Accommodation at PRI 0311 is divided over two wings that are connected by a corridor of sliding glass doors. All the interiors, from the communal spaces to the bedrooms and bathrooms, are stylistically united by a series of design elements: marbled grey concrete flooring, buttery plaster walls, large, ceiling-to-floor sliding glass doors, and a wide choice of materials that ranges from metal and wood to bright modern ceramics. This last element is the homage to Sicily's ancient pottery traditions, while at the same time bringing splashes of colour, texture and form to both the interiors and the exteriors.
The first wing houses a large open-concept communal area with a well-equipped modern kitchen to one end and a living area with a large, modular sofa and fireplace to the other. In between sits an antique wooden dining table. A 10m-long wall of sliding glass doors allows the space to flow outside onto a well furnished shady terrace.
Just off this space are the two bedrooms (and a guest WC) of the first wing. Both are doubles with "floating" cantilevered beds with ceramic-tiled feature walls, walk-in showers behind ceramic-tiled semi-partition walls, en-suite WCs, and access to the gardens.
A corridor of sliding glass doors leads from the communal space to the second wing, where you will find two more bedrooms, a triple (with a double and a single bed) and a double. Each is designed in a similar way to the first two bedrooms, with ceramic-tiled feature walls, walk-in showers, en-suite WCs and garden access.
The further accommodation at PRI 0311 is located in the second wing across the corridor from the two bedrooms. Here there is a double-twin bedroom with study area, a wall of sliding glass doors opening outside, and an en-suite bathroom with sunken tub. This room may be converted into a living room with a pair of stylish sofas depending on your requirements.
PRI 0311 is nestled among 7.5 acres of landscaped grounds and orchards. All the rooms open out into the generous wrap-around gardens, which offer a picturesque array of low-lying, aromatic and flowering shrubs and ornamental grasses arranged into free-form raised beds. Gravel walkways wind around them, and a free scattering of trees provide shady spots.
Accessed via the 10m-long wall of sliding glass doors of the communal area, a spacious cane-shaded terrace runs along the sea-facing side of the house, providing generous space for al fresco living. Nearest the kitchen is a large concrete dining table with antique wrought iron chairs. A little further along, outside the corridor of sliding glass doors that joins the two wings, are a pair of stylish sofas, a scattering of beanbags and some well-cushioned built-in seating. This sitting area is mirrored on the opposite side of the glass corridor, meaning that no matter where the sun is, there's always a cool, shady spot to retreat to. Each of the bedrooms enjoys its own part of shaded terrace.
About 25m from the main sea-facing terrace is the fabulous 15m-long infinity pool, which includes wide shallow steps at one end and lovely views out across Vendicari Nature Reserve to the shimmering sea. Surrounded by sun-drenched terraces, it also comes with a good-sized shady pergola, and a panoramic railed balcony.
Last but not least, stairs lead from the sea-facing lounge area to the roof terrace, from where the panoramic views are at their very best. This is the ideal place for dawn yoga as the sun rises above the sea and for pre-dinner aperitifs as the soft evening light fades to night.
PRI 0311 rises in a panoramic setting in southeast Sicily, overlooking Vendicari Nature Reserve, with its amazing array of beaches, and its unspoilt coastal habitat. The closest entrance to the reserve is about 3km away (please remember that there are no lidos or bars on the beaches of the reserve so you should take your own supplies/facilities with you). Other fantastic sandy beaches nearby include those of San Lorenzo, Lido di Noto and Marzamemi, which are all about 15 minutes' drive away. All three have facilities.
The nearest major town, enchanting Noto (20mins drive), is the most eastern of a chain of baroque towns (protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), that includes Modica, Ragusa and Scicli. All were rebuilt in bright style following a major earthquake in 1693 and are certainly worth a visit. Just south of Vendicari is the charming little fishing village of Marzamemi, which is a great place for an evening stroll and a seafront dinner. Quiet and unassuming for most of the year, it comes to life in the summer months with bars and restaurants spilling out onto the pretty square and narrow streets. A little beyond this is Portopalo di Capo Passero, Sicily's south-easternmost point.
A stay in this part of Sicily, however, wouldn't be complete without a visit to Syracuse, once the mightiest city in Magna Grecia, and one of Italy's most charming historic centres. If hiking or horse riding in the hills is your thing, then there is some picturesque scenery in the rushing streams, waterfalls and gorges of Cassibile and Pantalica, a Paleolithic burial site near Syracuse.
