Exterior of the palazzo in which this vacation rental is located.
Location: Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, Europe (Historic District. Restaurants. Greek Theater. Piazza Duomo.)
Accommodations: Condo, 1 Bedroom + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-3)
Keywords: Condominium Apartment
This "Jewel" apartment has been completely renovated and refurbished to a very high standard. It is located in a completely renovated beautiful, historical building on an award winning street in the heart of the charming, walkable, and quiet Giudecca neighborhood of Ortigia, the historic center of Siracusa. The ground floor of the palazzo dates from the 1500s, while the upper floors date from the 1700s! It consists of a living room with dining area and kitchen, a double bedroom, and a spacious, modern bathroom. (Please see the "comments" at the end of this description to learn what other guests have said about this gorgeous apartment and about your hosts here in Siracusa!)
The apartment is located in the heart of the Ortigia Island historic district in Siracusa. It is only a few minutes walk to Piazza Duomo, the Ionian Sea, the ancient Jewish mikvah, the Temple of Apollo, the marina and many other historic monuments and sites, not to mention fine restaurants, shopping, a seaside promenade, and more. The ancient Greek Theater, the archeological park and museums are a half hour walk or ten minute drive away. The airport at Catania is less than an hour’s drive to the north. (Airport pick up and drop off available at low cost from a local friendly taxi service!)
The apartment is located on the first floor (above the ground floor) of an old historical ‘palazzo’ that has been totally and lovingly renovated. From the communal street entrance, stairs provide access to the private entrance to the apartment.
The private entrance to the apartment leads into an entrance hall area that in turn provides access to the living room. There is a classic Sicilian built-in corner kitchen area, done with hand-made tiles and a coordinating designer ceramic sink. The room has been furnished to a very high standard, with a sofa, comfortable occasional chairs, an antique dining table, a traditional antique Sicilian credenza, and a flat screen television. In a pinch, the flat and wide sofa can comfortably double as a sleeper for one (1) child or one (1) small adult only. It is about the size of a single bed when all the back cushions are taken away. It does not fold out.
Murano glass lighting throughout the apartment adds to the elegant and jewel-like feel to this luxurious and comfortable apartment home. The kitchen has been equipped with a hand-painted Sicilian style ceramic sink, gas range/stove, microwave oven, refrigerator, and a small oven. There is also a washing machine (with dryer function) housed under the sink area. The room also features hand-decorated kitchen and floor tiles and has an air-conditioning and heating unit. It has a sunny western exposure from double balcony doors.
The bedroom is furnished with an antique queen-size bed, a bedside table and it has a large walnut wood wardrobe with drawers for clothes storage and ample hanging space for clothes and luggage storage. Like the living room, this room has a high wood-beamed ceiling and a sunny western exposure from a double door balcony. The ample storage has made this unit a comfortable home for those seeking a home for several months or simply 1 week.
The bedroom also has an air-conditioning and heating unit. As elsewhere in the apartment, antiques and fine lighting and appointments abound. The original artworks of the Florentine artist, Piero Capecchi, adorn the warm, butter colored walls.
The modern, sunny, windowed bathroom has been decorated with lovely hand-painted wall and floor tiles. It offers a large frameless glass walk-in shower, sink, bidet, and toilet. Even here, Murano glass lighting illuminates this beautiful space.
There is no parking immediately outside the property, as the street is closed to vehicular traffic, as part of the pedestrian zone. However there is on-street parking available within very short walking distance of the apartment. Most of our guests choose to rent a car and so far, we have had no complaints or problems regarding parking.
Sites of interest within the city include the ancient Greek Theatre, where performances are still staged during May & June, and which forms part of a larger archeological park. The archeological museum has one of the best displays of archeological remains in Sicily. The old cathedral located in Piazza Duomo, the heart of Ortigia (and the city's "Living Room,") dates from 1728, and includes eighth century Norman artifacts and the columns of a Greek Temple dating back 2500 years.
Siracusa also offers beaches which are generally located to the south of the city and include the resorts of Arenella, Fontane Bianche, and the protected coastline of Vendicari. There are summer ferries to beautiful beaches as well, just across the harbor and there is even swimming 3 minutes walk from the apartment on the shoals surrounding the historic district!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided : Fluffy cotton terrycloth towels and sheets with a high thread count!
