Welcome to Vista Alcantara - Rustic Mountain-Top Refuge! At about 700 meters above sea level, Vista Alcantara offers a serene escape overlooking the breathtaking Gole dell'Alcantara valley and the village of Motta Camastra used in the movie "The Godfather." With 15,000 m² of unspoiled land, our family-owned rustic villa provides guests with stunning 360-degree views, peace, and tranquility—a perfect setting for relaxation and rejuvenation. Vista Alcantara is the labour of love of Carmelo Conti, who built this enchanting retreat brick by brick. As a young man, he dreamed of living on a mountain where he could cultivate nature, grow vegetables, and plant trees. His vision was to nurture a piece of land for future generations to enjoy, a vision that continues to thrive here. Spanning 320 m², our villa offers plenty of indoor space for guests to feel at home. Large terraces surround the property, perfect for sipping coffee at sunrise or enjoying outdoor dining under the stars at sunset. Every corner of the villa is designed for relaxation and connection with nature. Throughout the year, we host In-House Transformational Retreats, providing a unique opportunity to unwind and reconnect. Vista Alcantara is also available for intimate weddings, accommodating up to 12 guests, with additional lodging options available in the charming town of Motta Camastra if needed. We warmly welcome private groups seeking a peaceful getaway. Whether you're a group of walkers, painters, nature lovers, yoga practitioners, spiritual solstice seekers or anyone wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, Vista Alcantara is your perfect haven. Experience the beauty of nature, create lasting memories, and embrace the tranquility that surrounds you. Join us at Vista Alcantara, where every moment is an invitation to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. Please note: We rent the entire property as well as separate rooms. Also, the property is still undergoing a lot of renovation work.

I am a life and spiritual coach, with a background in psychology and holistic health therapies, as well as a published author and Reiki Master. I have travelled extensively, I am multilingual and adore meeting new people and making new friendships. I love learning about different cultures and adore chatting to guests who want to sit and share a cuppa with me. As an author and spiritual person, there are times when I need to retreat in silence. So, I fully understand and respect people's need for tranquility and privacy. Our land is full of fruit trees. When they're in season, guests are welcome to help us harvest. In February, we run a course to teach people how to prune vines. In May, we harvest our cherries. Between May and June, we harvest our apricots too. The times vary a little according to the weather conditions. In July, our pears, gelsi, figs and almonds are usually ready for harvest. At the beginning of September, we harvest our grapes and start the wine making process. Around this time, we should also harvest our peaches and plums. By the end of September, our pomegranates are usually ripe and so too are our persimmons. In November we always welcome extra hands to pick our olives. Guests are welcome to eat fruit straight from the trees. We use no chemicals. I took over the property at the end of March 2024. Since then, I have been renovating the villa and nurturing the land to the best of my ability. My intention is to create a raised garden close to the swimming pool area. Guests are welcome and encouraged to try their hand at any gardening activities. I am also very happy to share my limited gardening knowledge with newbies. As a Coach, Holistic Health therapist and Reiki Master, I offer coaching sessions, holistic health treatments and massages at the villa for an extra fee. Guests are also welcome to join me for morning "Flavours of the Orient" sessions; comprising a mixture of Yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi, Stretching and Meditation.

As we are secluded on the top of a mountain, we are surrounded by nature at its finest. We have 360 degrees of salubrious views over Mount Etna and the Alcantara Valley (including the Gole dell'Alcantara.) We can see the villages of Motta Camastra below us, Castiglione di Sicilia on a hill in front of us, Gaggi hidden in the mountainous alcoves and all the way down to the sea. We can see Francavilla di Sicilia and the mountain range that leads inland. As there is no light polution like there is in big cities, on a clear night, we can see the stars like a blanket of led lights in the sky. On our property, we have two historic artefacts that date back as far as 3000 B.C - One is a palmento, with a rare engraving, where people of ancient times used to stomp on the grapes to make the mosto for wine-making. The second is a pre-pagan altar carved in stone. Recently, our heritage treasures were featured in an archeological book in the region. The village of Motta Camastra was used in Francis Ford Coppola's "Godfather" movie. The village has stunning views to offer and quirky characteristics. When visiting the village, the barber's shop is a must stop and view!!! It is a wall to wall, ceiling to floor photographic memorabilia museum that acts as an ode to everyone who has ever been in there. The barber is rightfully proud to name-drop as his collection includes many famous people. If you stop for a fresco in the local bar, of which there is only one, don't be surprised if the locals come and talk to you. Curiosity and chitchat is very Sicilian and as Sicilians, we like to make people feel welcome. You may even get invited to someone's house for an authentic "Spaghettata." You can really expect the unexpected in Motta. Nearby, we have the famous Gole dell'Alcantara with its freezing water and stunning gorges. One of the amazing facts about this river is that it emerges from the ground and it's possible to visit the starting point.