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

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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

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Rosa dei Venti Scopello

This cottage style house makes the perfect family holiday home with its beautiful sea views and location bordering on the edge of the spectacular Natural Reserve of Zingaro. Rustic gardens with indigenous plants and flowers surround the property and the little private pool is exactly what is required in order to keep cool at any stage of the day (or night!) The Sicilian owner has ensured that Rosa dei Venti has been furnished with a simple yet stylish Mediterranean flair and has included everything possible to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possible.

Entering the house by the main doors brings you into the large open plan living room / kitchen which is spacious and airy with great views over the surrounding area and out to sea. The kitchen is equipped with hob, oven, fridge, freezer and dishwasher. A double bedroom, twin bedroom, bedroom with bunk beds and the bathroom complete with shower all lead off the living room. A large covered terrace fully equipped with table and chairs is to be found at the side of the house and adjacent to the inviting swimming pool we are sure that this is where you will be spending the best part of your time when you are not out exploring the local countryside or taking a dip in the wonderful blue sea. The views from the terrace stretch across to the Bar of Guidaloca making it the ideal place for al-fresco dining, gentle conversation and a bit of late night star gazing – aided perhaps by a bottle of local wine!

Scopello, the nearest village, give you a taste of Sicilian life and has a good choice of restaurants, bars and to-die-for “Pasticcerie” or cake shops. Nearby is Tonnara, the old Tuna fishing bay which is now a popular swimming area with crystal clear waters and spectacular rock formations. Palermo is only 55km away and with Trapani (25kms), Erice (30kms), Marsala (40kms) all within a short drive you will not be without things to do and see.

Capo San Vito is about 30 minutes drive and is a lively resort with a truly spectacular sandy beach. Just 2 kms along the coast the Natural Park dello Zingaro provides some of the most beautiful coves and cleanest of waters to be found in Sicily. Leave your car at the gates and venture into the park by foot, you will not be disappointed by the stunning scenery of this area.

Rosa dei Venti offers great accommodation in a wonderful location and comes highly recommended by Essential Italy.

New in Puglia for 2012

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

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