3 Schlafzimmer2+ BadezimmerPlatz für 8 Gäste300 m²
Beliebte Annehmlichkeiten
Pool
Küche
Waschmaschine
Klimaanlage
Außenbereich
Parkplätze verfügbar
Lerne die Gegend kennen
Contrada santa maria, Mazara del vallo
Platz der Republik
Place, Platz der Republik
7 Autominuten
Kirche Sant'Ignazio
Place, Kirche Sant'Ignazio
7 Autominuten
Stadtstrand
Place, Stadtstrand
8 Autominuten
Trapani (TPS-Vicenzo Florio)
Airport, Trapani (TPS-Vicenzo Florio)
51 Autominuten
Zimmer und Betten
3 Schlafzimmer (Platz für 8 Personen)
Schlafzimmer
1 King-Bett und 1 Kinderbett
Schlafzimmer
1 King-Bett, 1 Einzelbett und 1 Kinderbett
Schlafzimmer
2 Einzelbetten
2 Badezimmer, 1 Gäste-WC
Badezimmer
Toilette
Badezimmer
Badewanne oder Dusche · Bidet · Toilette · Nur Dusche
Badezimmer
Toilette · Nur Dusche
Badezimmer
Badewanne oder Dusche · Bidet · Toilette · Nur Dusche
Weitere Räumlichkeiten
Terrasse oder Patio
Küche
Kochnische
Separater Essbereich
Garten
Mehr zu dieser Unterkunft
Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe
Die Villa Santa Maria ist ein historisches sizilianisches Bauernhaus aus dem 17. Jahrhundert mit einem eigenen Pool und einem Tennisplatz. Dieses einzigartige Schlossgebäude wird von runden Türmen auf jeder Seite flankiert. Wir vermieten das wunderschön eingerichtete Erdgeschoss, das sehr geräumig ist und Platz für bis zu 8 Personen bietet. Entspannen Sie im exklusiven Pool oder genießen Sie den umliegenden exotischen mediterranen Garten im Schatten eines alten Olivenbaums. Der Pool misst 12 x 6 Meter, hat Stufen in das flache Ende und ist mit Mosaik ausgekleidet. Wenn die Temperatur sinkt, bietet der Tennisplatz, der von formalen Gärten vor der Villa flankiert wird, Spaß für die ganze Familie. Drei Hektar Land, das von Zypressen und mediterranen Kiefern gesäumt ist, umfassen auch Olivenhaine und einen Wachturm aus dem 16. Jahrhundert. Das Erdgeschoss ist komplett privat und verfügt über einen eigenen, von einer sizilianischen Mauer umgebenen Zitrusgarten. Die Unterkunft ist sehr geräumig und verfügt über eine Bibliothek und einen separaten Fernsehraum
Santa Maria: Sie betreten Santa Maria über eine wunderschöne Auffahrt, die von Dattelpalmen und Bougainvillea gesäumt ist. Eine massive Tür führt in einen hübschen Innenhof mit Säulengängen und Statuen sowie einem Marmorbrunnen in der Mitte. Die ganze Villa ist eine Oase der Ruhe, beschattet von hohen Palmen, Zypressen und Pinien. Das geräumige Erdgeschoss, vor kurzem zu einem hohen Standard an Luxus restauriert, ist ganz privat. Das Esszimmer mit Kamin öffnet sich zu einem ummauerten Garten mit 100 Zitronenbäumen, einem Springbrunnen, der eine Vielzahl von Vögeln anzieht, und einer gepflasterten Terrasse, auf der Sie unter Orangen- und Zitronenbäumen speisen können. Der private Pool befindet sich in einem mediterranen Garten, der von den jetzigen Eigentümern liebevoll angelegt wurde. Bougainvillea, Oleander, Frangipani, Stechapfel, Jasmin, Hibiskus und Lavendel sind nur einige der Pflanzen, die in den Sommermonaten blühen. Die Miteigentümer der Unterkunft (englischsprachig), die in der obersten Etage der Villa wohnen, stehen Ihnen mit Rat und Tat zur Seite. Der Eingang zu ihrer Wohnung ist vom Haupthof und vom Erdgeschoss getrennt.
Wenn Sie mehr über Santa Maria erfahren möchten, können Sie 'Casa Nostra, Ein Haus in Sizilien' von Caroline Seller Manzo lesen. Es wurde in den USA von Harper Collins veröffentlicht und kann online bestellt werden. Bitte mailen Sie Caroline für weitere Details.
Mazara del Vallo: Mazara, Italiens wichtigster Fischereihafen, verfügt über eine reizvolle Promenade mit Palmen und drei Piazzas im historischen Zentrum, die mit wunderschönen Barockkirchen und Bürgerhäusern geschmückt sind - sogar die Überreste einer normannischen Burg. Verpassen Sie nicht die wunderschöne Bronzestatue eines tanzenden Satyrs, ein Meisterwerk der griechischen Kunst, das in einem speziellen Museum untergebracht ist. Mazara bietet eine große Auswahl an Geschäften und ausgezeichneten Restaurants, in denen Sie die frischesten Meeresfrüchte und Fische genießen können, ganz zu schweigen von den Köstlichkeiten der traditionellen sizilianischen Küche, vom Fischcouscous bis zu den köstlichen Köstlichkeiten von Cassata und Cannoli. Es gibt eine lange und schöne Küste mit Sandstränden und felsigen Buchten, wo das Meer außergewöhnlich klar ist. Im Juli und August bietet der Strand von Tonnarella die Möglichkeit, Bars mit Liegestühlen und Sonnenschirmen zu mieten. Das berühmte Naturschutzgebiet des Zingaro ist eine zusätzliche Attraktion. Für weitere Informationen und Fotos der Umgebung der Villa senden Sie uns bitte eine E-Mail mit der Adresse unserer Website.
Sightseeing: Die antike griechische Stadt Selinunte mit Blick auf das Meer ist eine 30-minütige Autofahrt entfernt. Nachdem Sie die Ruinen erkundet haben, begeben Sie sich zum nahe gelegenen Strand von Marinella, kühlen Sie sich im Meer ab und genießen Sie köstlichen Fisch in einer der Trattorien am Meer. Eine halbe Stunde in die andere Richtung ist der mysteriöse Tempel von Segesta hoch oben auf einem Hügel mit Blick auf das Tal. In der Nähe befindet sich das antike griechische Theater. In 20 Minuten erreichen Sie Marsala, das für seinen Wein berühmt ist. Verpassen Sie nicht das punische Schiff, das im Museum ausgestellt ist. Gleich hinter Marsala liegt die Lagune mit ihren Salinen und Windmühlen. Besuchen Sie die faszinierende Insel Mozia, einst eine phönizische Kolonie, und sehen Sie die punischen Überreste, das Museum und die schöne griechische Statue eines kleinen Jungen. Die mittelalterliche Bergstadt Erice mit ihrer normannischen Burg, in der sich ein alter Venustempel befindet, liegt eine Autostunde von Mazara entfernt. Von Trapani oder Marsala aus erreichen Sie die schönen Egades-Inseln. Die exotische Hauptstadt Palermo und das Tal der Tempel, Agrigento, sind einfache Tagesausflüge.
