AZIENDA AGRITURISTICA "VILLA LEVANTE"
Address: Via Isnello
Castelbuono PA
Tel.: +39 0921671914 Fax: 0957462378
Rating ****

The Site

At `Villa Levante' you experience a holiday in a land that time forgot. It is a castle in the municipality of Castelbuono, 400 m a.s.l., from where one can admire the impressive Madonie mountains. This 8 ha homestead produces excellent extra virgin olive oil and wine, sold direct to guests. It is open from March to October and for the Christmas holidays. The place is particularly fascinating in winter, when all around is covered in snow.
How to Get There:


The homestead is an hour's drive from Palermo. From A20 highway Palermo-Messina, exit at Cefalù and continue, heading for Messina, on the SS 113, until the fork for Castelbuono. Just before entering the town, take the by-pass to the right, drive for a further 1,7 Km and then turn left at the end of the road, towards Castelbuono, and 40 m further you'll arrive at the castle's gates. At Palermo bus station take the Sais bus to Castelbuono. By train, get off at Cefalù and take the bus coming from Palermo to Castelbuono.
Accomodation:


`Villa Levante' is a 19' century castle scrupulously restored in 1994. Guests are put up in rustic little mini-apartments, once the lodgings of the metayers. You can choose among 2 three-room apartments with two bedrooms, lounge, kitchenette and two bathrooms, or one two room apartment with bathroom, lounge and kitchenette, all typically furnished for maximum comfort. For those who love reading, the old oil mill has been converted into a characteristic lounge, while for those who enjoy company, there is a sitting room for pleasant conversation.
Sport & Activities:


For the active, you can choose between mountain biking or walking, following special routes mapped out, or unforgettable swims in the clear sea water between Cefalù and Capo Rais Gerbi. A bowling area is also available at the homestead. A horse riding centre, a five-a-side pitch and a tennis court are nearby.

The Cuisine:

The homestead has an agreement with a well known trattoria in Castelbuono where guests can eat. It is famous for its fresh mushrooms, gathered in the surrounding mountains.

What to See:

Castelbuono, only 0,4 km from the castle, is an ancient village in the Madonie region rich in marvellous works of art, laying on the slopes of Milocca hill, surrounded by woody mountains and close to the sea. Long ago the noble Ventimiglia family chose it because of its mild climate. Cefalù 20 km away, famous for its Norman Cathedral and crystal clear sea is a famous tourist destination. And, of course, there is always the many other villages and towns in the Madonie region, rich in history, that still keep village traditions alive