Very Welcoming Sleepy (and Baby-friendly!) Retreat
Submitted: May 8, 2012
Stayed: April 2012
A lovely sleepy hideaway from the touristy crowds and very baby friendly.
Our pre-arranged car hire arrangements fell through but the owners of the apartment came and collected us for €40 with absolutely no notice which was a god-send. By the time we arrived at the flat 45minutes later they had arranged over the phone for alternative local car hire at around the rates on-line from the UK - half the price of the airport rates. We were very grateful for all this assistance.
When we arrived we found that Piera had cooked for us! Unbelievable and, again, very welcome as we were whacked and couldn't face the supermarket so late in the day. (Actually, Piera surprised us with home-made lasagne for our last night - I hope she doesn't resent me writing this as she may be expected to do it for all her guests!)
We had e-mailed ahead to say we would be bringing our 7-month baby daughter with us, and as promised we found a high chair, travel cot and baby bath waiting for us. There were also plenty of mats, rugs, duvets and cushions around to establish a safe area - necessary as the floors are ceramic and hard (as our little one unfortunately discovered the ugly way, but was fine after a little cry and cuddle). We did bring a mosquito net to cover the cot, though, which is vital. The flat does have plug-in mozzy-repellants which appear to work well but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Balestrate has a lovely beach just through the woods from the apartments, but the town itself doesn't have a lot to offer, really. However, we had very comfortable days out (under an hour in the car each way) to Segesta (ancient Greek temple and theatre - spectacular), the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro (very beautiful, crystal waters in secret coves, and invisible wild tortoises), and to Palermo (hectic, particularly the traffic and navigation - allow at least an extra half-hour between the motorway and the city). The rest of our time was spent very happily mooching to town and hanging around in the flat and garden.
Marvellous!
Helpful votes: 5/7
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