From Etna to the sea and back again
Arrival at Ortensia is a feast for the senses: fragrant floral gardens fill the air with heady Mediterranean scents, the cobalt Ionian Sea sparkles down below and the vibrant green slopes of Mount Etna combine with the transparent turquoise of the pool and the pure white façade of the villa to create an eye-catching, kaleidoscopic palette of colours. Ortensia was recently featured in L’Officiel.
Our team has visited each of our villas, so they can share the finer details and help explore flexible date options
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Situated in a panoramic position above the town of Giarre on the east coast of Sicily, about half way between Catania and Taormina, Ortensia is an excellent base from which to discover the area's historic towns, Mount Etna and the fascinating villages that populate its flanks. There are some lovely beaches down on the coast below, including those at Fiumefreddo and Marina di Cottone, which have received several consecutive "Bandiere Blu", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence. The chic lidos and evocative beaches below Taormina are just up the motorway, while an 18-hole golf course is 45 minutes' drive away.
Further afield, Syracuse, the baroque towns of the Noto valley, the quiet beaches of Vendicari and Capo Passero to the south and Messina to the north are all comfortably reachable for day trips.
From the Guest Book
Amazing & magical experience that exceeded our expectations.
Verified guest, June 2023
The villa and the grounds exceeded our expectations. We were reluctant to leave.
Verified guest, August 2023
The whole experience exceeded our expectations. The villa was amazing and the service was impeccable.
Verified guest, August 2023
We had a special time with family at Ortensia, which is a beautiful house. We were very well looked after. Super helpful owner, fantastic views, extremely well equipped kitchen, spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, daily maid service absolutely made it.
Verified guest, September 2024
Our family of 7 had a wonderful week at Ortensia. We loved the grounds, the pool and the landscaping, the views over Taormina, the Ionian Sea, and Mount Etna, the beautiful surroundings, and the on-site support for cooking and cleaning. It felt like a true vacation.
Verified guest, October 2024
The views from every corner of Ortensia were amazing. We enjoyed the roof for cocktails and the pool in the afternoons. The cook was excellent and we had many wonderful meals. The house was full of light, each bedroom good sized and comfortable and the grounds were quite nice. I would definitely recommend The Thinking Traveller and Ortensia - an excellent experience all round!
Verified guest, May 2025
Excellent
4.7/5
942 Reviews