Will I meet my host?

Yes! We are on-site hosts who live on the property. Unlike most Airbnb rentals these days that lack a personal touch, we operate the way Airbnb used to be when it first started. We share our home with travelers. Our house is plenty big with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Our room is the furthest one at the end of the hall and although our bedroom doors are not far from one another, the villa is constructed of thick cement blocks (not thin drywall), so rest assured, you will have privacy. We typically chat a bit while I serve breakfast and after that, we go about our farm chores while you go about vacationing.

Do you speak English?

Yes! We were born and raised in the United States and retired in Sicily in 2020, so English is our primary language. Although we’ve been studying Italian for some time, we are not yet fluent, unfortunately. And in these parts, many people speak Sicilian, which is very different from standard Italian and difficult to learn. But we have a lot of contacts and we know our way around, so we can help you with whatever you may need.

Will our cell phones work there?

You may need a European sim card for your U.S. phone to work here, despite what your American cell phone provider tells you! Our WiFi signal is stronger than our cell phone signal, so we recommend using WhatsApp to make phone calls and video calls and for sending texts, photos and videos to your friends and family. If you don’t have this app, download it before you travel. It works worldwide and is free. Our cell phone signal is a bit weaker, but you can still get a signal in some areas, depending on your mobile phone provider and the quality of your antenna. We also have a land line for emergencies.

Is free Wi-fi available?

Yes! We have a very strong Wi-fi signal (17.5 mbps download and 3.04 upload speed per device). There’s plenty of bandwidth so there’s no problem streaming your favorite shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. We’ve had digital nomads here who experienced no difficulties with Zoom, Skype, their private VPN, etc. The restaurant next door also offers free wi-fi.

Will I have my own bathroom?

Absolutely! The in-house guestroom is huge and includes your own private en-suite bathroom, complete with a large shower, toilet and bidet. The studio apartment also has it’s own private bathroom with a shower and toilet (no bidet), but it’s not quite as big as the one in the guest room.

Do I need to rent a car or scooter?

We’re close to many things, including the beach, the Alcantara Gorge, Mt. Etna, Taormina, Giardini Naxos, and several other small villages, but none are within a comfortable walking distance. The bus station and train station is only a few km away, but since there are no sidewalks, and given the curvy, narrow roads and fast drivers here, walking to the bus station would be risky and taxis are very expensive. Vehicles can be rented more locally (in Giardini Naxos), but it’s cheaper and more convenient to reserve one at the airport in advance of your trip. However, if your flight arrives late, you may find the rental car agency closed, so be sure to check their hours ahead of time. Be wary of “free upgrades” as this means a bigger vehicle, which is not a good thing in Sicily where the roads are very narrow and parking is difficult. In these parts, the smaller the car, the better. At this time, we have one bicycle you can use.

Is there free parking?

Yes. Cars can park under the old railway bridge next to our farm. It’s about 20 meters from the entrance to our property. Scooters can park inside the gate on our property.

How close is the beach?

The beautiful beaches of Giardini Naxos are just a 10-minute drive from the farm and you can take our beach gear (umbrella, ice chest with ice paks, two folding chairs, and two beach towels).

When is the best time to visit Sicily?

People often ask when is the best time to visit Sicily. The answer is anytime EXCEPT August! This month is extremely hot and humid, the fire danger is very high, mosquitos are relentless, traffic is out of control and there is no parking available anywhere. And because there are so many tourists (mostly from northern Italy who all must take vacation in the month of August), Sicily’s already delicate infrastructure is overburdened, so you are likely to experience problems with electricity, water, trash, etc., wherever you are on the island.

Consider spring or fall, or even winter. In December, it is often 21 degrees C (70 degrees F) and sunny. The nights are chilly, so there are no bugs, and it’s not crowded. There are still many fun festivals and things to see and do (read more about Nearby Attractions) and wintertime is orange and lemon harvest time!

Are there any grocery stores or restaurants nearby?

Yes! There is a lovely restaurant next door that offers everything from inexpensive pizzas to fancy meals and has a full bar. You can safely walk to it without stepping foot onto the highway. They serve lunch and dinner, but usually close for a short time in between. They also have a swimming pool that you can use in the summertime, if you buy lunch. Grocery stores are 2 km away in Trappitello and also in Gaggi and street vendors sell locally-grown produce along the roadside. And since this is a farm, you will have access to whatever organic fruits or vegetables are available in our garden, as well as fresh eggs from our chickens.

Can I use your kitchen to cook my own meals?

