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tel UK: 0044 (0)20 7097 1413
tel DE: 0049 (0)69 2547 2626
tel IT: 0039 091 687 0639

Villa in Sicily, The Poets' Corner: "set in Sicily's heartland, within walking distance of Lake Pergusa, from the outside the house looks every inch the 19th-century aristocratic retreat it once was, but inside it's another world. Strong, sober, contemporary design reigns, but the abiding influence is literature" The Guardian - Sat. 21 February 2009


The Poets' Corner
Enna
Location: Enna
Sleeps: 11
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3
Features:

Collection of books
Beautiful pool
Racetrack within reach
Century-old cypresses

Surroundings:

Pergusa Lake
Piazza Armerina
Madonie Mountains
Caltagirone

Ideal for:

Cultural breaks and Families

Service:

Daily cleaning
Cooking class
Cook service (on request)

Overview

In the 19th century The Poet's Corner was the summer residence of the Grimaldi aristocratic family. The villa is at a stone's throw from Pergusa Lake, immersed in a really relaxating scenario, among golden yellow hills and little tree groves, in a very exclusive residential area. Its architecture is every inch the typical Sicilian aristocratic summer house, with high ceilings and spacious rooms. Outside, a wonderful private garden with centuries-old cypresses encircles the stunning swimming pool as a royal crown. We warmly recommend this property to literature lovers who fancy a holiday in a quiet place on the airy, glistening rolling hills of central Sicily. Its closenesss to several places of cultural and naturalistic interest - from the Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina to the historical centres of Enna and Caltanissetta, from the Valley of the Temples to the ruins in Morgantina, from the seaside resorts near Gela to the Etna Volcano, Taormina and the Alcantara Gorges - adds further merit to this really prestigious villa.

Property details

Reading addicted stop looking for your dream holiday villa in Sicily, as you have just found the perfect one! This magnificent stone building was renamed "The House to Read" by their owners as everywhere you look you would find plenty of reading even on the most uncommon spots! The villa interiors were totally renewed in modern style, though the original looking and charm of the exteriors have been left untouched. The house decoration is sober, elegant, inspired by a definitely contemporary design, with markedly contrasting colours. The furniture has been arranged so to leave books a leading role: for example, in one of the bedrooms, you can "leaf through" your bed and choose the lines to fall asleep with every night; in another one, the ceiling is covered with books of different artists, and there is also a comfortable and bright reading room where you can choose a book from a huge selection. Poet’s Corner welcomes you into a bright sitting area adjacent to an ample reading room and a modern fully equipped kitchen, all with direct access to the outside area through three large French windows. The sleeping quartet is set upstairs; on the first floor, is accommodation for seven in 3 double bedrooms and 1 single bedroom supplied by two ample bathrooms. On the second floor, is accommodation for four into 1 quadruple bedroom supplied by a bathroom.

Area details

This eccentric villa is located in an absolutely strategic position to reach a few Sicilian great treasures in the heart of what in Roman times was known as Umbilicus Siciliae, as well as the granary of Roman Empire: Enna and Caltanissetta provinces. The villa is at a short distance from both of them, whose historical centres we suggest you to visit. A few minutes drive away you can also find the renowned Villa del Casale, a Roman villa dating back to the Imperial times boasting 3,500 square metres of precious mosaics. At about 1hr30min drive you'll find the imposing Valley of the Temples, a worldwide known archaeological site you cannot miss. Another interesting archaeological site is Morgantina, near Aidone, where the urban plan has survived among the ruins and it's still visible. With a longer drive you can reach the Etna Volcano and the Alcantara Gorges, where you can have amazing naturalistic excursions, or - if you like the seaside and its fun - you can reach the lidoes in Gela and enjoy a sun&sea day. Finally, if you feel like venturing in a few fast laps on a real car track, Pergusa is right under your nose, why don't you try?

Additional Information

A stay at The Poet's Corner will save you little and big emotions: the peace and serenity of a splendid countryside, relaxing readings of poetry and literature next to the swimming pool, or adventurous walks, bike excursions or ridings in the area around Pergusa Lake where - according to the myth - Hades, king of the Underworld, abducted Persephone, daughter of Demetra - the goddess of wheat.

The swimming pool is open to guests from June 1st to October 5th.

Releated Press Articles
Cult
  • Ville da sogno per vacanze indimenticabili - June 2009

    Ville da sogno per vacanze indimenticabili - June 2009




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    CULT: 37 dimore di lusso scelte da soloSicily per un turismo che coniuga relax ed esclusività.

