro..marina and upper village....non-touristy! world cup under the stars with local folks!" Jeff Ives (stayed at Il Gelso, June 2014)
"Gastronomy experience. Very friendly people." Christopher Claridge (stayed at Trullo Selva, June 2014)
"That is was not too touristy, that it was so very charming, access to cute towns like Lecce and Cisternino...the trulli and landscape were wonderful and unique." Janet Shaw (stayed at Trullo Rosmarino, June 2014)
"We have traveled quite a lot in Italy and came to just enjoy the rural Puglia. Wild beaches, small mountain villages, olive groves, and of course, cuisine." Siret Zirk (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, June 2014)
"We loved how unspoilt it was and how few people spoke English, Lecce was a complete surprise and we will definitely return." Vivienne Findlay (stayed at Villa San Vincenzo, June 2014)
"Visiting the nearby towns, the great food and wine." Hannah Levy (stayed at Masseria Cisterna Rossa, May-June 2014)
"As we know Puglia for many years, just the beautiful villa was a real surprise! A wonderful place!" Manfred Rechberger (stayed at Villa Elia, June 2014)
"There are so much things to see, also with kids! We could visit the area even with our small kids and we could enjoy the nice villa where the kids could have their naps too!" Astrid Ghekiere (stayed at Trullo Selva, May 2014)
"We loved that it was not a touristy area and that there were so many lovely towns to visit for day trips. We were surprised there were no Americans anywhere in the area. Too bad they haven't discovered how beautiful and charming the area is!" Kelly Norris (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, May-June 2014)
"The sunshine and warm temperature, the great food both in the stores and in restaurants, the lovely beaches and historic towns, the olive groves..." Patricia Heathcote (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, May-June 2014)
"The villa was magnificent!" Beth Scott (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, May 2014)
"I loved that Puglia is a less visited area of Italy, felt like it may have been to travel to Rome or Florence 50 years ago. The people are so warm and the land is just bursting with goodness that is seen and tasted in the lemons, olives and wine!" Joanne Gardner (stayed at Villa Elia, October-November 2013)
"The villa, Ostuni and the food" Paul Hayes (stayed at Secondo Amore, September-October 2013)
"Trullo Selva, the lonely beaches, visiting the historical towns Monopoli, Alberobello and Locorotondo." Gernot Reich (stayed at Trullo Selva, September-October 2013)
"We loved the beautiful area and the local towns -- and the food!" Tracy Koon (stayed at Trullo del Sale, September-October 2013)
"How rural it was. Lovely and quiet. Ostuni and Lecce." Georgie Lane-Godfrey (stayed at Trullo Pinnacolo, September 2013)
"The trulli!" Ben David (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, September 2013)
"The uninterrupted sunshine, no fuss, easy going, good produce, quiet beaches." Ralph Cohen (stayed at Villa Elia, September 2013)
"Trani was amazing! We loved Puglia. Bari is really underrated in our opinion." Dr Christopher Law (stayed at Lamia Bianca, September 2013)
"The weather (early September is beautiful), fresh seafood, the people are amazingly friendly, very relaxed atmosphere." Jasmin Rahman (stayed at Secondo Amore, August-September 2013)
"Really felt we were in Italy. Food is inexpensive, yet fresh and delicious." Cheryl Ellis (stayed at Mia, September 2013)
"Visiting Matera and the many wonderful meals we enjoyed in the towns." Nancy Kanter (stayed at Cubo al Mare (Think Sicily villa) and Ai Trulli, September 2013)
"Gallipoli was a great town with lovely cafes and views." Amanda Phillips-Whyte (stayed at Villa Elia, September 2013)
"The beautiful old towns." Penelope Kelham (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, September 2013)
"Loved the beaches and food." Adam Thompson (stayed at Le Antiche Pajare, September 2013)
"Great part of Italy that seems not to have been discovered. The Trullo was located perfectly for visiting all local highlights for visitors. Most memorable must be Alberobello, Monopoli and a real gem Matera." Mike Williams (stayed at Trullo Selva, September 2013)
"The weather was superb, and we also had some good opportunities to visit some amazing towns, a truly beautiful part of the world and we will go back. We especially liked that the fact that it's not been spoilt by tourism and that we hardly heard another English voice." Lyn Dee (stayed at Trullo del Sale, August-September 2013)
"Not the raw fish ! The climate, restaurants, and small towns such as Ostuni." John Back (stayed at Scale Nove, August-September 2013)
"Clear blue warm water, fewer overseas tourists, great value for money in the restaurants." Jennifer Mines (stayed at Il Gelso and Palazzo Colucci, August-September 2013)
"The coastal towns and water activity." Walter Rupinski (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, August-September 2013)
"We love the largely unspoiled countryside, food, wine and culture and that the fact that there are few English tourists around." Suzy Brandwood (stayed at Casina Elia, August 2013)
"Food and the beaches." Andrea Woolcock te Kloot (stayed at Trullo Cutetto, August 2013)
"A unique part of Italy, with a great mix of excellent local food and wine, superb beaches, history and culture. Also good not to hear anything spoken but Italian, ie the Puglia is not completely overrun by toursits from elsewhere." George Evans (stayed at Villa Elia, August 2013)
"The natural surroundings, the friendliness of the people and the food!" Sarah Stordy (stayed at Mia, August 2013)
"The wonderful, friendly, happy Italian people who make you feel like you belong there and that you are old friends, even if you have just met them, from the waiters to people just passing you in the street! Also the environment and the fact that everything is right on your doorstep! You have everything you could possibly need just within a short walking distance. We need a whole separate trip to visit Lecce, Otranto and all the other surrounding towns, as we just never wanted to leave Gallipoli the whole week!" Gemma Nahas (stayed at Scale Nove, August 2013)
"Puglia was a beautiful region and it was centrally located." Tamela Scmalz (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, August 2013)
"The region and the people were a joy to deal with." Albert Anelli (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, July-August 2013)
"The mix between quietness and genuine historical sight seeing." Laurent Chiche (stayed at Lamia Bianca, July-August 2013)
"The villa and facilities. The peace and quiet, and beauitful night skies. A wonderful villa if you like to cook as very well fitted kitchen." Professor Val Wass (stayed at Trullo Selva, July-August 2013)
"The people...so warm and lovely. The food...outstanding and so fresh...the wine ..we drank a vineyard I am sure." Judy Freeman (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, July 2013)
"We know Puglia well, yet Scorrano and area was new to us. Rural, calm, just wonderful." Dr Shelley Hornstein (stayed at Palazzo Ducale Guarini, July 2013)
"The people in Puglia were so nice, helpful and real. The first night we were lost trying to find the restaurant where we had a reservation. We asked a local resident from Guiggnello and he jumped into his car and took us there without hesitation. There were many other nice encounters with the local residents. The food was very fresh and delicious. The Adriatic side of Puglia was absolutely beautiful. We visited the Amalfi coast after Puglia and were wishing we were still there because of the tranquility and the beauty of the people there." Mrs Shadow Pine (stayed at Palazzo Colucci, July 2013)
"The people, so helpful and happy." Stanley Baines (stayed at Lo Scoglio, July 2013)
"The people and the pace of life." Callum Innes (stayed at Masseria Cisterna Rossa, July 2013)
