Sicily
The local area
Famous the world over for its stunning vistas, rich history and sublime cuisine, the island of Sicily has become synonymous with culture and elegance - accolades it truly deserves. There are few better or more authentic ways to experience the enriching Sicilian lifestyle, than by enjoying a stay at our luxurious villa; a true home-from-home.
On the south-east coast, between the pretty town of Avola and the charming city of Noto, you will find The Old Mill. The property, a once-fully-operational olive press mill and now stunningly restored, is set within fruitful almond and olive groves and four hectares of land in the protected area of Monti Iblei DOP. It is a unique place to experience a seamless blend of traditional Sicilian culture, and modern luxury.
The History and Culture of Sicily
As the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and due to its excellent strategic position, countless civilisations and cultures have called Sicily home over thousands of years. Sicily frequently changed hands, with Germanic, Byzantine, and Arab civilisations laying claim to the island before Giuseppe Garibaldi's successfully conquered it for Italy in 1860.
From the Paleolithic cave paintings at Levanzo, to the utterly magnificent ancient Greek and Roman ruins (such as those at Agrigento's Valle dei Templi), few destinations offer travellers a range of historical experiences this diverse. With deep traditions in wine, citrus and oil production, and forever remembered as the home of the Corleone family in Mario Puzo's masterpiece The Godfather, history and culture are an integral part of Sicilian life.
What to See & Do in Sicily
Whatever your tastes, you'll be spoilt for choice during a stay at the Old Mill. If peace and relaxation are your priority, reading by the private pool or taking a lazy stroll among the olive and almond trees couldn't be more suitable; or spending an afternoon enjoying an authentic Italian coffee on the terrace of one of Avola's cafés are just some of the ways to unwind at this luxury property.
If you have a penchant for adventure and exploration, taking a day trip to Mount Etna could satiate your cravings. As the largest volcano in Italy, and one of the most active in the world, this natural wonder is a must-see for any holidaymaker or traveller who appreciates the exceptional. Combine this with spending a day in the beautiful town of Taormina, and enjoying the nightlife and restaurants of Catania, and you have the makings of a truly unforgettable Sicilian experience.
Food & Drink in Sicily
With a cuisine which draws on the broad and varied culture of the island's history, Sicilian food has something for all tastes and preferences - and is simply flawless. This is due largely in part to the sheer quality and freshness of the ingredients that Sicilian chefs have to choose from, and the best way to experience it is undoubtedly in one of the stunning restaurants on the island, such as 'Duomo', in Ragusa.
The lemons and olives of the island are world-famous, as are the pistachios grown on Mount Etna. The warm currents of the Mediterranean provide some of the best-tasting fish and seafood, including fresh anchovies, tuna and prawns. Paired with one of the sublime local wines, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you will be well fed throughout your stay in your luxury villa.
The Experience
La Prua
Advance Booking Required
A fine dining restaurant, 15 minutes' drive from the villa with relaxed ambience, high quality...
Il Porto Matto
Advance Booking Required
Located a 15 minute drive from the villa, Il Porto Matto is a fine dining restaurant on the...
Crocifisso
Advance Booking Required
Fine dining, family run restaurant in the heart of Noto serving an à la carte menu with modern...
Malafemmina
Advance Booking Required
A seafood fine dining restaurant overlooking the beach offering amazing local cuisine....
Agriturismo Leone
Advance Booking Required
The Leone Farmhouse offers meals "zero km" meaning with seasonal produce from nearby fields...
Il Ristorante Dammuso
Advance Booking Required
An amazing family run traditional cuisine restaurant set in a beautiful indoor and outdoor...
Giufa Bistrot
The Giufa Bistrot is situated on the seaside with both indoor and outdoor seating as well as...
Garibaldi Theatre
Advance Booking Required
In the heart of Avola in Piazza Teatro you will find a beautiful small theatre offering...
The Greek Theatre of Syracuse
Dating back to 5th Century BC, the ruins of this theatre remain as a monument to the island's...
Noto
A beautiful UNESCO historical town with cobbled streets with shops, cafes, restaurants,...
Marzamemi
Marzamemi is a picturesque seaside fishing village with a large square, lots of seafood...
Agua Beach Club
Advance Booking Required
A beautiful Caribbean style beach with standard or palm style parasols and sunbeds, a...
Modica
An incredibly beautiful small hill town with old buildings, look out for the stunning...
Island of Ortigia and Siracusa
Ortigia is a small pretty island town connected to the mainland by three bridges with a...
Avola
Avola is well known for the production of almonds and Nero d'Avola wine. The ancient town...
Vendicari Nature Reserve
A beautiful nature reserve with lots of greenery, many small bays and old ruins of the tuna...
Ragusa
Ragusa is one of the most beautiful UNESCO towns of Sicily, boast with stunning baroque style...
Scicli
With its stunning Baroque architecture, Scicli is a beautiful destination for art and...
Lido San Lorenzo Beach Club
Advance Booking Required
A beautiful white sandy beach offering concierge services, sunbeds or cabana, parasols and a...
Fontane Bianche
A stunning seaside resort with a long stretch of beach under the same name. You can hire a...
Taormina
A popular destination among the wealthy, Taormina has long been hailed as the quintessential...
Cavagrande
A stunning nature park with lush vegetation and sparkling lakes joined by miniature...
