In the foothills of the Appenine Mountains on the east coast of Sicily lies the charming town of Zefferena Etnea. Tucked away down a peaceful gravel lane and set against a backdrop of the explosive Mount Etna, is Monaci delle Terre Nere, a graceful 18th Century villa that owner Guido Coffa lovingly restored over a period of five years and transformed into an eight-bedroom hotel. Now, in time for its two-year anniversary, the hotel has expanded to include a further five suites housed in a newly converted stone building on the property. Once again styled by Coffa, the new suites comprise a mixture of antique and modern furniture, while three of them come complete with a cosy fireplace. Sited within 40 acres of wine land with panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean Sea, the hotel is equipped with a restaurant that serves up local fare from products exclusively grown on the property. And for those looking to do more than laze by the pool, wine and cooking courses as well as yoga classes are available upon request.