    Ville esclusive, per lo più di proprietà dell'antica nobiltà siciliana, meta dell'alta borghesia inglese e americana, ma anche di grandi manager e star dello jet set, da affittare per soggiorni fuori dai classici circuiti turistici. Sono le ville proposte da soloSicily, la giovanissima azienda dei fratelli palermitani Gioacchino e Roberto Sortino. <<soloSicily nasce nel 2006, dopo la mia esperienza a Londra, - racconta Gioacchino Sortino, trentunenne amministratore unico dell'azienda - dove ho avuto modo di osservare il continuo aumento dei flussi turistici della medio alta borghesia inglese verso la Toscana e le sue ville. La Sicilia non ha nulla da invidiare, in quanto a location, alla Toscana, cosi sono tornato, ho individuato delle ville dagli alti standard qualitativi e ho contattato i loro proprietari per proporne l'affitto. Si è rilevata una formula di successo, che ci farebbe piacere proporre ancje al pubblico siciliano>>. Mentre Gioacchino cura la parte commerciale dell'azienda, Roberto, esperto delle tecniche online, ne cura l'aspetto tecnico: prenotazioni e invio materiali avviene tutto per e-mail. <<E' una scelta voluta, - spiega Goacchino - per evitare l'eccessiva produzione di materiale cartaceo e, quindi, sostenere l'ambiente>>. Insieme, i fratelli Sortino hanno selezionato le ville e le case di campagna più eleganti e i più lussuosi boutique hotels, gioielli immersi in affascinanti scorci di una Sicilia quasi sconosciuta, per offrire ai loro clienti una vacanza indimenticabile, circondati da paesaggi naturali surreali e patrimoni archeologici e architettonici.

    Oggi sono trentasette le ville in Sicilia e nelle isole proposte da soloSicily, spaziando dalle ville al mare o con piscina, a quelle in montagna o per gli amanti del design super moderno che sfida la tradizione che lo circonda, sino ad arrivare alle ville Food and Wine, con un cuoco a propria disposizione, anche per corso di cucina tipica siciliana. Per chi è alla ricerca di una vacanza romantica, magari per festeggiare una ricorrenza o un anniversario, Pantesco Garden, a Pantelleria in località Karuscia, può essere la soluzione ideale: due camere da letto e due bagni in un dammuso di charm, co piscina e giardino in stile arabo privati. Se non si vuole rinunciare ad una cena romantica in una terrazza sul mare, con accesso privato alla spiaggia, dallo stile semplice e di buon gusto che consente sino ad otto posti letto. <<Soggiornare in dammuso, in questo periodo, ha un costo di 2000 euro, mentre una settimana a villa Hibiscus è pari ad euro 2450. - prosegue Gioacchino - Però, prenotando con anticipo sul nostro sito, solosicily.com, si ha la possibilità di risparmiare sno ad euro 300 per settimana: una promozione che scadeva il 31maggio e che abbiamo deciso di prolungare. Inoltre, prenotando ora le vacanze per il 2010, i prezzi applicati rimarranno quelli previsti per il 2009>>. Inoltre, quest'anno, una parte dei ricavi sarà devoluta per la ricostruzione dell'Abruzzo. <<Quanto raccolto sarà donato con una manifestazione che si terrà il 24 dicembre prossimo: il regalo di Natale di soloSicily per le popolazioni dell'Abruzzo>>, commenta Gioacchino, orgoglioso dell'iniziativa, che ha coinvolto anche i proprietari delle ville, che devolveranno una percentuale del proprio guadagno.

    Per chi non vuole rinunciare ai servizi offerti da un hotel a cinque stelle, ma vuole concedersi anche una vacanza lontana dal caos, soloSicily propone anche i boutique hotels, strutture di lusso con poche camere per una clientela selezionata. Come il Quartara, prestigioso ed esclusivo boutique hotel di Panarea, a pochi metri dal porto ma lontano dai circuiti mondani dell'isola per un soggiorno fatto di quiete e relax. Solo tredici camere, di cui quattro vista mare dotate di balcone, tutte arredate con un stile differente: coloniale, minimalista o cinese. Un soggiorno di minimo tre notti, pernottamento e prima colazione, ha un costo, per notte per camera, di euro 170. soloSicily offre anche la possibilità di potere realizzare una vacanza personalizzata, in alternativa ai classici soggiorni settimanali. Nella sezione short breaks and flexible stay del sito www.solosicily.com, infatti, è possibile prenotare weekend, soggiorni infrasettimanali o quindicinali, scegliendo, ad esempio, tra villa Barresa, a Lentini, dallo charm unico per una vacanza caratterizzata dall'atmosfera e fascino di una casa di una famiglia della vecchia aristocrazia siciliana, ma senza rinunciare ai comfort più moderni, o il Poet's Corner, la casa per le vacanze estive della famiglia Grimaldi ad Enna.

