Italy castles

Our family of 6 including 4 teenagers stayed in one of the three apartments in the grounds of the castle for a week in early August. Rikke could not have been more welcoming and helpful, and really made our stay very comfortable from start to finish. Getting a little tour of the castle and learning about its history and even sampling some of the wines were highlights towards the end of the week. The air conditioning was an absolute life saver, given how hot it was (>36 degrees every day and barely any cooler at night!). The pool is really lovely, a good size to actually swim as well as splash around. Do be prepared for mosquitoes / biting flies though!! We had clear skies during our week, and every night we were able to see lots of stars, as light pollution is very low in the location. Highly recommended.

From the moment we stepped out of the car and looked at the stunning castle, countryside and property we felt the peace and the stresses of the past year evaporate. Rikki and Lorenzo have created a spectacular haven for guests that need a retreat from day to day life. The villa was stunning and the view of the castle, while the sheep peep at you over the fence was fantastic. Our hosts were charming and struck the perfect balance between looking after us and providing a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of London life. Highlights were the tour of the castle, the wine tasting and truffle hunting with 2 most gorgeous dogs and their owners. Thank you so much for a very special holiday which was such a blessing to us.

Fantastic to see historic buildings like this with new life breathed into them. Imaginatively divided into unique apartments without losing the character and patina of this centuries old building. An experience to savour.

Our week at Liliana’s beautiful Castello was a delight. We were a party of 8; two parents & 6 young adults 17-23. There was plenty of beds to go round and enough bathrooms too. The kitchen and dining room were perfect for our needs. The decor throughout is charming and reflects a true family home without feeling cluttered or intrusive. The outside spaces are even more wonderful. The half shaded veranda is very spacious and perfect for dining and lazing around. The terrace between the towers offers stunning views of Etna and the sea and on occasions we ate there too. Both spaces have large tables and chairs. The swimming pool is a proper size at 15m and well equipped with loungers, shower and changing room. Water temperature in June - perfect. The whole Castello is surrounded by a stunning garden which is lovingly maintained. Beautiful scented shrubs everywhere, tropical palms and mature trees. Fresh lemons to pick from the orchard. The place is teeming with birds and butterflies. The town of Stazzo is lively but refreshingly unpretentious. The restaurant on the square sells delicious pizza, the two bars are busy and fun. Fresh fruit and veg from a stall on the square is high quality and good value. In the evening a gelati van sells modestly priced cornets. Our host Liliana was so kind, helpful and respectful of our privacy. Nothing was too much trouble. She wanted us to have a wonderful time in her magical home and we did -100%.