Casa San Colagero

Set in the countryside, above the historic fishing port of Sciacca on Sicily's south coast, this charming rural home packs in plenty of rustic charm. Bare concrete floors, soaring vaulted ceilings and exposed stone walls lend an elegant simplicity to the interior that encourages you to embrace a slower pace of life and reconnect with friends and family.

It's a motif that carries through to the more minor details, including vintage furnishings, a wood-fired oven in the kitchen, and wonderful outdoor seating areas where you can relish those mouthwatering homemade meals.

A couple of kilometres away, there's more to Sciacca than the catch of the day. Tumbling down the hillside towards the sea, you'll find plenty of seafood restaurants by the water's edge. We'd suggest you wear some comfortable shoes to wend your way back up the hill to discover its ceramic-making history in the old town, while its thermal baths proved enticing enough for the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

You can't visit Sicily's southwest corner and not explore the extraordinary Valley of the Temples at Agrigento, approximately an hour away. After a morning of culture, why not stop off for lunch and some tanning time on the renowned beaches of Realmonte on your way home?

Home truths:
*Access to the home is via a private entrance
*Given the location, a car is a necessity when staying here – there's on-site parking available
*While the home is set on one level, there are four steps to negotiate between the kitchen and dining area, so it may not be suitable for those with more limited mobility
*Air conditioning is located in the bedrooms only