The Property
Inside: the house is divided into two buildings joined by a common roof which provides a large, shady outdoor living area. The living room, dining room, and kitchen flow beautifully into each other, and into the main outdoor living and dining area, while the four double bedrooms with their excellent en-suite bathrooms are ensured privacy. The kitchen equipment, bathrooms, and general furnishings are all of a very high standard.
Outside: La Tartaruga is set in a couple of hectares of private grounds, and the area directly around the house has been landscaped and planted with Mediterranean shrubs, palms, olive trees and lush lawns. Walking around the grounds you will be thrilled to discover old stone quarries dug directly down into the ground. There are sea views from the house and all around the grounds.
The Area
Favignana is just a 20 minute hop on the hydrofoil (regular services year round) or 45 minutes on the car ferry from Trapani. Trapani is less than one hour’s drive from Palermo airport.
It is the largest of the Egadi Islands, and once boasted one of the most important tuna processing plants in Sicily. Today, the Mattanza (the tuna “harvest”) is still carried out in the traditional way and presents a unique spectacle each May.
The town of Favignana is pleasant to wander around and has some good restaurants and bars, but the main attraction of the island must be its perfect turquoise sea of which the Cala Rossa (allegedly named after the colour of the sea following a battle in the second Punic war) gives the most spectacular example.
Favignana is also an excellent base from which to explore Levanzo and Marettimo using the regular hydrofoil services or renting a fishing boat. Day trips to Trapani and nearby sites such as Erice, Mozia and Marsala are easily achieved.
Distances
Trapani airport to Trapani port: 20mins
Palermo airport to Trapani port: 89km-55miles-50mins
Catania airport to Trapani port: 315km-195miles-3hr35
Hydrofoil from Trapani to Favignana: 15-20mins
Hydrofoils to Levanzo and Marettimo 5-20mins
Cala Rossa (swimming): 10-15 mins walk
Shops and restaurants: 5mins drive