Sicily is a revelation - lush, green, and full of life, even under the heat of a 40‑degree summer. From the moment we arrived, the warmth of the island was matched by the warmth of its people; the welcome at Palermo airport set the tone for a holiday that felt relaxed, friendly, and wonderfully immersive. Gulliver’s Nest was a wonderful base for exploring north-west Sicily. The drive from Palermo airport was straightforward, and the villa is tucked away in peaceful countryside while still being only ten minutes from Castellammare del Golfo. Scopello, with its beach, restaurants and lively little square, is also close by, while Alcamo is convenient for groceries. The villa was comfortable, spacious and very well equipped. The air conditioning was excellent in the 40-degree heat, and the saltwater pool was an absolute highlight. The beds were comfortable, and there were plenty of towels and bedding. Johannes and his family were exceptional hosts. We arrived to homemade lasagne, aubergine dishes and local wine, which was such a generous and unexpected welcome. During our stay, they also brought us delicious bruschetta, Sicilian pesto and another lasagne when our final guest arrived. They were always available if needed without ever being intrusive. We enjoyed visiting Palermo’s food markets, taking a Sicilian cookery class and travelling to Agrigento for the Valley of the Temples and Scala dei Turchi. We also hired a boat and scooters in Castellammare and enjoyed dinners by the marina. A memorable holiday in a beautiful location, made even more special by the warmth and generosity of Johannes and his family. Thank you Johannes for a wonderful holiday villa, we would be delighted to return.

Zacznę od tego, że już na samym początku zostaliśmy bardzo pozytywnie zaskoczeni. Przyjechaliśmy późnym wieczorem, a mimo to gospodarz powitał nas znakomitą kolacją. Nigdy wcześniej nie spotkaliśmy się z taką gościnnością. Po całej podróży czekał na nas pyszny, gotowy posiłek, który był idealnym zakończeniem dnia. Willa jest fantastycznym miejscem na wypoczynek – przestronny dom, wygodny parking dla dwóch samochodów, piękny basen, zadbany ogród oraz taras, w które włożono ogrom pracy i serca. Bardzo doceniliśmy również możliwość picia doskonałej wody dostępnej w domu, bez konieczności kupowania wody butelkowanej. Ogromnym atutem były także bardzo wygodne łóżka – wszyscy spaliśmy świetnie i każdego dnia budziliśmy się wypoczęci. Dom jest bardzo dobrze wyposażony i posiada wszystko, czego potrzeba podczas wakacyjnego pobytu. Gospodarz przez cały czas dba o to, aby goście czuli się komfortowo i mogli poznać prawdziwy sycylijski klimat. W trakcie pobytu zostaliśmy poczęstowani domowym pesto oraz oliwą przygotowanymi przez niego osobiście – były po prostu obłędne. Chętnie poleca również miejsca warte odwiedzenia oraz restauracje, w których można dobrze zjeść w okolicy. Podczas naszego pobytu zakochaliśmy się w Sycylii. Zachwyciły nas piękne widoki, niepowtarzalne miasteczka i wyjątkowa atmosfera wyspy. Odwiedziliśmy Cefalù, Palermo, Trapani i Erice, a także spędziliśmy czas na kilku pięknych plażach. Sycylia oferuje niezwykłą różnorodność i każdy znajdzie tu coś dla siebie. To miejsce i ta wyspa na długo pozostaną w naszej pamięci. Z pewnością chcielibyśmy tu jeszcze wrócić, aby ponownie poczuć ten wyjątkowy klimat, cieszyć się piękną pogodą i odkrywać kolejne smaki lokalnej kuchni.

Wszystko było super

From the moment we arrived at Gulliver’s Nest, we knew we’d found something special. Surrounded by olive groves, this beautiful Sicilian villa offered peace, comfort, and authentic charm. What truly made our stay unforgettable was our wonderful host, whose kindness and generosity made us feel like family. After a long journey, we were welcomed with a home-cooked Sicilian meal and bottle of local wine. It was the perfect introduction to Sicily’s warmth and hospitality. Our host’s local knowledge was invaluable. Thanks to his advice, we discovered the fascinating salt mines, a traditional olive oil factory, and the lively Alcamo market. We wandered through the cobbled streets of Erice mountain village, bathed in the soothing waters of the Segesta thermal baths, and sampled divine pastries in Piana degli Albanesi. Every experience was rich in history, flavour, and beauty. Back at Gulliver’s Nest, relaxation came naturally. The salt-water pool was refreshing, and the hot tub was the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of Sicilian wine. The food throughout our stay was exceptional – every restaurant served dishes full of Mediterranean flavour, and even the simplest espresso and pastry felt like a celebration. Our time at Gulliver’s Nest was more than a holiday – it was a heartfelt connection with Sicily itself. For anyone seeking beauty, warmth, and authenticity, this villa is pure paradise.

The host John is a pleasant, humorous and knowledgeable gentleman who welcomed us with a delicious lasagna that made us lick our fingers. We fell in love with him at first sight and already upon arrival he gave us a lot of information about Sicily, its beauties and excellent food. He was available to us at all times and ensured a carefree holiday. He surprised us with the culinary delights that he prepares himself. He was available to us at all times, communication was excellent, as he was always quick to respond. We will not tell you everything so as not to deprive you of all the nice surprises. The accommodation is truly a real Gulliver's nest, located in the middle of fragrant fields about 10 minutes by car from Castellammare. The house is extremely comfortable (9 people), safe, well equipped and varied with a pleasant courtyard, which in addition to the pool and whirlpool is also equipped with a fireplace and a large table. We all slept great on the new comfortable mattresses. We highly recommend this accommodation, which is absolutely worth its price. I would like to thank dear John on behalf of the entire group of divers from the Diving Bled Slovenia club, who spent a wonderful 10 days at Gullivers Nest.

Everything was perfect!