Borgo Alveria

Age-old olive trees surround this peaceful place, where it’s easy to relax and unwind. Noto, Syracuse, and Marzamemi are only a short drive away, so there’s culture and good food nearby too, if you want it. They’ve carefully restored the monastery of Noto Antica, pairing the ancient stone with tasteful modern interiors. It’s a very appealing mix.

Just arrived and found no restaurant or bar. We’ll see if anything improves. Edit: Borgo Alveria is charming and in a lovely spot, but that alone isn’t enough. It’s a bed and breakfast with a pool, not a spa agriturismo or boutique hotel.

A lovely, peaceful retreat and a good base for exploring southeastern Sicily. The restaurant is excellent, though the choices are limited. One warning: the roads are terrible, and Italian drivers are even worse.

This ancient estate is still very scenic, but places like the IUTA glamping nearby seem to have overtaken it. It used to feel like a place run with a lot of love; over the years, the people running it seem to have grown more and more fed up with it. Small details feel off, starting with an airwick device that filled the room with its odor, apparently meant to cover some bad air from the old walls. The cold lamps are another example.