"Cisternino, Ostune, Ceglia Mesapica, Pologana a mare, the nature reserve beach." Penny Parker (stayed at Secondo Amore, July 2013)"Visiting villages, the food and wine, and the really friendly people." Ruth Boland (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, July 2013)"Loved the food, people and several towns. Lecce was amazing. We also really enjoyed Cisternino and Ostuni." Pam Schneider (stayed at Trulli della Mirandola, July 2013)
"Interesting towns, combined with beautiful natural surroundings. Just enough to do, without feeling pressed to do too much." Jenny Lingelbach (stayed at Villa Mirabella, June 2013)
"Friendliness of the people, the food, the wine, the amazing beaches and the crystal clear sea." Wendy Van Velsen (stayed at Mia, June 2013)
"The Coccaro Beach Club was fabulous. We also loved the food and wine." Judith Bone (stayed at Trullo del Sale, June 2013)
"Scenic location, not overcrowded like many other parts of Italy." Kingston Mills (stayed at Il Gelso, June 2013)
"I enjoyed the experience of the 'real' Italy, where far fewer people than I have met elsewhere spoke any English, which was great for someone who is trying to learn Italian. The local people were also incredibly friendly." Sheena Smith (stayed at Mia, June 2013)
"We loved the towns, terrain and simplicity of travel in the region. People were very friendly even with limited language correspondence." Tushar Prabhu (stayed at I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle, June 2013)
"Friendly people, few tourists, great food, clean sea, nice culture." Eduard Sonneck (stayed at Lo Scoglio, June 2013)
"Everything was easy and very relaxed - a bonus with small children. There were lots of small towns in close proximity all very beautiful to explore." Nicola Barron (stayed at Trulli della Mirandola, May-June 2013)
"This was our first visit to Salento. We enjoyed it immensely - the lovely people, the time of year was perfect - cool with few tourists. We loved the history, architecture and food of this region." Donna Lutton (stayed at Villa Blanca, May 2013)
"Weather, food, scenery, baroque architecture, friendliness." Caroline Pagni (stayed at Scale Nove, October 2012)
"The peace, quiet and countryside. Pace of life." Anne Cotton (stayed at Trullo Cutetto, October 2012)
"Dare one say that when the Italians have gone back to work the foreign visitor seems to have southern Puglia pretty much to themselves, so overcrowded it isn't! Also that particular part of Puglia offers incredible value for money in terms of eating out and general living expenses. In fact I suspect it may be the best value in Europe at present." Philip Harnett (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, September 2012)
"The house, the grounds and pool, quality of local produce and cooking, scenery and beaches, local architecture and history." Thomas Hechl (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce, September 2012)
"The villa, the location, the food and beaches." Sara Jones (stayed at Bosco degli Ulivi, September 2012)
"Love, love, love Puglia and will come back often." Alexander Perros (stayed at Villa Elia, August 2012)
"Driving along the coast and visiting the beautiful small towns." Giuseppe Lanzino (stayed at Il Gelso, August 2012)
"Tough to decide what we enjoyed most about Puglia: the beautiful sea? the gorgeous villa? the terrific food ? the friendly and helpful people? wonderful trips to Gallipoli, Lecce and Otranto? It is a perfect family vacation destination. We all want to return!" Paul Savidge (stayed at Villa Blanca, August 2012)
"Wonderful food and wine, extremely kind and helpful local people. No bling, no raucous nightlife!" Angela Dennis (stayed at Tenuta ai Fichi, July 2012)
"It was a glorious experience. The combination of the residence, the quality of living of Puglia and the friendship of the local people are a recipe for success." Bruno Accou (stayed at Palazzo Colucci, July 2012)
"The region is unlike any in Italy...pure, untouched, with unusually kind people." JA (stayed at Villa Elia, July 2012)
"Everything was great. Location was perfect for our family to explore the area and have access to beaches and the waterpark." Becky Murray (stayed at Villa Elia, June 2012)
"Everything-- the gentleness of the people, the lovely landscapes, the picturesque towns, the beaches and the sea, the FOOD!! It reminded me of the more welcoming Italia I first experienced as a child in the '60's. When we returned to Rome to fly out, we felt culture shock! We went to almost all towns that you recommend. Alberobello was worth seeing, but SO touristy now! Sumertime in Savelletri has the best gelato we have had anywhere! We enjoyed a fabulous lunch and wonderful service at La Rotonda in Torre Canne. We wandered into the ceramic studio of Francesco Fasano in Grottaglie and were stunned with his artistry, buying and sending back two magical pieces. He spent more than 1/2 hour with us touring the studio and explaining every detail of his art-- fantastic experience!" Vincent Argiro (stayed at I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle)
"Food, absence of tourism and olive trees... We liked it so much that we plan on purchasing a trullo in Puglia!" Nicolas Coudurier (stayed at Trullo Terra Dolce)
"The extraordinary experience of staying in that beautiful house and having cities like Gallipoli and Lecce within easy reach." Marianne Pade (stayed at Villa Elia)
"Loved Puglia. Hard to pick a favorite town. Countryside around Alberobello was breathtaking." Robert Perille (stayed at Trullo del Sale)
"Beautiful views and property... Santa Maria di Leuca... views and small village with excellent bar. Trulli town (Alberobello, ed.)." Jim Kelly (stayed at Il Gelso)
"The history and way of life in the towns we visited - and of course the people!" Richard Lefante (stayed at Lo Scoglio)
"Puglia is wonderful. Beautiful towns and fab food and so relaxing." Davina Marks (stayed at Trullo Cutetto)
"The food is the best I have had in Italy. The people are incredibly generous and friendly and the service is warm and helpful, whether it be in the local restaurant or in the big supermarket - nothing was too much trouble." Belinda Diamond (stayed at Lo Scoglio)
"The food and the weather... Ceglie Mesappica for the food and Martina Franca for the atmosphere." Ruper Sadler (stayed at Villa Mirabella)
"Rural location/feel, access to beaches, number of great towns within a short distance... Guaceto (nature reserve) was fantastic." Mark Mudie (stayed at Trullo Cutetto)
"The peacefulness, the people, the architecture... Ostuni and Monopoli." Norman Ho (stayed at Masseria Lamacoppa)
"The weather, the colour of the ocean, the history, the agricultural emphasis, the endless olive trees... Otranto was our favourite followed by Lecce and Gallipoli." Kim Thorp (stayed at Lo Scoglio)
"Gallipoli, Otranto, driving around the coast and throughout inner land is sure a must do for visitors to Puglia." Andrej Besbogov (stayed at Villa Blanca)
"The rugged scenery is a breath of fresh air. The people were warm and welcoming and eager to please. A smattering of Italian helps as in the smaller, less touristy towns little English is spoken. The food and wine is wonderful. We are still breathing it all in well after the event." Mrs Agnew (stayed at Villa Specchia)
"Gallipoli recommended beaches were lovely- and infinitely preferable to the crowded tedium of those in Tuscany and Le Marche." George Magnus (stayed at Villa Elia)
"The sea side and the villages around us: Lecce, Ostuni, Monopoli, Martina Franca, Otranto..." Didier Gourian (stayed at I Trulli delle Sette Sorelle)
"Gallipoli was a lovely town to visit on our last evening." Diane Hall (stayed at Lo Scoglio)
"The weather, Italian people and way of life... The local beach, restaurant Mimi, evening atomsphere at Santa Maria de Leuca." Monica Allan (stayed at Le Antiche Pajare)
"I'd recommend the whole area as its a part of Italy unknown to so many. You feel that you are seeing Italy as it really is." Heather Robinson (stayed at Villa Elia)
"The villa and it's location. Sea was very attractive. I would go by boat in future! Lecce, Otranto and Gallipoli." Paul O'Donnell (stayed at Lo Scoglio)
We love the Ionian Islands for their unspoilt beauty, glorious sandy beaches, charming villages and friendly locals. Don't take our word for it, however!
