The dusky-pink Baroque villa at the estate's heart houses Locanda Nerello restaurant, stuffed full of antiques, art and neon signs and offering a fabulous 0-kilometre menu of dishes like albacore tartare with Salina capers, risotto with fennel and orange zest, and homemade cannoli. Below it, the Convivium Bar occupies the old stone cellar – well-stocked and ideal for an aperitivo – and outside, there's a solar-heated infinity pool framing panoramic views of both Etna and the sea. There's also a small spa, and a larger menu of in-room wellness treatments.
The beating heart is the 18th-century main house, now a protected historical building, surrounded by landscaped gardens and terraces. Wake to a breakfast spread where nearly everything – from the fresh fruits to the honey – comes from the property's own gardens. The Locanda Nerello showcases genuine Sicilian cuisine crafted from ingredients picked mere hours before landing on your plate. Between meals, cool off at the pool, sample estate-bottled wines, or simply find a shaded spot to breathe deeply and reconnect with the slower rhythm of island life.
The 27 rooms and villas are scattered across the estate in a variety of converted farm buildings. From rustic — lava stone walls and exposed beams — to contemporary — slouchy sofas and modern fireplaces — each is unique enough that it's worth spending time choosing. Some rooms have private pools, others private gardens with daybeds and notably, there are no televisions. Organic cotton linens, Anyah eco amenities and a fruit basket picked fresh from the grounds each morning are a lush touch. And the silence, frankly, is the main event.
Europe's most active volcano is on the doorstep and the team can organise guided hikes or drives up its slopes, complete with a delicious picnic from the gardens. For a different perspective, helicopter tours depart from the estate's own helipad. Back on the ground, cooking classes with the chef, wine tastings with the sommelier, horse riding and yoga fill the days without ever leaving the farm. A complimentary daily shuttle runs to Taormina, 30 minutes down the road, and the botanical park at Radicepura is well worth the detour.
Etna wines are among Italy's most talked-about, and the estate produces its own labels from native varieties like Nerello Mascalese & Carricante — grapes found nowhere else on Earth.
Take the estate tour around the estate and wander the vineyards, orchards and gardens. Ask to visit the three-storey wine cellar in the old cistern, too.
Some of the villas are up to 850 metres from the main restaurant, pool and bar, which is wonderful for seclusion, but not so good if you need to dash back for something quickly!
Monaci delle Terre Nere can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Italy trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Italy trips featuring Monaci delle Terre Nere or get advice and suggestions from one of our Italy specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Monaci delle Terre Nere start from around $470, or US$470, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A place set apart, where history runs deep and the edges are a little wilder.
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