Gib zur Preisangabe die Daten an
Hausordnung
Check-in ab 16:00 Uhr
Check-out vor 10:00 Uhr
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Kinder
Kinder (0–17 Jahre) erlaubt
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Veranstaltungen
Veranstaltungen sind nicht gestattet
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Haustiere
Keine Haustiere erlaubt
Owners' permission on booking required for pets
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Rauchen
Rauchen ist in ausgewiesenen Bereichen gestattet
Guests may not hold parties or invite other people to spend the night at the property without the owners' permission.
You are responsible for keeping the property clean and for disposal of any rubbish before you leave according to local rubbish collection rules.
If the property requires extra cleaning or a fine for incorrect rubbish disposal is incurred, the cost will be deducted from the security deposit.
Wichtige Informationen
Wissenswertes
Diese Unterkunft wird von einem privaten Gastgeber verwaltet (eine Partei, die nicht im Rahmen ihrer gewerblichen, geschäftlichen oder beruflichen Tätigkeit handelt). Das EU-Verbraucherrecht, einschließlich Widerrufsrecht, gilt nicht für deine Buchung, sie wird jedoch von den vom privaten Gastgeber festgelegten Stornierungsbedingungen abgedeckt.
Für zusätzliche Personen fallen möglicherweise Gebühren an, die abhängig von den Bestimmungen der Unterkunft variieren können.
Beim Check-in werden ggf. ein Lichtbildausweis und eine Kreditkarte, Debitkarte oder Kaution in bar für unvorhergesehene Aufwendungen verlangt.
Je nach Verfügbarkeit beim Check-in wird versucht, Sonderwünschen entgegenzukommen, sie können jedoch nicht garantiert werden. Eventuell fallen zusätzliche Gebühren an.
Partys oder Gruppenveranstaltungen sind auf dem Gelände der Unterkunft streng verboten.
Der Gastgeber hat nicht angegeben, ob es in der Unterkunft einen Kohlenmonoxidmelder gibt; wir empfehlen, einen tragbaren CO-Melder mitzubringen.
Der Gastgeber hat nicht angegeben, ob es in der Unterkunft einen Rauchmelder gibt.
Diese Unterkunft ist mit Sicherheitsvorrichtungen ausgestattet, darunter ein Erste-Hilfe-Kasten.
Registrierungsnummer der Unterkunft: IT081012C2CQ6WZUMI
Zur Gegend
Mazara del Vallo
Diese Villa in Mazara del Vallo liegt in ländlicher Umgebung und am Meer. Marco De Bartoli – Samperi und Cantina Marco De Bartoli sollten auf deiner Liste stehen, wenn du etwas unternehmen möchtest. Wenn du dagegen lieber die Natur der Region bewunderst, bieten sich folgende Ziele an: Stadtstrand und Tonnarella. Du bist mit Kindern unterwegs? Mit diesen Attraktionen kannst du den Kleinen bestimmt eine Freude machen: ASD Reef Puzziteddu und Acquasplash. Beim Windsurfen und beim Angeln kannst du die umliegende Wasserwelt erkunden oder aber du stürzt dich beim Radfahren und beim Reiten ganz in der Nähe in ein Abenteuer mit festem Boden unter den Füßen.
Fantasy Game - Coffè and Thè Room - 5 Autominuten
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Hat Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe einen Pool?
Ja, diese Unterkunft verfügt über einen Pool.
Wie viel kostet ein Aufenthalt im Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe?
Gültig ab 9. Apr. 2026: Die Preise für 1 Übernachtung für 2 Erwachsene im Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe am 1. Mai 2026 beginnen bei 656 € (inklusive Steuern und Gebühren). Dieser Preis basiert auf dem niedrigsten Preis pro Nacht innerhalb der nächsten 30 Tage, der jeweils in den letzten 24 Stunden gefunden wurde. Die Preise können sich ändern. Wähle deine Reisedaten, um genauere Preise zu erhalten.
Ist Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe haustierfreundlich?
Nein, in dieser Unterkunft sind Haustiere nicht erlaubt.
Wie viel kostet das Parken bei Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe?
Auf dem Gelände der Unterkunft stehen Parkplätze zur Verfügung.
Wann ist der Check-in bei Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe?
Check-in ab: 16:00 Uhr.
Wann ist der Check-out bei Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe?
Check-out ist um 10:00 Uhr.
Wo befindet sich Romantische Luxusvilla mit privatem Pool und Tennisplatz in Meeresnähe?
Diese Villa für Familien in Mazara del Vallo liegt am Meer, nur 5 km entfernt von: Kirche San Vito a Mare, Normannischer Bogen und Stadtstrand. Ebenfalls in einem Umkreis von 5 km: Kirche San Nicolò Regale und Kathedrale des Heiligen Erlösers.
Bewertungen
9,8
Außergewöhnlich
Die Bewertungen werden in chronologischer Reihenfolge angezeigt, unterliegen einem Moderationsprozess und wurden verifiziert, sofern nicht anders angegeben.
42 von insgesamt 47 Gästebewertungen haben eine Bewertung von 10 - Hervorragend
10 – Hervorragend
42
5 von insgesamt 47 Gästebewertungen haben eine Bewertung von 8 - Gut
8 – Gut
5
0 von insgesamt 47 Gästebewertungen haben eine Bewertung von 6 - Okay
6 – Okay
0
0 von insgesamt 47 Gästebewertungen haben eine Bewertung von 4 - Schlecht
4 – Schlecht
0
0 von insgesamt 47 Gästebewertungen haben eine Bewertung von 2 - Ungenügend
2 – Ungenügend
0
10/10
Sauberkeit
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Kommunikation
9,6/10
Lage
10/10
Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
Bewertungen
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Pankaj M.
10. Sept. 2022
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
Highly recommended
Elegant and spacious rooms, and magnificent gardens. Caroline is a very attentive host. Highly recommended for families and groups of friends who seek a relaxing holiday.
Pankaj M.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im August 2022
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Dinah B.
25. Okt. 2014
Magical old castle set in a stunning garden.
As you enter the castle courtyard the scent of jasmine transports the senses to a world of calm. The house is beautifully decorated and well appointed.The stunning Mediterranean garden and pool area allow for true relaxation. The nearby town of Mazzara full of charm and great restaurants plus the incredible local historical sites make Santa Maria a perfect holiday haven. .
