Almost hidden in the foliage

Calamazzo beach

n a peaceful and panoramic hillside setting nestled in an olive grove, Casa Calamazzo is a rustic rural retreat. This countryside cottage on the edge of the Zingaro Nature Reserve overlooks the stunning little beach of Cala Mazzo after which it is named. Perfect for those who wish to be secluded, this two-bedroom cottage is just a short drive from all that the charming medieval village of Scopello has to offer, and you can even walk to a nearby restaurant for your evening meal if you remember to pack your torch!

The old village of Scopello

Sea views from the terrace

Outdoors: Splendid seclusion is afforded by the dense olive grove that shrouds the cottage, and the three terraces above the canopy of these trees boast majestic views extending all the way across the gulf of Castellammare. Almost hidden amongst the foliage are little places to relax in the shade including hammocks, a picnic table and a bench. A winding stone stepped path leads through one side of the 1500 sq. m. garden to the terraces where sunloungers enable you to relax in the sun instead. The biggest terrace, to the side of Casa Calamazzo, has a large wooden picnic table where you can enjoy al fresco meals freshly grilled on the barbecue. The front terrace, equipped with small table and cane chairs, is the best place to appreciate the sweeping views of the coastline and in the evenings you can enjoy an aperitif here. The charm of this spot is further enhanced by the thoughtful addition of a traditional-style well.

A terrace leads to the garden

View through trees to the sea

Surrounding Area: Casa Calamazzo is situated right on the periphery of the renowned Zingaro Nature Reserve, a vast and strikingly beautiful National Park that has been perfectly conserved and which boasts seven delightful small coves. Ramblers, ornithologists and nature lovers of all descriptions cannot fail to fall in love with this remarkable landscape. Apart from the small museum, no buildings exist within the confines of the reserve. However, guests at Casa Calamazzo can enjoy the bars, restaurants, beaches and amenities of quaint Scopello, just a short drive or long walk away. Only slightly further down the road, the larger, livelier town of Castellammare del Golfo offers a wider choice of shops and restaurants as well as sandy beaches.

Scopello's two old towers

The temple of Segesta

Indoors: Simple furnishings in a rustic style contrast with coloured ceramics throughout. The antique floor tiles in the main living area have been carefully rescued from a much older house and date back one hundred years, while more contemporary ceramic works are on display too. The kitchen corner is ideal for preparing simple meals using fresh ingredients. The shower room is located off the main living/dining room and a staircase leads down from here to the cool bedrooms: a good size double bedroom with plenty of storage space and a narrow twin bedroom.

The main double bedroom

A corner of the living/dining room

Sightseeing: Zingaro Nature Reserve. Castellammare del Golfo. San Vito Lo Capo. Segesta. Palermo. Erice. Trapani. Egadi Islands. Marsala. Selinunte & the Cusa quarries. Agrigento & Eraclea Minoa

Dine outdoors on the picnic table

Built in natural Sicilian stone

Italian Islands Insight: The cottage’s idyllic and private position tucked into a hillside means that there are several sets of steps leading up to it from the main entrance, and the rest of the garden is on steep, rugged terrain. For this reason, Casa Calamazzo would be an unsuitable choice for those with mobility problems.

Relax on a hammock in the shade

The fully enclosed property is reached via an unmade road and is less than an hour’s easy drive from the airport on a panoramic road. A hire car is definitely recommended, especially since Scopello is a well-connected location for exploring many of Sicily’s sites of interest, including the Greek temples at Segesta and Selinunte and the old mountaintop town of Erice. The owner prefers to rent the cottage to no more than four people but in the rare cases where there is a fifth person, he/she can make use of the single bed up on the split-level floor above the living room. This is also useful when there are two people who do not want to share a room. Whilst being on the doorstep of everything that you could possibly need to have a successful holiday, Casa Calamazzo offers you the unique chance to stay in a secluded and tranquil setting surrounded by beautiful nature.