Gioiosa Marea with Mulberry House & Queen House
The estate is located approximately 80km west of Messina on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in that part of the Gulf of Capo d,Orlando enclosed within Cape Tyndaris and Cape Calavà. Set amidst renowned scenic country, it makes a superb base for exploring all our beautiful Island has to offer. It faces the Aeolian Islands; Vulcano is only 11 miles away and, easily reachable by means of small speedboats. Our seawater is warm and clean; the shore is sandy with gently rising water. Peculiar to this area of the Sicilian coast is the sequence of rocky capes embedded into beautiful sandy shores, all sloping down into blue, crystal clear waters. Rising steeply at the back of the coast are the Nebrodi Mountains (Nebrodi Natural Park) which are the main reason why this province is so green and cool; not only they offer great protection against the African all-oppressive hot winds coming from the South, but, also, the great quantity of water sources existing allow vegetation to grow thickly. All this improves dramatically the micro climate of the area. Olive-trees and, other typical Mediterranean plants offer rich and striking view, extending from the salty fragrance of the seashore, right up to the pastures of Mount Etna. Historically, in this area there are some of the most ancient Greek and Roman Sicilian sites such as the Greek Theatre in Tyndaris or the Roman Villa in Patti (with mosaic floors no less important than the ones in Piazza Armerina). There are also two beautiful Norman Castles, in Milazzo and in Montalbano Elicona, belonging to Frederic the Second and quite a number of Saracen Towers along the coast. Do keep in mind that lots of different cultures passed through this land, as conquerors : Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Spanish and French. Taormina, Cefalù, the Island of Stromboli and Mount Etna are all within a range of 100kms, while Palermo and Catania are one and a half hour away by motorway. Therefore a stay at the Mulberry House and Queen House  is an ideal, relaxed and easy way to discover a good part of "Our Sicily" and of its beauties.