Villa Tasca & Casa Albi

Inside: accommodation is spread between the wonderful historic villa and a contemporary 4-bedroom guestshouse, Casa Albi, in the grounds. In the original villa, a grand double staircase sweeps up from the gardens to the main (noble) floor decorated and furnished with stunning neo-classical frescoes, majolica floor tiles created by the great Neapolitan master Attanasio in 1777, 17th century Palermitan furniture, Persian carpets and ornate Venetian glassware. Apart from the main drawing room with its beautiful terrace overlooking the gardens, the piano nobile is also home to the dining room, the music room (complete with grand piano and manuscripts signed by Wagner, Verdi and Artur Rubenstein), the TV room, a small service kitchen and two beautiful suites, one with a large double bed and one with two "Queen-size" beds. Both have views over the gardens and large elegant dressing rooms. On the ground floor below, with access to a shady covered terrace looking out towards the gardens, is a billiard room, the library, a bar, the main kitchen and another two spacious suites, both with two "Queen-size" beds each.

Accommodation in Casa Albi represents a different style of luxury from the main villa, with contemporary styling and quality modern fittings and furnishings. On the ground floor is a large living room with French windows opening onto a funished covered terrace and the gardens beyond, an open-plan kitchen and dining area, two bedrooms sharing a bathroom and a guest bathroom. Upstairs are two further bedrooms, a bathroom and a dressing room.

Outside: arrival at Villa Tasca is via a long, elegant avenue of palm trees. One quickly has the sensation of entering an oasis and leaving the surrounding bustle of the city far behind. The large first floor terrace looking over the grounds is the perfect spot for dinner in the summer months, while the covered terrace below is ideal for breakfast. The beautiful, mature gardens offer a series of teasing perspectives, intended to inspire philosophical contemplation and artistic endeavour. The huge variety of Mediterranean and tropical flora will delight amateur and professional horticulturalists alike, while the grotto, pavillion, swan lake (home to Tristan and Isolde!), and huge, irregularly shaped swimming pool add a sense of fun and divertimento.

Guests staying in Casa Albi have their own garden and fully furnished terrace not to mention full run of the main villa's gardens.

Service at Villa Tasca:the excellent, discreet staff, including a hostess/concierge, maids (who live in the staff's quarters), a waiter and a cook, are well-versed in looking after important house guests and will be on hand to make sure you never have to lift a finger. A driver is also available on request (the perfect way of getting in and out of the fascinating, historic centre of Palermo).