My boyfriend and I have just returned from a week at C’era una volta and we are already planning our return. The house itself is wonderful – spotlessly clean, beautifully decorated, picturesque and with breath-taking views from the roof terrace. The town, Scicli, is a gem – a real living town, with bustling streets and squares, restaurants, cafes, butchers, churches, sweet-shops and a Friday market. The setting is fabulous – the beach is just a ten-minute drive away, and there are plenty of nearby towns to visit: Modica, Noto, even Siracusa. But the best thing about Scicli, and about C’era una volta, is the people you meet. First of all, Francesca and Luigi, who are charming and helpful and lovely. Francesca is very knowledgeable about the area and its history – she even gave us a guided tour one day. And then there are the neighbours: the house is nestled in between the cottages of true Scicli-ites, who are friendly, generous and helpful. We felt we had been given the chance to live as Sicilians for the week – a privilege indeed. It was a magical stay in a very very special place.

Alice Azania – London