Overview

Although just twenty minutes’ drive from Catania and the Sicilian coast, Il Cucco is a peaceful, shaded oasis at the centre of an historic nine-hundred acre citrus plantation. Guests are accommodated in beautifully restored farm buildings set in a grove of monumental palms, umbrella pines and cypresses, surrounded by lush gardens dotted with papyrus-fringed ponds. Every amenity is provided in the three large and very comfortable antique-filled suites with air-conditioned bedrooms and a full complement of staff is at hand to prepare meals or provide touring advice. One could, however, cover two of Sicily's main attractions without even leaving the property: a short walk beyond the gardens reveals a view of Mount Etna from a small ruin dating back to Magna Graecia. Tucked among the trees are a lovely pool a volleyball/basketball court and a private tennis court. Fitness room looking out onto the garden, Finnish Sauna. The estate boasts a private 5 hole driving and putting green.

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Description

Rental options

 Il Cucco is also available at lower rates. For details see Il Cucco (x 13 people), Il Cucco (x 15 people) and Il Cucco (x 17 people).

Staffing and services note

 For details please see below.

Location

 Il Cucco is set along a quiet country road near the village of Scordia, about 30 minutes' drive west of Catania and the white sand beaches that fringe the island's east coast. Shops and restaurants are available at Scordia or Lentini, both about 15 minutes' drive. The beautiful city of Taormina, ancient Ortigia at Syracuse and the mosaics at Piazza Armerina can all be reached in just over an hour.

Accommodations

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Ground floor

 Sitting room with a fireplace. Air conditioned twin bedroom with a cane ceiling and a private bathroom with shower. Air conditioned double bedroom with stone walls and an ensuite bathroom with bath and double shower. Fridge and kettle for morning tea. Separate ground floor entrance to: Two air conditioned double bedrooms. Air conditioned twin bedroom. Bathroom with bath and shower [wheelchair accessible]. Bathroom with shower. Kitchenette. Loggia with garden furniture.

First floor

 [reached by external staircase] Air-conditioned dining room with an open fireplace. Well-equipped kitchen. WC. Small single bedroom. Air conditioned double bedroom. Bathroom with shower.

Guest house

 [on the 1st floor] Air-conditioned double bedroom with a private bathroom with shower. Air conditioned twin bedroom with a private bathroom with bath. Air-conditioned double bedroom with a private bathroom with shower. Small sitting room with concealed kitchen and dining room, both opening to a terrace. The very engaging owner maintains a weekend residence on the ground floor of this building.

Dining room/Pool house

 Large informal dining room to fit the entire party. Staff kitchen with pizza oven, barbeque, etc. Changing rooms. Shower. WC. Bathroom with shower [wheelchair accessible].

Gym

 On one level.
Independently set in the grounds, the large windows, offer a wonderful setting during a work-out. Equipped with various exercise machines including recline bike, treadmill, two spinning bikes, bench press, weights and a step machine. 400W stereo system with Ipod dock. Air-conditioned. Charges apply.

Grounds

 A large shaded garden with lily ponds and streams issuing from stone fountains - a paradise for botanists and adventurous children. Umbrella pines are slung with hammocks, and cypresses and stubby palms screen the large pool, 8 x 18m /26 x 58 feet, and the volleyball/basketball court. Spa area with fireplace, Finnish sauna for four with waterproof stereo. Two loungers. Massage area. Charges apply. Bathroom with sink and shower only. The garden is surrounded by the estate's citrus groves, which include 85,000 trees producing lemons, oranges, and tangerines. There some lovely walks through the groves, including a hike up to a high knoll with a glorious view of Mount Etna - and a 5-hole driving and putting green. There are two known Greek archaeological sites on the property, including the remains of a farmhouse just beyond the garden.

Assistance

 The estate is run as a small private hotel with a full complement of staff. Daily housekeeping and breakfast and dinner service in the informal dining room are included; the food and lunch service are payable locally. An English-speaking host greets guests upon arrival and is available for excursions.

