L'Opuntia sul lago

We spent a truly wonderful three weeks at L’Opuntia sul Lago in Sicily. Francesco was a very helpful host, responding promptly to our small number of queries. He came to maintain the swimming pool several times a week, and did an outstanding job, spending time ensuring that the pool was spotlessly clean and in excellent working order. The villa was precisely as described in the listing. The photographs in the listing did not illustrate fully just what a truly special place it is. The views from our bedroom balcony, from the living room window, and from the swimming pool terrace were truly spectacular, with astonishing sunrises over the mountains to the east, and with superb views across the valley to the lake. We had days lounging in the villa and in the pool, only going out for breakfast or evening gelati in Trabia or Caccamo or San Nicola l’Arena. We listened to birdsong and the tinkle of the bells around the necks of the goats nearby, and precious little else. We feasted on lemons and mulberries from trees in the garden. We had days travelling around northern, central, and western Sicily, visiting Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù, Erice, and many other places, as well as the astonishing historical sites at the Valle dei Templi at Agrigento and at Segesta near Calatafimi. We had superb gelati wherever we went. We were treated with great friendliness and kindness everywhere. If you want a little piece of paradise on earth, look no further than L'Opuntia sul Lago. Many thanks.