- Washer
- Dryer : The washer/dryer is one unit! The dryer function works well enough in pinch on a small load of laundry (for example: to wash, then dry a batch of underwear). Generally, unless it's raining and you really need to dry indoors, I'd honestly say it is quicker and easier to hang clothes on the clotheslines off the bedroom balcony. This is what 99.99% of us do in Sicily!
- Beds
- Queen Bed : Guests tell us our bed is better than the "heavenly bed" at Westin Hotels! Very comfortable!
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library : We keep a few CDs on stock for your listening pleasure.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Balcony : 2 balconies with sunny western exposures
- Other Amenities
- We make every attempt to accommodate your special requests! "Heavenly Bed" for your comfort. Airport pick-up and drop-off available at reduced rates from a local taxi service. Informal tour guide service available. Unpack, make yourself at home. Frank & Kevin are your bi-lingual, American hosts living just around the corner, committed to making sure you enjoy your stay in Siracusa. We are as available (or as "invisible") as you want us to be! In the event we are not in town, our dear friend Stephanie will be your tri-lingual host (French, English and Italian)!
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Not Suitable for Children : Unless you have an infant, this apartment is not very child friendly for toddlers and other children.
- Smoking Not Allowed : NO SMOKING! No one has ever smoked in this apartment! NO SMOKING! Not even on the balconies! If you smoke, please go elsewhere as we will surely keep your security deposit as a cleaning fee if we smell even a hint of smoke!
- Activities
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Meandering the charming maze of ancient cobbled streets in the historic district. The local "rock beach" is a 3 minute walk. Swim with locals and tourists alike from the shoals surrounding Ortigia!
Rate Details (In Euros)
NIGHTLY RATE: 100 Euros/Night (Minimum Four (4) Night Rental Requested).
WEEKLY RATE: 675 Euros/Week - all year long same price.
MONTHLY RATE: 1800 Euros/Month - all year long same price.
DISCOUNTS: for longer or long term stays (Just ask!).
DEPOSIT: 325 Euros via PayPal to hold reservation.
SECURITY: 100 Euros per stay - refundable before your departure if no damages!
PAYMENT: in cash of balance due + security, PAYABLE IN FULL UPON ARRIVAL!
E-Mail for Further Information (Please See E-Mail Link).
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2005
Hello! I'm Frank Riela, one of the property owners. My partner and co-owner is Kevin Brandt, and I need to find a photo with both of us in it! We are two former lawyers from the Los Angeles, California area (Pasadena actually). We "discovered" Sicily in the early 1990s. We were here for the "millenium new year" with about a dozen friends in December 1999, when we serendipitously found and bought a beautiful centuries old home right on the Ionian Sea in the Siracusa historic district. By 2004 we decided to move here and "live our dream" of giving up stressful careers and trying "la dolce vita" (the sweet life) on for size. We love Siracusa, Sicily and all of Italy. I'm sure you will too!
Why the Owner Chose Siracusa
We bought this particular condo home because it was turn-key ready for rental and owned by a friend! A dear friend of ours from Los Angeles named Mitch, had moved to Siracusa after a messy divorce. He purchased this unit for his retirement home. After only a few months he decided he could not learn Italian and he missed his children and his life back in California. He sold the unit to us and we immediately turned it into a very successful vacation rental. I had been living in Siracusa before Mitch got here and before he bought this home. I had supervised the entire renovation of the apartment. Mitch had also given me a substantial budget to upgrade his then new home and to buy quality furnishings. It is for this reason, that the apartment is so nicely appointed with antiques, Murano lighting and artisan carpentry. It was meant to be the full-time retirement home of a person with good taste, and not just-another-vacation-rental. I hope you enjoy your stay here! We haven't had a dissatisfied guest yet!
