Overview
Pontedera is a beautiful old-time country residence, located on a hill above Balestate countryside, a charming seaside resort west of Palermo. The town has developed around the ancient "tonnara" and the sea front, with low houses, shops, bars and typical restaurants. The sandy beach in Balestate is very popular all over the province of Palermo, and there you can find several equipped lidoes and wide parking areas.
Whatever the weather looks like, the area gives you an impression of great peacefulness and quiet. A sort of irrepressible joyfulness spreads from the colours of the sky, the sea and the countryside, and slowly infects whoever dwells here for a while. The vastness of open spaces, the hills as round as mother's breasts, the blue of the sea in the distance, the green of vineyards and cultivated fields seem to welcome the traveller with a reassuring embrace. And later, when your soul is filled up with such a great vastness and peace, you feel ready for a thousand discoveries in the many close places you can visit.
Property details
Villa Pontedera is composed of a main building - an old-time noble residence also hosting an apartment to which you gain access from a separate external entrance - and a dépendance located a few metres away. Outdoor areas are all well furnished, so guests can comfortably spend their time when out of the house. The splendid private garden shines of the colours of its lawns, flowers and innumerable Mediterranean plants. The gorgeous swimming pool - open to guests all the year round - together with the terrace-solarium are at guests' exclusive use.
The first floor in the main building consists of a living/dining room with fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, while the first floor has a double bedroom and a single bedroom. All interiors are comfortable and spacious, and still show the traditional ceilings with visible wooden beams. The furniture is in rustic style, with pieces of sober elegance. The dépendance hosts a double bedroom and a bathroom.
Area details
Balestrate is a small but very vivacious seaside resort facing the wide Castellammare Gulf, about 50kms away from Palermo. From here, via motorway, you can comfortably reach Castellammare del Golfo - with its lovely seafront under the ancient defensive castle now hosting a museum - and Scopello - with its spectacular stacks, crystal-clear sea, the scenographic "tonnara" and picturesque village, crowded with pretty shops of local products. Very close are also the Zingaro Nature Reserve - with its fabulous bays and the green-turquoise sea - and San Vito Lo Capo - with its wonderful white sandy beach and the excellent fish and cous cous restaurants. Erice deserves a visit on its own - with its medieval streets often wrapped in fog, and the stout defensive walls and crenellated towers dominating the valley underneath. Trapani boasts an elegant historical centre, and from it you can also reach the Aegadian Islands. The fascinating Doric Temple and Theatre in Segesta also exercise a strong appeal on all visitors. Finally, we suggest you Palermo - whose rich historical centre has been included by Unesco in the list of World Heritage Sites - and Monreale, with its out-of-the-ordinary Cathedral, a masterpiece of Arab-Norman art unique all over Europe.