Dinah B.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
This guest is right. What makes Santa Maria stand out from other holiday villas in Sicily is the atmosphere, the castellation, the scent of jasmine filling the courtyard and the beauty of a 17th century building surrounded by lush Sicilian gardens. We are also fortunate to be close not only to some of the major archaeological sites in Sicily but also to a seaside town that offers many excellent restaurants. I do hope this guest comes back to visit us in the near future.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Venera L.
7. Apr. 2023
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
Beautiful Villa
Wonderful place to stay in Sicily.
The highlights included a well furnished with beautiful ornaments and furnishings, a perfect tennis court and lovely gardens.
The swimming pool was not opened yet as we visited in March but it was in a lovely setting
We were able to pick oranges for breakfast in the morning.
Caroline the owner had arranged for an initial food shopping and most importantly tennis lessons with Fulvio - who was excellent. She was always helpful with arranging restaurant bookings and places to visit.
A fantastic holiday - a beautiful villa with great food wine and history.
Thank you Caroline we hope to visit next year.
Venera L.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im März 2023
Antwort von VrboOwner am 10. Apr. 2023
I'm so glad this family enjoyed their stay at Santa Maria.
Early spring is a wonderful time to visit Sicily as the countryside is so green and lush after the winter rains and the temperature mild enough to enjoy sightseeing at any time of day.
They made the most of the tennis court, which we have recently resurfaced, and visited some of the classical Greek sites in the vicinity.
They obviously appreciated Sicilian cuisine at some of the great restaurants and trattorie for which Mazara is well known.
I do hope they can come back next year and we look forward to welcoming them again.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
6. Sept. 2013
A beautiful villa that feels like a loved home
We had a wonderful holiday at Villa Santa Maria. The house is set around a beautiful Italian courtyard, and is stylish and very spacious. It feels like a much-loved home rather than a standard holiday rental, and is very comfortable. The pool is large and set in beautiful, open grounds, next to a garden, and the tennis court is excellent.
Nearby Mazzara benefits from being off the tourist track. The people are warm and friendly, and we had some of the best meals of our lives in the local restaurants there. We particularly recommend Scopari near the Cathedral. The local ice cream is out of this world! Local beaches are lovely. We had the most wonderful holiday at Villa Santa Maria and will be sure to go there again.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
Our guests found that Santa Maria feels like a home because that is what it is.
The villa is over 300 years old and has been in Marcello's family since the early 1900s.
We as a family often stay there and his brother also lives in part of the villa.
We built the pool seven years ago and created a Mediterranean garden to go around it on what was originally a lemon tree plantation. We also renovated the abandoned tennis court. This was all done in time for out daughter's wedding in 2007, which we celebrated with drinks in the garden around the pool, dinner in the courtyard and dancing on the tennis court!
So Santa Maria is very much a family home.
I am glad our guests enjoyed eating at the local restaurants. Of course Sicilian food in general is excellent and you eat well almost everywhere on the island, but Mazara is famous for fish and seafood as it is the most important fishing port in Italy and many of the local restaurants make this their speciality. I agree with our guest that I have had some of the best meals in my life at Mazara's restaurants.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Morgan R.
2. Juli 2023
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
The most perfect holiday!
We absolutely fell in love with this special place. The villa was everything we dreamed it would be and more. The kitchen was very well stocked and we spent several evenings making feasts for our group. Dining in the orange grove was a dream. The grounds surrounding were so private, expansive and stunning. We made great use of the gorgeous pool and tennis court daily. The town of Mazara del Vallo was very nice and had everything we needed as far as restaurants and shops. We took a day to travel to Trapani for a boat tour with Egadi Boating and it was perfection. The villa location made it so easy to tuck ourselves away and pretend we never had to leave, or venture out and explore the sites of Sicily. Caroline and Marcello were incredible hosts and made the experience all the more memorable. We are already planning on a return trip to this magnificent place!
Morgan R.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im Juni 2023
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Juli 2023
We were very pleased to welcome these two young families from the States. They had chosen our villa not just for the historical building and mediterranean gardens but because it has a private tennis court.
It was great that the moderate temperatures in June meant that they could take full advantage of the tennis court during most hours of the day and then cool off in the swimming pool close by.
We really enjoyed meeting this group of guests and we do hope they decide to return to Santa Maria.
Archivierte Bewertung
8/10 – Gut
Sandy B.
30. Apr. 2014
Charming Sicilian villa steeped in history.
"Caroline, we had a wonderful time at the Villa Santa Maria! It has a unique quality of elegance to it that you must treasure. I am so lucky that we found this beautifully restored and carefully maintained vacation place. I think my husband now wants to have his very own Sicilian orange tree orchard! And it is situated for so many day trips. We saw Erice, Segesta and Selinunte, which I would highly recommend. Also, we experienced thoughtful and kind customer service. I hesitate to say customer since it felt more like friends. I would highly recommend this property, especially for those travelers who are looking for a special place which can afford them some sense of the culture and charm of Western Sicily."
Sandy B.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
Thank you for this great review. We really appreciate it when guests tell us how happy they have been staying at the villa. The fact that it looks like a castle and dates back to the 17th century adds to the romantic aura. Yes, orange trees are an important feature. Our guests can pick oranges, lemons, mandarins and grapefruits throughout the season, which goes from December to April. The western part of the island has many treasures worth exploring, from Selinunte to Mozia and Erice.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Helen burrows
24. Sept. 2015
Wonderful property, great facilities & hospitality
We were a family of 6 adults, mum & dad plus 4 in their twenties.
The property is large, secluded and with lots of facilities.
It allowed outdoors activity of tennis, swimming and running, as well as lots of opportunity to relax. There was plenty of space to get some independence yet large communal areas for games and dinner. The kitchen and utility areas are large and fully stocked.
Wi-fi worked well, and there was TV but also board games and books.
Location is outside of town, so make sure you have the full address and directions.
There are very helpful owners family members on hand if you need anything.
The property is well placed for all main west coast of Sicily attractions.
A car is a requirement.
Some mosquitos.
Overall a great place for a family to relax and explore Sicily.
Helen burrows
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
We are very glad that this family enjoyed the facilities and abundance of space at Santa Maria. We have always found that groups of different age ranges and interests benefit from the spaciousness of the villa giving them the opportunity to spread out. Indoors there is a library and a television room in addition to the living room while the grounds include not only a large Mediterranean garden around the swimming pool but also a walled orange grove, not to mention formal gardens flanking the tennis court.