The Unique Benefits of this Condo
This home is very centrally located in Ortigia! You are steps from the Piazza Duomo (the city's "living room") and steps from restaurants and the sea. It is also on a blessedly quiet pedestrian-only street! This street usually wins the yearly award for it's residents' attention to keeping it beautiful and full of plants and flowers. Finally, although you might not know it by this home's appointments and amenities, you will be staying in an historic Sicilian palazzo that dates back in part to the 1500s. (The ground floor has unique vaulting and arches that survived the 1693 earthquake! Maybe you can peak in to see them!)
Property Photos
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- Exterior of the palazzo in which this vacation rental is located. - Siracusa, Italy Apartment Rental
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- Living room and dining area. - Siracusa, Italy Apartment Rental
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- Kitchen. - Siracusa, Italy Apartment Rental
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- Via Crocifisso - the award winning street of the Giudecca quarter in Ortigia.
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- Queen-sized antique bed.
Traveler Reviews (43)
Exactly Right!
Guest: Em
(Marshfield, Vermont, USA)
Date of Stay: 08/31/11
Review Submitted: 10/19/11
We hoped we had made a wise choice as we headed for Ortygia, and everything about this apartment fulfilled our highest expectations. It is on a lovely residential street, in walking distance to so many interesting sites, cafes and shops. Stephanie, the managing agent was so very helpful and lovely, and her English is very good. Every recommendation she made was flawless. After "orienting" us, we had a wonderful four days filled with many of her suggestions for dining, day-trips and seeing Ortygia and Syracusa. Thank you, Stephanie! The apartment is quiet, cool, elegant and comfortable ... a memorable experience.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+.
Comfortable apartment in friendly, historic neighborhood
Guest: Mary / Ken
(Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 05/15/11
Review Submitted: 08/04/11
My wife and I spent 9 days in this comfortable and pleasant apartment that provides everything needed for an extended stay while retaining authentic furnishings. Wish we could have stayed longer. The washer-dryer is a nice plus, and the multiple door bolt satisfied my security concerns due to lack of a safe. The neighborhood is very safe and quiet even though it is in the tight, historic quarter; it is a destination in itself. All of Ortigia is within an easy walk, and it deserves exploration, while getting out to major roads on day trips is quick. Ortigia boasts a wide range of great restaurants as well as take-out spots; proprietors are particularly welcoming. A basic market and a pleasant cafe with free wifi are very near; again, proprietors and local clients welcomed us, and the cafe's evening happy hour is a plus.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, families with teenagers, age 55+.
Up and Down in Syracuse
Guest: Bob
(North Caroling)
Date of Stay: 04/24/11
Review Submitted: 07/22/11
The good news is that the location was within steps of transportation, restaurants, and historic sites. The bad news is there is no view, the sofa definitely needs to be replaced, and the bidet was broken. The manager knew this before we arrived but did not tell us. I would inquire about these items before I stayed there again.. Very cramped bathroom.
Owner response:I'm so sorry Bob from North Carolina seems to have had a less than optimal experience, unlike every other guest we have ever had stay here for the last 5 years! We strive to be completely honest in our communications with potential guests and we strive to maintain the highest standards of maintenance and cleanliness for our rental home in Ortigia. For this reason, we have many repeat visitors and for this reason we are the number one vacation rental apartment of this size in Ortigia!
Recommended for:
Second Time Around
Guest: Deniza e Carlo
(Cambridge, MA USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11
Review Submitted: 06/23/11
This was our second time renting Kevin and Frank's place and hopefully it will not be our last. The apartment was as perfect the second time around as the first. A beautiful apartment, with nicely appointed furniture on the best street and my opinion the best neighborhood in Ortygia. We befriended the owners of the local market around the corner(who remembered us from last year) and the family who owns the Cafe Giudecca. When we left last year I was so sad closing the door behind us, but when we returned we felt so at home. This apartment really feels like someone's home and not a vacation rental. Thanks Kevin and Frank for all your help.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, age 55+.
Great apartment, great city
Guest: Chris
(Australia)
Date of Stay: 01/15/11
Review Submitted: 03/29/11
My wife and I and our teenage son had a wonderful winter week at the apartment. It is in the perfect location, and the sights and the food (and the markets) were all perfect.