Here's what our clients most appreciated:
"We loved our villa and didn't really venture out that much! But the views over the sea were wonderful. Prices in restaurants very reasonable. Food was lovely. Syvota was a lovely town - people were very friendly." Ms Marged Parry (stayed at Althea, September-October 2015)
"This villa had the perfect setting, both Rach and Christina mad us feel very welcome. This is a perfect island for a peaceful holiday. Loved Vathy. Would recommend The Rose Garden whose owner prepared a meal for our arrival, even though we had only asked for a cooked chicken. Brilliant. Stavros's is great for a coffee and cake." Lady Elain Mcacdonald (stayed at Christina, October 2015)
"We thoroughly enjoyed the relaxed setting and luxury of the villa. Just what we needed." Mr Jeremy Chowns (stayed at Nerina, September-October 2015)
"This was a wonderful setting for our family reunion - a spacious and comfortable villa with spectacular views and local staff who made us feel like we'd known them for years! The simplicity and tranquillity of the islands is a real 'respite' from busy city life .... and a glass or two of delicious Lefkad wines alongside a plate or two of red snapper helped a little too! This was our second experience with The Thinking Traveller and, as last year, we felt we were in very safe, informed and diligent hands. You seem to have cornered the market in fabulous views with astonishing variations of the colour blue! Last year's villa was super, this year's (Pikermi) was even better .... can't wait to see what year 3 will be like :)." Mrs Christine Street (stayed at Pikermi, September-October 2015)
"We stayed there for a week last year and loved it so much that we booked it for 2 weeks this year. It was absolutely perfect. It is the best rental we have had anywhere, anytime. The site is incomparable; access to the private beach unusual for villas on the island; and the villa itself a real gem. Morning sunrise with coffee off the bedroom and sunsets on the back porch with wine; alfresco dining and watching from the edge of the infinity pool as boats sail below our cliff were fabulous experiences. The owner's mother came by to bring us sweets and the local manager Lida Out brought us brochures for our subsequent travels and great restaurant recommendations. What else can be said." Mr Paul Jacobs (stayed at Althea, September 2015)
"The restaurants in Lakka need to get a recommendation: La rosa de Paxos for excellent fish, Akis bar for the best cocktails and view, also the most comfortable chairs! Dios for home cooked Greek food and village setting." Mrs June Jones (stayed at Filoxenia, September 2015)
"The views, the weather, the natural environment, watching the boats, the friendliness of the residents. I've been before so no real surprises. We aimed to do nothing much at all except relax and the villa and environment made that possible. A very high standard villa with everything we needed." Mrs Linda Wilks (stayed at Kala Filia, September 2015)
"The island is beautiful and the local people are very friendly and helpful. Meganisi is a special place." Mrs Carmel Abraham (stayed at Ondine, September 2015)
"The colour of the sea is like nothing I have seen before around Greece. The people are friendly helpful. The quality of restaurants and shopping are excellent. Cafe italiano for breakfast lunch and dinner!" Mrs Beverley Godfrey (stayed at Gaios House, August-September 2015)
"The stunning scenery and the helpful people. This is the most stylish villa we have ever stayed in with the most stunning views." Mrs Helen Gallagher (stayed at Hippokampoi, September 2015)
"Avalaki restaurant fabulous also Agni Taverna and the little one at the end next to the boats in St Stephano - Euclyptus? This has the most amazing selection of dips. The octopus at Agni Taverna was fantastic." Miss Rowena Miller (stayed at Yasemia, September 2015)
"The climate, the scenary, the Ionian sea, the sailing and water sport opportunities. Ondine was very comfortable with plenty of room and well equipped. We also really enjoyed having access to the sea by the private boat jetty and swimming platform." Mr James Lee (stayed at Ondine, September 2015)
"The boat trip we did. Yannis was very knowledgeable n took us to see the caves n all around Meganisi island. It was beautiful n fascinating. The people we met in Vathi were all friendly, welcoming n helpful. The Boom Boom bar was an excellent place for evening drinks n to watch the boats come in. We enjoyed our meals at Erikkos-very fresh fish, rose garden- good food n friendly service and Tilevoes, their pasta marinara was excellent and they had a very good selection of wines." Mr Christopher Gordon (stayed at Ondine, August-September 2015)
"We liked the villa and its location. The villa with own quay/pontoon was great and the canoes/sailing dinghies were a major attraction of this property. Short walk to Vathi is an attraction without car. Rachel is an excellent rep." Mr Kevin Jarman (stayed at Al Olivar, August-September 2015)
"The villa and its setting were just perfect. The ideal location for total relaxation. In Sivot, we would recommend The Stavros Taverna for dinner and the Sivota Bakery for breakfast and lunch. Also the Plane Tree restaurant on the main road towards Vasiliki." Ms Hollie De la Fuente (stayed at Nerina, September 2015)
"Vasiliki - beach activities. Preveza for shopping. Seaside Restaurant in Nidri and 12 Gods in Sivota were both excellent. Our boat day was great - Scorpio's." Mr Louis Gasperut (stayed at Althea, September 2015)
"They were more verdant & beautiful than we had expected. The sailing was excellent & the scenery superb. This was a beautiful property - clearly exceptionally well thought out & maintained. All staff owners etc we encountered were very helpful." Ms Amber Nicholls (stayed at Althea, August-September 2015)
"Even more relaxing than we had imagined and generally all the restaurants were of good standard." Mr Gareth Dyer (stayed at Kala Filia, August 2015)
"The view was really stunning - even going prepared for a fantastic view, we were surprised by just how stunning it was." Mr Simon Venturi (stayed at Nerina, August 2015)
"The natural beauty - stunning." Mrs Jan Milton (stayed at Barbati Point House, August-September 2015)
"BRILLIANT PLACE, can't wait to come back! I had such high expectations for the trip and it exceeded them all! Renting the boat was a must, I would recommend that to everyone." Ms Alisha Miranda (stayed at Oneiro, August 2015)
"Beaches, weather, food. Dessimi beach is our favourite on the island, and the taverna at Dessimi is superb, incredible value for money and the best simple greek food." Mr Oliver Bamber (stayed at Filoniki and Phoebe, August-September 2015)
"We love Spiridoula restaurant in Sivota. We always enjoy the snorkeling down near the sea platform and the good weather and quiet." Miss Kathryn Oakes (stayed at Nerina, August-September 2015)
"Palmos Supermarket and Rose Garden Restaurant were fabulously friendly. Well stocked, and good food for both. Stavros was also pretty food. Great location right on the water. I loved the peace and quiet of Meganissi. It is completely unspoilt and has so much charm without it feeling rundown by tourists. I cannot wait to go back. Hippokampoi is an exceptional Villa. Every detail has been thought through. Wonderful location, wonderful views, fabulous facilities. We barely wanted to leave during out entire stay. WONDERFUL experience all round. Thank you The Thinking Traveller... Exceptional." Mrs Kate Arton (stayed at Hippokampoi, August-September 2015)
"Dolphin spotting around Meganissi." Mrs Jo Summerell (stayed at Ondine, August 2015)
"Great people, beautiful clear water, rustic and charming, good value for money." Miss Anna Radford (stayed at Lithia, August 2015)
"The sun, clear sea. Limonari beach and taking a boat for a few days to explore other bays." Mrs Alison Feather (stayed at Kala Filia, August 2015)
"Meganissi is very unspoiled and quiet. We hired a quad bike for a day which was a fantastic way of seeing the island. We loved all of the restaurants we went to in Vathy. The Rose Taverna is great with very friendly staff. There is a new restaurant, the Marinata which had an interesting menu and delicious food with a Turkish twist. We loved the beach tavernas at Ampelakia Bay which were withing easy walking distance of the villa. We all agreed that Christina was the best villa we had ever rented! Well-equipped and thoughtfully designed." Ms Elizabeth Carter (stayed at Christina, August 2015)
"Agni and San Stefano - our adjacent bays - were beautiful with great food choices." Mr Mike Tapp (stayed at Jasmine, August 2015)
"Restaurant Niagas at Port Atherinos has excellent food with a wonderful welcome. The butchers in Vathi has a superb selections of meats and hams, all freshly prepared." Mrs Rosemary Neale (stayed at Christina, August 2015)
"Karya. The food in the square was excellent and it was a traditional inland village popular with Greeks and tourists. The weaving museum was unique and a real treat. Also Sea Side restaurant in Nidri was very good. Easily the best food on the island. The beautiful views and warm sea were very special." Mr Benjamin Knowles (stayed at Penio, August 2015)
"Loved our little village Sivota. For us the villa was perfect, with pool and sea access. Meals out at local restaurants meant very realxing holiday." Dr Alison Greenwood (stayed at Nerina, August 2015)