As this guest mentions, the villa is within easy driving distance of many of Sicily's most important historical sites, including Selinunte, Segesta, Mozia, Erice and Palermo.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
8. Okt. 2017
Heavenly, happy, family holiday in unspoilt Sicily
We had such a happy week in this amazing place. The apartment was so spacious and cool (a wonderful escape from the August heat). The gardens were beautiful and well kept. Our favourite thing was to sit outside in the orange grove in the evening, light a barbecue and cook fresh prawns and sip a glass of Sicilian wine, listening to the chittering of the cicadas. Our two girls aged 3 and 6 loved the swimming pool, learning to swim and dive for the first time. We enjoyed trips to the local restaurants and sights including Mazara del Vallo, Erice, Selinunte and Porto Palo. This part of Sicily is breath of fresh air, unspoilt and thankfully not geared towards mass tourism. Nanette who lives upstairs looked after us beautifully, recommending places to visit, beaches to swim, and restaurants to visit . Couldn't recommend it more highly for a week of fun, food and a bit of culture on the side.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
We are very glad that this family had such a lovely holiday at Santa Maria. They took advantage of the privacy and calm of the grounds, both the walled orange grove for al fresco dining and the private pool with its Mediterranean garden, but also managed to find time to visit some of Western Sicily's world famous attractions, such as the Greek temples of Selinunte and the medieval hilltop town of Erice. And our guest is right, this part of Sicily especially Mazara del Vallo is still unspoilt by mass tourism, despite the wealth of architectural attractions, not to mention the very high standard of cuisine in local restaurants.
Archivierte Bewertung
8/10 – Gut
Tracy Lewis
13. Aug. 2014
Wonderful location for a holiday
We loved this fantastic historic house with its very tasteful furnishings and equipment. Delightful and spacious grounds including the best ever swimming pool and a perfectly situated tennis court with shade throughout much of the day.
Although clearly old, the house was spotlessly clean and very comfortable. The outside eating area was charming under the orange trees and freshly picked lemons were an exotic treat! Some direct help/ advice in combatting the relentless mosquitoes might have been a useful addition.
The owners were immensely helpful and accommodating, especially when the water supply was lost for the best part of half a day (hence only 4*)!
The area is fascinating. Selinunte and Cava de Cusa are must see's and Favignana in the Egadie Islands, where we hired scooters and snorkelled, a really fun day out. Mazara is a great place to find terrific and good value food.
Cycling the local lanes is a good option and some suggestions on places to go on bikes would have been useful (avoiding the mad Italian driving!
Would definitely go there again and recommend it to anyone.
Tracy Lewis
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
I'm glad that this family found the villa so clean and comfortable and loved the pool and tennis court. They are right that there is a great deal to see
in the vicinity and I would add Segesta, Mozia and Erice to their list.
This family were all keen cyclists so we made sure there were enough bikes for all five to go exploring in and around Mazara. For future guests we would suggest cycling to the rocky coves that line the coast all the way to Granitola in the west, where there is a lovely beach, or turning right from the villa to follow the country road that leads to Castelvetrano, stopping off at the delightful Norman church of S. Trinità di Delia hidden away on a country estate.
We apologise for the temporary lack of water but were glad to hear that the problem was solved instantly. We are very lucky to have Nanette on site, ready to step in and deal with any emergencies, which thankfully are pretty rare. We would love it if this family decided to come back to Santa Maria again
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
shelley H.
1. Nov. 2014
Worth the Detour!
How trite does the word "magical" seem to describe this place? Yet the Villa transported us and there seems to be no other word to describe it. We lived the dream for a week and discovered a corner of the world untouched by tourism, raw, tranquil and animated, all in one. This is a slice of Sicily where history oozes from the stones, yet quietly. The Villa is elegant, comfortable and aesthetically fabulous, with a library to dazzle (and I would need to book a few years to read even an eighth of the collection), a cook's dream kitchen along with all the best cookbooks, to boot. We relaxed indoors as well as out: the gardens are diverse: a citrus grove, tennis and pool grounds, and olive trees as well. We were fortunate to arrive during the olive pressing season and enjoyed the experience immensely. Finally, a word about our hosts: Nanette and Silvio, Caroline and Marcello: what a difference it made having you to book choice restaurants, provide insight on this or that winery, archeological site, or town to visit. Need I say more?
Shelley & Sam, Toronto, Canada
shelley H.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
We were fortunate to be at our other villa next door when this delightful family from Canada were staying. They were very appreciative of the beauty of the villa itself and the grounds and took full advantage of the pool and tennis court. The weather was warm and balmy, even though it was late October. It was a pleasure to help them with tips for sightseeing and good restaurants, and they certainly made the most of their week at Santa Maria. We do hope to see them back at Santa Maria one day.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Andrew H.
5. Juni 2009
May 2009
Spent a week there at the end of May 2009, 4 adults two children (6 & 7). We all loved the villa.
Its easy to find and an easy drive from Palermo, if your flight lands too early then stop off at Sugesta on the way.
You have nearly half of the downstairs which provided plenty of space. In fact we had so much space roller blades should be provided for when you have forgotten something in the kitchen. We all enjoyed eating a meal in the garden or relaxing around the pool. There is something very satisfying sitting having a meal in an orange grove and I was very please about picking my own lemon for a gin and tonic in the evening.
The local town seemed like a usual small Italian town with all the usual fun of driving in Italy.
The local beaches didn't seem to great but that didn't matter at all as we just relaxed around the pool and as a result the kids now want a pool in the back garden at home.
Etna can be done in a day but its a long day and the site an Selinunte is an easy drive but I recommend the buggies that ferry you around when you get there.
I would certainly recommend Villa Santa Maria
Andrew H.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
Yes, Santa Maria is easily accessible from Palermo and a good base for sightseeing. Great for children too as the grounds are large, and safe as the swimming pool can only be reached via the locked door from the villa.
There are lovely beaches but most at least a 20 minute drive away. The local beaches come into their own In June July and August (Andy was here in May) when they are dressed up for the tourist season with bars and toilet facilities and deckchairs and paddle boats available.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Anna B.
3. Aug. 2012
Lovely Sicilian Oasis
We returned last night from a glorious week in your wonderful villa. We all wrote our thoughts in the guest book, but I wanted to be sure that you knew just how much our two families cherished our stay. The photographs of Santa Maria on the web site are great, but the actual experience of staying there was even more magical. We had spent a wonderful but hectic week in Rome prior, and Sicily and Santa Maria were a perfect respite from city life.
We especially appreciated your thorough directions and advice in the pre-arrival documents as well as the "Villa Bible", which was indispensable. We managed to take trips to Selinunte, Eraclea Minoa (our favorite beach by far), Segesta, and Agrigento all in one week. The layout of the house suited our group so perfectly -- the common rooms truly provided boisterous family meal time and the bedrooms afforded perfect privacy. The weather turned quite hot (100 Fahrenheit most days), so the pool was a lifesaver. We are all avid cooks, and the kitchen allowed us to take advantage of the local produce and fish. And as a designer and artist, I wanted to add just how much I admired your choices of color and interior decor throughout the house. And we all had fun perusing and admiring your fantastic library!
