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- About The Experience
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At this well-situated villa in Sicily, you can visit a well-preserved Greek amphitheater, have lunch on the beach, tour a volcanic mountain, and still have time to relax in your private pool before walking to town for dinner. Located high on a hill and surrounded by a large garden, this property has plenty of quiet and privacy, yet it is only a few minutes by foot to the town center of Taormina. From the villa and the surrounding area, there are great views of the sea below and Mount Etna above, and a cable car from Taormina takes you down to the beaches of Mazzaro. This villa is well suited for a family or group of friends.
- Location Description
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This villa in Sicily is a five minute walk from the old town center of Taormina, which sits 200 meters above sea level. This lovely town has shopping, restaurants, cafes, and views of the sea and nearby Mount Etna. Taormina has a rich history, as a former Greek and later Roman outpost, reflected in the town’s ruins and archaeological sites. Most spectacularly, the well-preserved ancient Greek theatre – the second largest in Sicily – is perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea and Mount Etna. In the summer, there are concerts and other performances in the theatre. Below Taormina, the fishing village of Giardini Naxos has beaches, a fishing port, opportunities for boating, and restaurants specializing in fresh seafood. For even quicker access to the beach, you can take a gondola-style cable car from Taormina to Mazzaro Beach – the ride takes only a few minutes. Jeep tours of the volcanic Mount Etna are also available, and the cities of Messina and Catania are each about 50 km away.
Nearby Attractions: Greek theater, Mazzaro (beaches), Giardini Naxos (beaches), Mount Etna (views, volcano), Catania, Messina
Messina: 55 km/34 mi
Catania: 55 km/34 mi
Mount Etna: 45 km/28 mi
Giardini Naxos (Beaches): 2.5 km/1.5 mi
Mazzaro: 2.5 km/1.5 mi
Taormina (Center): 5 minute walk
- Exterior Description
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(2,000 m2/ 21,528 ft2)
This villa is surrounded by a large private hillside garden (2,000 m2/21,528 ft2) with palms, shade trees, succulents, and hedges. From the private pool (6 x 12 m) and the terrace there are dramatic views of the sea. The grounds have a covered outdoor kitchen area, with a built in barbecue for al fresco dining. The villa has two entrances – one is reached from the main street, while the other is through a side street that can be reached by car. There is outdoor parking for three cars.
- Interior Description
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(320 m2/ 3,445 ft2)
Ground Floor: This floor has an interior garden area with sofas and chairs. There is a dining area with table and chairs. There are two bedrooms, each with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) and ensuite bathrooms with a shower, sink, and toilet. One of the bedrooms has no windows, and the bedroom door leads to the interior garden patio.There is also a bedroom with a king-size bed (180 x 190 cm) and an additional single sofa bed(165 x70cm) available for an extra cost and an ensuite bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. The kitchen is equipped with a dishwasher, American and Italian coffee makers, and stove (there is an oven in the outdoor kitchen).
First Floor: This floor has a living room with a working fireplace. The first bedroom has a king-size bed (180 x190 cm) and an ensuite bathroom with a sink, toilet, and bathtub with shower attachment. The second bedroom has a French bed suitable for children or one adult (140 x 200 cm). There is a bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet.
- Features Description
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Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.
- Cook Service: Upon request
- Breakfast Service: Upon request
- Lunch Service: Upon request
- Transfer Service: Upon request
- Extra Bed: 250 Euros per week
- Hot Tub: 350 Euros per week
Please Note:
- The rental price is for 9 people. A 10th person can be accommodated on the sofa bed for an additional 250 Euros per week.
- Housekeeping is provided for 5 hours per day, 5 days per week at a mandatory cost of 350 euros per week.