"The nicest people, beautiful island. The first week we stayed almost every day near the house and enjoy the place. The second week we went sailing and visited several beautiful small bays. Sivota bay for example." Mr Jan Grobben (stayed at Cape Lougi, August 2015)
"We loved being somewhere where we didn't have to use a car. Walking to Vathi in the evening and using a boat during the day was fantastic. Our friend has already booked the neighbouring villa on our recommendation." Miss Catriona Gordon (stayed at Ondine, August 2015)
"Sivota is lovely. Spiradoula was the nicest restaurant (friendliest, most genuine staff) and best fish. Also liked the one at the top of the hill just onto the main road - called something like Antonio (but not!) - Amazing views down to Sivota." Mr Paul Petrillo (stayed at Althea, August 2015)
"Having never been to Greece before, I was delighted by everything. Very pleased we picked Meggannisi, as it was quiet but had very good restaurants. The people were very friendly. Vathy was brilliant, small but smart and tidy. Spillia beach has a great tavern for lunches. Dinner at the outside dining of Akrothea is all you really need." Mr Roy Moore (stayed at Akrothea, August 2015)
"The views were AMAZING! We barely left the villa...it was airy, fresh, no mosquitoes, well designed to make the best use of the view and we made the most of the outside space" Mrs Daniela Serov (stayed at Lilaea, August 2015)
"Vrika and Votumi beaches on Anti Paxos. This villa is breathtaking in its seclusion. We were truly able to unplug and get away from it all." Mr James Thomas (stayed at Iremia, July 2015)
"The Rose Garden restaurant in Meganisi was the best value for money and they always gave the kids a free ice cream and us a free desert, and often a free digestif too. They also own the supermarket next door and gave the kids gifts of Haribo sweets (and us, wine)." Mrs Claire Misata (stayed at Christina, August 2015)
"We would give the location and views a rating higher than excellent! We weren't expecting - and loved - the variety of the landscape and the height of the mountains. We were also pleased that the restaurants have remained very Greek- hardly a pizza in sight - it was great to be eating so much local produce. We actually enjoyed eating in Sivota - we tried 2 restaurants and both were good. My favourite though was lunch in a tiny café in a shaded square in Eglouvi (?) at the top of the mountain. Very simple, inexpensive and excellent." Mrs Sara Nelson (stayed at Althea, August 2015)
"Unspoilt island beautiful beaches. Lefkatas taverna - athani Zolithros taverna - Mikros Gailos Horizon watersports - nice instructors, quite spot." Mrs Elizabeth Elliott (stayed at Phoebe, August 2015)
"It was beautiful, tranquil, stylish and felt safe. Perfect! Bens Bar at Menenditri beach was a relaxing and stylish place by the beach to spend a daypack. Excellent service." Mrs Chris Clarke (stayed at Lithia, August 2015)
"Sheer beauty and tranquillity of Paxos together with easy access to bustling Corfu. Corfu town, boat hire around Paxos and anti-Paxos, loggos and Lakka both delightful." Ms Jacinda Humphry (stayed at Zoe, August 2015)
"Bella Vista in Antipaxos was good. So was the Blue Yacht Cafe in Paxos." Mrs Theresa Hamilton (stayed at Iremia, August 2015)
"The views of the coastline of Corfu are stunningly beautiful with incredible sunrises and sunsets. The clean crystal clear waters were wonderful to swim in with such a variety of beaches both sand and pebble to explore." Ms Rosemary Ponniah (stayed at Yasemia, July-August 2015)
"Aloni restaurant up in the hills is superb and great value. Thanks Lida! There was a lot to see and do on Lefkada." Mr Richard Hutchinson (stayed at Geoeli House, July-August 2015)
"Sampo in Agio Nikitas - really excellent food. Pefkoulia beach great. Close by and not too busy.One of the nicest villas we have every stayed in." Mr Fergus Hardie (stayed at Avra, August 2015)
"All wonderful." Ms Teresa Dinan (stayed at Christina, July 2015)
"Loved the proximity of tavernas to the villa - being able to walk to them at night was wonderful. Beautiful beaches and great fun to rent a boat to discover coves. Have already recommended it all to lots of people. Really a positive experience. Thank you." Mrs Vanessa Griffin (stayed at Melina, August 2015)
"The villa exactly matched our expectations. The resort was perfect for us, we could easily walk to everything here and plenty to do/wi-fi for teenage children. Kalami bay just great! See the olive carving man in Sophias shop for beautiful bowls and pieces." Mr Paul Ridehalgh (stayed at Almyra, August 2015)
"Lefkada is a wonderfully low key island. And very beautiful. I would recommend Egremini beach - but do get there by boat." Ms Louise Hussey (stayed at Filoniki, August 2015)
"The whole island! Favourite restaurant was definitely Erikos in Vathi for fres fish and perfect setting. Stunning scenery and Meganissi still retains the traditional Greek feel about it. Lovely villa - well equipped, clean, proper air-con and comfortable." Mrs C King (stayed at Al Olivar, August 2015)
"The weather, food and scenery." Mr Ray Pomfret (stayed at Phoebe, July-August 2015)
"The locals are so friendly and welcoming. Vathi is a lovely village. Restaurants - The Rose Garden." Dr Michael England (stayed at Christina, July-August 2015)
"We mostly enjoyed the tranquillity of the bay and surrounding areas. We rented a small boat and had great fun exploring all the neighbouring bays. The location, gardens and pool were wonderful. Bedrooms were nicely decorated." Mrs Marijke Heijer (stayed at Jasmine, July-August 2015)
"We had already been there several times in a sailboat, coming from Italy. But this was my first holiday in a home there. It has been a very nice experience, for the beauty of the place!" Sig Giovanni Milinci (stayed at Althea, June-July 2015)
"The scenery. Just sitting on the terrace enjoying the view - and the unbelievable infinity edge pool... One of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed in. We loved it! The views were astonishing. We think you should expand everywhere - best travel service we have ever used!" Ms Catherine Hamilton (stayed at Pikermi, July 2015)
"The people and the sea. Early morning walk from Strinilas. All staff were excellent. Sara, the chef, was unbelievably good." Mr Charles Cunningham (stayed at Barbati Point House, July 2015)
"It was perfect. For us the location of the villa was perfect - a short walk to the beach, shops and restaurants. We ate out every day - a real holiday for me! We didn't leave Kalami, but people we met were very friendly." Mrs Karen Lodge (stayed at Almyra, July-August 2015)
"The beauty of the surrounding islands. Meganissi in particular. The beautiful and pristine waters. The freshness of the sea. The kindness of the people. All was perfect. I have nothing bad to say." Ms Mitra Rifai (stayed at Maristella, July-August 2015)
"Avlaki Beach. Karya. Englouvi. All tavernas in Tsoukilades. Taverna on way to Kalamitsi with wonderful panoramic views. Bakery in Tsoukilades. Hiring a motor boat." Mr Leslie Burrough (stayed at Avra, July-August 2015)
"Excellent location and good villa overall. Very friendly cleaner. Great natural beauty. Good atmosphere and good restaurants. Excellent boat trip around north of Corfu. Corfu Town is very interesting, including old fort and Asian Museum. Both restaurants on Avlaki Beach. Very good vacation - good destination and good villa." Mr Keith Haviland (stayed at Daphne, July-August 2015)
"We loved the property - and the island. It was all beautiful. This was a great place to relax away from a busy life. We absolutely loved the service that The Thinking Traveller offered us. It made the journey easy and I always felt we had someone to contact for anything should we need to." Mrs Anne-Catherine Creed Bovill (stayed at Oneiro, July 2015)
"All the coves near the villa, Corfu Town by boat, taverna in S Stephanos, Kassiopi for teen night life. The sea is really beautiful and warm. Definitely recommend hiring a boat." Mrs Carolyn Barker-Mill (stayed at Yasemia, July 2015)
"Beautiful locations and coastal scenery, interesting villages and rough roads. Spartochori for tiny traffic-free cobbled streets and alleys, Tivoles Italian restaurant in Vathi harbour was most impressive for quality of food , service and waterside location. Cannot fault the high quality of accommodation and helpfulness of the owners of Melina. Fabulous property in fabulous location. The villa itself, location and quality, except for the wasps, was probably the best feature of the holiday." Mr Martin Charlick (stayed at Melina, July 2015)
"The sheer beauty of the locality was surprising. It was the most beautiful villa and location. Spilia beach is fantastic, a funky bar and plenty of shade available, sea hammocks and a great little restaurant, showers and toilets too but still not overly busy. The main supermarket in Vathi is amazing, so friendly and helpful and they will deliver too. I loved every minute." Ms Jude Temple (stayed at Christina, July 2015)
"Oneiro is a very special place. The outside space in particular really impressed us with the scale and quality of the outside kitchen and seating areas. Inside the villa is very comfortable and immaculately clean. The daily housekeeping service was great, particularly for a remote location such as Antipaxos - it was reassuring to know that we would have a visitor each morning. Incredible beauty of this unspoilt part of Greece. Lovely sandy beaches and blue sea. Voutoumi beach is very lovely and both tavernas there are well worth a visit. Many thanks for a wonderful stay!" Ms Sian Davies (stayed at Oneiro, July 2015)
