AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA "AL CASTELLO DEL PIRAINO"
Owners: Baldassare a Rosanna Cicero
Address: C.da Piraino -
S. Caterina Villarmosa CL
Tel.: +39 0934671699 - 06 44247919 - 3355273431 Fax: 06 44265182
E-mail: cicero@pronet.it
Rating ****
The Site

Amongst the almond trees, on a hilltop covered in broom, 600 m a.s.l., stands this suggestive stone farm, dominating the surrounding area. The typically Sicilian setting creates a serene atmosphere, ideal for relaxing holidays. The 10 ha farm produces olive oil, almonds and vegetables. It also sells sun-dried tomatoes and capers in oil. They breed horses, Oriental and Arabian thoroughbreds. The homestead also has an equipped area for camping and caravanning.
How to Get There:


By car, from A19 Palermo-Catania highway, exit at Ponte Cinque Archi Junction and follow signs for 10 km to S. Caterina Villarmosa. The homestead is sign-posted and is 1 km from S. Caterina Villarmosa bus station and 7 km from Caltanissetta Xirbi railway station. Palermo and Catania airports are 100 km away.
Accomodation:


Guests are put up in an 18" century stone farmhouse, restored at the beginning of last century for the first time. The old guests quarters have been converted into a lodge. There are also seven more rustic rooms available, four of which are up in the little turrets. All lodgings have ensuite bathrooms, heating and are comfortably furnished. A cosy lounge is available for guests as dining/sitting room. The homestead sleeps 16 in total. English and French are spoken. The homestead is open all year round, minimum stay two nights.

Sport & Activities:


The homestead offers horse riding for both experts and beginners. Visits on horseback to the old castles in the Caltanissetta province are available on request. For the more out-going, weekly trips through the "trazzere regie" (`royal tracks on the island are organised, with night stay at other homesteads. Also available, a bowls ground and a billiard table. There are nice walks or mountain biking around S. Caterina Villarmosa, where one can visit the pretty historical centre. At the homestead, cookery; embroidery and ceramics courses are organised for groups of at least ten people.

The Cuisine:

The restaurant is open all year round for bookings only. The typical Sicilian cuisine mainly makes use of farm vegetables in season. The specialities include: `pasta del castello', local roast meats, and `cannoli' with sweet ricotta for dessert.

What to See:

In Cuzzo Scavo, only 300 m from the homestead, there is a recently discovered Greek acropolis and excavation work is still going on in order to find more archaeological remains. One km away and 800 m a.s.l., at the santuario delle Rocche, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys. By car, in only 40 minutes, it is possible to reach Cefalù and its beaches, or Enna with its impressive castle, where an interesting music festival is held every summer; in one hour, Piazza Armerina and Agrigento, important tourist destinations for their cultural attractions.