Donna Carmela, a Charming Villa-style Hotel in Sicily, Italy

"Donna Carmela is the perfect place for exploring Taormina, Siracusa, and the south coast of Sicily," says one of my trusted Sicily Insiders, Rossella Beaugie. "It's located in a wine area, near the town of Giarre ... immersed in a garden nursery brimming with tropical and sub-tropical plants and trees. The scent of orange blossom and vibrant greenery of the surrounding countryside create a calm and relaxing atmosphere."

Donna Carmela has 18 guest rooms and suites with the amenities of a first-class boutique hotel but the feel of a private home. "The villa has been beautiful restored and decorated by a French interior designer," says Rossella, "so it has lots of Gallic charm with Sicilian authenticity." All the rooms are different in size and décor. Pay a little more for a large junior suite which comes with a bedroom, bathroom and separate living room; definitely worth the extra outlay.

All the rooms have satellite TV, a fridge bar and air-conditioning; four of the nine junior suites are duplex-style, with a living room on one level and a bedroom and bathroom on another. The three suites all have terraces with expansive views, and beautiful antique furnishings throughout.

The restaurant is very welcoming with comfy sofas, a fireplace, and a terrace used for al fresco dining in the summer. The terrace looks out to an ancient olive grove and surrounding estate, very pretty. The menus are traditional Sicilian packed with fresh local produce and flavors, and complemented by a good wine cellar.

The hotel is in a good location for visiting Taormina, Catania, Mount Etna, and the charming fishing villages, bays, beaches and wild coastline of Sicily's south coast. An 18-hole golf course is about a 45-minute drive away, as well as good hiking, skiing and sailing facilities.

Rooms from €110 (about $156) per night.