Sicily

Archaic architecture: half temple, half barn, the holiday home Casa Bendico near Noto stages the essentials and, despite its massive walls, creates a lightweight atmosphere with stunning sea views and a pool.

Staged reduction: Situated in the heart of the Val di Noto on a spur of the Monti Iblei, Casa Balate artfully directs the eye and highlights the minimalist architecture and the Mediterranean backdrop of olive, almond and carrubo trees with atmosphere and striking effect.

On a secluded hill, just four kilometres from the Sicilian baroque town of Noto, sits the holiday home Casa Agila, which blends modern architecture with regional influences and offers space for four people.

Situated on a hill near the baroque town of Scicli, surrounded by carob trees and nature, Casa Kera looks out over the gently rolling hills to the blue shimmering south coast of the island. A house that naturally places itself in the middle of the Sicilian landscape.

Palermo is a city of contrasts, where baroque splendor meets morbid charm and a lively atmosphere. In the capital of Sicily, Stefan Koppelkamm – graphic designer, photographer, author and university lecturer – has fulfilled his dream of having his own atelier in a baroque palazzo.

Casa del Forte is located in an old fisherman's house in Ortigia, the old town of Syracuse. Just a few minutes walk from the city beach and at the same time in the middle of the bustling old town streets with its ancient sites.

Outside: a lively hustle and bustle. Inside: peace and quiet and the grandeur of bygone eras. Casa Sabir is located on the market square of the small island of Ortigia – the historic centre of the Sicilian city of Syracuse.

Trecubi – a holiday home situated near the town of Noto in the southeast of Sicily – offers magnificent views over the region’s hilly landscape, all the way to the sea five kilometres away.

Villa Cozzo Tre Venti is situated on the edge of the little port town of Portopalo di Capo Passero in the far south-east of Sicily.

Ortigia – the small island off the east coast of Sicily – is connected by several bridges to the mainland. It forms the historic center of the city of Syracuse with narrow streets, small squares and baroque buildings.

The volcanic island of Pantelleria, located between Sicily and Tunisia, is known as the "Black Pearl of the Mediterranean". The holiday home Pantelleria Nikà is enthroned here on rugged cliffs and offers a breathtaking view.

Just 30 meters from the sea and overlooking the Capo Zaferrano, this villa is situated on a rocky slope on the northern coast of Sicily and offers a journey into design history

La Tannura is a small estate between the towns of Noto and Avolo in the hilly hinterland of the southeastern coast of Sicily.

The Residenza Hortus in the historic center of the Sicilian Baroque town of Modica dates back to the 16th century and was probably part of the old castle or a church building.

With the glittering sea in sight and a pool in the Mediterranean garden Villa Vendicari is located in the nature reserve Vendicari in south-eastern Sicily. The building looks like it has been shaped by the wind, and with its organic form it blends in well with the original landscape.

From a distance, it seems like a wooden box is floating on a hill overlooking the archaic Sicilian countryside. La melagrana located near the town of Noto is pitched on concrete beams and offers a view of the sea shimmering in the distance.

The earth quakes. Every ten minutes the volcano blasts red fire into the air. And at the foot of the black island, the white Villa la Pergola, nestled between palm trees, prickly pear cacti and pink bougainvilleas, gazes out across the sea.