"We loved it all. [Cape Lougi] was just exactly as it looked - Perfection! We loved how friendly people were and how clean things were, we felt safe but nicely private and relaxed. To know the quality level is so high makes it so desirable to book again!" Mrs Lynne Hawker (stayed at Cape Lougi, July 2015)
"We had such a wonderful holiday at Iremia. We couldn't have enjoyed our holiday more than we did, it was absolutely perfect. The Ionian Islands are beautiful, the people we met were all so lovely. All the restaurants were great, lovely atmospheres, and the menus had something for everyone. We found all the groceries delivered and placed conveniently. It was a seamless service." Ms Nicola Kendrick (stayed at Iremia, July 2015)
"The modern design of the villa is striking. Its location is exceptional. We could not have imagined a more perfect view. The pool was absolutely magical. The kitchen equipment was of very high standard. Sivota and Lefkada generally were a wonderful introduction to Greece. The island is very well-serviced (restaurants, ATMs, gas stations, groceries and pharmacies with long opening hours everywhere!) and yet it's very easy to get away from developed areas. Meganissi and Skorpios are even closer to Lefkada than they appear - effortless to reach them. The beaches on the west coast are magnificent. Lefkada was very clean - people were friendly and took pride. Everything was reasonably priced." Mr Arlan Gates (stayed at Penio, June-July 2015)
"We all thought Paxos was beautiful and the food everywhere was very good. It was lovely to have a couple of days on the boat. The people were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. The beaches and sea were fantastic. The restaurant on the west side with the sunset views was amazing. Fantastic food and the views were spectacular. Gaios House was perfect for all of us. We were a family of five, three adult daughters and their partners so we all had our own space and privacy. It was also much closer to the town than I expected and Gaios was a much larger town than I was expecting too, with great shops and restaurants." Mrs Elizabeth Wall (stayed at Gaios House, July 2015)
"Lovely villa with perfect accommodation for a large group and lots of different outdoor space. I love the Ionian for the diverse islands, beautiful waters, lovely food and friendly people." Mrs Daniela Huxtable (stayed at Loggos View, July 2015)
"The weather and the sailing. The villa was extremely clean and ideally situated and the owner was very friendly." Mrs Joanne Croft (stayed at Christina, June-July 2015)
"We loved it all. Pikermi was wonderful, a beautiful villa, very well-equipped and perfect for our needs. It was great to have our own en-suite each and a lovely touch to be provided with books and videos, which we did use. Kitchen equipment was fantastic and we had lots of fun with the pizza oven. What can you say about the infinity pool? Simply sublime. Our experience was all about the villa and its setting. We managed one boat trip but found it hard to tear ourselves away from Pikermi. From start to finish our experience with you has been superb. You have amazing staff who add so much and Pikermi was outstanding. Thank you so much." Mrs Gail Braithwaite (stayed at Pikermi, July 2015)
"It is peaceful, beautiful and has everything one could need." Mr Peter Deverell-Smith (stayed at Filoxenia, June 2015)
"Syvota, weather and friendly people. Dimitris Taverna in Gini - beautiful setting overlooking Vlycho Bay; Syvota Harbour; Yacht Bar; Andreas, the owner, is very hospitable." Mr Phil Hamlett (stayed at Filoniki, June-July 2015)
"Villa was great, photos to reality were accurate. Area was great, villa had perfect location - close enough to facilities/restaurants, etc. and easy to get to other villages along the coast." Miss Catherine Mortimer (stayed at Almyra, June 2015)
"We loved Meganissi, it's quiet and peaceful location and would certainly visit again. We all enjoyed having the use of the canoes and also the table tennis. We found most of the restaurants around the harbour very good, especially Ericos, Stavros and especially the Greek/Italian one. We also enjoyed renting a couple of motor boats to go to beaches around the island."Mrs Carole Livens (stayed at Al Olivar, June 2015)
"Agnantio is absolutely stunning! The outdoor eating area overlooking the town of Mikros Gialos and out to the Sea and neighbouring islands was our favourite spot to sit. It's perfect for eveing drinks and entertaining, while still feeling relaxed and easy. The pool area is also a favourite - either reading under the umbrella or swimming out the edge of the inifity pool - you feel like you're in heaven. We couldn't speak more highly of this amazing villa. Pikermi holds so many beautiful memories for us, as it's where we got engaged in 2014. But it's even more beautiful than we remember! Being able to eat and sit together outside and take in the incredible views is so special. The interiors are also a highlight, and all of the bedrooms allow for privacy and comfort. What a beautiful villa! The two main bedrooms that have balconies overlooking the gorgeous view are perfect. Most of our time was spent around the pool, enjoying the Grecian sun in absolute comfort.The Ionian Islands are beyond description and Lefkada is our most favourite island in all of Greece. Aside from the breathtaking landscape (lush mountains and the clearest water on the beautiful beaches), it really is the people who live in Lefkada who make the island so great. Starting with Lida Out, and then extending to everyone who works in the tavernas, shops, cafes and everyone in between, you will always find a friendly face. The quality of the cuisine and wine on the island is also amazing! Anyone who visits the island will also be blown away. Every aspect of the service that The Thinking Traveller provides is spot on and thoughtful. It is a luxury service that will give whoever holidays to Lefkada an experience that they will never forget. We were lucky enough to go back to Mikros Gialos two years in a row, and we're already planning our next trip!"Miss Emma Nairn (stayed at Agnantio, Pikermi and Phoebe, June 2015)
"The relative peace and quiet and total relaxation that we needed on this holiday. The villa was perfect for this. Villa fantastic, English representative very good, cleaner very good. Views when out walking. Local bakery, walking distance from villa; very good and so keen to please. The Rose restaurant close to villa, again staff very friendly."Mrs Lee Wicks (stayed at Avra, May 2015)
"We found that the whole setup of both villas, clean, high spec, very functional, and the access to the sea, the dinghies and kayaks were great and would really recommend these villas for a holiday."Ms Sarah Tomkin (stayed at Al Olivar and Ondine, June-July 2015)
"How green Lefkada is. This is the most wonderful villa we have ever stayed in, I would love to go back. We so enjoyed meeting the owners. The bathing platform by the sea was wonderful."Mrs Judith Salaman (stayed at Althea, June 2015)
"I love the Ionians! The villa has a lovely, relaxed feel to it and the outdoor space is wonderful. Sunset drinks at the spectacular Erimitis Bar, dinners in Loggos and Gaios, rent a boat to cruise around the island...stopping to swim wherever you like, and of course, Antipaxos is beyond words!"Mrs Kate Eales (stayed at Gaios House, June 2015)
"The calmness of the ocean, the wake was very light which made swimming in it delightful - even with a 3 year old. The maid did a wonderful job, was polite and did what she needed to do without feeling in the way. Kassiopi is a lovely little town about 15 minutes drive away with a dock filled with tavernas and bars. If you are considering a BBQ, head over to the aptly named "Meat Mall" for cheap, local meats and cheeses instead of looking in supermarkets. Everything that fell under the umbrella of The Thinking Traveller was catered for excellently..."Mr Adrian James-Morse (stayed at Almyra, June-July 2015)
"So beautiful. Villa was lovely. Everywhere really was amazing. From collecting the car at the airport to our departure we had a truly relaxing and memorable holiday."Mrs Sarah Paterson (stayed at Thymus, June 2015)
"Awesome. Peace and quiet. Sailing. Beautiful water."Dr Vanessa Elliott (stayed at Christina, June 2015)
"The food (our in-villa cook Frosso); it was greener and more stunning than I thought, very pleasant people and, given the state of the economy, they were all very welcoming! We were very impressed by Vassiliki, who was very helpful and nothing was too much trouble. You are lucky to have such a top team. The flights on Germanair were excellent and amazing value."Mr Edward Donne (stayed at Maristella, June 2015)
"Meganissi - Vathi - particularly Erikkos Fiskardo was beautiful. Beautiful scenery - totally unspoilt. The Locals were so friendly and helpful. Greek food was fantastic and some of the wine really surprised us. Delicious! Absolutely beautiful [villa]. Beyond our expectations. The villa was equipped with every kitchen utensil one could imagine! It honestly couldn't have been better. Thank you."Ms Erika Chasey (stayed at Ortikia, June 2015)
