Villa Nella - Holiday home by the sea at Ognina/Syracuse

A wonderful holiday home by the sea

Holiday home Villa Nella, which is named after its friendly owner, is located by the sea at Ognina, a small seaside resort with idyllic fishing harbor on the border of nature reserve Plemmirio and only ca. 10 km from UNESCO World Heritage listed Syracuse.

When vacationing at Ognina, you have got the chance to explore the fascinating, untouched underwater world it is known for and to discover the diversity of the Mediterranean Sea. Snorkeling equipment can be rented at the local diving center.

Villa Nella is only a few steps from the coastline, which is mainly rocky, but still offers access of the crystal-clear waters of the sea. A small sandy bay is about 400 m from the holiday home. If you love and prefer long, gently sloping sandy beaches, Fontane Bianche (ca. 5 km) and Avola (ca. 15 km) are the places to go.

Comfortable holiday home with garden

You can be sure to have your privacy when relaxing in the garden of Villa Nella, because it is screened off from the road which a little further on ends in a cul-de-sac.  

You enter the two-story holiday home into a spacious room which includes a living-dining area with fireplace and TV and a partially separated kitchen area (incl. 4-burner gas stove, oven, fridge-freezer). The room opens onto the terrace.

A double bedroom and a bathroom (shower/WC/bidet) are also found on the ground floor.

A narrow spiral staircase runs up to the 1st floor with another double bedroom, a twin bedroom as well as another bathroom (shower/WC/bidet).

Furnishing of Villa Nella also includes WIFI, washing machine and air conditioning (extra charge for use).

Sea view roof terrace and fenced premises

To enjoy time out in the open, you can make yourself comfortable in the garden, on the roofed ground-floor terrace or on the roof terrace. The roof terrace offers a gorgeous view of the sea and it is the perfect spot to admire the play of colors of sea and sky at sunrise.

On the outdoor grill behind the house, you can prepare delicious meals with fresh ingredients purchased at the market, for example fish and colorful vegetables. Enjoy the culinary delights Sicily has to offer!

Also at your disposal in the outdoor area: garden furniture, sun loungers, outdoor shower.

You can park your car on the fenced premises.

Your hosts: winegrowers family Raffa

Landlady Valentina's family lives on a gorgeous property outside of Noto, where they cultivate not only olives and citrus fruit, but also famous Nero d'Avola. Family Raffa's Nero d'Avola red wine is called "Donnaraffa", a quite fitting and appealing name. The wine as well as the olive oil of the same name can be bought on site from Valentina.

The nearer surroundings of Villa Nella and the summer months

Restaurants and pizzerias are about 700 m from Villa Nella, they are however open only during summer season (mid-June to mid-September). On certain days (mostly at the weekends) during this time, some of the nearby restaurants/bars are very lively places until the late evening hours. Before and after summer season, however, Villa Nella is a perfect accommodation and starting point for a discovery tour of Sicily.

Shopping facilities and more restaurants are found 5 km off at Cassibile. Big shopping can be done year-round at the supermarkets of Syracuse.

Tips for excursions in the southeast of Sicily

Sicily’s southeast is characterized by nature reserves Plemmirio and Vendicari as well as long sandy beaches between Avola and Portopalo di Capopassero.

Riserva Vendicari is a wonderful place for small hiking tours. In and at the reserve's laghetti, migratory birds stop to take a break on their long journeys in autumn and spring. Sandy beach bay Cala Mosche at Vendicari is a bathing spot popular with locals.

When vacationing at Villa Nella, you are not far from Syracuse and its fascinating, Baroque Old Town of Ortigia. Ortigia is located on a small island and lined by seaside promenade Foro Vittorio Emanuel II. Stop at one of the small cafés which look out onto the deep blue sea and enjoy the atmosphere.

Other fantastic Baroque towns such as Noto, Ragusa Ibla and Modica are sure to make a stay in the area interesting and attractive also outside high/summer season. Their Baroque buildings are amazing, breathtaking and considered a must-see by many travelers to Sicily.

More information about Ognina, Syracuse and Fontane Bianche