Please thank Nanette for us, too. She was very open and helpful.
Signed,
Anna
Los Angeles, California, USA
Anna B.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
Anna and her family had come all the way from California to stay at Santa Maria,
so it is very gratifying to know that our villa exceeded their expectations.
I was pleased to hear that this group of guests were keen on exploring and managed to see so many of Sicily’s beautiful Greek temples and lovely beaches in one week. They even discovered a wonderful restaurant that we didn't know about and which I will certainly recommend to future guests.
Many of our guests comment on the layout and colour schemes at Santa Maria.
The large rooms and thick walls are typical of a traditional Sicilian farmhouse, locally known as a “baglio”. Originally the ground floor of Santa Maria was used for storage of grain.
Then Marcello’s grandfather, who bought it over a hundred years ago, converted it into a family residence, opening up granary stores into living spaces. However some parts were left as storage facilities.
When Marcello and I renovated the ground floor in 1999, we were determined to keep the living area as Marcello’s grandfather had designed it. We had to make some changes to the remaining storage rooms to accommodate bedrooms and bathrooms. This is where my would-be interior designer ambition came into play. It was fun painting the house in a myriad of colours, actually against the advice of my architect, brother-in-law, who would have liked to see it covered in celibate monastic white. But I think my passion for colour paid off. Well most of our guests seem to like it anyway.
Yes, the rooms are large and whenever we go and stay there, I revel in the sheer space, not to mention the privacy it affords. I am someone who needs to get away and be on my own from time to time, and this is why I love being at Santa Maria. There are separate rooms for watching television, reading in the library, eating and socialising, not to mention the gardens - orange grove, swimming pool garden and the formal gardens in front of the villa.
From the photographs Anna, sent me I can see that she, her friends and family are enthusiastic and accomplished cooks. The kitchen at Santa Maria is extremely well equipped so I'm sure they will have appreciated that.
All in all, Santa Maria is a wonderful base from which to explore Western Sicily, but also to enjoy the company of friends, and at the same time to get away from it all, read and relax.
It is just great to have a review from guests from the United States and I hope this will encourage more of you to come and visit.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Peter C.
4. Okt. 2013
A Special Gem
Santa Maria is a special gem. Arriving with high expectations, we were never disappointed. The written and graphic presentation are so complete, and the other reviews so properly effusive, that it is difficult to avoid repetition.
We would emphasize the level of comfort afforded by the Manzos’ personal tastes and furnishings provided throughout. What a remarkable change from the spartan, impersonal environments so frequently encountered in rental properties. Several of us commented that staying at historic Santa Maria today made us feel rather like characters out of Il Gattopardo. Further, we were made to feel welcome by both Manzo families like guests in an old friend’s home. And we particularly appreciated the lengthy written comments and suggestions furnished about the villa, the community, shopping, local food and restaurants, and Sicily in general.
Searching for a negative: while the oldest sections of Mazara around the harbor and cathedral are quite interesting, we found the preponderance of the downtown visually unappealing and tricky to navigate. It is quite a maze. On the other hand, seeking aid on a Saturday evening after becoming semi-lost downtown with a malfunctioning rental car, two men approached at random and gave extremely generously of their time to identify and rectify the problem.
Don’t miss the cathedral interior or the nearby ancient statue of the Satyr, finely displayed in the small museum designed by Silvio Manzo who, with his wife Nanette, lives on the villa’s upper floor. We especially thank them for their unfailing hospitality.
Dale & Peter Coxe, Ketchum, Idaho
Peter C.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
This family from Idaho have been very appreciative about their experience at Santa Maria.
They are Italophiles of long standing and had already been to Sicily nine years previously.
We had the pleasure of meeting them during their stay and were delighted with their enthusiasm for Sicily and especially for the atmosphere at Santa Maria. With its castle-like aspect and medieval origins, Santa Maria attracts guests with interest in history and architecture, while offering all the comforts of the ideal holiday villa.
We hope this family will return.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Ian L.
22. Aug. 2014
Calm, Secluded and Magical
After two weeks, Santa Maria had cast a spell on us and we didn't want to leave.
If you're looking for peace and quiet this is has it. The villa and gardens are set a long way back from the quiet country road; it was an event if we faintly heard a couple of cars pass during the afternoon. Yet it is also convenient; minutes to the motorway from Palermo (also largely deserted) and even nearer to the supermarket.
Santa Maria itself lives up to the description and photographs; it feels more like you've walked in to a film set than a holiday home. The accommodation is beautifully decorated and history seeps out of the walls. It so spacious that walking from one end of the ground floor to the other qualifies as your daily work-out!
The kitchen was well equipped and the air conditioning was essential during August (blue skies, 30-35C every day and mid 20's C at night). The wireless Internet also kept up with the demands of the four of us (our kids consider it a human right of course); 7MB ADSL with a WIFI router is better than many places back in the UK.
Nanette and Silvio live on the floor above and couldn't have been more kind, helpful and unobtrusive.
The grounds are beautifully landscaped and well kept. The pool is large enough to hold a small sailing regatta and surrounded by a luxurious green lawn; a remarkable feat which stood out in contrast to the brown olive groves glimpsed through the trees. Add to that the walled citrus grove, the courtyard and the tennis court and it became a struggle to find a reason to venture beyond the gates.
Mazara is well off the tourist trail; whilst the outskirts are slightly unpromising the historic centre has many interesting squares and facades. San Salvatore is everything you could want in a baroque cathedral and well worth a visit.
The seafront promenade comes alive in summer evenings after about 8:00pm with plenty of places to eat and drink, but it never felt crowded or overrun with tourists. Also, Granitola is a 15 minute drive down the coast and a lovely place to sit drinking coffee and overlooking a small rocky cove and the azure sea beyond.
We took trips out to Selinunte, Erice and Mozia - all fascinating places, again not overrun with tourists and giving us a nice slice through the history of Sicily. We're not early risers, but each is near enough that you can easily get there and back before the afternoon heat really kicks in.
I hope we are able to visit Santa Maria again soon.
Ian L.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
It is truly gratifying to know that our guests derive so much pleasure from the experience of staying at Santa Maria. A seventeenth century fortified farmhouse, once owned by the Knights of Malta, Santa Maria looks like a castle and it is true that history seems to seep out of the walls. Since we have owned the ground floor we have done our best to make the interior as beautiful and as comfortable as possible and this review confirms that our efforts have been successful. The grounds include formal gardens, an olive grove and a meadow but our pride and joy is the Mediterranean garden we planted in a former lemon grove to surround the swimming pool.I agree that the atmosphere is magical and flattered to have our Sicilian home compared to a film set!
