One of Ray & Annie’s favourite places in the world! They love the tranquillity and peace; the sheer beauty of the location; the amazing landscape; the lack of pretension (throw away the brief cases, suits, stilettos and make-up, and enjoy a respite from the workday things!); the chance to totally unwind. We all love the new cottages, Santi and Yvonne, her fantastic vegetarian cooking, and the dogs. We could go on forever……. A perfect haven for couples, wanting to relax, this is a truly rural and rustic setting. Yvonne and Santi are very special.

Near Piazza Armerina, Il Glicine is a 4 hectare organic fruit and vegetable farm with two cottages and a pool, in an enchanting setting, in the very heart of Sicily. About 12km from Piazza Armerina, amidst lush wild and cultivated vegetation, in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the landscape is breathtakingly beautiful and the views, through trees and shrubs, are splendid.

Ideal and only for couples, this is a perfect haven for getting away from it all. Not for those, who seek sophistication or do not love rural and rustic environments, as one client said, this is “a real place”, difficult to find in the hurly-burly of modern life. Santi and his British wife, Yvonne, are special. Our great friends, they live with their dogs, cats, hens and ducks. Very much at one with nature, the whole environment is a product of their personalities and lifestyle – it is a joy to be able to share that.

The pair of semi-detached agritourist cottages is set apart from the main house. A steep, stepped stone path leads up, past Yvonne and Santi’s house, to the pool (up the hill about 100m). A mix of traditional and modern, the cottages have Sicilian flavour and homely charm, and they fit perfectly into their rural environment.

Piazza Armerina is a delightful and attractive town, with interesting churches, a cathedral and a castle, as well as some lovely shops and a lively weekly market. Close by is Sicily’s famous Imperial Roman Villa, with its exquisite mosaics. Within easy reach are Caltagirone, full of Baroque and famous for ceramics; Aidone and Morgantina, a 6th century BC Greek settlement; and ancient and spectacular Enna, almost 1km above sea level, and steeped in myth and legend. Piazza Armerina, 20 minutes from the motorway, gives easy access to the north coast and Palermo, or the east coast, with Etna, Catania and Siracusa.

Every year, for seventeen years, Ray & Annie have had a holiday at Il Glicine and we’ve booked already for 2010, as have many others, who return year after year, so don’t delay! Choose it for its individuality, stylish comfort and wonderful location.

The Cottages

Is it possible to make a place as wonderful as Il Glicine even better? Oh yes!

It is still the Il Glicine we all love, BUT, the completely renovated and refurbished cottages will be a real treat for old friends, who holiday there every year, and for new guests.

The pair of semi-detached cottages is set apart from the main house. A fairly steep, stepped stone path leads up, past Yvonne and Santi’s house, and to the pool.

Yvonne has used her artistic flair to the full, with a playful mix of traditional and modern, yet the cottages successfully retain their Sicilian flavour and homely charm and fit perfectly into their rural environment. Hazelnut Cottage welcomes guests with its warm nutty colours – sandy plaster hues, peaches, rusts, browns and greys – and a light beech kitchen. Wisteria Cottage plays with the wisteria colours of dark and light purples and lilacs, through to fuchsia, contrasted with dark floors and a rich, dark walnut kitchen.

Modern open-plan style provides spacious L-shaped accommodation, with mosquito nets throughout, and each cottage has a double sleeping area, sitting and dining space, as well as a stunning fitted kitchen, with full oven and hob, large fridge and washing machine. The separate, modern shower rooms are a joy. Both cottages are centrally-heated and have wood-burning stoves. Outside, both have partly covered patios and a barbecue area.

Choose Il Glicine for its individuality, stylish comfort and its wonderful location.

■ Two cottages for adults only

■ Wood-burning stove, with wood provided, free of charge

■ Central heating included in Apr, Oct & Nov; other times supplement payable

■ Sunbeds

■ Dishwasher & Washing machine

■ Fan & mosquito nets

■ Swimming pool 10/4-31/10, earlier if weather permits

Special Offers:

Meals (Sat & Wed only) to be pre-booked by clients €25 per person, payable locally.

Transfers / Car Hire:

Car Hire Included

Recommended Airports:

Catania approx. 1.5 hour(s)

Palermo approx. 2.5 hour(s)