Mandorla - Four Bedroom Villa, Sleeps 10

A contemporary, architect-designed home with pool and wide-open views near Noto and the beaches of Vendicari.

Surveying the Arcadian hills and shimmering blue waters that so define Sicily's southeasternmost corner, Mandorla takes its name from the surrounding almond trees which, along with the local materials used throughout the property, imbue the contemporary aesthetics of the overall design with a sense of place and belonging.

Inside: Accommodation at Mandorla is spread over a main house and a guesthouse.

The front door of the main house leads from a sheltered courtyard into the hub of the property, a luminous open-concept space that flows between a stylishly furnished living area and a sleek, well-equipped kitchen with a marble-topped dining table. Locally-sourced perciata stone flooring runs throughout, a palette of gentle greys and natural wood tones calms the pulse, walls of windows and sliding glass doors provide luminosity, and a textured concrete ceiling adds an extra dash of contemporary kudos. The living area offers superb views, and, via the sliding glass doors, access to the furnished terraces that run along the front and side of the property.

An opening at the far end of the kitchen leads down a couple of steps into a small hallway, off which are two bedrooms, a lovely double with en-suite shower room, countryside views and access to a terrace, and a children's quadruple room with two bunk beds and an en-suite shower room.

A lower ground floor of the main house, accessed via the laundry room and by an external flight of steps, is a well-equipped gym.

About 30m away from the main house, the guesthouse is home to two more bedrooms. A door takes one into a corridor, off which is a large shower room and, at the end, a spacious double bedroom with access to a wrap-around terrace. On an open mezzanine level above this bedroom, and accessed via stairs in the corridor, is a single bedroom (available for use as long as the total number of guests including children does not exceed 10). The second bedroom is accessed externally from the wrap-around terrace and features a double bed, great views and an en-suite shower room.

Outside: the large sliding glass doors of the main house's living area provide seamless access to a large expanse of shaded terrace that wraps around the house on two sides and connects via a few steps with the master bedroom's terrace. Elegantly furnished for lounging and dining in style, these terraces are also blessed with fabulous views.

A flight of steps leads down to the gorgeous pool area, which boasts both shaded and sun-kissed terraces and an extremely inviting pool. Dry stone walls, built out of the local creamy limestone, delimit the various al fresco areas from the gardens and grounds, which are planted with almond trees and other Mediterranean flora.

The guesthouse is linked to the main house and the pool area via a couple of easy paths and has its own terrace offering great views.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

The number of steps that must be negotiated to get into and around this property might make it unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

You may also wish to know that the pool has a single depth of 1.4m.

Stray cats may be seen in the villa grounds; villa staff will discourage their presence and we advise all clients to do the same, however we cannot guarantee that they will stay away from outside furniture.
Mandorla sits in a panoramic position in the Arcadian hills just a few miles south of the fascinating baroque town of Noto and close to a host of sandy beaches, including those of Vendicari Nature Reserve.

Noto is the most easterly of a chain of baroque towns now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also perhaps the most perfect of the baroque towns, which were all rebuilt in flamboyant style following a major earthquake in 1693.

Vendicari Nature Reserve boasts some of the finest sandy beaches in Sicily, which are pleasingly under-populated even in the height of summer. Vendicari is also home to thousands of migrating flamingos, and sea turtles nest on its beaches.

If hiking in the hills is your thing, then there is some spectacular scenery in the rushing streams and waterfalls of Cassibile and at the Paleolithic burial sites in the dramatic valley of Pantalica.

Ancient, historic Syracuse is just over half an hour's drive away, and we heartily recommend that anyone spending a week or two at Mandorla enjoys some time there. A little further afield, the other baroque towns of Modica, Ragusa and Scicli are easily visitable.

Arrival details will be confirmed by The Thinking Traveller after your villa is confirmed.

The Thinking Traveller can organise transfers and car hire and an agent will be in touch with you once your villa is confirmed.