San Giovanni Vecchio

Description

Escape the coast, head for the hills, keep an eye out for the Greek temple of Segesta. Then you reach a pot-holed road that buckles through vineyards, citrus groves, olive groves and rough fields where sheep graze with their ringing bells; this is an ancient landscape.

Our lovingly restored farmhouse has been in the family for generations and is nestled in the heart of Trapani’s rural hillside, in Western Sicily.

It’s surrounded by 4 hectares of land partly dedicated to the cultivation of fruits such as citrus, olives, figs, prickly pears, plums, persimmons, medlars and many more as well as roses and tropical plants. The rest of the land is left untouched: olive and almond trees grow on the rolling gypsum rocks that emerge from the sloping ground.

A car is necessary! We are 3 km from the friendly town of Calatafimi, and enjoy the privilege of a private and secluded position, as well as being located near several centres of cultural and natural interest.
The Greek temples of Segesta and Selinunte, Palermo, Trapani, the medieval town of Erice, the remains of Phoenician Mozia, the dancing Satyr in Mazara del Vallo, Marsala and the famous Arab-Norman mosaics of Monreale are all within a 1 hour drive.

Calatafimi is very good for stocking up on local delicacies and offers a choice of butchers, bakers, green grocers and pasticcerie as well as small supermarkets. The area produces excellent wines and cheeses.

The farmhouse is arranged over two floors and has 5 double bedrooms in total.
On the ground floor there are 3 double bedrooms, 2 of which have en-suite bathrooms; 1 separate bathroom; a fully equipped kitchen; a large living room with dining table, which seats 12, and a fireplace; a TV room and a study.
On the second floor there are 2 double bedrooms, 1 with an en-suite bathroom and 1 with a bathroom attached to it; a small but well equipped kitchen with a small panoramic terrace; a large living/dining room with fireplace and balconies. If preferred, the second floor can be completely independent from the ground floor as it has also its own entrance.
On the ground floor is a large terrace with a pergola and an outdoor kitchen.
The infinity pool, which measures 14m x 4m, is about 30m from the house and is surrounded by large a solarium furnished with sun beds, tables chairs, recliners and a gazebo to provide shade.

Children of all ages are welcome but will need to be supervised at all times. The property has a lily pond and a swimming pool, which are not fenced off, and the land in places is steep and rocky.

We hope that you will enjoy picking the farms fruit and vegetables and exploring the land and garden where you might be joined by our friendly family dogs who live up the hill and have been known to stroll down to say hello. And finally we hope that you won’t mind feeding our cats: don’t worry they live outside on the land and are very reserved.

To prepare yourselves for your visit, you might enjoy reading "Calatafimi: behind the Stone Walls of a Sicilian Town", written by Angus Campbell, a local Englishman and historian who loved the area and its people.

Some distances:
Palermo airport: 65km-45mins
Trapani airport: 43km-30mins
Calatafimi: 3 km--5 mins
Segesta: 8kms-10 mins
Scopello beach and Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro: 27km-35 mins
San Vito lo Capo beach: 74km-1 hour
Trapani: (Ferries and Hydrofoils to Egadi islands): 45km-40 mins
Erice: 47km-40 mins
Marsala: 58km-1 hour
Terme Segestane SPA: 14 km - 15 mins
Dispensa San Pietro: 1,5 Km- 2 mins