Italy

As you take your first quiet step into Donna Carmela’s subtropical gardens, nature takes the spotlight. Scents of the Mediterranean punctuate the backdrop as you wind your way through leafy lawns to your lodge. With just a handful of rooms dotted among lush greenery it’s the perfect starting point to explore eastern Sicily and the Ionian Coast.

From sea views to mountain landscapes, each unique lodge is tailored for relaxation and peaceful seclusion. Lie back in stylish comfort in the treetop Flora lodge, or one of the several spacious suites with Etna or sea facing views. A getaway for both body and mind, the interiors bring together design and sustainability. As well as little extras: a panoramic terrace, a lava stone hot tub or your own private garden.

When you arrive at Villa Neri, pause and listen. From the breeze rustling through the olive trees to soft bird calls, peace and tranquillity envelopes this boutique resort and spa. However, Villa Neri’s back to nature appeal is anything but rustic, with every inch carefully designed to pair contemporary comfort with authentic Sicilian hospitality.

Inside, you’ll discover a thoroughly modern retreat interwoven with elements of traditional Sicilian living. Your room might features local materials, such as wooden panels or traditional painted tiles, alongside pared back, modern furnishings. Whether you have a private terrace overlooking the hotel grounds, or skylights with views towards Mount Etna, the surrounding scenery is never far away. Spend the day soaking up the atmosphere and unwinding beside the pool. Or escape to the spa for a few hours of total relaxation, with saunas, plunge pools and soothing treatments using natural ingredients sourced from Sicily.

Ortea Palace Hotel, Sicily, Autograph Collection is a magnificent building dating back to 1920, known as "Palazzo delle Poste", Post Office building. It is located in the historical center of Syracuse, on the splendid Porto Piccolo of Ortigia island, just a few steps from all the city's well-known monuments, restaurants, and shops. This corner of Sicily is a gem of rare beauty, rich in artistic, historical, archaeological, and naturalistic. But also an ideal place to experience authenticity, as the foundation of the island's intangible cultural heritage.

Ortea Palace is now a luxury destination, inclusive and exclusive at the same time, offering immersive and authentic experiences inspired by the abundance of the local heritage. It is a meeting place to relax, discover, and indulge in ancient rituals rooted in the island's authentic heritage. Inspired by the place's history, Ortea Palace stands as a symbol of communication and human interactions. It is the place to celebrate the art of writing. Transformed for a totally new experience, the hotel offers 75 rooms and suites decorated in an exclusive, refined style, featuring elegant marble and luxury fabrics. It also has restaurants, a bar, a Spa, a social room, meeting rooms, and the iconic Cabinet of Curiosities. It is a place where you can relax, discover, and indulge in ancient rituals rooted in the island's authentic heritage.