Villa Zagara
Country villa with garden,
pool and tennis court
Zagara lies in one of the most beautiful corners of Sicily, set on a country estate among luxuriant citrus groves between Mount Etna and the sea. Spacious and refined, with magnificent gardens, a conservatory, belvedere, pool and tennis court, it is the epitome of stylish Sicilian country living, and comes with staff, including an inspired chef. The owner is a passionate gardener, and has created a magnificent landscaped garden, featuring pines, oleanders, acacias, carob trees, agave and yucca palms, along with aromatic Mediterranean plants such as bay, lavander and myrtle. There is also a much-prized ‘palmeto’ an impressive garden devoted to the cultivation of palm varieties from all over the world, and an exotic desert garden with a collection of cacti. Crossing the garden you arrive at a comfortable conservatory furnished with ample and very comfortable sofas and a beautiful lava stone fireplace…
Reviews
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The main house has been recently restored. Great pains have been taken to retain architectural features typical of the area, while at the same time incorporating every modern comfort. The house is on two levels, with eight bedrooms – four on each floor. All are decorated with traditional furniture and vintage crafts, and each has either a private terrace or direct access to the garden. The upper floor also has a library – a perfect place to relax while sipping a tea or cocktail, or to browse through the many magazines and exquisite books provided by the owner. There is a belvedere on the upper floor with a stunning view of Etna – an ideal place for meditation, yoga or for a few moments of sheer tranquility. A dependance in pool area can be added, the dependance has 2 ensuite bedrooms, patio and a small living room.
A magnificent swimming pool, a sauna and a tennis court (floodlit so you can also play at night) add the final touch to a stay in this splendid and luxurious villa. Most of the land is devoted to the production of organic oranges, mandarins and clementines, while the woods on its fringes woods extend to the slopes of Monte San Basilio. Guests are able to buy seasonal produce direct from the garden.
Your villa at a glance
8 bedrooms, including a suite with two bathrooms and a private terrace;
All bedrooms have heating, air conditioning, ceiling fans
2 other ensuite bedrooms in a dependance in pool area
Library
Living Room
Dining Room
Belvedere
Tennis Court
Swimming pool
Sauna
We like
We loved the chef’s cooking — he is Tunisian, and fuses influences from North African with traditional Sicilian cuisine, using mostly organic local produce – traditional wood-oven-baked bread, fresh milk, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, orange- and lemon-flower honey, home-made jams and preserves. The magnificent gardens, created by the owner, and the fascinating grounds, with nature trails, archeological remains and even prehistoric caves. We love the conservatory. Lighting a fire there when evenings are cool only adds to the atmosphere, and you can easily while away hours reading, chatting or simply admiring the landscape through the huge windows. The sauna is great too, especially on cool autumn or spring evenings. Playing tennis a night — a rare luxury! The owners of Zagara seem to have thought about every possible need of the guests. Entertainment includes cards, board games, satellite TV, iPod dock, and a comprehensive collection of world cinema classics, as well as a well-stocked bar where you can fix yourself a drink.
We think
La Zagara is perfect for a large family or group of friends — especially if there is something to celebrate.
Nearby
- Catania airport 19.2 miles
- Scordia 3.4 miles
- Plaja beach beach 20 miles
- Siracusa 41 miles
- Caltagirone 24.9 miles
- Mount Etna 39 miles
Things to do
The villa is located on the plain of Catania in the triangle between the towns of Scordia, Lentini and Palagonia. The villa’s central location means that it is in easy reach of several places of interest:
- Lentini, where the enchanting Giardino Biviere dei Principi Borghese can be visited by booking ahead.
- Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe.
- Caltagirone, UNESCO listed town famous for its ceramics, historic churches and palaces.
- Siracusa – a city rich in historic sites – from ancient Greek to Baroque – with its enchanting historic centre on the island of Ortigia.
- The Baroque towns of the Val di Noto – Noto itself, Ragusa Ibla, Scicli and Modica.
- The lively, bustling city of Catania, which lies between Etna and the sea, rich in monuments, as well as being home to bustling markets and dynamic night and cultural scenes.
- For anyone who wants to get to the sea, the Playa di Catania with its many lidos, is just ¾ hour drive away.
