1
Reviews of Property: Summary of 'Stadda' 2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5
Description
House, 100 m²,
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5, 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath
2 Bedrooms, Sleeps 5, 2 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bath
Amenities
beach, village,
terrace,
air-conditioning,
satellite or cable,
TV
Antonella Sciortino
Speaks: English, Italian, Greek
28 Reviews of Property 52875 in Bagheria, Italy
Aspra at Easter
Review Submitted: April 16, 2009
Date of Stay: March 2009
Despite having travelled far and wide, Sicily was missing from our list of destinations. Jon, particularly, wanted to visit the sites of the Godfather, so Aspra offered a perfect choice for us. The Stadda apartment was simply fantastic and well beyond our expectations. The private courtyard and roof top balcony were a very welcome addition to the tastefully furnished and very well stocked and spacious apartment. The front room is particularly impressive with its stone arches and assortment of pictures and art display. Antonella, our gracious host, really made us feel at home, even providing food at our arrival. She is a inexhaustible source of information about where to go, what to see, and importantly, how to get there quickly (you wouldn't believe how bad Sicilian traffic and driving can be!). Aspra is a traditional fishing village: a real taste of Sicilian everyday life (haggling is advisable, and don't pay more that 25% of the original asking price). You really need to try the freshly baked bread from a local baker (particularly the `pagnotta' with sesame seeds), the sweet ricotta-filled pastries from the Bar Pasticceria, and the hand-made ice-cream. And, of course, don't forget to taste those Sicilian oranges... One of our best memories is sitting on a grassy hill in the middle of Solunto, the Phoenician archeological site above Aspra, overlooking the breathtaking coastline around Porticciolo.
This is the Place to Stay!
Review Submitted: November 18, 2009
Date of Stay: October 2009
Imagine visiting Sicily and staying with your favorite Italian cousin in her lovely home by the sea. That is exactly what our experience was like when my husband, his mother and I rented the Stadda apartment from Antonella in October. We couldn't have asked for a better first experience of Sicily. We had originally planned on staying in Palermo, but I came across Antonella's listing by mistake - I'm so glad I did. The apartment was clean, spacious (even by U.S. standards) and was equipped with everything we could possibly need - toiletries, umbrellas, hairdryer, iron, washing machine, bottled water, basic foodstuffs, etc. Be sure to bring your own washcloth, though, as Italians and French (in my experience) typically consider such things "too personal" to provide to visitors. Like others have said, while the apartment was pleasant and well-located, Antonella's kindness is what made our experience so special. I'm going to start by saying that we were very needy travelers and Antonella was there for us every step of the way. For example, my mother-in-law wanted to see the ancient mountain village of Geraci-Siculo and Antonella offered to drive us two hours through winding mountain roads to get us there (which we paid her for, of course). She even took us back to Palermo on our last day to help my mother-in-law find an authentic Sicilian cookbook. She taught us how to cut in line at the post office, jaywalk across a busy street and gesture like a Sicilian. Antonella is funny, vivacious and so knowledgeable about everything that we missed not having her with us when we ventured on to Rome and Paris. When we overcame any traveling obstacle on our own, we would say "Wouldn't Antonella be so proud of us?" Antonella recommended great places for us to visit and even helped us buy our train tickets to see the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Every restaurant she recommended or took us to had some of the most amazing food I've ever eaten in my life. I would highly recommend learning some basic Italian if traveling to Sicily since very few people speak English. My Italian was awful, but I was happy to know the phrases I did when Antonella wasn't around to translate for us. I wouldn't dream of staying anywhere else while visiting the Palermo area and the three of us can't wait to go back - mostly because we loved spending time with Antonella. Ciao, Ciao!
Simply the best
Review Submitted: June 13, 2009
Date of Stay: April 2009
As two couples travelling together, we were looking for an experience with the “real” Sicilian people and by booking at “Stadda” we got exactly what we were looking for and so much more! From the moment we met Antonella on the main street, we felt welcomed in to her community. After showing us the villa, she invited us “for lunch” – in our words a banquet of local taste sensations shared with Antonella and Gaetano – gracious hosts. We felt very welcome walking and shopping in the local area – particularly buying fresh fish from the fishermen - and even with our broken Italian we were able to get the message across to the locals. Food and wine (especially the Jumpy’s 2 litre special) were relatively inexpensive, and very tasty.
