Handbook
WELCOME TO CALCICERA ALTA
Welcome to Calcicera Alta. This little handbook is here to help you settle in and make the most of your stay. It’s full of practical info and favourite local tips — exactly the sort of things we’d tell a friend coming to visit.
ARRIVAL DETAILS
Check-In: After 14:00 Check-Out: By 10:00
If you’re leaving on a day when no new guests are arriving, a later check-out may be possible — just ask Mirella and we’ll see what we can do.
Key Safe Codes
Calcicera Alta: Code 1968 – you’ll find the key box on the rear wall of the little outbuilding to the front right of the villa.
Casa Pedro: Code 1968 – the key box is on the pergola post nearest to the BBQ.
Please make sure the door handle at Casa Pedro is in a perfectly vertical position before unlocking the door.
USEFUL CONTACT NUMBERS
Tom Kearon (Owner): +44 (0)7974 837240 / tomkearon@gmail.com
Mirella Gallo (House Manager): +39 339 413 8337
Giovanni De Naro (Neighbour & Maintenance): +39 334 354 4098
Luca Licitra (Taxi / Tours – speaks English): +39 331 259 5103
WiFi
Network: Winetwork Password: winetwork1091
Giovanni lives just a few minutes away and looks after the house and pool. He doesn’t speak much English, but he’s friendly and helpful — a few smiles and gestures go a long way!
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
• Police / Carabinieri: 113
• Ambulance: 112
• Fire: 115
• Trigona Hospital (Noto): 0931 890111
The hospital is on the way to Noto Alta. Follow the signs to Palazzolo Acreide — it’s on the right. Pharmacies in Italy are often able to prescribe basic medications and antibiotics without the need to see a GP.
HOUSE RULES
We don’t have many — just the essentials to help things run smoothly and keep everyone happy.
• Maximum occupancy: Calcicera Alta – 8 people / Casa Pedro – 4 people
• Check-in: after 14:00 / Check-out: before 10:00
• Please treat the house, garden, and contents with care and respect
• No glass or china in the pool area — we’ve provided plastic cups and plates for outside use
HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION
General
Giovanni, who lives on the neighbouring farm (about five minutes away), looks after the property. He holds spare keys and can help with any issues relating to the house or pool. His English is limited, but he’s lovely and helpful — we find that a few words, a smile, and some friendly gestures go a long way. You will pass through his farm on the way to the houses . Don’t worry about the dogs - they bark, but don’t bite ! Please DRIVE SLOW passing through his farm .
Cleaning Supplies
There are cleaning products under the kitchen sink and in the utility room cupboards. A broom and mop are stored in the cupboard under the bookshelf (where the DVDs, games, and books are).
First Aid Kit & Fire Blanket
You’ll find these either under the kitchen sink or in the utility room.
Boiler & Hot Water
The gas boiler is in the utility room. If there’s no hot water and the light on the unit is red, it may just need switching off and on again. It should glow green when working correctly.
Please don’t flush anything down the WC’s that isn’t biodegradable or natural — the house uses a septic tank.
WATER FILTERS
Both houses have Berkley gravity-fed water filters. You can use the filtered water for drinking, making tea or coffee, or filling the reusable bottles in the house. There’s no need to buy bottled water during your stay unless you prefer to.
RUBBISH & RECYCLING
There are no door-to-door rubbish collections in rural Sicily, so guests are kindly asked to dispose of waste during their stay.
Option 1 – Main Collection Point
Take your household rubbish to the municipal waste depot outside Noto:
Noto Waste Recycling Centre – Contrada Madonna Marina (SS11, Noto–Rosolini Road)
GPS: 36.87906° N, 15.05916° E
Option 2 – Small Drops
If you only have a small amount of rubbish, there are public bins at:
• Lido di Noto
• Rosolini main square
• Bottle recycling points (e.g., Rosolini petrol station)
Tip: A little and often is the best approach.
Need help?
Giovanni can collect and dispose of rubbish for you — the fee is €30 per visit. Just let him or Mirella know.
CHILDREN & PETS
We welcome children and well-behaved dogs — this is a family home, after all!
• Children must be supervised at all times, especially around the pool
• Dogs are welcome, but please clean up after them and don’t allow them in the pool
• Be mindful of neighbouring land — there may be livestock in surrounding fields
We’ve had many fun family holidays here and hope yours is just as relaxed and joyful.
SECURITY & KEYS
Please remember to lock up whenever you go out. At Calcicera Alta, one key opens both the front and back doors.
UTILITY ROOM
The utility room at Calcicera Alta contains a few essentials:
• A larder cupboard with basic supplies (please replace anything you finish)
• A toolbox, spare light bulbs, and extra cleaning products
• The main RCD switchboard, boiler, pool power, and borehole pump controls
• A central heating thermostat (located in the kitchen near the fridge)
Please don’t touch the electrical systems — if something isn’t working, call Giovanni and he’ll help.
ROBOT HOOVER
There’s a robot hoover at Calcicera Alta to help keep the floors clean. You’ll find the remote control on the kitchen dresser — it’s very easy to use.
• Buttons: Play, Pause, Stop, and Return to Base
• It works best in the kitchen and living areas
• Avoid using it in the bedrooms — it gets caught on rugs
• Please tidy away any shoelaces, cables, or phone chargers, as they can get tangled
Tip: It’s best to run it when you’re heading out. It returns to its base when done and self-empties into a hoover bag. You may need to empty the base bag occasionally.