Catania
A buzzing town where chic modern bars and grand Baroque piazzas coexist, mingle and clash to...
Golf dei Monasteri
Advance Booking Required
A landscape like no other, between the scents of the Mediterranean vegetation of citrus,...
Sailing around Sicily
Advance Booking Required
Hire your own sailing or speed boat with or without skipper or join a boat excursion to...
Horseriding
Advance Booking Required
Explore the beautiful Sicilian countryside with an instructor who will show you picturesque...
Tennis
Advance Booking Required
The tennis club situated in Avola offers two courts and an outdoor covered terrace where you...
Scuba diving
Advance Booking Required
Being such a beautiful oceanic destination it is well catered to by dive centers, whether you...
Aretusa SPA & Wellness
Advance Booking Required
In a space of 350 sqm exclusive Aretusa & Wellness Spa is designed to ensure privacy and...
Eureka Spa
Advance Booking Required
A luxurious Spa with sauna, Turkish bath, Mediterranean bath, Kneipp Wasser Paradise, ice...
Fontane Bianche Beach Club Spa
Advance Booking Required
Set in a beautiful peaceful setting the Fontane Bianche Spa covering 500 sqm offers a...
Wine tasting
Advance Booking Required
Discover the taste of Sicily with a free Nero d'Avola wine tasting experience accompanied with...
Etna volcano & Taormina
Advance Booking Required
A day out to discover the highest active volcano in Europe, through nature and flavours,...
Cooking lessons in The Old Mill
Advance Booking Required
Learn to cook Sicilian cuisine in your own home with an authentic chef. During this class you...
Zisola wine tasting
Advance Booking Required
Zizola offers a range of wine tasting packages to suit anyone's taste, budget and time frame....
Il Giardino Shopping Mall
Only a 10 minute drive from your home you will find the shopping mall Il Giardino with a...
Food markets
On Thursday mornings check out the street market on Piazza Santa Lucia and on Saturdays in...
Shopping in Avola
In the heart of Avola you will find plenty of shops, head down to Corso Vittorio Emanuele and...
Abbunnanzia
Advance Booking Required
Mediterranean cuisine and fish specialties, offered in the historic center of a beautiful,...
Il Terrone
Advance Booking Required
This charming deli is the perfect spot for lunch. The rustic setting compliments the great...
Verdura Resort
Advance Booking Required
Verdura Resort offers a superb composite 18-hole championship course similar to the one used...
Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort
Advance Booking Required
Sicily's first ever 18-hole golf course! On the slopes of Mount Etna, in an unrivalled...
Advance Booking Required
Syracuse City
More than any other city, Syracuse (Siracusa) encapsulates Sicily's timeless beauty. Ancient...
Don Camillo Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
There are many Sicilian elements that can be found in Don Camillo's menu, but there are also...
Ci: Vulia Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
This restaurant offers the best specialties of Sicilian cuisine. They select the freshest fish...
Regina Lucia Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
Contemporary Italian cuisine constantly evolving.
Embellished with a magnificent view of...
Lido San Lorenzo Plus Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
A beautiful white sandy beach offering concierge services, sunbeds or cabana, parasols and a...
La Taverna Del Pescatore
Advance Booking Required
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Cortile Spirito Santo
Advance Booking Required
Cortile Spirito Santo is located inside the Palazzo Salomone Luxury Suites, occupying a...
La Piazzetta Ristorante
Advance Booking Required
It was 1997 when La Piazzetta restaurant stood in the heart of Ragusa Ibla, a baroque pearl of...
Summeat
Advance Booking Required
Steakhouse in Avola
Antico Casale degli Ulivi
Advance Booking Required
Pizzeria and Sicilian restaurant set in a beautifu outside location.
Manna Noto
Advance Booking Required
This restaurant offers Mediterranean, Italian, Seafood, European, Healthy, Sicilian, and...
Cortile Arabo
Advance Booking Required
This restaurant serves Mediterranean, Italian, Seafood, European, Sicilian, and...
Agriturismo Terra Di Pace - Ristorante Café de la Paix
Advance Booking Required
Terra di Pace was born in 1989 from the will of Vincenzo and his family as a community...
RitroVino
Advance Booking Required
In Noto, a place to meet and feel good. Wine shop, wine bar, craft beers, platters, tapas, and...
Quadrilatero
Advance Booking Required
Far from city traffic, surrounded by the greenery of our olive trees, with over 200 seats and...
Niche
Advance Booking Required
Italian cuisine is to the pleasure of all clients here. It's time to try nicely cooked fish,...
Ristorante Pizzeria Casamatta
Advance Booking Required
A few steps from the center of Noto (Syracuse), in a welcoming environment, Alberto and Danilo...
Viva Il Bistrot
Advance Booking Required
VIVA IL BISTROT is Viviana Varese's new restaurant in Palazzo Nicolaci, Noto.
Love for...
Cattedrale di Noto
Advance Booking Required
The cathedral of San Nicolò di Mira, dedicated and venerated as the mother church until 1844,...
Boat tour from Avola
Advance Booking Required
Discover the beauties of the Sicily coast from a motor boat with a licenced skipper departing...
Etna Tour
Advance Booking Required
Enjoy a private or shared tour of the majestic Mount Etna with an expert guide. You can reach...