La Grotta
Locality
Ustica, Palermo
Zone
Island
Sleeps
4
Bathrooms
1
Features
Romantic place, direct access to the Sea,built in a cave
Ideal for
Anyone who loves the absolute peace, and the total absence of neighbours Anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the worlds of nature and the sea Anyone who wants a romantic getaway Anyone who wants to dive the uncontaminated waters of Ustica
Description
La Grotta is a remote little house fused to the craggy rocks that fringe the island of Ustica, more easily reached by boat than by land. Although the house itself is tiny, the living space includes a natural cave the size of a tennis court, furnished with Bohemian elegance: it is strewn with rugs, mats, daybeds, seats and cushions, and features a long cement table with space for over 20 people to dine.
From the little landing-place, a flight of steps leads over the rocks through a lush, typical Mediterranean garden to a waterside sundeck with a shower and changing room. Above here is the tiny house: two bedrooms, a living room with two beds built into the walls, and a small bathroom. But the heart and soul of the house is the grotto, or cave, where you can keep cool in the heat of the day, reading, having a drink or just staring at the sea. In the lowest part of the cave, there is even a huge double bed, covered with a mosquito net, and looking out to sea. Adjoining the main cave is a smaller cavern containing the kitchen (entirely built of lava-stone) and larder. The kitchen opens onto a terrace where you can dine under the stars in summer. A 400 metre walk takes you up to a little wood, and a parking space.
The house is in the Contrada San Paolo, to the west of the island, close to the famous Grotta delle Barche.
From the little landing-place, a flight of steps leads over the rocks through a lush, typical Mediterranean garden to a waterside sundeck with a shower and changing room. Above here is the tiny house: two bedrooms, a living room with two beds built into the walls, and a small bathroom. But the heart and soul of the house is the grotto, or cave, where you can keep cool in the heat of the day, reading, having a drink or just staring at the sea. In the lowest part of the cave, there is even a huge double bed, covered with a mosquito net, and looking out to sea. Adjoining the main cave is a smaller cavern containing the kitchen (entirely built of lava-stone) and larder. The kitchen opens onto a terrace where you can dine under the stars in summer. A 400 metre walk takes you up to a little wood, and a parking space.
The house is in the Contrada San Paolo, to the west of the island, close to the famous Grotta delle Barche.
Surroundings
Rising from the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and linked to the capital by hydrofoil and ferry, this holiday resort is named the "Black Pearl of the Mediterranean" by tourists. In this case, the name fits, as the volcanic island is composed of dark, petrified, rather foreboding-looking lava. As a matter of fact, the Romans named it Ustum
Both this turtle-shaped island and its main port are called Ustica.
A visit here is a trip to the unknown and offbeat Sicily.
Ustica is tiny, only 8.6 sq. km (3.3 sq. miles). You can circumnavigate the island in 3 or 4 hours, depending on your pace.
It is set at the top of a submerged volcano, and it is the oldest island in the Sicilian outer archipelago - even older than the Aeolian islands (one of which is Lipari), which it resembles.
Ustica's jagged coastline is riddled with creeks, bays, and caves, which can be explored by renting a boat which circles the island.
Since it is the top of an extinct volcano, Ustica doesn't have sandy beaches. Nevertheless, as you traverse the island, you will find jumping-off points for swimming. The biggest attraction is the grotto-lined coastline, and since distances are short, hiking is a viable option.
In Ustica You will see produce grown by the islanders, such as lentils, figs, capers, grapes, prickly pears, wheat, and almonds.
Among all the caves or grottoes in the island, the most celebrated and fascinating is the Grotta Azzurra, the first cave in the south of Ustica village as you head down the coast by boat. it is compared with the fabulous namesake cave in Capri, since both grottoes share an incredible dazzling light reflections from the sea.
The Marine National Park was created in 1986, the first marine reserve ever established in Italy.
Underwater photographers flock to the park to film the stunning aquatic flora and fauna.
J. Y. Cousteau claimed that the waters off the coast of Ustica were among the most beautiful he had ever seen, ideal for both diving and underwater photography - and we agree.
The best spot for diving is the Grotta del Gamberi, near Punta Gavazzi, in the southern tip of the island beyond Grotta del Tuono.