We found Sicily to be one of Italy’s best kept secrets, and Antonella the tour guide is one of Palermo’s best kept secrets. She loves her town, knows every interesting place to visit, and the right person to gain access if the destination happens to be closed! She is a font of knowledge, and has wonderful stories to relate about the places we visited. We have vivid memories of following her car in our car, but “when in Rome…” dictated that an Australian driver became like a driver from Palermo!!
The villa is more than adequate for four adults, is spotlessly clean, and very comfortable. Each bedroom is ensuite, with bathroom necessities supplied. It was wonderful to find the basics in the kitchen / fridge, and, when we did cook, we found all the necessary equipment, crockery and cutlery readily available. We can’t recommend “Stadda” highly enough. Thank you Antonella and Gaetano
Michael and Margaret, and Ann and James
We found Sicily to be one of Italy’s best kept secrets, and Antonella the tour guide is one of Palermo’s best kept secrets. She loves her town, knows every interesting place to visit, and the right person to gain access if the destination happens to be closed! She is a font of knowledge, and has wonderful stories to relate about the places we visited. We have vivid memories of following her car in our car, but “when in Rome…” dictated that an Australian driver became like a driver from Palermo!!
The villa is more than adequate for four adults, is spotlessly clean, and very comfortable. Each bedroom is ensuite, with bathroom necessities supplied. It was wonderful to find the basics in the kitchen / fridge, and, when we did cook, we found all the necessary equipment, crockery and cutlery readily available. We can’t recommend “Stadda” highly enough. Thank you Antonella and Gaetano
Michael and Margaret, and Ann and James
Antonella is the"BOMB"
Review Submitted: May 9, 2009
Date of Stay: April 2009
Our trip to Sicily was made special because of our hostess, Antonella! She's the "bomb." She was a source of great information through emails prior to our arrival concerning train travel, what to bring & what to expect.
Upon arrival at the train station, she was there to pick us up and take us to her beautiful home. Later she took us out to a local restaurant to experience the local food. It was great. Her apartment/home is much, much nice than the pictures are able to show. It is quite large and has a full kitchen which allowed us to get patries from the local paneficcio for breakfast.
She took us to Palermo to see the sights and again experience her Sicily. She knows everything there is to know about where to go and how to get there.
Upon arrival at the train station, she was there to pick us up and take us to her beautiful home. Later she took us out to a local restaurant to experience the local food. It was great. Her apartment/home is much, much nice than the pictures are able to show. It is quite large and has a full kitchen which allowed us to get patries from the local paneficcio for breakfast.
She took us to Palermo to see the sights and again experience her Sicily. She knows everything there is to know about where to go and how to get there.
Memories are made of this
Review Submitted: October 22, 2008
Date of Stay: October 2008
If there is a more welcoming hostess and host at a rental property anywhere in Europe we would be amazed. Antonella and Gaetano are astounding in the way they welcome their guests with an immediate invite to a meal at their own home with fresh typical Sicilian food cooked beautifully. From a trip to palermo showing us to sights we might not have found otherwise to a walk through the Palemo market, a trip around local area to show us where the best beeches are,the best restaurant etc etc. . ( not so sure about the driving though!) Antonella even found time to introduce us to someone in village whose mother had the same obscure sicilian surname as myself and has got him searching to see if our families are connected.
The property itself is superb with individual touches that make the house feel more like a home than a rented property. Well equipped kitchen ( although sadly we did not use it much because we were always out). Clean,tidy and everything you could wish for included some food and drink in the fridge when we arrived. It was always great to know we had such a place to return to after a long day away sight seeing. Aspra is very much a living breathing sicilian fishing village unaffected by the commercialisation of so many other places,and whilst that might mean it is less glitzy than other places it gives a real taste of Sicilian Life ( of which Antonella quite rightly is very proud). Be warned though that because of this you should not expect all the shop owners and bar staff to speak any English ( but you'll get by as we did)
As for Sicily itself we'll certainly return some time because we all found it such a wonderful island,from climbing 'La Rocca' at Cefalu ( with a great beach) for superb sea panoramas to Agrigentos Valley of Temples there are thousands of years of history. I'll remember standing in clear seas over rocky shore watching many different coloured fish swim between my legs whilst my face ( and nose) got burnt.
