Mandranova, Near Agrigento, Sicily - Explore & Book

"This old farmhouse on Sicily's south coast has been done up with immense love and attention to detail: 14 simple but stylish rooms and suites, a cottage for self-catering, a gravelled garden with flaming eritrina trees and bold Starck furniture, and a deep freshwater pool at the top of shimmering olive groves. It's also a working farm, whose prize-winning oil is exported worldwide, and whose fresh veg appears on the dinner table via Silvia's expertly-run kitchen. Giuseppe will proudly show you round on his tractor, dogs in tow, following a line of 600 palm trees where once a railway ran. It lies near the main road amid unspectacular agricultural countryside, but don't let that put you off. There's a string of empty beaches a 20-minute drive away, plus 2 towns of fading grandeur (Palma di Montechiaro and Licata) and the uniquely preserved Roman mosaics at Piazza Armerina. Above all, the famous Greek temples of Agrigento lie just half an hour along the coast. That's what most guests come for; but it's the memories of Silvia and Giuseppe's hospitality that will linger longest in the mind. Highs The classiest place to stay within striking distance of Agrigento A warm family welcome from Silvia, Giuseppe and their sons Superb home cooking served at communal tables - very sociable Lovely tree-filled garden with shady corners for afternoon tea or reading, plus a pretty spring-fed pool overlooking endless olive groves One of the few places in Sicily to offer the use of a speedboat Lows Some road noise from the SS115 (100m away), noticeable from the garden The immediate surroundings aren't the most spectacular: poly-tunnelled fields and largely modern towns This is a family-run azienda agricola, so don't expect teams of staff waiting on you hand on foot Mixed feedback on the cookery lessons: lots of food preparation, not much food instruction!" - Michael Cullen