Tula

• Bedroom 1: double-twin beds (90/180x190cm), adjacent shower room
• Bedroom 2: double bed (180x190cm), en-suite shower room

Inside

accommodation at Tula is all on one floor and the layout is simple and practical.

At the centre of the house is an open-plan communal space with a tranquil, laid-back atmosphere. The sandy-hued walls and ceilings are perfectly complemented by floors of pietra di Modica, a local buttery stone. Looking out over the Arcadian valley of olive groves and orchards via a wall of glass is a blue, L-shaped sofa and a dining table. To the back of this space, meanwhile, is the well-equipped kitchen with a sliding glass window opening up to serve a bar area with stools on the shady rear terrace.

Two bedrooms, one on either side of the open-concept communal space, complete the accommodation:

• the first is a double-twin with countryside views and access to a section of the terrace running across the front of the property and a shower room next door. A glass door opens out to an al fresco shower.
• the second is a double with more of those calming views and terrace access. A beautifully crafted wooden semi-partition wall acts as a headboard on one side and a walk-through wardrobe with desk space on the other. Behind this is the luminous en-suite shower room.

Outside

Tula is surrounded by wraparound terraces on several levels, linked by steps and walkways, and interspersed with walled flower beds, shady olive trees, lawns and other greenery. There is a variety of spots for sitting and lounging at different times of the day, and plenty of space for guests to spread out and come together for convivial moments.

Most al fresco life takes place along the front of the property looking out over the surrounding olive groves and orchards. At the centre, accessed from the communal space, is a large shaded area with a dining table and a couple of easy chairs.

On either side of, and connecting with, this central space, the bedrooms open out onto their own areas of terrace, one furnished with a sitting area, the other with a pair of loungers.

Steps lead down from these terraces to Tula’s pièce de résistance, the irresistible cobalt-watered, 18m-long pool, which enjoys the same country views.

One particularly pleasing design element of the al fresco areas is found on the terrace to the rear of the house, where, looking into the kitchen via a sliding glass window, is a shaded bar area with stools. This sociable addition allows whoever is on cooking duties to chat to their fellow guests while sharing an aperitif.

For larger groups that require more than two bedrooms, Tula can be booked in combination with its sister villa, Saia.

Due to the nature of the property including terraces low walls and several drops around the grounds, children must be supervised at all times.

Please note that there is no real shallow end in the pool, whose minimum depth is 1.5m.

Parts of the route to this property are unpaved and a little rough. We therefore recommend guests hire a 4-wheel drive car or one with high ground clearance.