HOME : LOCAL FACILITIES

LOCAL FACILITIES

Beaches

The villa has direct access to a long sandy beach at Rodia. Find a prime spot in the sun close to the water edge or in the shade of the local fishing boats. Other beaches close-by are at San Saba (5 mins drive), and the more popular Mortelle and Casa Bianca (20 mins) beaches are further down along the coast.

Restaurants

The best of local eating can be had at Pizzeria Da Caterina - don't let the un-sophisticated plastic tables and chairs put you off - you'll sample the best pizza and local foccaccia breads around. Open June-Sept.

The local café (Bar Nassa) on the beachfront of Rodia is open all year round. From cappuccino and croissant (called cornetto in Italian) in the morning, to a hearty lunch with local wines, to ice-cream or G&T's in the evening it good value and is only 5 minutes walk.

In peak season - late June, July, August and early September - the restaurant/pizzeria La Sahara is open right on the beachfront of Rodia, only 5 minutes walk from the villa. They serve typical Italian food, seafood and pizza's.

While local restaurants are good value family-style pizzeria's serving only local wine there are many very good restaurants serving excellent seafood, Italian cuisine and wines within 20 minutes of the house. Some are detailed in the Holiday Info-Pack.

Café's

The local café (Bar Nassa) on the beachfront of Rodia is open all year round. It is only 5 minutes walk.

In Villafranca try Bar Fiumara for the best coffee and pastries to be found. Try the Sicilian speciality of Granita - either coffee, almond or fruit flavours - with a Briosch ( a round pastry with a 'bobbin' in the centre).

Sports

'Sporting Marmora' - A two-minute drive away is a new outdoor complex with two public tennis courts and young children's play area with trampolines and bouncy castles. The facilities are open all day on a pay-per-use basis. Tennis courts can be booked in advance.

Walks

The sandy beach linking Rodia to Tarantonio is a lovely seaside walk, with its panoramic views of the Aoelian islands. The beach is accessed directly from the villa. The mountain nature reserve of Colle San Rizzo is 15 minutes drive from the villa. It is an ideal venue for picnics and forest walks.

Shops

Groceries
The local shops in Rodia stock most general necessities - groceries, fruit and vegetables, some wines, household items and meat. There is an good Cheese and Salami shop in Tarantonio (2 mins drive), while Orto Liuzzo has an excellent butcher (bbq kebabs!), and a bread/foccacia shop.

Villafranca - 5 mins drive - has a large EuroSpar shopping centre. There are many other smaller 'Centra' type supermarkets, clothes, fashion and gift shops.

Fashion/Gifts

Messina, the local city, is only 20 mins by car to the centre. Shopping areas such as Viale San Martino and the many side-streets have the typical boutique-style shops found all over Italy - beautiful clothes and gifts all impeccably presented as only Italians can do!

 ^ Top ^     > Home <