The Ancient Olive Press

The Ancient Olive Press: Sicily

Perched at the base of Mount Etna, two kilometres from the mountain town of Milo, this villa embraces old-world Sicily. It’s an easy drive to the buzzing old port city of Catania too. The freshest seafood is landed in Catania every day, and the lively central market is surrounded by seafood joints. The volcanic hills surrounding this villa are home to vineyards creating ancient wines.

Once you’ve got your fresh catch of the day and bottle of local white, head back to the villa to cook at the brick-built kitchen outdoors and serve at one of the myriad terraces or patios with dining tables and lounges. This is what la dolce vita is all about. Within the rest of the 21,000 square metres of Mediterranean gardens, you’ll find sculptures and artworks in homage to Sicily’s ancient history. There are woodlands filled with oak, chestnut and cherry trees and a sparkling swimming pool for a cooling dip.

The main house is a converted olive oil mill and was once home to a famous Italian singer. Indeed, the main sitting room and kitchen feel warehouse-big with a high, wooden ceiling and arched, art deco windows opening up to the patio. You can tell a creative used to live here as the walls are adorned with unique works of art and an upright piano stands pride of place. The second lounge is set around an old fireplace and embraced the old world with its oil paintings and dark wood antiques. When it comes to bedtime, there’s a separate guest house for two, out in the woodlands for those that like their privacy. The main bedroom is like a suite with its own seating area and private terrace.

Home truths:
*The two single bedrooms are in a separate small cottage in the woods – it's a 5-minute walk away
*The laptop-friendly desk is in the main bedroom, rather than a separate office space
*At capacity, two guests will be on a sofa bed in the second living room, alongside two single beds
*In a remote location, having a car is recommended and there is parking for up to three cars
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for infants, just ask
*Security cameras are in operation outside this home
*The swimming pool isn't fenced, so children will need to be supervised at all times
*One small pet is welcome to join you but please keep them off the sofas and beds and let your host know beforehand