Recommended for:
Cannot Be Better
Guest: Andres
(New York)
Date of Stay: 10/23/10
Review Submitted: 11/14/10
Wonderful apartment in a perfect location. Description is absoutely on point. Ortigia is small so getting anywhere is easy from here. Advantage is it is in the residential part of the island so it's a bit quieter at night. Several excellent restaurants extremely close by. Owners are very helpful. They have prepared a folder in the apartment that has information about local shops, markets, restaurants, etc. The kitchen is well-stocked and easy to work in. Parking is not a problem at all. Street parking was available most nights we were there and the parking structure is an easy walk (as is anything in Ortigia).
Recommended for:
Rave Reviews Richly Deserved
Guest: Rover 4
(Florida)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10
Review Submitted: 11/08/10
Not much we can add that hasn't already been said, but we do want to recommend this true jewel of an apartment. We loved Ortigia, and it was wonderful having a home right in the middle of it. One of Italy's most beautiful piazzas is just steps away; sit at one of its cafes at day's end, sip a spritz, and soak up that gorgeous architecture! Unforgettable! Hosts were most accommodating and helpful. Excellent information provided to ensure a delightful stay. Had we not had a car, we would have happily stayed on Ortigia for the whole week, but we had a long list of sights we wanted to see in Eastern Sicily. Parking was convenient and very economical. Getting out of town and on the road to our destinations was easy. Would happily return to this property and recommend it with confidence; you won't be disappointed.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+.
Classy Apartment in a Great Location
Guest: Charles
(South Florida in the USA)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10
Review Submitted: 10/04/10
Ortigia in Siracusa was the most beautiful and sophisticated place we visited in our two weeks in Sicily. The apartment is perfectly located on a quiet street that is a short walk to all the sites, restaurants and shopping in the area. You cannot park next to the apartment but there is a good covered car park called Talete that is very inexpensive and only a 5 minute walk from the apartment. As in all of Italy there are cars and scooters coming at you wherever you walk but Ortigia is a bit tamer than most towns. There is limited public transportation except for the free bus you can catch to and from Talete. Taxis are said to be expensive and not always reliable. We were a bit tired of the driving by the time we got to Siracusa so we hired a driver for an excursion beyond the area. The apartment comes with a good list of restaurants several of which we tried. Eating is a bit more pricey on Ortigia than other places we visited in Sicily. Our driver recommended a restaurant next to the Hotel Gutkowski, just up the street from the Talete car park.. It does not have a name posted but it is quite pleasant and served by far the best food we had in Siracusa. The apartment itself is very nice. It has high ceilings, tile floors, a nicely equipped kitchen (although no oven), a very comfortable sitting area and dinning table and a spacious and comfortable bedroom. The bathroom was not large but not tiny either and the shower a bit larger than some although the drain was so slow it was hard for two people to take two showers in a row. The whole place has been carefully decorated and is extremely well equipped. If you want to spend some time on Ortigia island in a self-catering property you will find it hard to beat this one.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, age 55+.
Perfect getaway...
Guest: Ben
(London)
Date of Stay: 08/04/10
Review Submitted: 08/12/10
This was the most perfect place for a relaxing getaway. The flat is located down one of the most beautiful streets in Ortigia and has everything you need. The bed is incredibly comfortable and I found myself sleeping for around 11 hours a night! The owner was wonderfully helpful in answering our questions and great for local knowledge (a bakery that opens at 4am; the best places to eat; and where to snorkel were among a few of his great recommendations). If you want a peaceful and beautiful place to stay in the best part of Sicily - go here.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+.
What An Amazing Apartment
Guest: Michael
(London)
Date of Stay: 07/27/10
Review Submitted: 08/09/10
What an absolutely wonderful experience. Kevin was a gracious host, and endlessly helpful and knowledgable, greeting us and giving a tour of the surrounding area with great advice for the best food, markets and local experiences. The apartment is beautiful, on a picturesque local side street centrally located near the best local restaurants, bars, and a fantasic swimming area on the rocks. The interior is charming and authentic with all the amenities you could possibly need, including a fully functioning kitchen, comfortable bed, and fantastic mini library of books. Highly, highly reccomended!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, age 55+.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #94743
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