The Guardian
  • The Poet's Corner, Enna, Sicily - 21 February 2009

    The Poet's Corner, Enna, Sicily - 21 February 2009




    View Article

    THE GUARDIAN: Set in Sicily's heartland, within walking distance of Lake Pergusa, from the outside the house looks every inch the 19th-century aristocratic retreat it once was, but inside it's another world. Strong, sober, contemporary design reigns, but the abiding influence is literature. One bedroom features acres of verse to browse through; there's even a blackboard wall for when inspiration strikes. A stunning pool in stirring surroundings makes for a fitting final chapter.

    • Solo Sicily (020-7193 0158, solosicily.com) has seven nights' rental only from €4,550 in May (the house sleeps 17). Book before 31 March for a €200 discount. Nearest airport: Catania.

    Article on the Guardian website

Junior
  • Peace in Sicily: The Poets' Corner - December 2010

    Peace in Sicily: The Poets' Corner - December 2010




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    JUNIOR: To truly experience peace on Earth this Christmas, head to Enna in central Sicily and stay at the tranquil Poet's Corner – the seven-bedroom, four-bathroom former holiday home of the aristocratic Grimaldi family. It sleeps 12 and was designed as a literary escape, so the white-washed walls feature the odd blackboard for moments of self-expression, while you can also enjoy wintery walks around Pergusa Lake or visit the snow-capped Madonie Mountains. If the countryside adventures sound like too much effort, relax in the Reading Room (left). One week in December from £3,950. including breakfast and maid service. Tel: 020 71930158; www.solosicily.com

the terrace double room has a wonderful view
the pool!
the reading saloon overlooks the valley and the pool
a suggestive sitting area convertible in double bedroom
the dining room
a unique double bedroom
Lake of Pergusa
Piazza Armerina
Amenities

Accommodates (max) 11
Bedrooms 5
Quadruple 1
Double 3
Single 1
Bathrooms 3
Swimming pool (LxW in meters) (15x5)
Care-taker in grounds
Cook service on request
Daily cleaning
Central heating
Dishwasher & Washing machine
DVD/TV
Distances

Catania Airport: 88km – 55miles – 1hr
Palermo Airport: 170km – 106miles – 2hr10
Trapani (Birgi) Airport: 257km – 160miles – 2hr50
Shops and restaurants at Pergusa: 10mins walking
Pergusa Lake and Racetrack: 5mins driving
Piazza Armerina: 15mins driving
Madonie Mountains (Le Petralie): 82km – 51miles – 1hr15
Syracuse: 140km – 87miles – 1hr45
Valley of the Temples: 96km – 60miles – 1hr25
Piazza Armerina cathedral Etna volcano Valley of the Temples (Agrigento)
Period & Prices
2013 Prices
2014 Prices

2013 Prices

The Poets' Corner - Prices are in € per week - Totally flexible stay

Period Prices
Jan 5 - Mar 29 € 4.050
Mar 30 - Apr 5 € 5.400
Apr 6 - Jun 14 € 4.725
Jun 15 - Aug 30 € 5.765
Aug 31 - Sep 27 € 4.725
Sep 28 - Dec 20 € 4.050
Dec 21 - Jan 3 € 5.400
 
Refundable Security Deposit € 1.000

Prices include: taxes, water, gas, electricity, daily cleaning, bath towels, linen, pool or beach towels, welcome pack and our 24/7 local support during your stay at our property.

2014 Prices

We are currently taking bookings for 2014. If you book now for 2014, you can take advantage of our Price Freeze promotion, which means you can book your 2014 Sicily holiday villa at 2013 price. Please contact us for availability.
Booking

To book this property
Add this property to the shortlist function and send it to us.
Or call us in UK on 0044 (0)20 7097 1413; in Sicily on 0039 091 687 0639;
in Germany on 0049 (0)69 2547 2626

Our business hours
UK time:
8.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday - 8.00am to 12.00pm Saturday

IT & DE time:
9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday - 9.00am to 1.00pm Saturday

Booking procedures
You will receive our “soloBooking form”, fill it in and fax it back to us.
To read about booking in details please click here

Property prices
All property prices are in Euros. for our current Euro exchange rate click here

How to pay
Pay by bank transfer or debit/credit card.

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