Slow living in the Sicilian countryside
Set in the hills of south eastern Sicily, just outside the UNESCO listed village of Palazzolo Acreide, Villa Ananda is a small family run stay overlooking the Iblei valley.
Surrounded by two hectares of land, the house sits within what feels like a private park, with centuries old olive trees, carob trees, fruit trees and wild Mediterranean plants shaping the landscape.
Days here are meant to be slow and spent outdoors, with long lunches, open views across the valley and the smell of produce growing nearby.
Swimming pool
Veranda
Surrounded by olive trees
From the house, the land opens out into the valley, with space to walk, explore and move through the surrounding nature. A secondary path leads down through the rocks to an old well, while the wider region offers a mix of natural and cultural sites without the crowds. The setup makes it easy to stay longer, with quiet spaces to work, reliable wifi connection and enough distance from the village to focus without feeling isolated.
Built on the foundations of an 1856 residence once used by monks of the Diocese of Noto, the house still carries traces of its past, from an old water cistern to a well hidden along a rocky path at the bottom of the valley. The space is further refined by one of the owners, an architect, with each detail shaped by how they themselves like to be welcomed when travelling.
-
Meals are prepared using local ingredients and, where possible, produce from the land itself. Breakfasts and lunches are simple and seasonal, shaped by what is available rather than a fixed menu, often shared in a relaxed, communal setting with other guests.
After years of living abroad in Cambodia, Valentina, an Italian architect, met Steve, a musician and decided to make Sicily their home, building a new life around the place they had fallen in love with.
Today, they live their Sicilian dream here, opening their home to travellers from around the world to share the beauty of the place and offer the kind of stay they themselves look for when they travel.
The name “Ananda”, meaning deep happiness and gratitude, reflects the feeling they hope guests leave with.
I honestly don't know if the world is ready for so much goodness in one place. So much homemade and heartfelt goodness I should add. It is true that Valentina and Steve are my good friends but that doesn't change the fact that they are THE perfect hosts and will make your stay in Sicily truly memorable. I would even go as far as saying that if you only came to their place and never left it you'd experience the real Sicily full and proper. Then add the fact that those gorgeous turquoise waters are just a short drive away and I suppose you're set for your time here. If it's history and architecture that tickle your fancy - again, hop in your hire car and off you go. The villa offers comfortable stay and the interior design reflects Valentina's colourful personality combined with her love for textiles, arts and crafts collected on her travels through exotic lands and her passion for photography. You're probably most likely to encounter Steve with some garden tools in hand trying to tame the Sicilian wilderness on their doorstep. Only to a degree, though. It's still pretty wild and so so beautiful. Ancient olive trees, figs, tall grass and wild flowers sway in the breeze and the scent of oregano and countless other herbs fills the air. If it gets too hot there's nothing to keep you from submerging your relaxed and laid back self into the swimming pool with amazing views of the surrounding hills. Glamping? Oh yes, they've got that too! Three tents have been placed thoughtfully on the premises each offering privacy as well as comfort. The breakfasts are delicious and if you're lucky enough to get invited for dinner then you may just be even luckier to try Valentina's legendary parmigiana - because: Parmigiana forever!!! In any case, there's a large sheltered porch where you can just veg out, drink some wine and admire the herbal garden or you can cook if you can be bothered - there's a fully equipped outdoor kitchen for you use or you can head to town for a bite. Now excuse me, I've got some extreme hammocking to do….
Villa Ananda is really a Sicilian dream. A wonderful place to relax from the turbulent everyday life. Valentina and Steve are very attentive and wonderful hosts who also personally take time for their guests. We felt very comfortable there and would love to come back to this place.
Our stay at Villa Ananda was absolutely wonderful. The room was very comfortable and had everything we needed for a memorable stay. The location was perfect — close to Palazzalo Acreide and its fantastic restaurants while being surrounded by the peaceful Sicilian countryside. Valentina and Steve were incredibly welcoming, offering great recommendations for places to eat and things to see around the area. We especially enjoyed breakfast on the terrace each morning. This was our second stay here and we will be back!
A family run stay on the slopes of Mount Etna, offering a slower Sicilian experience shaped by thoughtful care for the environment.
Holistic countryside stay between the coast and inland, with plant based meals and space to slow down and reconnect.
Florence, Tuscany and Cinque Terre outdoor specialists offering locally led hiking, biking and wine experiences beyond the usual tourist routes.
Your cart is currently empty.