If you intend to use public transport the railway link into Palermo from Bagheria is very good but the station is actually a good 2-3km walk from the house( must be a bus link but we didn't need it) Also of course ifyou drive be prepared for the 'who dares wins' style of driving!
All in all a fantastic holiday ,fantastic apartment and fantastic owners.
The property itself is superb with individual touches that make the house feel more like a home than a rented property. Well equipped kitchen ( although sadly we did not use it much because we were always out). Clean,tidy and everything you could wish for included some food and drink in the fridge when we arrived. It was always great to know we had such a place to return to after a long day away sight seeing. Aspra is very much a living breathing sicilian fishing village unaffected by the commercialisation of so many other places,and whilst that might mean it is less glitzy than other places it gives a real taste of Sicilian Life ( of which Antonella quite rightly is very proud). Be warned though that because of this you should not expect all the shop owners and bar staff to speak any English ( but you'll get by as we did)
As for Sicily itself we'll certainly return some time because we all found it such a wonderful island,from climbing 'La Rocca' at Cefalu ( with a great beach) for superb sea panoramas to Agrigentos Valley of Temples there are thousands of years of history. I'll remember standing in clear seas over rocky shore watching many different coloured fish swim between my legs whilst my face ( and nose) got burnt.
If you intend to use public transport the railway link into Palermo from Bagheria is very good but the station is actually a good 2-3km walk from the house( must be a bus link but we didn't need it) Also of course ifyou drive be prepared for the 'who dares wins' style of driving!
All in all a fantastic holiday ,fantastic apartment and fantastic owners.
Authentic Sicily
Review Submitted: October 7, 2008
Date of Stay: September 2008
Warmest of welcomes with introductions to local shops, stall holders, wines and anarchic driving style - Antonella makes this charming and very well equipped house a memorable experience from the first moment. Plenty going on in the village to enjoy a relaxing break but we used it as a base for touring the highlights of Western Sicily. Loved It.
Have already recommended it to others.
Have already recommended it to others.
Aspra in July
Review Submitted: July 8, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
You will receive a very warm welcome from Antonella and Geatano, as well as the majority of the people in Aspra. Stadda is an extreamely well furnished and tastefully decorated home, with lots of very nice touches. If you do decide to drive, be carefull as you would not believe the driving habbits of the Sicilians.
A Holiday to remember
Review Submitted: May 21, 2008
Date of Stay: May 2008
Sularo was a well appointed apartment, it had everything one needs to feel at home. All our needs were provided for. The view from the terrace was beautiful and our hostess Antonella was one in a million. She met us at the airport and greeted us like family, she provided a wonderful lunch after our journey. Then over our time there she took us to places we could never have found on our own. We learnt so much about her country as we visited places of interest.
This is a holiday I can not recomend enough, if you like to see the history and and way of life of another Country, then Aspra is a must. There the people go about their everyday life, and the tourist fits in. The people of Aspra are kind, helpful and very friendly. Antonella made our holiday complete, we feel we have made a new friend. Joy Nigel and Emma U.K.
This is a holiday I can not recomend enough, if you like to see the history and and way of life of another Country, then Aspra is a must. There the people go about their everyday life, and the tourist fits in. The people of Aspra are kind, helpful and very friendly. Antonella made our holiday complete, we feel we have made a new friend. Joy Nigel and Emma U.K.
Fun in the Sicilian Sun
Review Submitted: May 9, 2008
Date of Stay: April 2008
A totally relaxing experience. Our hostess made us feel like part of the family from the moment we arrived (which included food in the fridge on arrival) and continued to assist us throughout the week often going out of her way to take us to places that we would only have dreamed of going to without her help. From shopping trips to boat trips to guided tours, Antonella excelled in all areas. The villa itself, although looking small from the outside, became a Tardis upon opening the front door with rooms appearing in all directions. A lot of work has gone into making the villa into a totally relaxing place to stay for any period of time. Most handy for the beach, there are a variety of restaurants/cafes to choose from, most especially for fruits of the sea. I shall definitely be coming back for more.
