s a rustic retreat for two with panoramic sea views for you? If so Casetta L’Olivo awaits. Privately positioned, it is one of two adjoining country cottages nestled high on a hillside on a sloping enclosed site set in pleasant gardens with a predominance of olive trees. This enchanting quiet spot offers both relaxation and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Castellammare and benefits from being just a short drive from several lovely beaches and the medieval village of Scopello.

The old olive tree

Scopello's faraglioni

Outdoors: From the spacious car parking area below the property with its gated-entrance, you ascend a series of paved steps, breathing in the pure mountain air, passing plants and olive trees to reach the casetta’s terrace and entrance. The terrace off the kitchen has an undercover shady part, which includes the barbecue and an outdoor shower. There are also deck chairs and a picnic table with chairs. Relaxing and dining outdoors is an exceptional experience given the high-up natural setting and the impressive views.

The covered terrace

Surrounded by greenery

Indoors: Sicilian simplicity in function and style of furnishings is the given. The tucked out-of-the way kitchen corner with fridge and hob is ideal for preparing simple meals, especially using fresh ingredients purchased at the nearby farm shop, down on the Scopello-Guidaloca road. Adjacent to the kitchen corner is a small dining area, off which are the shower room and double bedroom.

The characteristic kitchen corner

Living area leads to the bedroom

Surrounding area: Casetta Olivo is situated about 4km (2.5 miles) from the picture-postcard village of Scopello, which everyone immediately falls in love with. The village centrepiece is Scopello’s historical ‘baglio’ (an old fortified group of buildings) entered through an archway from the main cobbled square, which has bars, restaurants, a pharmacy, and post office. In the courtyard through the archway there is a bank and several restaurants, one of which is a pizzeria. Years ago, the abundance of tuna brought industry and enlarged Scopello, but the only reminder of this era is the old tonnara, no longer working, in a nearby cove. The whole area is blessed with bathing beaches, coves and crystal clear water, ideal for swimming or snorkelling, especially in the Zingaro Nature Reserve, which stretches 7km northwards from Scopello along the rugged coast shaped by mountains that dip into the Mediterranean. The reserve is also a must for ramblers and nature lovers. South, towards Castellammare, is the Guidaloca beach resort with sporting activities and restaurants. The large port and resort town of Castellammare del Golfo, 9km from Scopello, offers every sort of amenity, leisure and cultural opportunity.

Pretty Scopello countryside

Water trough in the village centre

Sightseeing: Zingaro; Castellammare; San Vito Lo Capo; Erice; Trapani; Egadi Islands; Segesta; Marsala; Marinella di Selinunte; Palermo; Mondello.

Italian Islands Insight: Casetta L’Olivo’s scenic natural setting, offering relative seclusion, makes it attractive for holidaying, especially as it is not far from many places of interest such as significant archaeological sites like Segesta and Selinunte, historical towns, villages, and beautiful beaches. A hire car is essential. It only takes about an hour’s drive from Palermo airport. Likewise, an hour’s drive, or in some cases less, can take you to Erice, the mountain top town often in the clouds, Trapani, for ferries to explore the Egadi islands, and the beach resort on the most north-western tip, San Vito Lo Capo

The traditional roof tiles

Guidaloca beach nearby

The hospitable owners of Casetta L’Olivo live nearby and you have the possibility of dining in their lovely mountain home, enjoying a typical Sicilian meal, for a small extra charge. The sweet one-bedroom holiday property is ideal for a two-some, but for bigger groups up to four adults and two children, you could also book the adjoining and slightly larger Casetta del Pozzo.