THE FACTS ABOUT VILLA RIPOSTO

Italy Sicily

This is possibly the most beautiful and certainly the most polished villa on Sicily. There are two houses on the estate, which backs onto the outskirts of Riposto town but is fronted by lemon groves that sweep down to the cliffs and sea. Access is via enormous, arched double doors through a barrel-vaulted entrance hall to the main house, which dates from 1800. There is a serious collection of antiques and paintings (including Flemish oils); the crisp, white bed linen bears the family crest, and the bathrooms have black-marble showers. The decor is fresh, with white, slip-covered sofas, shades-of-white walls and carefully selected objets. The vivacious owner gives cookery classes in the vast, light-filled kitchen. The stylish annexe (kilims on polished terracotta floors; white-painted, beamed ceilings) was converted from sheep pens and is set in private, landscaped grounds planted with blowsy, old-fashioned rose bushes and flotillas of ferns. SLEEPS 22 (14 in main house; eight in annexe) BEST FOR Blow-the-budget reunions WHY If you can afford it WHY NOT If you can't COST 13,000-16,500 euros per week CONTACT Dolce Vita Villas (020 7436 0426; www.dolcevitavillas.com)