Villa Itala Marina

Villa Itala Marina is located on a clifftop looking over the Strait of Messina to the coast of Calabria, surrounded by 10 hectares of citrus groves. The villa began life in the early 1900s as the country seat of the Marchese Calamarà, but has since been completely renovated, though its original charm remains intact. The villa is laid out on three levels: on the ground floor is the kitchen and – occupying the original palmento, or grape-crushing room – a breakfast room with panoramic views from its terrace. A lift connects it with the upper floors. The upper floors are quintessentially Sicilian in style, with fine Classic furniture, frescoed ceilings and original floors (all beautifully restored). On the first floor are several intimate salotti, or parlours, and a large dining room with spectacular views over the Strait of Messina to Calabria, and direct access to the garden, with infinity pool, and a wooden ‘stage’ set between the lawn and the cliff, which is an spectacular location for parties or al fresco lunches and dinners. There are also five bedrooms on the first floor with ensuite bathroom, each opening onto the panoramic terrace. On the second floor is a ‘grande suite’ with a private terrace overlooking the swimming pool and sea, while the junior suite and a further bedroom share a terrace set right above the cliff. There is also a pleasant ‘conversation zone’. All three floors are connected by a lift, and by external and internal staircases.