Features and Amenities
- Free Parking on Premises
- Independent Villa
- Balcony/Terrace
- Barbecue
- Jacuzzi/Hot Tub - Outside
- Outside Area - Private
- Outside Dining
- Swimming Pool - Private
- CD player
- TV - English Channels Available
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- American Coffee Maker
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven
- Washing Machine
- Air Conditioning - Whole House
- Fireplace - Indoor
- Heating - Whole House
- Portable Baby Crib/Play Pen - Upon Request
- Safe
- Cook Service Available - Extra Cost
- Housekeeping Provided - Extra Cost
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Arrival Times
Please note: Official Arrival Times:
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Call us: 1-800-726-6702
Outside the US: +1-805-880-1228
Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00
Sat 8:00-11:00 Pacific Time
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Customer Ratings
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Overall
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Peace and Quiet
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View
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Outside Area
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Living Room
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Kitchen
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Bedrooms
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Bathrooms
Based on 14 Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall:
We love Villa Barbara, and our guests also enjoyed our visit very much.
Enjoyed Most:
The views are absolutely fantastic and the villa itself has a lot of character.
Enjoyed Least:
Probably the walk back up the hill from town, but without that, the views would not be so spectacular. Taxis are available, but the walk is not too bad, and gets better with time. Of course, Taormina is a popular tourist stop and at times is very busy.
Surrounding Area:
Many great restaurants, some pretty close to villa. Going up to Castlemola offers even better views of area. Going down to the beach by cable car was a great day.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina of course and yes it is walkable, especially down the hill. Coming back up after a full dinner and wine gets the heart pumping.
Tips or Restaurants:
Bring electrical adaptors if you are coming from the USA. All our meals at different restaurants every day for lunch and dinner were very good to excellent. Recommend a chef dinner at the house, but book it early, before arrival. The Pizza chef we did last time was excellent!
Check In Out:
Check in and out was very easy and Gabriele was very helpful. Welcoming gifts and food were very appreciated.
Joe, September
Show All 14 Reviews
Overall:
A beautiful home full of art and artifacts. Great for groups as each bedroom had complete privacy. The gardens and outdoor spaces were wonderful. The most beautiful property we have had to date.
Enjoyed Most:
The patio, pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen were our favorite places to hang out. Easy access to town.
Enjoyed Least:
We had minor issues with a few of the AC units freezing up, because we had left them on all day while out. Just had to wait a few hours to restart.
Surrounding Area:
Views to the water and Mount Etna astounding. Be sure to visit Castelmola, high above Taormina.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina, although a tourist destination, was very pleasant and uncrowded in early October. Walk to town, all downhill was 15 minutes as we learned the local shortcuts. We taxied back up the hill for nominal fees.
Tips or Restaurants:
Every meal we had in Taormina was excellent, and the price of meals was very reasonable for a tourist destination. The house was well equipped with entertainment options and the kitchen was very nice for meal prep. Great pizza at Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro, the best Melanzane Parmigiano at Rosso Peperoncino, and fish at Ristorante Aranciara, where you dine in an orange tree garden. Rei de Bastoni was a great little bar, where the owner serenaded us on the piano. We purchased most of our wine at little groceries, or La Cantina del Sol on Via Umberto, which we found very reasonable.
Directions:
Every taxi driver in Taormina knows the property! Since we were not driving in, it was no problem. Our favorite driver was Vincenzino Franco, who was a veritable tour guide, large van, available at 39 338 8501413.
Check In Out:
The property manager was very thorough, accommodating of our schedule and assisted us during the week readily.
Amy, October
Show All 14 Reviews
Overall:
The villa was fabulous with a fabulous view. The staff was helpful. The home was spotless and cleaned every day.
Enjoyed Most:
The view, pool, and hot tub.
Enjoyed Least:
We did not have any sharp knives in the kitchen for food prep and we had a few issues with the air conditioner in one of the bedrooms.
Surrounding Area:
It was lovely to be able to walk to the city center easily. Cabs were lovely and easy on the way back.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Taormina. Yes.
Tips or Restaurants:
Be prepared to take taxis from the city center up to the villa. Unless you are young and have good lungs for walking up hills. 10 Euros per taxi.
Directions:
We used a car service.
Ruth, October
Show All 14 Reviews