Owner's Response: I hope I don't have to wait for another bowling tournament to see you again. I miss you and all the bars and pubs in Aspra as well!!
A Very Happy First Experience of Sicily
Review Submitted: May 7, 2008
Date of Stay: March 2008
Aspra proved to be a wonderful location for a first visit to Sicily. Aspra and its neighbouring seaside villages provided a lively, colourful, and non-touristic introduction to Sicilian life. Aspra is also very well located for visiting many of the major archeological and cultural sites of western and central Sicily.
We really enjoyed being steps from the seafront with its colourful collection of small fishing boats, beautiful views and friendly cafes for just sitting and watching the always interesting passing scene. A highlight of each day was our after dinner walk along the front with the lights of the town reflected in the sea and the lights of Palermo twinkling across the bay.
After a busy day of sightseeing, it was always a treat to return to our spacious, spotlessly clean and comfortable accomodation in la Stadda. The apartment was well represented by the pictures and descriptions on the website, though we also had some pleasant surprises like the main bedroom with its juliet balcony overlooking the living room and its luxurious ensuite bathroom. When we are travelling, we enjoy shopping at local markets and shops and preparing and eating dinner at home. The kitchen at la Stadda was exceptionally large, well provisioned - including a large bowl of lemons more flavourful than any we ever taste at home - and well
equipped for this, making it another highlight of each day.
Our hostess Antonella is a one-person goodwill ambassador for Aspra. On arrival, she drove us in her car (an interesting adventure in itself!) to show us the best places in town to shop; to help us buy excellent low-cost local wine; and to introduce us to some of the charming nearby seacoast. She and Gaetano then treated us to a very enjoyable dinner at their place.
In addition to providing very helpful information about "do-able" day trips, Antonella personally took us to Palermo for a day, introducing us to places most tourists will never discover.
There is much to see and do in the area, and our days were very full. Among the highlights were the serenely beautiful Greek theatre and temple at Segesta, the incredible mosaics and lovely cloister at Monreale, a day spent visiting villages in the mountains above Cefalu with a magical lunch at Gange, and, further afield, the Greek temples at Agrigento and the Roman mosaics at Piazza Arimena.
All in all, a great introduction to Sicily.
We really enjoyed being steps from the seafront with its colourful collection of small fishing boats, beautiful views and friendly cafes for just sitting and watching the always interesting passing scene. A highlight of each day was our after dinner walk along the front with the lights of the town reflected in the sea and the lights of Palermo twinkling across the bay.
After a busy day of sightseeing, it was always a treat to return to our spacious, spotlessly clean and comfortable accomodation in la Stadda. The apartment was well represented by the pictures and descriptions on the website, though we also had some pleasant surprises like the main bedroom with its juliet balcony overlooking the living room and its luxurious ensuite bathroom. When we are travelling, we enjoy shopping at local markets and shops and preparing and eating dinner at home. The kitchen at la Stadda was exceptionally large, well provisioned - including a large bowl of lemons more flavourful than any we ever taste at home - and well
equipped for this, making it another highlight of each day.
Our hostess Antonella is a one-person goodwill ambassador for Aspra. On arrival, she drove us in her car (an interesting adventure in itself!) to show us the best places in town to shop; to help us buy excellent low-cost local wine; and to introduce us to some of the charming nearby seacoast. She and Gaetano then treated us to a very enjoyable dinner at their place.
In addition to providing very helpful information about "do-able" day trips, Antonella personally took us to Palermo for a day, introducing us to places most tourists will never discover.
There is much to see and do in the area, and our days were very full. Among the highlights were the serenely beautiful Greek theatre and temple at Segesta, the incredible mosaics and lovely cloister at Monreale, a day spent visiting villages in the mountains above Cefalu with a magical lunch at Gange, and, further afield, the Greek temples at Agrigento and the Roman mosaics at Piazza Arimena.
All in all, a great introduction to Sicily.
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