"Great villa, lovely setting. Restaurant recommendations and chef recommendations was first class. Antipaxos boat hire. Paxos Emritis restaurant"Mr Christopher Claridge (stayed at Zoe, June 2015)
"The culture, the friendly people and the climate!"Ms Ami Pettifor (stayed at Helena, June 2015)
"Driving around the coastline. A very beautiful island. Beautiful villa in a peaceful location. Loved watching the sunrises from the bedroom balcony. Also a very generous-sized pool."Mrs Priya Georgiou (stayed at Helena, June 2015)
"We loved it. We loved the food and the people of Meganissi who were exceptionally friendly."Mrs Linda Chilcott (stayed at Christina, June 2015)
"I love the Greek way of life, anything is no problem. Antipaxos is a dream."Mrs Lisa Bevan (stayed at Lithia, June 2015)
"The villa is perfect. Lida, Vassilis and Katia were a pleasure to know. We look forward to seeing them again in the future. We just love the Islands and intend on going back there for as long as we are able; this was our 8th visit to Sivota and hopefully we will have many more visits. Our holiday was simply perfect."Mr David McDowell (stayed at Filoniki, June 2015)
"Finally I found this island I am looking for a long time! Vathi is magical. MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE..."Ms Eveline Schnorf (stayed at Ondine, May-June 2015)
"No real surprises (I had sailed here before), although the villa itself exceeded expectations. Both the tavernas in Mikros Gialos were good, although, for no particular reason, we gravitated to Zephyros. We particularly liked Vassiliki as small town. The whole experience was a relaxing and enjoyable week. Exactly what we wanted from our holiday (and not easy to achieve for a late booking for one week!). This was in no small part down to the exemplary service provided by the staff at every level of the process."Mr Mark Warner (stayed at Pikermi, June 2015)
"Meganissi far exceeded our expectations, this was our first holiday in over 20 years without children and we were somewhat concerned that two weeks on a small island may be too long! In fact neither my husband or myself wanted to come home and we are already planning a return visit soon!! The small town of Vathi has everything needed for both an indulgent and relaxing holiday. The quality and quantity of excellent restaurants was amazing for such a small place, but in particular we liked Tilevoes and O Stavros. We are looking forward to seeing the new French-owned wine bar on our return. The whole holiday was excellent."Mrs Nicola Boyd (stayed at Kala Filia, May-June 2015)
"The friendliness of everybody, especially when we said we were staying on Antipaxos. Corfu town was a revelation... a mixture of European chic, with amazing amounts of history and culture. Contemplating returning for a weekend."Mr Steve Taylor (stayed at Iremia, May 2015)
"Everything was just what we expected and more. Loved the lemon and lime trees at the property and would definitely book to go back there without a second thought. We loved having the boat to get around with. We preferred Vrika beach as it was sandy and great for my 4 year-old to run around on. We mainly stayed at the beaches on Antipaxos and travelled to Paxos just to get shopping. We loved every minute of our holiday."Mrs Kathryn Gill (stayed at Oneiro, June 2015)
"Was a small island, and we visited all of the local villages, marinas and ports, all fantastic, quiet, laid-back and no one in your face trying to push you into eating at their establishment. A great place to escape aggressive tourism! Price of the flights with an airline that was far superior to the big companies, the friendliness of the local people. Wonderful place. The cleaning team were a credit to the villa, they were very helpful, fun, and provided some great tips and hints. When cleaning they were not obtrusive. We would love to stay again if another couples offer came up. The villa was superb and exceeded our expectations. The whole team are a credit, London, airport, local support was all top-class, you have it VERY right. Do not change a thing!! We would return to Meganissi and other Ionian Islands, and when we do, if we can get availability, it will be with The Thinking Traveller."Mr Andrew Champ (stayed at Akrothea, June 2015)
"The lovely relaxed atmosphere in Sivota, I was pleasantly surprised it hasn't changed that much in 10 years. [Althea] is such a beautiful villa and a wonderful location."Mrs Anne Jones (stayed at Althea, May-June 2015)
"The beautiful colours, wild flowers, such friendly and welcoming people. Everything was absolutely perfect!"Ms Vicky Whalley (stayed at Lilaea, May 2015)
"This was our third time to Meganissi. We love the quiet unspoilt nature of it. And it stills feels Greek unlike so many places that have lost their character. Meganissi is full of hidden gems. We found new coves and delightful spots on this third visit. It's a great place to explore."Ms Sally Edwards (stayed at Christina, May-June 2015)
"All excellent, especially the shopping. Peace and quiet/beauty. Everything was absolutely beautiful and the villa was great. I would recommend hiring a boat from Nidri and exploring the islands for a day."Miss Rachel Roberts (stayed at Phoebe, May-June 2015)
"Lots of things, how green [the Ionian Islands] are, in particular the mix of fir and olive trees was really lovely. How relatively close to the mainland they are, yet seem in a world of their own. How easy it was to get on and off a ferry with a car. It was as if discovering a hidden gem. Limonari beach - we found the best for snorkelling around the rocks. Lots of black sea urchins were a novelty. A day boat trip out was really worthwhile, for the cave and rock formations which are very attractive, particularly on the very southern tip of the island (Meganissi), where the layers are vertical. A geologist's dream. It was extremely relaxing as we did not have to worry about anything, and felt very well taken care of by Rachel who was brilliant."Mr Oliver Bulleid (stayed at Melina, May 2015)
"At the time we were there, the peace and tranquillity. We intended to visit more places than we did, simply because the villa was so idyllic! Seaside restaurant on the outskirts of Nidri was definitely one of the best restaurants nearby that we found."Mr Roger Taylor (stayed at Agnantio, May 2015)
"We loved the location close to the sea and small resort of Kalami. We enjoyed the peaceful environment of the villa and had fun hiring a boat."Mrs Nicola Sahota (stayed at Almyra, May 2015)
"Lefkada has some of the most beautiful beaches and the people are so nice. Egremi, Porto Katsiki, Milos are some of the most beautiful beaches we had ever seen. Vasiliki and Sivota are lovely harbours with fun shops and tavernas. We had an amazing time overall!"Mrs Linda Gould (stayed at Pikermi, May 2015)
"Fantastic views, friendly people."Mrs Leonie Gillman (stayed at Jasmine, May 2015)
"No real surprise as we had been before, but just as lovely as last time. Lefkada is truly beautiful and the people friendly. Last time we were surprised by how verdant the island is, and how unspoilt. We have visited most of the islands' towns. We especially enjoyed Vassiliki, and the boat trip to Meganissi from Nidri, and we would recommend these. We love Agios Nikitas, the little village close to the villa. There were so many lovely beaches. We love Thymus, having stayed there last year, we knew what we were getting. The best thing about it is the location. Being so high up, the views are spectacular. The villa is also very private, which we appreciate. The villa itself is lovely (as is the pool and outside space). We enjoyed everything about it. The villa, the pool, the scenery, the tavernas, meeting the local people and the ice cream. Not a place to go if you hate cats, fortunately we love them! Finally, we have been impressed by Germania, a very good service."Ms Ailsa Prior (stayed at Thymus, May 2015)
"The villa and setting were superb. The privacy of the location was awesome."Mr Stefan Cross (stayed at Akrothea, May 2015)
"The gorgeous setting and style of Lithia, the Greek salad and the special seafood carpaccio in Lakka!!! We went back there to eat twice and the staff were fantastic. Gaios was lovely with an abundance of tavernas and shops. Lakka! Monodendri beach - the one with the swimming pool, hammocks and wonderful taverna - loved it there! In Gaios, our favourite restaurant was Pan & Theo - fantastic food and service. Carnayo was also very nice. We loved Lithia. It is a real treasure, rustic charm at its finest and we thought it looked much bigger and more gorgeous than even your photos had suggested. We were very happy with the setting, beautiful with so many outdoor areas, all taking in breathtaking views and sun spots at different times of the day. The outdoor kitchen and eating area was brilliant and we used it every day. The décor was gorgeous with all the vintage bits and pieces and Patrizia, the owner, had thought of everything, ton of storage for clothing, sockets for electricals, hairdryers, laundry bins etc etc. Patrizia was amazing, very attentive yet discreet. Discreetly arriving with clean tea towels, and bottle openers and insect repellent for the kids when she saw my daughter had a nasty reaction to the bites. Very sweet and kind of her. Awesome and very relaxing in such a beautiful villa. A great place if you just want to chill out and get away from it all in a peaceful holiday. Now I have looked at your brochure I am desperate to get to Italy!!!!!"Ms Anouki Brownlow (stayed at Lithia, May 2015)
