Read on to find out more about this luxury retreat
While the term luxury is often watered down, there are still a handful of properties in Sicily where it is still applicable. Villa Le Cicale in Menfi, about an hour’s drive southwest of Palermo, is one of those.
Situated amongst gently rolling hills carpeted with olive groves and lush rows of vineyards, Villa Le Cicale is a truly top range ultra-luxe villa, imbued with an atmosphere of pure tranquillity that has few rivals.
A luminous four-bedroom vacation home in Menfi, Villa Le Cicale captures all that is good about the Sicilian dolce vita and offers luxury travellers, wine vacationers and sea lovers the perfect base from which to explore sun-drenched Sicily’s southwest corner.
Read on to find out more about this luxury retreat overlooking the luscious vineyards of world-renowned producer Planeta.
Menfi: great wines, beautiful beaches and good food
Stunning weather year-round, never-ending stretches of sandy beaches, crystal-clear sapphire sea and luscious vineyards… Sounds idyllic, right? It is — welcome to the picturesque wine-making centre of Menfi, sitting between the historic port town of Sciacca and the Greek archaeological site of Selinunte, in Sicily’s south-west.
Delimited by seemingly endless stretches of golden soft-sand beaches, Menfi is one of the most historic wine towns in Italy. Infused with a thriving enological tradition, the Menfishire is a magical place to make wine, as the verdant vineyards tumbling down to the deep-blue translucent waters of the Mediterranean Sea are blessed with pure, sweet, warm sunlight greatly mitigated by refreshing sea breezes. Some of Sicily’s finest wines are produced in the region.
In the province of Agrigento, Menfi is home to Planeta, one of Sicily’s premier wine estates. The prestigious wine-making Planeta family has worked the vines for seventeen generations and has six different wineries throughout the island and two in this area, called Ulmo and Dispensa.
And the shops? Menfi’s old centre has pretty streets and panoramic sea-view squares populated by shops selling locally produced food, quality wines, handmade pasta, sheep’s cheeses, olive oil and art that cries out “Buy me!”.
Try and plan your stay during the Inycon Festival held every year in June, to see this historic wine town come alive with cultural events.
Villa Le Cicale: one of the most sought-after properties in West Sicily
There’s no shortage of ultra-luxe properties in Sicily. In order to really stand out from the rest, a luxury villa has to offer something really special. You will find that something really special at Villa Le Cicale, a beautifully furnished four-bedroom vacation home in Menfi-Porto Palo, with a panoramic pool and breathtaking views of the sea and the vineyards.
From here, the Mediterranean Sea looks as if it stretches forever beyond the horizon. And while Villa Le Cicale’s dreamy position is no doubt impressive, there is so much more that makes the property one of the best in south-western Sicily.
As soon as you step over the threshold of this spacious, luminous luxury villa you are instantly transported to a private oasis in which your every need is anticipated. This well-located villa can house up to eight guests and is the ideal luxury retreat for large gatherings of friends and family who want to indulge in laid-back luxury while enjoying the utmost privacy.
Villa Le Cicale exudes casual elegance and features warm, welcoming interiors furnished with deluxe facilities, a peaceful ambience, four well-appointed bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a private well-manicured garden, multiple outdoor relaxation areas, a fully-equipped kitchen, super-fast Wi-Fi, a covered panoramic terrace with seating for a large group and an elegant swimming pool, offering stunning views while lounging poolside. A barbecue pit is also available for BBQ parties.
For families, couples and holidaymakers who want a quiet, peaceful and private hideaway in the heart of western Sicily’s unspoilt coastal landscape, Villa Le Cicale is the perfect luxury retreat to enjoy a memorable holiday and get more privacy, freedom, flexibility and space to spread out than in a traditional hotel.
What to do during your stay
Utterly charming in every way, Villa Le Cicale combines charm, practicality and privacy in equal measure and is the kind of place where you can choose to stay busy or do absolutely nothing other than relax in privacy, sip on some local wine and enjoy la dolce vita.
It will be hard not to feel totally zen while gazing at the Mediterranean across the luscious vineyards and enjoying the sound of cicadas that gave Villa Le Cicale its name. It is no wonder that luxury lovers staying here never want to leave.
If you feel like a bit more activity, there is plenty to see and do in the area. Just a 10-minute walk away is the excellent vineyard-side restaurant of Planeta’s wine resort La Foresteria, where you can discover the joys of the local cuisine. Cooking classes, guided tours, live culinary demonstrations and wine-and-oil tastings offer fascinating insights into the dynamic world of Sicilian food and wine. Just be sure to book in advance, as walk-ins might not be accommodated.
A short drive east is Verdura Resort, the largest elite golfing venue in Southern Italy, with two 18-hole golf courses, one 9 hole course, a tennis academy and a world-class spa. Part of the exclusive Rocco Forte Hotel Collection, Verdura Resort is a magnet for golfers.
Ideal for those who love a morning run, Menfi’s cycling paths are an excellent way to explore the surrounding area. Hop on your bike and ride to blue-flag Porto Palo beach, Lido Fiori, Giache Bianche, Capparrina and the Belice Nature Reserve, on the coast below Menfi.
Villa Le Cicale is available to rent through Select Sicily, a luxury real estate agency dedicated to providing high-quality accommodation in sun-soaked Sicily. For further information and details, please visit www.selectsicilyvillas.com.