OLIVE OIL & FIREWOOD
Our neighbour Lorenzo makes cold-pressed organic olive oil and cures his own olives — both delicious and available to buy directly from him. You’ll find a small bottle of oil and some almonds waiting for you on arrival.
Firewood
Logs for the indoor fire (winter only) are stacked in the outdoor cooking area. One full load is included per stay during the colder months. If you run out, Giovanni can arrange more for a small fee — just let him know. One load is usually plenty.
Bathroom
You’ll find complimentary bathroom goodies from Monuskin Skincare. An amazing UK company producing botanical natural, vegan skincare products.
SWIMMING POOL
• The pool at Calcicera Alta is gated and can be locked for safety
• Please don’t bring glass or china into the pool area — broken glass is dangerous and can damage the filtration system
• Plastic wine glasses, cups, and plates are in the utility room and kitchen dresser
BBQ & PIZZA OVEN
Outdoor cooking is one of the great pleasures of staying here. A few handy tips:
• The BBQ and pizza oven work best with vinewood and small logs — no charcoal needed
• You’ll find extra wood in the lower fields, or Giovanni can bring some over
• The pizza oven takes a little practice (it’s not quite as easy as Jamie Oliver makes it look!) — ask Giovanni for a quick demo
• Only use small wood/kindling — not the large firewood logs
The oven is ready for pizza when the bricks inside go white — that takes about 40 minutes and gets it to 350–400°C. It’s also great for roasting meat, fish, and vegetables once it cools down slightly.
BRINGING THE RESTAURANT TO YOU
If you’re not in the mood to cook, we have some wonderful local options.
• Private catering: Mirella can organise a relaxed supper, a big BBQ, or something more special for birthdays and gatherings
• CastelBioo: (Instagram link) Corrado and his team cook fresh seasonal dishes using organic produce from their farm near Noto. Meals can be delivered to the house
• Marcello: A local chef and pizza/BBQ expert who runs a cooking school in Noto. He’ll come to the house and prepare a fantastic outdoor meal
We recommend booking ahead during peak summer months. Mirella can help with all the arrangements.
PLACES WORTH VISITING
We’ve put together a few favourite day trips — all of these are easy drives from the house.
Syracuse & Ortigia (40 mins)
A beautiful Baroque island with narrow lanes, vibrant markets (closed Sundays), seafood, and architecture. Visit the ancient Greek theatre or take a slightly bumpy but fun boat tour around the harbour.
Marzamemi (25 mins)
A working fishing village with beautiful courtyards, colourful boats, and great places to eat. Try La Balata or enjoy a granita in the square. Lively at night in summer, but peaceful by day.
Portopalo & Isola delle Correnti (35 mins)
Portopalo is known for early-morning fish sales at the harbour. Casual dinner? Try Ristorante Popeye. Just beyond is Isola delle Correnti, where two seas meet — a great storm-watching spot out of season.
Modica (1 hour)
A hill town famous for chocolate. Take the scenic route via SP17 from Noto — it’s a lovely drive. Don’t miss Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily.
Palazzolo Acreide (1 hour)
Peaceful and under-the-radar, this town has ancient ruins and excellent food. We love Ristorante da Andrea for local cheeses, salamis, and a warm welcome.
Cava Grande (30 mins)
A canyon filled with freshwater pools — perfect on a hot day. The hike is steep, so avoid if it’s wet or you’ve got toddlers in tow. Pack water and snacks, and wear proper shoes.
FOOD & SHOPPING
Groceries
Your nearest small and handy supermarket is Sessa on the way into Noto. Here’s a link to some grocery stores in the area. You’ll also find bakeries, butchers, and deli-style stores in town.
Markets
The daily market in Ortigia is packed with fresh fish, vegetables, cheeses, meats and more. Go early — and hungry!
Local goodies to try
• Almonds and olive oil (ask Lorenzo)
• Bottarga and dried fish from Marzamemi
• Modica chocolate
• Baked ricotta and salami from Ortigia market
BEACHES
Vendicari Nature Reserve – Our closest beach, and arguably the best. The reserve is protected, which means no night-time lights and a feeling of peace and space.
• Cala Mosche: a 20-minute walk to reach, but stunning
• Eloro: easier access and good for kids
There’s also a great family restaurant by the entrance — shady and relaxing.
Agua Beach San Lorenzo – Great beach resort with lots of amenities , nice bar area and restaurant (advisable to book ahead in peak summer)
Lido di Noto – A small seaside town with umbrella and sunbed rentals, ramshackle beach clubs and a few good restaurants.
Isola delle Correnti – Remote and dramatic. The water’s choppy, but the views are amazing.
AND FINALLY…
Calcicera Alta is very much a family home, and we hope you feel that from the moment you arrive. We’ve tried to include everything you might need to enjoy your stay — but if there’s anything we’ve missed, or if you have any special requests, questions or concerns while you’re here, please don’t hesitate to speak to Mirella or Giovanni.
Whether it’s a last-minute dinner, an extra towel, or tips for a scenic walk — we’ll always do our best to help.
Most of all, we hope you relax, unwind, and enjoy everything this beautiful corner of Sicily has to offer. Benvenuti!