"Warm sea, great food and lush green environment. We had an amazing time and were very happy!" Mrs Lucy Jewson (stayed at Christina, May 2015)
"The warmth of the people in Meganissi, their kindness makes this island a very special place. The rose garden for their wonderful warm welcome and amazing food and hospitality." Mrs Rebecca Howard (stayed at Christina, May 2015)
"Vassilli, the caretaker, was very friendly anytime we saw him and was very good at settling us in, also gave us handy tips and advice for the surrounding area. Ammouso bay was lovely, quiet and peaceful water and lovely restaurant for lunch opposite. Porto Katsiki was beautiful. Sivota bakery served delicious cakes and desserts along with excellent alternative food to Greek cuisine. Spiradoula (Sivota) was our favourite restaurant, all staff were extremely pleasant, the food and wine was fantastic. The whole holiday from booking to returning home was excellent. A huge thank you to everyone who made an extra effort for us in making our holiday so special and one we will always remember." Mr Simon Mcelligott (stayed at Filoniki, May 2015)
"Beautiful villa in a gorgeous location, it is obvious that the owner takes an active interest in the property and ensures that it is impeccably maintained. It was very relaxing, which is what we were hoping for." Mrs Glenda Shirbin (stayed at Althea, May 2015)
"Great holiday and great experience booking through The Thinking Traveller. Stunning view and setting. Nice mix of traditional/contemporary. Pool lovely and clean every day. Hiring a boat and spending time cruising to beaches/tavernas etc...a great way to travel! Lovely views - very green and lush." Mr David Forsdyke (stayed at Jasmine, May 2015)
"The villa, the boat, the beaches, the views......It was all unbeatable. A truly wonderful family holiday." Mr Uves Wood (stayed at Iremia, August 2014)
"It was magical. Our best experience with a rental. It was the best sited and private of every place we've been. Comfortably furnished, bright and spotless. It was the kind of place you would be proud to own and we don't say that lightly. Every corner was a surprise. The whole exceeded the sum of the parts -- water color, sunsets, stars at night, walking through clouds on mountain tops, the quiet, comfort of house, grilling fish bought from fisherman at docks . I could go on. We wanted to cast a giant net around the island and drag it home with us." Mr Paul Jacobs (stayed at Althea, September 2014)
"Excellent villa, clean, comfortable, 'away from it all', amazing views, friendly and welcoming staff - perfect! It surprised me that it could rain in the Ionian islands but it didn't last and we were sunbathing again in perfect sunshine before long, even at the end of September!! Driving and the process of collecting the car was much easier than I thought it would be. Porto Katsiki beach was beautiful beautiful anyway but great in the morning before 'the rush' (it felt undiscovered and like it was all ours!) Agios Nikitas was perfect for a meal by the sea. Great seafood in Sapfo. A drive to the lighthouse was rewarded with amazing views and Lefkada town was great for shopping (mainly for food to have on the BBQ at the Villa!) Can't wait to go again and discover more! We got engaged on this holiday. It was the perfect holiday on which to do it. I wouldn't change a thing. Having used TTT just the once I can safely say I would use them again where ever in the world they go. Brilliant holiday, thank you." Mr Tim Curteis (stayed at Helena, September 2014)
"Christina (the owner) could not be more helpful or attentive but only when required. She is like a wraith, cleaning and making sure everything is perfect without disturbing anyone in residence. Any minor issues, however small, are sorted out immediately." Mrs Pauline Millington (stayed at Melina, September 2014)
"Oh no please don't give us any more choices! We are still trying to work our way through the existing brochure. We really like the fact that you go to places that are a bit away from the normal tourist hotspots." Mr Mark Sadler (stayed at Althea, September 2014)
"Unspoilt beauty of the islands. Ease with which we reached our destination. Friendly locals. Wonderful villa." Mrs Lindy Ambrose (stayed at Akrothea, August-September 2014)
"We absolutely loved the house and the position. The house was fantastic with incredible views." Ms Nicki Evans (stayed at Penio, August-September 2014)
"We simply enjoyed everything about the villa and the local area! The friendly people, stunning views, good food and the cost of items in supermarkets and eating out were low in comparison to better known islands. Loved it!" Ms Karen Hopson (stayed at Pikermi, August-September 2014)
"We particularly enjoyed the support and friendliness of the villa's owner (Yannis Arvanitakis) who was always ready to help and provide inside knowledge of the island of Antipaxos and bring fresh bread (whatever the weather!). He was the perfect host and made the difference between the holiday being simply very good and being excellent!" Mr Roy Murray (stayed at Iremia, August-September 2014)
"We love the peace and quiet and friendliness of Meganissi. Where else can you eat calamari practically sitting in the sea. Restaurant Erikos in Vathi for the evenings. Fun to see all the boats and last year we found ourselves sitting next to Giorgio Armani !!!!" Mrs Marilyn German-Ribon (stayed at Christina, August-September 2014)
"The view looks wonderful in the brochure and on the website but in reality it is just fabulous - absolutely mesmerising! We would recommend Seaside restaurant at Geni (Lida tipped us off about this place). It was in a beautiful spot and excellent food and service. Without doubt the best restaurant we visited." Mrs Janet Clydesdale (stayed at Althea, August-September 2014)
"How unspoilt the island was. We went to all of the tavernas and they were all welcoming with good food. We drove to a few of the beaches - all lovely and peaceful. Villa was spotless and it was lovely to have the welcome hamper to get us going." Mr Paul Carter (stayed at Melina, August 2014)
"The beauty was more than we'd been expecting. The restaurant SeaSide in Geni (half an hour from our villa) was a really gorgeous place to sit and watch the sunset. Lots of the bars/restaurants in Sivota were lovely too, just watching the boats coming in and out. Definitely worth hiring a speed boat for a day of fun and choosing your own places to stop and anchor-up! I've thought all the staff and service have been wonderful and have already recommended you to several people, thank you!" Ms Cressy Johnson (stayed at Nerina, August 2014)
"An ochre orb rising over the pool each morning, a villa to die for, ideal for a family of four, and one set of grandparents self contained upstairs. Importantly a shorter flight than many other Greek islands. This was our 2nd visit. Highly recommended. Stunning scenery, not only on the coastline but also when driving over the interland from east to west and north to south. The driving will test any budding rally cross driver. Beaches on the west coast cannot be beaten." Mr Robert Lown (stayed at Helena, August 2014)
"The spectacular views and setting was astonishing. The villa is in a remarkable location." Mr Tom Lowe (stayed at Akrothea, August 2014)
"This house is the best we have ever rented. The stunning views in all directions and the crystal clear waters for swimming. Margarita at Cape Lougi was very kind and a ray of sunshine. Can we take her home please?" Ms Caroline Costello (stayed at Cape Lougi and Akrothea, August 2014)
"EVERYTHING! The locals were so wonderful and welcoming. The villa was beautiful - stunning views from every room and the owner Christina was very helpful. The service from your company was outstanding." Mrs Clare Bloxidge (stayed at Melina, August 2014)
"The villa is beautiful. The setting and views are very peaceful and Marguerita is an absolute sweetheart!" Mrs Sian Virk (stayed at Cape Lougi, July-August 2014)
"Peace! Everything was perfect." Mr David Judge (stayed at Melina, July-August 2014)
"The peace and relatively unspoilt nature of the islands and the friendliness of local people." Mrs Esther Frost (stayed at Ondine, July-August 2014)
"Being holiday season everywhere was busy on the island but our villa was total peace - loved the pool, view, surroundings - a little paradise." Mrs Heidi Hand (stayed at Filoniki, July-August 2014)
"Value for money. Boat rental was so cheap and easy. People very friendly. Food very good. Stunning scenery/views Still has that lovely undiscovered feeling. Best ever holiday :)" Mrs Angie Gough (stayed at Ortikia, July-August 2014)
"We loved the quiet, laid back nature and beauty of Meganissi and would love to return there one day. We went with my brother and his family and had really great holiday." Mrs Catriona Lovatt (stayed at Ondine, July 2014)
"We absolutely loved this holiday and were surprised by the easy accessibility of Corfu and the unspoilt nature of anti paxos. We would like to keep it all a secret so it remains as wonderful! This was exactly what we needed, a holiday with privacy, good food, in a beautiful environment. Thank you to Yannis the property owner for opening up the path to the cove. Magical!" (stay at Iremia, July 2014)