Yes, we do benefit from the fact that Mazara is not on the typical tourist route, although it boasts beautiful baroque architecture and the famous classical bronze statue of a dancing satyr fished out of the Sicilian Channel and now housed in a dedicated museum.
We are also lucky to be so near to good beaches and many important sites such as Selinunte, Segesta and Erice, with easy access to the motorway.
Mazara itself is packed with excellent restaurants, trattorie and ice cream bars and is very lively of a summer evening.
We are delighted that this family appreciated their stay so much and we look forward to welcoming them back again.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Anne D.
13. Okt. 2021
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
Ein Erlebnis!
Ein traumhaftes Castello mit sehr feinen und besonderen Vermietern, die uns persönlich begrüßten. Caroline versorgte uns mit selbstgemachter Orangenmarmelade und mit Marcello durften wir die Olivenernte vom Baum bis zum frisch gepressten Öl in der Fabrik begleiten. Das Haus ist sehr groß und mit exquisiten Antiquitäten eingerichtet, aber es gibt auch gemütliche Sofaecken und ein Fernsehzimmer. Von der Küche gelangt man direkt auf die Terrasse, auf der wir sehr oft gefrühsückt haben. Ein fast tägliches Tennismatch gehörte zum Urlaubserlebnis. Auch der Poolbereich ist sehr schön.
Es sind viele Ausflüge möglich, ein Leihwagen ist unentbehrlich. In Mazara del Vallo ist die Landschaft eher flach, aber in der Nähe befinden sich Berge zB der Erice mit der gleichnamigen sehr alten sehenswerten Stadt .Die Ausgrabungen in Selinunte und die Stadt Palermo sind auch eine Reise wert. Auf den Märkten kann man sich für ganz wenig Geld neu und chic einkleiden. Die Geschichte des Hauses Villa Maria liest man am Besten in Carolines selbstverfasstem Buch nach, welches in der gut ausgestatteten Bibliothek steht. Danke für einen besonderen Urlaub Anne und Familie
Anne D.
Aufenthalt von 10 Nächten im Oktober 2021
Antwort von VrboOwner am 15. Okt. 2021
We were delighted to welcome this charming German family to Santa Maria.
They took full advantage of the spacious grounds around the villa, playing tennis every day, weather permitting, and spending time in the gardens and at the pool.
The weather was not as warm and dry as is usual in October but the cooler temperature gave them the opportunity to visit some of Sicily"s most celebrated sites such as the Greek temples of Selinunte and the medieval hilltop town of Erice, as well as Palermo, which is only an hour away by car.
As their stay coincided with our annual olive harvest, they were able to take part and then accompany us to the olive press to see how the olives are processed and sample the oil fresh from the press.
They told us that they loved the ambience of this historical villa and especially appreciated the decor and furnishing.
We do hope they return to Santa Maria one day.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Stefan L.
26. Aug. 2021
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
An extraordinary and especially beautiful place!
Ein außergewöhnlicher und ganz besonders schöner Ort!
Wir konnten mit unserer fünfköpfigen, deutschen Familie zwei wunderschöne Urlaubswochen in der Villa Santa Maria verbringen. Der Landsitz, die Einrichtung, der große Pool und die Gärten gleichen einem Paradies. Alles ist bestens ausgestattet. Hinzu kommt die besondere Liebenswürdigkeit der Gastgeber, wir wurden jeden Tag mit frischen Feigen und Trauben aus dem Garten verwöhnt. Köstlich waren auch die hauseigenen Olivenöle. Sehr hilfreich sind zudem die vielen schriftlichen Empfehlungen zu Restaurants, Stränden, Weinen und Einkauf.
Santa Maria ist sicher ideal für einen Kurzurlaub. Um sich besser auf diese Umgebung einzulassen, würden wir aber eine Urlaubsdauer von mindestens ein bis zwei Wochen empfehlen. Liest man dazu noch die hochinteressanten biographischen und landeskundlichen Ausführungen im Buch der Gastgeberin (Casa Nostra von Caroline Seller Manzo), gelingt es neben einem herrlichen Urlaub auch noch ein wenig sizilianisches Lebensgefühl als bleibenden Eindruck mit nach Hause zu nehmen.
Tausend Dank für eine wunderbare Zeit!
Grazie mille per un tempo meraviglioso!
An extraordinary and especially beautiful place!
We were able to spend a marvellous fortnight in Villa Santa Maria with our German family of five. The country house, the furnishings, the large pool and the gardens are like a paradise. Everything is well equipped. Added to this is the special kindness of the hosts, we were spoiled every day with fresh figs and grapes from the garden. The in-house olive oils were also delicious. The many written recommendations on restaurants, beaches, wines and shopping are very helpful, too.
Santa Maria is sure to be ideal for a short vacation. In order to get more involved in this environment, we would recommend a vacation of at least one to two weeks. If you read the highly interesting biographical and regional history in the hostess's book (Casa Nostra by Caroline Seller Manzo), you can take a wonderful holiday home with a little Sicilian attitude to life as a lasting impression.
Thanks a million for a wonderful time!
Grazie mille per un tempo meraviglioso!
Stefan L.
Aufenthalt von 14 Nächten im August 2021
Antwort von VrboOwner am 28. Aug. 2021
This charming family made the most of their time at Santa Maria enjoying the tranquility of the swimming pool and surrounding Mediterranean gardens. They also took full advantage of the location and got to explore the area. The villa is deep in the country but also within easy reach of the town of Mazara, the beach and the Ancient Greek site of Selinunte.
We often stay there ourselves so we have made sure the kitchen is well equipped and the whole accommodation furnished and decorated to the highest standards. I am so pleased this family enjoyed their holiday so much and that reading my book contributed to their enjoyment.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
FRANCES C.
12. Aug. 2019
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
A week in Mazara
We have just spent a wonderful week in Villa Santa Maria. We were a group of six - 2 teenagers their parents and 2 grannies. The villa was everything that was described on the website - and more. A truly original and beautifully decorated historical gem! Lovely and cool inside as had been promised!
This was our first trip to Sicily so we were very grateful for all the suggestions for sightseeing provided by our great hosts - we followed practically all of them in our busy week and were not disappointed with anything ( though the queuing system in Segesta leaves much to be desired!) our teenagers really enjoyed lounging beside the pool and it’s lovely surroundings whilst the rest of us went touring around ancient temples!
A highlight of the trip was the lovely food we had every evening - in the restaurants recommended by Caroline and Marcello and also that provided in the villa by Antonella - it was a real treat to laze around in the villa and to have dinner delivered to your door.
