Chocolate Almond

Surrounded by centuries-old olive and almond trees, this villa near Modica sits deep in the Sicilian countryside, where the pace slows the moment you arrive. The pool is framed by dry-stone walls and open views over the rolling landscape – the kind of setting that makes an afternoon in the water feel like a whole day well spent. Exposed stone walls and solid wood furnishings connect the interior to the land outside, while a vine-covered dining terrace is made for long lunches that drift well into the afternoon. Modica's Baroque historic centre is an eighteen-minute drive away.

Home truths:
* You're a five-minute drive from central Modica and all its shops, cafes, and restaurants, so you'll want a car for the duration of your stay. The beaches at Marina di Modica are around a twenty-five-minute drive away.
* The loft sleeping area sits above the living space and is reached via the interior – ideal for children or younger travellers, but worth considering if any of your group has mobility concerns or finds ladders or steep stairs tricky.
* If you're travelling with little ones, your host can provide a cot and high chair. It's worth requesting these in advance to make sure everything is ready on arrival.