"The villa's staff, Jeremy and Tracey were fantastic; the cooking and housekeeping was to a very high standard. In addition they were kind and fun to have around and provided great additional local knowledge. The villa was very comfortable and thoughtfully provided for our every needs. Hiring a boat was an excellent idea and again the hire company were brilliant as was the on site rep. Our holiday couldn't have been better! I enjoyed swimming in the sea and having a boat to potter about in. I was surprised at how good the shopping was in Corfu town. I was amazed at how good the food was, fresh and simply prepared at every taverna. Also I wasn't expecting the island to be so lush and like Babar land. The best thing was the beautiful clean clear blue sea which was warm and wonderful. I really enjoyed having a cook and housekeeper and not having to drive as we went everywhere by boat. I loved our villa which was isolated enough for my husband and yet had sea access and was near to beach life for our teenagers." Mrs Carolyn Barker-Mill (stayed at Barbati Point House, July 2014)
"Views, how unspoilt it was and ease of whole journey- water taxi was great." Maggie Britt (stayed at Melina, July 2014)
"Views from Villa, local food, hiring a boat to travel round coast." John Rampton (stayed at Christina, July 2014)
"Loved Greek friendliness and hospitality." Deborah Sutton (stayed at Phoebe, July 2014)
"The beauty of the islands and the clear sea with the pine forests was stunning and views from the villa amazing. Very nice trip on boat organised by Lida and much enjoyed the small boats we hired for the day. Local people very friendly and local eating out good value." Lord Carnarvon (stayed at Lilaea, June-July 2014)
"Beautiful coastline, delicious food and friendly people. Weather was just right!" Tamsin Rose (stayed at Elektra, June-July 2014)
"The views were fantastic and Sivota a lovely little harbour with good restaurants. We took a boat out one day and that was good fun." Jane Stoakes (stayed at Althea, June-July 2014)
"Meganissi was quiet, you don't need a car, you can access everything by boat or by walking. The villa is a perfect place to unwind, relax and then re-charge your batteries." Hugh Arthur (stayed at Ondine, June 2014)
"The vistas are amazing, the mountains on the islands are majestic, the beaches are gorgeous, the villages are charming, people are polite and relaxed, local wine is great, we ate very well. We really enjoyed going to the beautiful beaches - and there are so many to choose from! Lefkada is a beautiful, unpretentious, laid-back island where one can completely relax and recharge. " Josée Letarte (stayed at Lilaea, June 2014)
"Going to Ithica on a hired boat and jumping off the boat into the most beautiful water to a deserted beach filled with white egg shaped pebbles." Susan Mitnick (stayed at Akrothea, June 2014)
"It is very friendly, clean and reasonable prices to eat out etc." Caroline Abbott (stayed at Althea, June 2014)
"The relaxed and friendly atmosphere." Theresa Kern (stayed at Ondine, June 2014)
"It was like stepping back in time. We had the most relaxing peaceful holiday ever." Penelope Battrick (stayed at Althea, June 2014)
"We didn't explore a great deal but we loved the interior of the island, very beautiful with lots of wild flowers and little mountain roads." Judy Butterfield (stayed at Althea, June 2014)
"Filoniki and Lefkada in general were a real gem. We know the Greek Islands well and didn't think anything would top Paxos but this changed our minds." Susan Macdonald (stayed at Filoniki, June 2014)
"June - all very green and lush" Stephen Lawrence (stayed at Cape Lougi, June 2014)
"The two beaches were amazing. We felt like we were in the Bahamas. The tavernas were also great. We loved visiting them during lunch time. Price was also very reasonable." Yoon Brueckner-Son (stayed at Iremia, June 2014)
"The Ionian Islands appeal to us because of the natural beauty and the lack of over development. Sivota and the west coast beaches were among our favourites. But Mikros Gialos seems to beat them all for peace, quiet and friendly Tavernas." John Sinnamon (stayed at Agnantio, June 2014)
"The wild flowers and scenery were stunning. Never having visited the Ionians before, and not been on a Greek island for a while it was great to find some un-spoilt, un-touristy locations. We enjoyed every single second. The swallows diving over the pool is a special memory as were the butterflies everywhere - particularly when we saw one drinking from a glass of red wine :) What we didn't like was the fact that time went so quickly whilst we were there!!!" Rosemary Neale (stayed at Althea, June 2014)
"The island is stunning and very peaceful. The people could not have ben friendlier and more helpful. We had the best of times." Kathy Davison (stayed at Agnantio, May-June 2014)
"The beautiful view from the villa - especially from the pool! - was the best part - it induced the sense of well-being and relaxation we'd hoped for. We'd thoroughly recommend taking a boat out for a day - we sailed a little 21 ft sailboat across to Meganissi and had some therapeutic swims in the sea en route!" Christine Street (stayed at Filoniki, May 2014)
"Friendly, good value, very relaxing, good food." Ben Bartlett (stayed at Nerina, October 2013)
"The tranquility, the fresh air, the light, the sea bathing, the fresh food, the wine and ...the sun!" Pepin Clout (stayed at Althea, September 2013)
"Beauty, peace, friendly people." Vicky Prince (stayed at Akrothea, September 2013)
"Meganissi is still pretty undeveloped, which is a rare thing these days. Very pretty." Lynn Doughty (stayed at Al Olivar, August 2013)
"The islands were very unspoilt and beautiful." Michael Francis (stayed at Agnantio, August 2013)
"Returning to familiar places, the beauty and tranquility that you find in Greece, the Greeks, for whom nothing is too much trouble, the views, the heat, messing about in a boat, chicken souvlaki at Porto Spilia Taverna." Caroline Gowans (stayed at Phoebe, August 2013)
"Meganissi fab, lovely and quiet and so unspoilt. Very good 'yacht watching', great swimming." Anna Stolper (stayed at Al Olivar, August 2013)
"The ease of access from the mainland, the amazing views, the colour of the sea, their relative underdevelopment and the fish." Michael Green (stayed at Nerina, August 2013)
"Beautiful water and beaches, unspoilt, good variety of things to do." Lyn Tattum (stayed at Helena, August 2013)
"It was tranquil, peaceful, unspoilt and simply wonderful." Jane De Jong (stayed at Avra, August 2013)
"Peace, tranquillity, and views. Friendly local people" Michael Edgar (stayed at Thymus, August 2013)
"The views, relaxed attitude, beautiful clear sea." Carla Geoghegan (stayed at Phoebe, August 2013)
"Porto Katsiki, Kathisma beach, Agios Nikitas in the evening and drive over mountains via Karya to Nidri. Our 3rd visit.(Cleopatra, Mira Apps, now. Helena). This was the best ever." Robert Lown (stayed at Helena, August 2013)
"Peace and unspoilt location" Nicholas Tatum (stayed at Agnantio, August 2013)
"Peaceful" Edward Wates (stayed at Melina, August 2013)
"Peaceful place, the most beautiful view we have never seen from the house, relaxed, true holidays, and beaches. We had great time, the whole family have enjoyed the villa, the island, the quiet atmosphere, the superb sea, and after being in many, many greek islands I would say Lefkada is the beautiful one." Jordi Bertomeu (stayed at Nerina, August 2013)
"The beaches and coves of the southern coast of Lefkas, and the friendly locals. If (like us) someone had only previously seen Nidri they would be well advised to try another visit. Staying at Phoebe was a very different experience." Martin Sharratt (stayed at Phoebe, July-August 2013)
"Peace and quiet, splendid view. Location had close and good quality food supplies and restaurants." Paul Frost (stayed at Althea, July-August 2013)
"Lovely quiet villages, beautiful views and friendly people" Elizabeth Lewis (stayed at Melina, July 2013)
"Very unspoilt location, beautiful scenery, clear water and extremely friendly people." Heather Naylor (stayed at Melina, July-August 2013)
"Not too touristic." Ronen Zohar (stayed at Phoebe, July 2013)
"The spectacular setting of the house, and the house itself, together with wonderful fresh fish." Alison Davies (stayed at Cape Lougi, July 2013)
"The peaceful and gentle way of life on Lefkada. We were able to thoroughly explore the island in one week, althhough some of the roads took a bit of getting used to. We really appreciated the lack of big resort hotels and the small scale of developments." Ruth Smilg (stayed at Avra, July 2013)
"Meganissi......unspoilt, quiet, peaceful, pretty, friendly people whom we have got to know over the years. An island you always hope to find and seldom do." Marilyn German-Ribon (stayed at Melina, July 2013)
"We are regular visitors and enjoy the climate and the relaxed atmosphere." Lynn Hurley (stayed at Al Olivar, July 2013)
"The setting of the villas above the small quiet bay of Mikros Gialos. The views were fantastic." Stella Athanasi (stayed at Phoebe, June 2013)
"Friendly people, beautiful scenery and weather, tranquility." Theresa Kern (stayed at Al Olivar, June 2013)
"Small, unspoilt and beautiful weather every day." Diane Rees (stayed at Phoebe, June 2013)
"Scenery, peacefulness, unspoilt area, no traffic, friendly locals." Jeremy Hiscott (stayed at Melina, May 2013)
For more information on things to see and do on Lefkada, Meganissi and the neighbouring islands, see our online guide to the Ionian Islands >>