ntroducing our Casetta Belice, a comfortable, family-friendly ground floor apartment on the edge of rolling countryside that extends to the nearby long sandy Pineta beach and to the beautiful Belice nature reserve. The apartment features an attractive paved patio sunspot bordered by colourful Mediterranean plants and varieties of trees. With the neighbouring picturesque and historical marine village of Marinella di Selinunte, you are well placed to enjoy sun, sea, local fresh food and Sicilian culture.

Surrounding Area: Explore the protected natural area of the Belice estuary on your doorstep and you may spot the marine turtles and the rich birdlife; herons, ducks and other waterfowl. This unspoilt terrain includes an expanse of sandy beach large enough not to be crowded even in high season. The only restaurant within the confines of the nature reserve, a 600-metre walk away, is a truly excellent seafood restaurant specialising in crayfish. Another unique experience, this time within the precincts of Selinunte, would be to visit Europe’s largest Ancient Greek archaeological site with architectural remains including an impressive temple resembling the Parthenon in Athens, and an acropolis on the edge of the sea. The charming centre of Marinella di Selinunte is host to several beaches, a small port ideal for fishing and boating, as well as a variety of pizzerias, restaurants, and bars.

Outdoors: Casetta Belice is part of Residence La Fenice, a village made up of 42 two-storey dwellings, each split into four apartments. A wall and gate enclose the property adding to its feel of privacy. The stone patchwork design of the large driveway and of the bordering walls is continued as a feature like a hem around the base of the building itself. Flowering plants add colour to the well established vegetation at the front of the property, where the large attractively tiled patio is located, complete with two stylish deck chairs, and a table with parasol for outdoor dining. At the end of the driveway is a paved and covered utility area.

Indoors: The self-contained, comfortable accommodation is simply but pleasantly furnished with a neutral colour scheme and terracotta flooring. The spacious main living area includes a well-fitted corner kitchen, a dining table and a double sofa bed. All rooms have cooling ceiling fans. Both bedrooms are of a good size: one has a double bed and the other has twin beds that can be combined to make a second double bedroom should two couples holiday at the property. The bathroom with shower cubicle has been tiled from floor to ceiling.

Sightseeing: Porto Palo. Cusa quarries. Marsala. Sciacca. Caltabellotta. Agrigento. Eraclea Minoa. Mazara del Vallo. Castellammare del Golfo. Scopello. Zingaro Nature Reserve. Segesta. Erice. Trapani. Egadi Islands. Palermo.

Italian Islands Insight: A hire car is strongly recommended both for ease of access to the apartment and to the many surrounding venues or services, but the sandy Pineta beach with superb restaurant, La Pineta da Angelo, is not too far by foot. To further explore the area the owner has put two bicycles at your disposal. This comfy practical apartment will suit all parties – both families and groups of friends. For families who want to holiday together, the first floor apartment, Casetta Fenice, can also be rented subject to availability.