Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

Request Car Hire quote ›

We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

Subscribe to our monthly newsletters to recieve all the latest on Special Offers, Properties and Regions, fabulous Italian recipes plus much more.

Casa al Mare Taormina

Taormina is divided into 2 parts – the old and characteristic part high up on the hillside with winding narrow streets and breath-taking views and then a stretch of sandy coast-line that sits below. The two areas are united by a handy funicular which runs up and down all day enabling shopping and swimming at all times with a spectacular views of Mount Etna as you travel up and down. Could you want for more?

Casa al Mare sits right on the end of the Mazzarò beach, just a few minutes walk from the restaurants and shops at Taormina Mare. You can almost put your toes in to the sea from the large balcony that overlooks the bay and the brightly coloured fishing boats. You really could not get any better for a romantic location particularly if you are looking to chill out and immerse yourselves in the Italian culture – sleeping, eating, swimming, sunbathing and wine-tasting!

The apartment is extremely spacious and furnished very simply – bright yellow being the theme colour along with rustic bamboo furniture. The large lounge and dining area is home to a big dining table and many chairs as this is where the charming owner used to house his family when his many children were small – lucky them! The double bed is tucked into a recess off the lounge and there are two sets of French windows that open out onto the balcony from which we can almost guarantee you will not move. Affording a super view of the beach and the sea, there is always something to watch and you need not even bother with your towel should you decide to have a swim. The kitchen sits at the back of the lounge area and is well equipped with a hob, oven and fridge-freezer and a shower room completes the accommodation.

Should you be too busy to cook some local produce in your own kitchen, there is a bar almost next door to the apartment and 2 restaurants just a minute’s stroll along the beach – a real paradise for beach bums and how much better can it get to be able to walk back from a tasty fish dinner with sand between your toes?

Please note that the apartment is accessed by a long set of steps and a walk along the beach and should you have a hire-car, the parking is nearby and payable by the hour.

A second apartment next to Casa al Mare sleeping 2 is available on request should you be travelling with 2 older children or a couple of friends – this apartment does not have a balcony but the one at Casa al Mare is plenty big enough for 4. Please contact us for further details and prices.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

Read more ›