I would highly recommend this lovely villa and strongly suggest that if you follow the advice in the handbook provided by its gracious hosts you will have a great holiday.
FRANCES C.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im August 2019
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
It was a great pleasure to meet this family while they were staying at Santa Maria. They certainly appreciated the tranquillity of the pool and gardens but also went out of their way to explore the rich culture that Western Sicily has to offer.
They also loved Sicilian food both in local restaurants and the meals catered by Antonella in the villa.
I am so glad that the holiday was a success with all three generations of the family. We hope they will return one day.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Sibylle G.
29. Juni 2019
Gut: Sauberkeit, Check-in, Kommunikation, Lage und Genauigkeit des Onlineauftritts
Stay at santa maria.
Very pleasant with beautiful private gardens.
Sibylle G.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im Juni 2019
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
It was a pleasure to have this family to stay again after nine years.
We are always gratified when guests return to Santa Maria, as they often do, and find it as beautiful as ever.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Marian A.
11. Sept. 2018
Make this your base of operations.It's an oasis for tired travelers.
We were six long time friends, all seniors, on an adventure. Day trips from the Villa to wonderful sightseeing to Agrigento and Marsala was delightful thanks to our driver, Francesco. Google Translate (app) and a very patient Francesco made the language barrier a minor challenge and we were able to experience Mazara through his eyes. A sparkling clean pool and the orange grove off the kitchen found us enjoying the beauty of the Villa and it's gardens. The accomodations were quite good (even by American picky standards) although some detail to landscaping would have improved the look of the facility and a simple tire pump would have made the rickety bicycles at least usable. An end of the tourist season and the begining of the hunting season could probably explain it. Alessia was an angel in disguise and was accessible and responsive to our needs.I would recommend a list of local places that would deliver to the villa which is really quite close to town. These places do exist and knowing about them would be a help to travelers staying at the villa without a car (as we were) or for those simply too tired to venture out again after a long sight-seeing trip. In all our trip to Mazara and surrounding areas was quite wonderful and the 14 hour plane trip a distant memory.
Marian A.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im September 2018
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
I am so glad that this group from the United States enjoyed their stay at Santa Maria. They appreciated the orange grove, the Mediterranean garden and the pool
Unusually, they had not hired a car, so we put them in touch with our trusted driver, Francesco, who escorted them on shopping and sightseeing expeditions.
Santa Maria is three kilometres away from the town and the beach so we always recommend that guests hire a car. In this case we arranged transfers with Francesco, who also catered to the guests' transport and shopping needs.
I note the comment about takeaway. This is a novel idea for us as we have never had guests without a car before. It may be possible for certain pizza places to deliver to Santa Maria, which is three kilometres away from the town centre.
We can certainly look into that. However we have an excellent cook who provides a catering service in the villa at a very reasonable, cost so generally we would recommend a catered meal instead.
The bicycles available may not be state of the art for professional cyclists but they are all perfectly functional and have been used by other guests during this season. A pump is provided with the bikes and if guests cannot find it, all they have to do is ask Alessia, who is always at hand and ready to help.
We do hope this group returned to the United States with happy memories of Santa Maria.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Kamaldip R.
23. Aug. 2018
It was charming and in an oasis of calm and luxury but with a hint of the wild side!
An absolutely warm and welcoming experience was had at Villa Santa Maria. I would say it was the most authentic place we have stayed and the unspoilt and natural areas of this side of Sicily were a pleasure to behold. Our days were spent enjoying all the villa offered -to lounging poolside with a book, the entrancing orange grove at breakfast and a glass of wine after dark to playing cards in the library - this was one of the favourite spots of our daughters! The surrounding region really is magnificent - the restaurants, service, food and wine were beyond our expectations. The history of this place is fascinating and exploring the temples was mesmerising.
For wine lovers - take advantage and visit Gorghi Tondhi - the expression for their wine is like no other.
We can not say enough about Alessia who was wonderful during our stay - on hand to help however she could.
The Sicilian sun over this historic and breathtaking home was a place to remember and treasure.
We had a truly magical holiday and for those looking for luxury in an unspoilt area this is the place for you.
Kamaldip R.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im August 2018
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
We are delighted that this family enjoyed their holiday at Santa Maria.
They certainly took advantage of what Western Sicily has to offer, not just the excellent food and wine, but also Greek temples to visit. I agree that the villa is a relaxing place to stay and the history and distinctive castle-like aspect of the villa make it stand out from other villas available to rent.
It is nice to know that Kam's daughters particularly enjoyed the library, which is also my favourite room. Many thanks to Alessia who looks after our guests so well and I hope this family will come and stay again one day.
Verifizierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Philipp M.
26. Juli 2018
Amaznig holiday - a true sicilian experience!
It is hard to find a place that is so more authentic and original than Santa Maria! We loved it from the moment we opened the large wooden doors and entered the courtyard. It is better than on the photos!
The place is perfect for families. The kids found new things to discover every single day. There are oranges and lemon trees in the backyard which provides for lovely fresh juice in the morning. The large private pool is clean and pleasant. As Mazara del Vallo has a large seaport there is plenty of fresh fish to be found and we had some amazing barbeques. Caroline and Mercello are fantastic hosts! Their story is truly incredible and nicely documented. The process from selecting the property all the way through receiving back the security deposit was smooth and a pleasant experience. There is so much more positive to say here... I really hope we will be back soon!
Philipp M.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
We agree with Philipp that Santa Maria is very original - not just because it's a castle but also because of the setting - extensive grounds with an abundance of flowering plants, not to mention the private pool and tennis court.
We were lucky enough to meet Philipp and his family and friends and found them delightful guests. I 'm glad there were still oranges and lemons on the trees for them to enjoy. They also very much appreciated fish from the local fish market and the local wine obtainable from various local wineries.
We do hope that they decide to return one day.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Paul J.
19. Aug. 2016
Stunning Santa Maria
Our experience at Santa Maria was breathtaking.
Upon arrival we were in awe of the impressive stone building, we passed through the beautiful courtyard and into the Santa Maria villa itself - which was absolutely stunning in every way possible.
Nanette, our host was on hand to welcome us to the villa, she was most helpful throughout our stay.
We spent our days in the Italian sunshine lounging by the superb pool, surrounded by the heavenly gardens. We sampled the local delights; eating scrumptious gelato in the town and visited the neighbours (The Gazzerosse Vineyard).
Our time at Santa Maria was absolutely perfect - a dream come true.
Paul J.
Aufenthalt von 7 Nächten im August 2016
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
I agree that the entrance to Santa Maria with its castellation and circular towers is quite daunting, built as it was to resist attacks from marauding brigands
However the villa itself is extremely comfortable as all our guests will find.
The weather has been wonderful in August this year, hot but not too hot and the gardens around the swimming pool are looking glorious.
