Minerva

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
Daily cleaning service (3 hours/day, Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays) and a mid-week linen change
Privileged access to the TELIMAR, a private and exclusive waterfront club (please contact TTT for more information on fees and reservations).

Excludes

Flights
Car hire
Transfers
Meals (unless otherwise specified)
The cost of heating the pool, which is €830 per week, if requested, payable in advance
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

The Area

Minerva is located in Mondello's premier residential area, just 2km from the town's delightful white sandy beach and a selection of restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Bye Bye Blues. The main square of Mondello, where the little harbour and most of the restaurants are situated is a five-minute drive.

Anyone staying at Minerva should certainly spend some time discovering the architectural, historical and gastronomic wonders of Palermo, which is a 15-minute drive or an easy bus ride away. Palermo is also an excellent day out for those who love to shop. Monreale, with its splendid Norman cathedral, sits above Palermo and is not to be missed.

A few minutes' drive from Minerva will also take you to the A29 motorway, making day trips to western Sicily really easy. The Greek archaeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte are just 45mins and 1h20 drive away respectively, while a similar amount of driving time will get you to Erice, Trapani and Marsala.

Heading east, round Palermo's ring road and along the A19 is equally rewarding: the archaeological site of Solunto, the mediaeval seafront town of Cefalu and the Madonie Mountains are all highly recommended.

Getting to and around

Palermo airport:

25km-16miles-25mins

Trapani airport:

111km-69miles-1hr20

Catania airport:

220km-miles-2hr45

Comiso airport:

300km-185miles-3hr20

Nearest supermarket:

5mins drive

Nearest sandy beach:

in Mondello, a 15-minute drive or a 50-minute walk

Nearest restaurants:

Michelin-starred Bye Bye Blues is a 25-minute walk away (approx. 2km) and several other restaurants are a 10-minute drive or a 45-minute walk away in Mondello

Palermo centre:

12km-8miles-25mins

Segesta archaeological site:

64km-40miles-50mins

Selinunte archaeological site:

112km-70miles-1hr20

Solunto archaeological site:

40km-25miles-55mins

Trapani:

100km-63miles-1hr10

Erice:

110km-69miles-1hr30

Marsala:

120km-75miles-1hr30

Local Experiences

Private boat charters in West Sicily

Transparent waters lap dramatic, time-scarred sea stacks and weather-beaten cliffs, home to tumbling prickly pear trees and 16th and 17th-century watch towers. The old tonnara (a tuna fishing hub) is set evocatively between the cliffs, and a little time spent snorkelling here will be time well spent indeed. Then it’s off again, sweeping through the limpid waters of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, whose towering mountains rise majestically from the sea. Idyllic pebbly coves break up the sheer rocky masses, and before you know it you’ll be rounding the headland and sailing west to Sicily’s most northwesterly town, the fishing village and seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo, renowned for its golden sands, electric blue waters, and delicious fish couscous.

Discover

Private guided tours in West Sicily

From first glance, it would seem that the Saracen and Norman rulers of Sicily could have had very little in common. The former had arrived from North Africa and were part of the Golden Age of Arab civilisation that had made such huge strides in the fields of mathematics, economics, agriculture, science, poetry, and architecture. The latter were an offshoot of the Vikings from the frozen north of Europe, adventurers and hardened warriors.When the Normans ousted the Saracen forces in 1090, however, there was no obliteration of all things Arabic. Indeed, the men from the north were hugely impressed by what they found, and rather than destroying Arabic culture, they embraced it. Many institutions were retained, Islam was tolerated, and Saracen landowners were allowed to keep their estates. North African habits were adopted by many Normans as they acclimatised to life in the middle of the Mediterranean. Souks prospered, cool Arabic courtyards were de rigueur, and many Normans, including some of the sovereigns themselves, lived more like Emirs than knights. Where the fusion of cultures really stood out, however, was in the architecture.

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Guided tours in North Sicily

Sicily's historical legacy is as varied and immense as any in the Mediterranean. Elymian, Greek, Phoenician and Roman archaeological sites dot the island, and age-old cities, towns and villages testify to the comings-and-goings of innumerable invaders, each of whom left their own indelible artistic and architectural treasures...Thanks to this incredible variety, however, Sicily's history can be a little confusing! That's why we recommend you hire the services of one of our guides if you're planning on visiting one or more of the island's numerous historical sites.

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Culinary experiences in West Sicily

The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.

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From the Guest Book

Read the insightful reviews from travellers who have experienced this villa and our service firsthand.

Minerva is an exceptional villa; well maintained and good location.

AC, United Kingdom September 2022

Luxurious, glorious, supported.

Verified guest, October 2023

Beautiful villa!

Verified guest, November 2023

What stood out about Minerva was the amazing art, the lateral space, the thought that went into the selection of food and towels and toys for the kids. Also that it was so well equipped with plenty of extra bits and pieces - whenever we thought of something we needed it was usually there. The pool was also bigger than in the pictures and everyone could enjoy it in their different ways. In summary it was and uplifting space and brilliantly equipped for an outstanding family villa holiday. Thank you to the team and to the villa owners for entrusting their home to us.

Verified guest, May 2025

The accommodations and ambience at Minerva were spectacular. We had everything we wanted and needed. It was comfortable and spacious enough for the 8 of us. It was also convenient to Mondello. In short, we loved it and would return.

Verified guest, July 2025

Minerva was well maintained, clean and functional. What we liked the most was the local team - everybody was very friendly, efficient and always looking forward to make the rental experience smooth and the best possible one.

Verified guest, October 2025

Excellent

4.7/5

1,143 Reviews

Mondello, Sicily

10 Guests

5 Bedrooms

5 Bathrooms

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Read the insightful reviews from travellers who have experienced this villa and our service firsthand.

The Area