Yes! If you stay in the large guestroom within our home, you are welcome to use our refrigerator to store your groceries and our kitchen to prepare your own lunches or dinners (we provide free homemade breakfasts). And since we go to bed early, you will most likely have the kitchen all to yourselves.

If you stay in the studio apartment downstairs, you will have your very own fully-equipped kitchen and can easily cook your own meals. It’s even stocked with the basics like coffee, tea, sugar, oil & vinegar, spices, paper towels, etc. Plus, you can help yourself to produce and eggs from our farm.

What if I have special dietary needs?

For those staying in the Margherita Room, for which breakfast is included, we can accommodate vegetarians and gluten-free restrictions with advanced notice. If you plan to cook for yourselves or eat out, restaurants and grocery stores in this area can usually accommodate these diets, but the selection will probably be more limited than what you’re used to. Additional meals may be available with advanced notice, for an additional fee.

What are the check-in and check-out times?

We can be flexible, however, we tend to go to bed early so we prefer that you check-in before 8:00 pm. You can check in after 12:00 noon, or earlier if your room is ready.

Can I leave my luggage there?

Yes, if you arrive before your room is ready (before check-in time), you are welcome to drop off your luggage. On your last day, if you want to leave your luggage here while you squeeze in a little more sightseeing, feel free.

Can I bring my own pet or service animal?

As much as we love animals, the answer is a firm no. This is because our animals have all grown up with one another and get along well. But the introduction of an animal they don’t know would cause problems.

Are your animals friendly?

Yes. Our dogs are well behaved (they don’t bark, jump on people, or chew things). One dog is timid and will likely hide in our bedroom most of the time, while the other is more sociable. . The cats are also friendly, but they are strictly outdoor cats because we know many people are allergic. The donkeys and goats are friendly and will eat from your hands, but please don’t feed them without our permission and/or help. Even the chickens don’t mind being held.

Is this is working farm?

No. It’s a small hobby farm with two miniature donkeys, two goats, two dogs, two cats and five hens (no roosters). They are all beloved pets and we would never eat them! We don’t breed them for milk or meat. The only food we produce is eggs from the chickens (no rooster is needed for eggs - that’s a myth!), and a variety of fruits, berries, nuts, and vegetables.

Are kids allowed?

Because we are a farm with gravel, uneven surfaces, lots of stairs, and steep terrain in some areas, as well as an aqueduct with rapidly flowing water, we do not allow children under the age of 15. It’s also not recommended for people who have difficulty walking, for safety reasons.

Can we hang out on the farm?

Absolutely! The farm is a couple of acres in size and has plenty of outdoor spaces where you can either mingle with others or be secluded. There is no need to stay in your room (or studio apartment) if you don’t feel like driving or sightseeing and just want to relax. These include a roof-top terrace, a ground-level terrace, hiking trails, bocce ball court, and gardens. You can sit and read, sunbathe, wander the premises, play games, enjoy the view with a glass of wine, learn to make home-made pasta or chat with us on the porch instead.

Can we do laundry there?

We understand that people who have been traveling for a while before they reach our farm, or those who are staying with us for more than a couple of days, may need to refresh their clothing. In those situations, we are happy to let you use our washing machine, but there are no clothes dryers in Sicily so you must dry them on the line to dry in the sunshine.

Is there a curfew?

No! You will have keys to the property and can come and go as you please.

Can I use my American credit cards or US dollars there?

Dollars, no. Credit cards, maybe. But remember, this is small-town Sicily where cash is king. In fact, you can get discounts for paying in cash. A lot of small businesses simply are not equipped with credit card machines, or they claim it’s not working. Also, it’s not unusual for an ATM machine here to reject an American debit card. Trust me, this has happened to a lot of people who visit from the U.S., despite the fact that they had no problem using the same card in other countries. I cannot explain it, I just know that it happens. A lot. So to avoid problems and have the best vacation you can have, order plenty of euros from your bank ahead of time, if you live in the United States.

Is it safe there?

Yes. We’ve lived here three years and have never had a problem of any kind. Despite how the movies depict Sicily, it’s actually safer here than in a lot of places, including the U.S., in our opinion. There is very little violent crime, drug addicts or desperate people who must do desperate things in order to survive. Because we live in the countryside surrounded by small villages, you will not find the crime that big cities might experience, like Catania or Palermo.

As far as our home goes, we have locked gates to enter the property (you will have a key) and outdoor only surveillance cameras. Your bedroom also has a lock on the door, but people typically don’t feel the need to use it.