Overview

With its white stucco walls, brightly tiled floors and sunny terraces, El Encanto is a charming fully air-conditioned compact home filled with Sicilian touches. Steps lead down through the lovely, shaded garden and past the swimming pool to a flower-filled courtyard between two loggias, one for lounging and the other for dining, with a long table, wood oven and summer kitchen. The courtyard overlooks a grove of pomegranate, carob and orange trees and leads, though a pair of double doors, into the interior dining room. El Encanto is set at the edge of a valley where walking trails lead through an ancient Greek quarry. Modica, a short distance away, is a vibrant and historic city within an area renowned for its Baroque architecture and beautiful beaches.

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Description

Rental options

 El Encanto is available at a lower rate for smaller parties. For details see El Encanto (x 2 people) and El Encanto (x 4 people).

Location

 In Sicily’s hilly south-east, best known for the Baroque cities of Ragusa, Noto and Scicli, all of which lie within 20km/12.5 miles of the property. The nearest shops are in or on the way to Modica, 5km/3 miles, which has a lovely "centro storico" as well as one of Italy’s most famous bakeries, the Pasticceria Bonaiuto. There are sand or rock beaches within a 10km/6-mile drive to the south or east.

Accommodations

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Ground floor

 Air conditioned sitting room. Fitted kitchen with exposed stone walls opening to small terrace. Air conditioned dining room opening to the courtyard and loggias. Bathroom with shower.

First floor

 Air conditioned twin bedroom. Air conditioned double bedroom. Air conditioned double bedroom with sloping ceilings and mosquito net. Bathroom with bath.

Grounds

 Private swimming pool, 6 x 12.5m/20 x 41 feet, set on a stone terrace about 10m/30 feet above the house in a pretty lawned garden. Large open loggia with dining table and full summer kitchen, and attached laundry room and bathroom. Smaller loggia with a sitting area.

Assistance

 Assistance is provided locally by the property's offsite caretaker - a fountain of local information. Services included in the rental fee, and optional services available, are noted under Price and Availability.

Facilities

 Dishwasher. Washing machine. Satellite TV [No Sky channels] with DVD. CD/cassette player. Air-conditioning throughout. Mosquito nets on all windows. Fixed telephone line.

Access

 Airports: Catania, 100km/63 miles; Palermo, a little over 3 hours. Railway and bus station at Modica, 5km/3 miles. Motorway exit at Ispica, 20km/ 12.5 miles along paved roads to the property’s 1.5km/1-mile white access road. Parking for three cars.

Activities

 Tennis in Modica, 10 minutes. Riding stables at Ragusa, 20km/12 miles. Sand and pebble beaches within a 10km/6-mile drive to the south or east. Several nature reserves along the coasts with beautiful walking trails.

Pool details

 Private swimming pool, 6 x 12.5m/20 x 41 feet, has a minimum depth of depth 1.2m/4 feet and steps for entry/exit.