The house of lava stone
8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Once a busy olive press, Chiusaliva has been lovingly transformed into an atmospheric home that is both proud of its agricultural heritage and deeply rooted in its Etnean terroir. Roomy interiors open out onto panoramic terraces and gardens, which survey a beguiling scene: olive groves, citrus orchards and vineyards extend in all directions; the seductive, azure waters of the Ionian Sea stretch out to the horizon; and Mount Etna, the geological progenitor of everything around you, rises imperiously into the cerulean skies.
Looking to know more about Chiusaliva?
Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
Winner of Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 Best Villa Rental Company in the World
Keyholder highlights
- Far-reaching views of the sea and Mount Etna
- Fabulous 18m-long infinity pool
- Extensive grounds, gardens and terraces
- Beautiful restoration
- Character in abundance
Gallery
Chiusaliva's serene, 18m-long infinity pool, with Mount Etna rising behind.
Chiusaliva, its pool and its mature, beautifully maintained gardens.
The dreamy al fresco dining area, with its views out to sea.
Time for an evening swim.
The al fresco lounge area near the pool is a convivial space in which to gather. At any time of day.
Includes
- Sole use of the villa and the grounds
- The support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
- The expertise of a dedicated team to help you fine-tune the logistics of your trip and to plan a range of experiences, many of which are exclusive to The Thinking Traveller
- A Local Specialist available during your stay for emergency support
- A comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
- An easy-to-use online holiday planner to keep all your booked experiences and services in one place, ensuring that nothing gets missed during your stay
- The ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
- All sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
- Access to our in-villa wine delivery service – choose from our handpicked menu of the best regional wines and find them waiting for you at your villa
- A daily cleaning service (4hrs per day) and a mid-week linen change
Excludes
- Flights
- Car hire
- Transfers
- Meals
- Tourist taxes (tassa di soggiorno) levied by many town councils in Italy. The amount varies by location and usually amounts to between €1-€5 per person per night
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The Area
Situated between the towns of Acireale and Riposto on Sicily's Ionian Riviera, Chiusaliva is ideally positioned for exploring the many sights of eastern Sicily.
A few miles to the south is the bustling lava-stone baroque city of Catania, while just to the north is the pearl of the Mediterranean, Taormina, with its Graeco-Roman theatre, its picturesque streets and its breathtaking views. Mount Etna and the villages and towns on its flanks offer numerous possibilities, from hiking, skiing (in the winter months), wine-tasting, 4x4 off-road adventures, and much more besides (all of which we can arrange for our clients).
In terms of the sea, an array of picturesque pebbly coves and long shingle beaches line the Ionian Riviera, offering a great number of options. The nearby beaches of Fiumefreddo and Marina di Cottone have received several consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.
For those who like to play a round of golf or two, there is an eighteen-hole course about 45 minutes drive away.
Further afield, heading south, is the magnificent, historic, ancient Greek town of Syracuse, with its fabulous archaeological site and beautiful island centre, Ortigia, and the UNESCO World Heritage baroque towns of , Noto, and ModicaRagusa, and scicli.
Getting to and around
Catania airport:
39km-24miles-40minsPalermo airport:
264km-164miles-3hrTrapani airport:
340km-miles-3hr45Nearest shops:
in Pozzillo - 5 mins driveNearest restaurants:
5-10mins drive in Stazzo and Santa TeclaNearest sea access:
10mins drive at Santa Tecla or around 25mins drive at FondachelloTaormina:
37km-23miles-35minsCatania:
23km-14.5miles-35mins18-hole golf course:
39km-24miles-45minsSyracuse:
92Km-57miles-1hr20minsNoto:
115km-71.5miles-1hr35Local Experiences
Helicopter tours in East Sicily
A helicopter trip in Sicily over Etna and to the Aeolian Islands is a highly moving experience, enough to reduce grown men and women to tears! Book with us for a truly unforgettable addition to your Sicilian holiday.
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Private boat charters in East Sicily
The coastline between Taormina and Catania is one of the most dramatic and idyllic in Sicily, thanks to its sandy-pebbly coves, its sea stacks and its transparent waters. The best way to explore it is by boat, and we can arrange a wide variety of full-day, half-day and sunset trips. From your port of departure, you'll head to the lovely fishing villages dotting the coast, such as Aci Trezza and Aci Castello, before sailing north towards the Bay of Giardini Naxos below Capo Taormina. Once there, your skipper will drop anchor so that you can enjoy an unforgettable swim under the awesome gaze of Mount Etna. If you can tear yourselves away from this majestic setting, your trip will continue north to the gorgeous Bay of Isola Bella, one of Sicily's most evocative and picturesque sections of coastline, where lush vegetation imbues the brilliant blue water of the Grotta Azzurra with an emerald green hue.
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Wine tours on Mount Etna
Some of Italy’s finest wines are now being made on the flanks of Mount Etna. A new generation of Sicilian producers are realising the full potential of the mountain’s climate, its autochthonous grape varieties (NerelloMascalese - red - and Carricante - white), its ultra-fertile soil and its unique terroir. To discover just how the natural magic of the mountain combines with the perseverance and passion of man to create outstanding wines, let us arrange a chaufferued wine-tasting tour for you. A delicious lunch is included, so you’ll get a full experience of Etna’s gastronomic abundance.
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Culinary experiences in East Sicily
From the bounty of Mount Etna to the fish-rich sea below, the Ionian Riviera is home to a host of gastronomic delights. Our culinary experiences in the area will give you the knowledge and the skills to recreate some of eastern Sicily's best-known dishes.
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Private Guided tours in East Sicily
Sicily is, quite simply, one of the world’s most fascinating places, with a uniquely rich history, geography and cultural heritage. The Eastern side of the island has a seemingly endless variety of treasures to discover, from the architectural gems and culinary delights of the main towns, to UNESCO Heritage sites, to the geological phenomena and breath-taking landscapes of Mount Etna.Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
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Beach clubs and relaxing activities
The Ionian Riviera has a great selection of beaches and rocky lava stone coves starting just north of Catania which continue all the way up and past Taormina. A day spent at the beach is a brilliant way to relax and enjoy this stretch of fantastic coastline as a family. If you're looking comfort and full facilities, we highly recommend heading to one of the coast’s many beach clubs (also known as Stabilimenti Balneari) which are private areas of beach with different kinds of facilities such as loungers and umbrellas, cafés/bars and restaurants, kayaks, windsurfing, changing rooms etc., particularly useful for children and to get away from the crowds. But this area of Sicily isn’t all about the sea, so if the beach isn’t for you, a great alternative is spending a day at one of Etna’s renowned wineries.Take some time to tour the winery, sample the delicious wines produced there, and take advantage of the other facilities available for an enriching and relaxing day out.
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In villa experiences
We are here to assist you in creating unforgettable memories during your stay at the villa. Allow us to pamper you and make the most of your time there.
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Private guided tours in Southeast Sicily
The southeastern tip of Sicily is home to mile after mile of largely unspoilt sandybeaches and an impressive list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica, the towns ofthe Val di Noto, and Villa Romana del Casale.
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