Wundergarten

A Unique Hospitality and Lifestyle Concept

In the heart of the island, sandwiched between the mountains and the sea in the town of Gratteri, you will find the Wundergarten. The aptly named vacation home rental in Sicily sits within the Madonie National Park, surrounded by a variety of natural pleasures for those with a green soul.  

The home has a strong connection to its environment and is sure to take advantage of all it has to offer. Guests are encouraged to hike and bike around the grounds, trekking to various viewpoints overlooking the Tyrrhenian coastline or nearby destinations like Grotte Grattara and Observatorium “Astronomico di Isnello.” 

Though a stay at Wundergarten is deeply rooted in nature, the home is careful to retain an opulent sense of luxury for its guests, with amenities like the My Home Spa available for a moment of rejuvenation after a day spent exploring.

Set within a jumble of historic townhouses in the small town of Gratteri, this vacation home rental in Sicily takes you back to simple village life by keeping the flavor and atmosphere of an authentic and small rural town.

Part of a collective of diverse and historic accommodations on the property, the manor house was adapted as a unique hospitality and lifestyle concept, created for the exploration of and return to, the roots of Sicilian culture. Snuggled in between several other townhouses at the base of the Madonie mountains, you can immerse yourself into the buzz of the town or wander into the abundant natural parkland.

The historic adobe and timber structure is kept simple and sweet, with splashes of colorful tile and atmospheric combos of antiques and 20th-century vintage items that keep traditions alive. 

There are four bedrooms total, each named from the folk legends about the monks of the Premonstratersian order who lived in the nearby Abbey of San Giorgio, with accommodations for up to twelve guests. The common areas include a dining room and kitchen and a fabulous grotto spa crafted from a wine cave. 

With a philosophy of contemporary hospitality, well-being and local culture, this home possesses a natural Sicilian warmth, charm and island hospitality. 

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Wifi throughout, satellite cable TV, landline phone, minibars in each room, access to Turkish bath.

AROUND

Gratteri is a picturesque and authentic Sicilian town located between the Madonie mountains and the Tyrhennian Coast. A rural area where time passes slowly, it is nonetheless positioned to access great local sites such as the San Giorgio Abbey, the Grattara Cave and the Madonie national park from its base.

The popular seaside resort town of Cefalù along the northern coast is 30 minutes from the house with two of the island’s best north shore beaches, Mazzaforno and Settefrati and is an hour east of Palermo. A UNESCO designated town and historic fishing harbor, the pretty medieval streets are dominated by a 12th-century Norman cathedral and an ancient hilltop fortress. Charming and authentic, it’s known for its excellent restaurants that serve local seafood and wines and its many interesting shops.

The beautiful town of Santo Stefano di Camastra, famous for its ceramics and tiles is under an hour east and the rugged Madonie mountains are  great hiking and forest trails with several medieval villages to explore including  some of the prettiest towns in the region: Isnello, Castelbuono, Collesano and Gangi, full of culture, art, and of course excellent food.

For day trips, you can venture even further to the seven Aeolian islands, the volcanic chain just offshore. Sicily holds many natural and cultural charms, from Noto to Catania, the sister cities of Ragusa, Modica Scicli and beyond, the island is meant to be explored and savored. 

LOCATION

Gratteri, Sicily, Italy. Nearest Airport: Palermo Airport (101km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Spring through Fall