The location of this 27-room wine resort at the foot of Mount Etna is simply unbeatable. Yes, this may be the world’s largest active volcano, but rest assured – Monaci delle Terre Nere’s site was first chosen in the 18th century by monks of St Anne’s order, and the region’s fertile volcanic soil has attracted prosperous families for even longer. It’s this very spot that makes the hotel so special: for its views of smouldering Etna and the Mediterranean horizon; the fresh Sicilian air; its sprawling 25-hectare estate and working vineyards that wine lovers will be excited to explore.
This is a place for switching off and appreciating the property’s natural surroundings (there is WiFi but no televisions). The renovated barn and wine press rooms give a contemporary nod to sustainability, hewn from local lava stone and chestnut timber. The restaurant, meanwhile, focuses on fantastic seasonal cuisine from the estate’s own organic farm.