I am very glad that this family appreciated the villa, pool and gardens so much.
They did well to take advantage of one of the many local vineyards and frequent the ice cream parlours in Mazara. For those who have yet to visit, i should say that the wine from this region is outstanding, especially that made from the white Grillo grape, while the ice cream is simply the very best. After all it was the Sicilians who invented ice cream in the first place!
I do hope this family returns to Santa Maria one day.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Louise Sellers
17. Aug. 2016
A very special place to rent for a holiday!
We all loved staying in Santa Maria - the accommodation is part of a very special family house - completely private with sole use of a fabulous swimming pool and lovely tennis court (once the sun has gone down!). We saw some of the sites of Western Sicily including Selinunte, Segesta, Sciacca & Marsala, along with the odd very lovely restaurant - but on the whole we so enjoyed the return to Santa Maria and its peaceful surroundings - so beautiful and constantly gave us the feeling of getting away from it all. I hope one day we will return.
Louise Sellers
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
So glad this family enjoyed their two week stay at Santa Maria. The gardens around he swimming pool are now mature and at their very best in summer with hibiscus, oleander and frangipane all in flower. The tennis court is always a hit with families like this one with teenagers and younger. And of course there is so much to see in our corner of Sicily and this family clearly did some exploring. We hope they will come back to Santa Maria agin one day.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Anna P.
23. Juli 2016
Wonderful week in a glorious Scicilian villa
The villa was perfect for us , a family of seven - 3 young adults and partners and the older parents.The villa was beautiful , spacious airy rooms which kept cool in the heat of the day. We spent our rest days at home ( after very active ones seeing the amazing sights ).Long breakfasts in the garden with refreshing lemon juice made with lemons from the garden . Keeping cool in the pool and sitting under the trees beside it. In the evening when it was cool enough , there were tennis matches. The gardens, villa, pool were all lovingly looked after and very beautiful. The kitchen was very well equipped which meant we could have some amazing food at home. We were very welcomed by the owner's sister in law who lives on the top floor of the castle. She was always on hand to help. We had a fantastic week and this amazing place is highly recommended by all of us.
Anna P.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
I'm so glad that this family enjoyed their stay at Santa Maria. They are right - there are so many splendid sights to see in the neighbourhood from the baroque centre of Mazara itself to the Greek temples of Segesta and Selinunte. They made the most of their time here with sightseeing in the morning, relaxing by the pool in the afternoon and tennis matches early evening.
The gardens are looking particularly good this year as we made a special effort in preparation for a family wedding in June. We pride ourselves on a well equipped kitchen as we are enthusiastic cooks ourselves.
We also love to barbecue and have now provided two barbecues for the villa.
I do hope this family will come back to Santa Maria one day.
Archivierte Bewertung
10/10 – Hervorragend
Marcia C.
21. Aug. 2015
A gem of a property...beautiful home and grounds
A wonderful stay in Santa Maria...
Fabulous villa, pool, tennis court and gardens. While there are family members living above we had complete privacy. The villa was presented as described and very clean and well maintained. Any problems were resolved quickly by the on site managers of the property living above. It is hard to leave the villa but great sightseeing to be had in Western Sicily ... For historical sightseeing Selinunte is a must with well preserved Greek ruins against a coastal backdrop. The north west coastline for breathtaking scenery and fabulous beaches and the national park...Castellamare was our particular favourite ancient coastal town and the nearby picturesque hamlet of Scopello with stunning views and great swimming. We would thoroughly recommend Santa Maria as the perfect relaxing retreat in an ideal spot for sightseeing.
Marcia C.
Antwort von VrboOwner am 2. Apr. 2020
I agree with this guest that Santa Maria is a perfect place to relax with its lovely pool, tennis court and lush gardens. Within easy reach of the motorway it is well placed for sightseeing. The magnificent Greek site of Selinunte is close by and the sea can be reached within minutes. These guests particularly enjoyed the north west coast off where they hired a boat at Castellamare and enjoyed the views of the Zingaro nature reserve from the sea.
We are fortunate to have my sister-in-law on hand to welcome guests and offer any help or advice they require.
Über den Gastgeber
Zu Gast bei Caroline
Marcello and Caroline are the proud owners of the ground floor of Santa Maria, a seventeenth century castle in western Sicily. Having met in London at a Halloween party, we have been together for over 40 years. Thanks to Marcello's career in an international pharmaceutical company, we have lived in various countries in South America and the Far East whilst bringing up our two daughters. While Santa Maria has been in Marcello’s family for over a century, it was at first the base of the family wine business. Then it became his parents’ home, which we and our two daughters would visit every year while we were based abroad. Twenty years ago Marcello inherited a part of the estate and we decided to convert the ground floor as our own holiday home. Respecting the villa’s three hundred years of history, we carried out a complete restoration, even discovering a seventeenth century archway in the process. Caroline’s interest in decorating is reflected in the attention to colour evident throughout. The property is now furnished with items inherited from our family and gathered from our travels around the world. Having completed the interior, we turned our attention to the grounds. We revived the walled orange garden, restored the old tennis court, planted an olive grove and added a beautiful swimming pool set within a Mediterranean garden. Meanwhile Caroline was writing her book about the villa, Casa Nostra, A Home in Sicily, based on her experience of family life in Sicily and the local culture and traditions. The book was published by Harper Collins in 2007.
Santa Maria is so beautiful and so special to us that we now come here several times a year, sometimes with our children and grandchildren, but also for the olive harvest. Both our daughters chose to celebrate their weddings here. Since we now spend much of our time in London, we are happy to share our holiday home with other guests.
Darum fiel die Entscheidung auf diese Unterkunft
Santa Maria has a special place in our lives. Having lived in different countries about the world, we have always been back to the villa in Sicily, regarding it as a cornerstone in our lives. Marcello has an extended family based locally and many friends dating back to his childhood. Caroline has got to know the town and its history very well for the purpose of research for her book and is fascinated by many aspects of Sicilian culture. It is an amazing experience to live or stay in a villa so steeped in history. Although records go back as far as the 18th century, the building itself is at least 100 years older. The watchtower in the grounds bears an inscription with the name of the architect and the date:1584. Most probably the building once belonged to the Church and may have been a commanderie for the Knights of Malta. Anyone with an interest in history and Mediterranean culture cannot resist the fascination of this Sicilan castle surrounded by lush gardens, olive groves and vineyards, now with its own swimming pool and renovated tennis court.
Das macht diese Unterkunft einzigartig
We love santa Maria for it's romantic castle-like aspect and the beauty of the grounds. It has been a privilege to enhance the interior of the 17th century building and create a Mediterranean garden to complement the existing orange grove, olive trees and cypresses planted by previous generations.