Minissale Farmhouse

My husband and I took cooking classes at the Farmhouse with Tino. It was exceptional!! The highlight of our two weeks in Sicily!! We were able to pick the vegetables in the garden for the class and Tino taught us how to make pasta the correct way and the lemon meatballs and cannolis. The whole experience was such a treasure. We enjoyed meeting his family and drinking wine with them. The nicest people and Tino is the best teacher! You must do this ! Worth every penny and everlasting memories. Thanks so much Tino, mamma and papa! We will always remember you and your beautiful farmhouse. Hope to go back again.

I had difficulty writing this review and actually waited a few months before I posted. We were two couples travelling through Sicily and stayed here for four nights. There are numerous positive reviews, and I concur that the setting was lovely, the evening were tranquil, the rooms were clean, and that there was plenty of parking. But there is substantial room for improvement. Firstly, guests have no control over the setting of the air conditioning, even though we asked for a certain setting, it was rarely what we asked for. It seemed like during the day, while we were out touring, the air conditioning would be turned off, and we would return to a hot, uncomfortable room and had to request that the air be turned back on. I felt like I was a twelve year old informing a parent when I was leaving and when I planned to return. Breakfast was very basic with packaged cakes offered along with yogurt and juices. After the first morning, we got bored with the limited offerings, and purchased some eggs, requesting that they be hard boiled. Other guests received full breakfasts and I am uncertain whether they paid extra, even though our room rate included breakfast. To enter and exit, one had to request permission – I understand the need for security but perhaps a code could be provided to guests. Once, after an evening dinner, we called seven times over 15 minutes before someone responded to open the gate. Another day, a member of our group actually climbed the fence and walked to the farmhouse before the gate was opened. Lastly, we were hoping to use the pool only to be told that it was closed for maintenance. Frankly, we were ready to leave after two days and we were frustrated by the lack of control and independence.

We didn’t stay in the hotel, but we did a amazing cooking course: We booked the a cooking experience at Minissale Farmhouse, not knowing that Tino and his family would spend so much time cooking with us and teaching us. We made the most delicious tagliatelle, which Tino then cooked to perfection. We filled cannoli and as an added bonus we prepared bruschetta. Skills we look forward to using at home! Before this, Tino showed us the gardens and fruit trees, picking pees, onions, mulberries all for our meal. We would highly recommend this amazing experience to anyone, as not only do you learn so much, you also get to meet Tino and his amazing family. Thank you Tino, we look forward to coming back again next trip!!

Rooms, Accommodation, Location Very clean and very modern, air-conditioning and towels and mats changed everyday. You can see most of Etna from Tino's place, you will need a car to stay here for any longer than a few days. 5 minute drive to the local beach st marks, the pool is currently being finished. 20 minutes from Taormina, 50 minutes from the airport. Extremely quiet and tranquil! Fairly central we had the car and drove all over Sicily, 10 minutes from a motorway. Food and Drink The food is all grown and prepared onsite, the food is amazing, cooked by Tino (owner) and his mum and dad. I cannot stress how good cooks Tino and family are! For a 4 course meal and a bottle of wine a night it was £100 Euros for the 2 of us. All alcohol available and always cold when you ask for it. Local restaurant blue ice at the beach is also lovely great food and great staff! We tried lots of places as wanted to experience as much of Sicily as we could. Hosts Tino and his mum and dad are so lovely! Tino speaks good English and even though we don't speak Italian we till managed to have a good laugh with his parents. Anything we asked for or wanted Tino was more than happy to help weather that was local knowledge or advice. Our flights were even cancelled because of the terminal fire and Tino stayed up with us until 2am trying to help us with flights to get home couldn't have done more. Tino and his Mum also provide a cooking class where we made home made pasta and cannoli, also comes with lunch and wine. Very very fun and they both make learning traditional Italian methods very enjoyable. We loved our time at Minissale Farmhouse Tino and his family are amazing people. The location is very peaceful and very well maintained. Hire a car and explore Sicily from here couldn't recommend more highly! If you want to be away from the crowds of a hotel and get a real feel of peace and quiet and the Italian countryside get your to Minissale and have a Sicilian adventure like we did! Thank You! Mark and Chloe

The place is situated in an amazing area surrounded by greenery. The view in the morning is very relaxing. Tino and his parents are very nice people. They are very warm people, helpful and lovely to chat with…..We will definitely come back :)

Albergo di recente costruzione situato nelle campagne di Calatabiano ci si arriva per stradine strette e tortuose. Noi abbiamo soggiornato per quattro notti con un viaggio organizzato. La camera che avevamo era abbastanza spaziosa e molto pulita; come pure il bagno. Gentilissimi i proprietari. Veniamo alla parte gastronomica. Abbiamo cenato una sera, cibo buono ma nulla di eccezionale, con portate che forse potevano essere più abbondanti. Quello che però mi ha fatto dare una votazione bassa è stata la colazione. Ho letto tutta una serie di recensioni che magnificano la colazione. Mi è sembrato quasi che fosse un altro posto. Non ho visto confetture fatte in casa ma marmellatine e nutelline confezionate, e un solo tipo di torta o di cornetto (1 per persona) al giorno. Tutto era contato perfino le piccole confezioni di burro che dovevamo richiedere perchè a volte non c'erano per tutti. Non vi era inoltre nulla di salato, nè salumi nè formaggi.