Facilities

 Each of the three 'apartments' has a fully-equipped kitchen including a dishwasher and microwave, as well as satellite [No Sky channels] with flat screen TV and a CD player. Air-conditioned bedrooms each have mosquito nets on the windows. Ceiling fans. Two washing machines. Fireplaces. Central heating. Ping-pong table. Volleyball/basketball court. Mountain bikes available for hire. Fixed telephone line. Hot Spot Wi-Fi internet access unlimited access 24/7 [upon request].The Wi-Fi coverage is available in the swimming pool area, restaurant, near the patio in front of the apartments and in some of the apartments. Notebook available for rent [upon request].

Access

 Airports: Catania, 20 minutes; Palermo, 2 hours 40 minutes. Although Sicilian motorways are excellent, signage in the countryside is not and Il Cucco, in spite of its size, is very difficult to find at first without assistance. Guests are typically guided to the property from Catania airport or Scordia upon arrival. Ample parking.

Activities

 Tennis court 22 x 40 meters/70 x 128 feet, 5-hole putting green, volley ball, basket ball and ping pong table onsite. Riding stables within 20 minutes. Beaches about 30 minutes. 18-hole golf course on the slopes of Mount Etna at Il Picciolo, 2.5 hours.

Small appliances

 Each apartment has a vegetable steamer, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

Pool details

 The large pool, 8 x 18m /26 x 58 feet, has a depth of 0.65-3.5m/25"-11 feet, two diving boards and two ladders for entry/exit. Bar fridge. Lit for evening swims. Outdoor shower.

Amenities for children

 3 cots/cribs. 3 high chairs.

Staffing and Services

 -07.45: Two members of staff, the cook and waitress, arrive without disturbing any guests. They shall commence laying of the table for breakfast.

-08.00: A further two members of staff, the concierge and gardener, arrive. Any queries or requests for extra services can be made from this time until 16.00 excluding Sundays. The gardener shall clean the pool, prepare all the sofa's and loungers with cushions and maintenance of the 20.000 sqm park. Cleaning of each private terrace except on Sundays.

-08.30 - 11.30: One or two maids arrive and commence the cleaning of the bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas, excluding Sundays.
- 08.30 – 10.30: Preparing and serving continental breakfast.

-10.30 – 12.00: With breakfast now finished the table shall be cleared, food stored, cleaning of the kitchen.

-12.00: All members of staff, except the concierge and gardener, leave unless lunch is required. For further details please see extra services available.

-12.00 – 15.00: Optional lunch; laying of the table, preparing and served. Please see lunch menu. Table is then cleared, kitchen if tidied and cleaned.

-17.00: Three members of staff, cook, maid and waitress return. Lay dinner table. Cook will commence preparation of dinner. A pizza evening can be arranged and the chef is a specialist for those allergic to glutine. Dinner is served either in the courtyard or in the villa. For further details please see dinner menu. Table is cleared (shall be cleared the following day if guests have not finished by 22.30), food stored, kitchen tidied and cleaned.

- 17.00 Children can be catered beforehand if required; an extra charge will be applicable.

-22.00 - 08-00: The night concierge arrives and for any emergencies can be contacted throughout the night.
-22.30: Staff depart.

-6 members of staff are included.
-3 staff; cook, maid and waitress, 07.45 – 12.00 and 17.00 – 22.30.
-1 staff for shopping; food, wine and meat. 4 hours per day. Shopping service [provisions not included] is compulsory and is paid locally, Euro 300 per week.
-1 gardener for pool and grounds upkeep.

- Wine is purchased at high standard local cantina’s which have a wide variety of wines from the Sicilian region and which organises wine-tasting. For further details please see extra services available.
However guests may want to buy a different wine and may do so by themselves and inform the cook not to purchase any.
All meat is bought from local organic farm. No OGM