The best dive spot on the north coast is Secca di Colombara, near Grotta dell'Oro. Here you can see a vast array of gorgonians and Ustica's most beautiful sponges. Scoglio del Medico, or "doctor's rock," lies off the western coast of the island. This emerging basalt, riddled with grottoes and gorges, plunges to murky depths in the Atlantic, and offers a panoramic seascape unequalled anywhere else in Sicily. (burnt), because it looked like a large black rock to them.
Both this turtle-shaped island and its main port are called Ustica.
A visit here is a trip to the unknown and offbeat Sicily.
Ustica is tiny, only 8.6 sq. km (3.3 sq. miles). You can circumnavigate the island in 3 or 4 hours, depending on your pace.
It is set at the top of a submerged volcano, and it is the oldest island in the Sicilian outer archipelago - even older than the Aeolian islands (one of which is Lipari), which it resembles.
Ustica's jagged coastline is riddled with creeks, bays, and caves, which can be explored by renting a boat which circles the island.
Since it is the top of an extinct volcano, Ustica doesn't have sandy beaches. Nevertheless, as you traverse the island, you will find jumping-off points for swimming. The biggest attraction is the grotto-lined coastline, and since distances are short, hiking is a viable option.
In Ustica You will see produce grown by the islanders, such as lentils, figs, capers, grapes, prickly pears, wheat, and almonds.
Among all the caves or grottoes in the island, the most celebrated and fascinating is the Grotta Azzurra, the first cave in the south of Ustica village as you head down the coast by boat. it is compared with the fabulous namesake cave in Capri, since both grottoes share an incredible dazzling light reflections from the sea.
The Marine National Park was created in 1986, the first marine reserve ever established in Italy.
Underwater photographers flock to the park to film the stunning aquatic flora and fauna.
J. Y. Cousteau claimed that the waters off the coast of Ustica were among the most beautiful he had ever seen, ideal for both diving and underwater photography - and we agree.
The best spot for diving is the Grotta del Gamberi, near Punta Gavazzi, in the southern tip of the island beyond Grotta del Tuono.
The best dive spot on the north coast is Secca di Colombara, near Grotta dell'Oro. Here you can see a vast array of gorgonians and Ustica's most beautiful sponges. Scoglio del Medico, or "doctor's rock," lies off the western coast of the island. This emerging basalt, riddled with grottoes and gorges, plunges to murky depths in the Atlantic, and offers a panoramic seascape unequalled anywhere else in Sicily. (burnt), because it looked like a large black rock to them.
Distances
36 miles from Palermo
Hydrofoils and ferries operate daily from Stazione Maríttima of Palermo to Ustica.
The ferry is the cheapest and slowest transport, taking two hours and a half. Ferries run all the year round, but not on Sunday in winter.
The hydrofoil takes half the time to get to Ustica from Palermo. The service runs from April to December.
Hydrofoils and ferries operate daily from Stazione Maríttima of Palermo to Ustica.
The ferry is the cheapest and slowest transport, taking two hours and a half. Ferries run all the year round, but not on Sunday in winter.
The hydrofoil takes half the time to get to Ustica from Palermo. The service runs from April to December.
Details
Double bedroom
Twin bedroom
Living room with beds built into the walls
Small bathroom with shower
Huge fully-equipped kitchen in a cave
........The cave
Twin bedroom
Living room with beds built into the walls
Small bathroom with shower
Huge fully-equipped kitchen in a cave
........The cave
Good to know
Highs: Utter privacy
This villa is absolutely unique: where else can you eat, and even sleep comfortably in your own private cave!
No-one will disturb you
Lows: The bathroom is tiny
A panoramic path, which is part of the nature trails on the island, leads to the village after a pleasant walk of around 15 minutes. The path is totally accessible, part of it has steps and another part is unpaved trail. It is not, however, illuminated at night, so there are torches and headlamps in the house.
Travel to and from the house, along with the delivery of shopping and taking away of rubbish can be arranged with a local boatman (€15 per trip).
This villa is absolutely unique: where else can you eat, and even sleep comfortably in your own private cave!
No-one will disturb you
Lows: The bathroom is tiny
A panoramic path, which is part of the nature trails on the island, leads to the village after a pleasant walk of around 15 minutes. The path is totally accessible, part of it has steps and another part is unpaved trail. It is not, however, illuminated at night, so there are torches and headlamps in the house.
Travel to and from the house, along with the delivery of shopping and taking away of rubbish can be arranged with a local boatman (€15 per trip).
