Priscilla, villa on the sea with pool near Syracuse, Sicily

Inside: one may access Priscilla from a variety of points but we will start at the fully-furnished, covered terrace that leads through wall-length sliding glass doors into a large luminous living area. From here, one corridor leads to the main sleeping quarters and another to the dining area and kitchen. A cosy study completes the living areas. There are four bedrooms on the ground floor: 1 suite and 2 double rooms (all with en-suite bathrooms) and a quadruple children's room with bathroom opposite. The suite and one of the double rooms have access to a sea-facing panoramic terrace that runs along the front of the house, while the other two bedrooms have views over the garden. Heading back to the living room, a few steps lead past a guest bathroom to the bright dining room and well-equipped kitchen, both of which have direct acces to another large, partially covered terrace with dining table and lounge area.

Next to the guest bathroom, an internal flight of stairs leads down to the lower ground floor, home to a well-equipped gym room and sauna. Outside, in the courtyard is a refreshing shower, the perfect way to cool off after a work-out!

Outside, near the kitchen terrace a second flight of stairs leads down to another part of the lower ground floor, where there is a second suite with bedroom, an en-suite bathroom and a small sitting area.

Outside: possibly the most impressive features of Villa Priscilla are its large grounds, its pool and its private beach. The gardens spread out across 6 acres (around 25,000m2) of prime coastline and offer fabulous views of the Gulf of Catania and even Mount Etna. From the shady, fully-furnished terrace at the front of the house (accessed from the living area and two bedrooms), one surveys a scene of pristine lawns, palms, shady sitting areas and the sea. To one side of the villa a few steps lead down to a second large al fresco dining area (the first being outside the kitchen), complete with outdoor kitchen and barbecue. From here, down a few more steps, is the stunningly positioned pool, surrounded by palm trees, lawns and terracotta terracing and with views out to sea!

But Priscilla wouldn’t be Priscilla without its private sea access! A gentle path leads down through the gardens to a lava stone pebble beach (complete with changing room and outdoor shower) and private jetty reaching into the sea, at the end of which is the perfect spot for sunbathing!