INDEPENDENT VILLA-BREATHTAKING VIEW-GARDEN-PALERMO@25KM- WWW.VILLALAURAMARIE.COM

Antonio welcomed us to his family villa very late one night, with charm and patience. We woke up to an incredible view from the terrace, one that just got better and better. The property is obviously loved by its owner and we found it very comfortable. We loved the area which is not touristy and explored during the day and returned to the wonderful terrace in the evening. Thank you for letting us stay. Regards Lynne Day

This property has a veranda overlooking the sea. It is private & very relaxing. The property inside is beautifully furnished & provides everything you need. It is well located for Palermo, Cefalu and walking in the Madonie National Park. Antonio was a charming and welcoming host.

This was our second family visit to the Villa - we returned because we decided it was our favourite ever location and villa. Being just next to the sea is very special and there is always plenty to look at. We tended to buy food locally and cook at the villa making the most of the superb views and climate. However there is plenty to do nearby. We are very fond of the film Cinema Paradiso so we went to many of the locations used in its production including Palazzo Adriano, the main venue. Villa Laura Marie is a beautiful period piece - it has been carefully designed to that you get excellent views of the sea from the inside and the terrace and gardens are wonderful. We are already thinking of a return visit.

Jeremy, Lucy and family. Sheffield UK.

The house is light and breezy, facing the gorgeous Mediterranean with all its sparkle and blue. Capo Zefferano looms to the East (right, facing the sea) and the hills behind Palermo to the West. The house feels secluded even though there are neighbors on both sides. The patios are wonderful and one can always find shade as the sun moves around, behind, the house over the course of the day. The kitchen is more than functional and has the "right" pots for vacation cooking with a family. The beds are comfortable (we slept four in three rooms) and the living space is big enough to be able to find a private nook for reading or thinking. (TV and WiFi are good.) The gulls and doves "debate, argue, and comment" amusingly, through the day. The mosquitos are a fact of life but as long as you prepare for them and keep the screen doors closed, all is well. The house is quiet, surrounded by lovely gardens tended to by Vincenzo and nestled up snug against its cliff; even the busy weekend traffic on single-laned Via Perez is not noticeable. Porticello is close by for shopping and there are numerous green markets there. Day excursions to Cefalú or Trapani or Agrigento are easily done. For a day trip to Palermo, one can take the short (15 minute) train trip from Bagheria but one needs a car to reach the station. In fact, a car is pretty much necessary for this property, although my son and I did walk to Porticello for groceries one day. It's about 8 kilometres round trip and uphill much of the way back. (Just a note, a small car with an excellent turning radius is preferable for negotiating the steep driveway and small turn around at the bottom.) The swimming is not for little children but is otherwise spectacular. Steep steps lead down to the rocky base of the cliff. On carefully sliding over barnacled rocks decorated with mossy seaweed into the sea, one is immediately in deep water with swell and, depending on the wind and tide, some waves sloshing into the rocky cove. Once past those waves the swimming is delightful There is occasionally a tow. For swimming with small children there are two beaches off the road to Porticello. There are plenty of places to eat in beautiful Porticello. Antica Pizzeria La Punta is worth it just for the view, but the food is excellent as well. The property was very clean when we arrived and Antonio and Debbie are terrific hosts. We would enthusiastically recommend this property to others and also to our family.

The wifi and TV are excellent (we have been watching the EuroCup for the whole week. Also, the pictures on line represent the house and property as they are. It really is as beautiful as they suggest!