Dimora Italia Bianca Arethusa Ortigia

NEW LISTING!



‘To see Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything’ – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 – 1832)





We really couldn’t agree more with these words by the writer Goethe

And so we’re thrilled to announce our debut in Sicily’s Ortigia!





Etched in the hearts and souls of many an Italian and Italy buff, this ancient sea-encircled island – the historic heart of Syracuse – needs little introduction or further endorsement from us!



A magical, almost mythical place on Sicily’s south-eastern shores where sun-bleached limestone the colour of blanched Sicilian almonds dazzles the eyes and dips its sun-tanned toes in the cyan-blue waters of the warm Ionian sea, while its labyrinthine lantern-lit tapestry of half-shaded streets, alleyways, elegant little piazzas and grand Baroque palazzi are stitched together with the traditional hallmarks of Sicilian daily living – from succulent-and-jasmine-potted balconies, gently swaying palms, cafe parasols and prickly pear, to parked-up Vespa scooters, flowering oleander and lines of laundry just washed by nonna – each corner drawing one like a magnet as if whispering ‘come closer’. And its famous sunsets? Spellbinding.



Time stands still here...



Weather-beaten walls echo with the silent conversations of centuries past – from as far back as the 8th century BC, the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Spanish have all made their homes here, each civilisation leaving its calling card like the layers of a Sicilian Pasta ‘Ncasciata, while the salt air hangs heavy with the intoxicating scents of springtime zagara blossom, sun-parched stone, espresso and fresh cannoli.



And amidst this sensory overload sit our 2 genteel new properties (bookable separately): the chic Bianca Arethusa (sleeping 4) and the extraordinary Blu Calypso (sleeping 8).



Enviably positioned along the tucked-away Ronco I alla Fontana in the heart of Ortigia, only steps away from the legendary Arethusa Fountain, the Lungomare Alfeo shoreline promenade, not forgetting an excellent variety of well-regarded restaurants, bars and cafes (just think… granita and brioche col tuppo for breakfast!), the 2 apartments host 12 guests when reserved together for exclusive use in accommodation that can best be described as ‘jaw-dropping’.



Perfectly arranged for chilling out come un vero Siciliano, wonderfully equipped throughout – you’ll want for nothing! – and each more than spacious enough to accommodate your party in some considerable style and comfort, the fully air-conditioned properties (with WiFi) are spread over the 1st and 2nd / 3rd floors of the residence and showcase interiors conceived by ArchFlorence to retain a distinctly Sicilian aesthetic. Oh, and naturally your complimentary toiletries are by ‘Ortigia Sicilia’, the luxury Italian soap and fragrance company loved by so many.



Stepping inside each apartment (for full details of apartment Blu Calypso please see its dedicated listing page)...







BIANCA ARETHUSA with terrace



Sleeps 4



(2 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms)



A refined Ortigian home-from-home (the smaller of the two at 120sqm) where pared-down sophistication reigns supreme! Chic, luxurious and welcoming all at once and situated on the 1st floor of the building reached by stairs (no lift), its accommodation comprises:





An entrance hallway decorated in Cole & Son’s bold and beautiful ‘Afrika Kingdom’ wallpaper leading directly into…



Bianca Arethusa’s main open-plan living space, comprising sitting / dining areas and kitchen dressed in muted olive green and sandy colours with warm wooden flooring underfoot, stylish rattan furnishings in keeping with the overall Mediterranean vibe, ikat fabric accents and a comfortable sofa. The circular dining suite for 4 has gentle overhead lighting while the well-equipped kitchen area* features bespoke cabinetry, a speckled-mirror splashback and a pair of Sicilian ceramic Teste di Moro (Moors’ Heads) and ceramic lemon pyramid – both traditional icons of Sicily! – just to the side. And to the fore… a glazed door opens onto a spacious furnished terrace overlooking terracotta rooftops and the ronco (alleyway) where you can while away your downtime with a well-earned glass of Catarratto!



(Note the handy combined washing machine / dryer discretely housed in the kitchen area – perfect for longer stays or when staying as part of an extended tour!)





Rest long and easy and wake refreshed in one of the apartment’s 2 delightful bedrooms:



A fabulous principal bedroom in complementary shades of sea blue and tangy tangerine with a beautifully upholstered double bed (which can be made into twins upon request) and rattan furnishings laid upon a wonderful floor of traditional Sicilian tiling – note the eight-pointed star motif featured in the pattern, a symbol harking back to Sicily’s Arab-Norman era. To the fore sits the bedroom’s spacious walk-in wardrobe, while just beyond lies its sparkling en suite bathroom in striking blue and sandy stripes with luxurious shower decorated in pretty fish-scale tiling



And off Bianca Arethusa’s entrance hallway…





The charming 2nd bedroom with its slim balcony overlooking the ronco, a well-dressed double bed with ochre accents (which can be made into twins upon request), stylish rattan fittings and furnishings and a pair of framed

wall prints illustrating the papyrus plant which thrives so readily nearby, while the apartment’s 2nd (separate) bathroom just opposite – a splendid affair with shower enrobed in earthy-red ceramic tiling – completes the accommodation







OUR COMMENT



Quiet elegance in Ortigia!



A fabulous find, perfect for smaller parties or two couples who appreciate the finer things in life, and ideally placed for exploring the captivating and eminently walkable island of Ortigia, the city of Syracuse (to which it’s joined by the Ponte Umbertino and Ponte Santa Lucia bridges), along with the cities of the Val di Noto and countryside beyond!



Within a stone’s throw of the famous Fonte Aretusa – the legendary fountain associated with the Greek mythological nymph Arethusa, Artemis (goddess of hunting, wild animals, childbirth and the moon) and the River God Alpheus, and one of the few places in Europe where papyrus plants thrive – and within a gentle stroll of Ortigia’s must-see sights including the remarkable Fountain of Diana, the Temple of Apollo, the 7th-century Syracuse Cathedral and the Palazzo Bellomo medieval and modern art museum.



Immersed in a much sought-after area of artisan workshops, characterful courtyards and a variety of excellent restaurants, cafes and bars including (but not only!) Oz Ortigia, Pindaro, Anchovies Ortigia, Colapesce, Lemon Tapas & Cocktails, Yacht-Restaurant Ortigia, Pasticceria Artale and Amandorla Marciante… (I could go on!) and within a short walk of the Supermercato inCoop along with the buzzing Ortigia Street Market and Syracuse Food Market to satisfy all your Sicilian food cravings and self-catering needs!





Explore the area by hire car or with a professional private driver at the wheel (feel free to ask for details) – in springtime the countryside is carpeted in a riot of colourful flowers, while the dreamy (UNESCO World Heritage) late Baroque towns of Noto, Modica (chocolate!), Scicli (hidden gem) and Ragusa Ibla – made all the more famous by Inspector Montalbano on TV! – are all within easy reach, not forgetting the picture-perfect fishing village of Marzamemi, a personal favourite of VOV / Dimora Italia’s CEO Filippo!



Or if relaxing in the ocean or lounging in the sunshine** is more your thing, then we’d be delighted to provide details of Ortigia’s lidos (public and private swimming platforms and solariums) that you’ll see along the island’s craggy yet stunning shoreline!







*Celebrating a special occasion or taking a well-earned break from the kitchen? Do feel free to enquire for further details of a private chef!



**Recommended holiday reading: The Leopard (a revered Italian literary classic set in Sicily) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa and The Inspector Montalbano crime novels by Andrea Camilleri







Beds will be arranged as either doubles or twins as shown in the photos. The possibility of turning a double bed into twins or vice versa can be found in the description and must be requested at least 7 days before arrival