Questions, answered.
Most of what people ask. If yours isn't here, send a WhatsApp — we usually answer in under four hours.
Booking & rates.
How to check dates, what we ask for up front, and how the numbers work.
Q.01How do I check availability?+
Send us your dates on WhatsApp (+39 391 791 7958) or by email at [email protected]. We answer within four hours, in English or Italian. We don't run a real-time calendar — too many sites to sync, too easy to get wrong. We tell you the same morning whether the house is free.
Q.02What deposit do you ask for?+
30% of the total stay to hold the dates, refundable up to 30 days before arrival. The remainder is due 14 days before check-in. Bank transfer or card.
Q.03What's the cancellation policy?+
Full refund of the deposit if you cancel more than 30 days out. 50% between 30 and 14 days. After that the deposit is non-refundable, but we'll always try to move you to other dates if our calendar allows.
Q.04Can I book multiple houses for one group?+
Yes — that's why we list them together. The two at Sant'Anna (Galatea + Ionia) work well as a pair across the lane, and the two at Mascali (Beatrice + Francesca) are literally the same building. Tell us your group size and we'll suggest the combination.
Q.05Do you give weekly discounts?+
Yes, automatically. A seven-night stay is priced at six nights' worth. Two consecutive weeks at thirteen. We don't run flash sales — the rate is the rate.
Q.06Is the tourist tax included?+
No, the Comune di Mascali charges €2 per adult per night, capped at 7 nights, paid in cash on arrival. Children under 14 are exempt.
The four houses.
How they differ, which one fits, what you'll find inside.
Q.01What's the difference between Beatrice and Francesca?+
Same building, same floor plan, two units. Beatrice is the ground floor with a walled garden and a beach gate at the back. Francesca is the first floor with a small balcony and slightly brighter rooms. Both sleep four.
Q.02How far are the houses from each other?+
Galatea and Ionia are across the lane from each other in Sant'Anna. Beatrice and Francesca are in the same building in Mascali — about ten minutes' drive north along the coast, or a forty-minute walk along the beach.
Q.03Is there air-conditioning?+
Yes, in every bedroom and every living room. Inverters, quiet. Heating in spring and autumn — the houses are stone and they hold the cold.
Q.04Can I see a floor plan?+
Each house's page has a printable floor plan. If you want a measured drawing for any reason (cot placement, accessibility) send us a WhatsApp and we'll send the architect's drawing.
Q.05What kitchen equipment is there?+
Full kitchen in all four — induction hob, oven, fridge / freezer, espresso machine, moka, kettle, toaster, blender, dish set for the full sleeping capacity. Ionia also has a dishwasher.
Q.06Is the water drinkable?+
Technically yes — the tap water in Mascali is potable. Most locals drink bottled mineral water out of habit, and we leave six 1.5 L bottles on arrival.
Arrival & stay.
Check-in, what's already in the house, what's not, what to do on day one.
Q.01How do I check in?+
Self check-in by codebox. We send the code 48 hours before arrival, along with the door and gate combinations. If you're arriving after 21:00 we'll text to confirm you've landed.
Q.02What's included in the rate?+
Linen, towels, weekly cleaning, Wi-Fi (fibre), A/C, parking on-site, a welcome basket (coffee, oil, salt, biscuits, fruit, water, a bottle of Nerello). Beach towels, sun loungers and a parasol live in the outdoor cupboard.
Q.03Do you clean during my stay?+
Weekly cleaning is included for stays of 8+ nights — choose the day on arrival. Mid-stay clean for stays of 4–7 nights is €40, payable in cash to the housekeeper.
Q.04Is there parking?+
Yes — one car per house, on-site, free. A second car can park on the street (free) or at the public lot 200 m away (€5 / day in July–August).
Q.05How fast is the Wi-Fi?+
Fibre to the house, typically 100 Mbps down / 30 Mbps up. Strong enough for video calls and streaming. We test once a season.
Q.06When are check-in and check-out?+
Check-in from 16:00, check-out by 11:00. Stretch either by 1–2 hours if the day allows — just ask.
Getting here, getting around.
Airport, car, train, when to come, how it feels in each month.
Q.01What's the nearest airport?+
Catania-Fontanarossa (CTA), about 35 minutes south by car. Comiso (CIY) is the second option but 2 hours away — only worth it if your flight options force it.
Q.02Should I rent a car?+
Yes — you'll want one. The houses are walking distance from the beach and the bakery, but the trattoria, the fish market, Taormina, Etna and the wineries are all 10–60 minutes' drive. Pick up at Catania airport, drop back the same day you leave.
Q.03Can you arrange airport pickup?+
Yes, €60 each way for up to 4 people in a Mercedes V-class, €85 for 5–8. Pay in cash to the driver. Booked in advance via WhatsApp.
Q.04When is the best month to visit?+
Late May through early October for the swim season. June and September are our favourites — warm water, quiet beaches, the lemons or the harvest depending on which end. August is the busiest and the hottest.
Q.05Is the beach public?+
Yes, the entire stretch is public (Demanio Marittimo). There are stabilimenti with paid loungers at either end of Fondachello, and a long unmanaged middle section where most locals go. We supply beach towels, loungers and a parasol so you have no reason to pay.
Q.06Is there a train station nearby?+
Yes — Mascali station on the Catania–Messina line, about 10 minutes by car from Sant'Anna. Useful if you want to skip the car for a day trip to Taormina (15 min), Catania (35 min) or Messina (1 h 15).
Pets, kids, extras.
Things that don't fit in the above, but come up.
Q.01Are pets really welcome in all four?+
Yes, in all four. €30 small deposit, refundable. We ask that pets stay off the beds and that you bring the bowl and the bed they're used to. Beach is dog-friendly outside the stabilimenti.
Q.02Do you have a cot or high chair?+
Yes — IKEA travel cots and Antilop high chairs, free, request on booking. We have two of each across the four houses, so if you need both let us know early.
Q.03Can you arrange a guide for Etna?+
Yes. Etna Nord (Linguaglossa side) is closer and quieter than the Etna Sud most tourists do. We send Salvo, our guide; half-day with vans, €70 / person, 4 person minimum.
Q.04Can you arrange a private chef?+
Yes, once or twice in the stay if you'd like. Carmela cooks the kind of Sicilian dinner your nonna would, four courses, €55 / person, all groceries included. Book a week ahead.
Q.05Is there a washing machine?+
Yes, in every house. Ionia also has a small dryer; the other three line-dry. Detergent and softener supplied.
Q.06What about smoking?+
No smoking inside the houses — terrace and garden only. Ashtrays in the outdoor cupboards.
Ask us anything else.
We're four siblings, two of us in Sicily year-round. WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach us — usually under four hours, in English, Italian or German. Email works too if you prefer.
Average WhatsApp reply window in the last 90 days. Faster between 09:00 – 22:00 CET.