Villa Mulberry 10 Emma Villas

I came back to Villa Mulberry (VM) this spring after first finding this peaceful spot last winter as a snowbird. It feels almost like summer now, with temperatures around 20C/70F. From Palermo airport the drive takes an hour and a half, and from the Messina ferry it's three and a half hours. Take the last kilometre/mile slowly through nature; the scenery is worth taking in. Salvatore, the owner and manager, works hard to make the stay easy and pleasant. This is his first year running the place, and everything in the rebuilt villa is brand new. The front garden is new too, and still waiting for its plants to grow in like those in the original back garden. The beach is a five-minute walk away. The layout suits families with children over 12 for health and safety reasons. There's no lift access for disabled people, and you get to the villa from the private car park by stairs only. The kitchen is fully equipped, and nearby Sciacca has good pizza at Conte Luna and a very good restaurant at Al Faro. If you like Italian food, wine, and olive oil, local producers offer great quality and value. De Gregorio winery and restaurant is 2 km/1 mile away, Planeta Sette Soli winery at Menfi is 30 minutes away, and Pellegrino winery at Marsala is an hour away. For sightseeing in southwest Sicily, head north along the coast to Mazara, Marsala, and Trapani/Erice, or south to Agrigento's Valley of the Greek Temples. The weather is warm, sunny, and dry for most of the year, though July and August are very hot, over 40C/100F, and busy. VM is a peaceful oasis surrounded by nature, with good food and wine and plenty to see nearby. I think it's worth a try.