General Info: Accommodation Our holiday home should be vacated by 10:00 on the day of your departure in order that the property is prepared for the next arrivals. Also, please note that our holiday home can be occupied from 16:00 onwards. Time: Sicily is on Central European Time (CET) which is GMT + 1 The Italian mains supply is at 220 V, 50 Hz. Adapters are still needed for the plugs (most Italian sockets have 2-3 holes). Please be aware that the electrical supply can trip if it is overloaded. It is necessary to consider this when using several high current appliances at once. In the event of the electrics tripping, it is necessary to flip the mains trip switch located in the mains box found upstairs by the main entrance door or for the lower ground floor in the laundry room. The main isolator is at the main gate. But there is further fuse boards in the utility room where the boiler is housed which would need opening by out maintenance engineers. Insects Insects such as mosquitos and ants are inevitable in countries where the climate is warmer and Sicily is no exception. It is very important therefore that you are aware of crumbs and ensure that rubbish bins are emptied regularly. A good repellent will keep the mosquito bites at bay during the day. At night we highly recommend using plug in mosquito repellents. Several hours prior to going to bed, insert the blue tablet into the unit, plug it into an electrical socket, turn off all lights and close doors and windows (please remember to turn the unit off prior to going to sleep). Equally, large citronella candles are effective for outside protection. Refuse collections There is no collection service from individual properties and therefore rubbish and refuse sacks should be deposited in the large green bins, which are located along the road. Bolognetta Bolognetta has many very good restaurants (see links page) plus all the normal shopping facilities, for the adventurous locally there is on the nearby hills hang-gliding plus horse riding and cycling, or spend a day in and sunbathe and relax, in the evening relax on the veranda drinking a good glass of wine and enjoying the splendid sunsets Palermo The city of Palermo, capital of the Sicilian region stands on a bay on the north coast at the foot of Mt Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had seen. One of the largest and most important cities in the world during the Middle Ages, some of the Arab- Norman buildings erected between the 9th and 12th centuries still stand, as well as numerous delightful Baroque churches and oratories. The Museo Archeological Regionale Salinas and the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia each contain outstanding collections. Google Map Link to Sicilianvilla What to See: The Capuchin's Catacombs in Palermo The many street markets Corleone Winery Shopping Mall Style Shopping (20 mim) “The Weather in Sicily is almost perfect, enjoying over 20000 hours of sunshine a year, more than pretty much anywhere in Europe and the summers are long and dry with a low humidity.” Restaurant links: Local Restaurant: Baglio degli Ulivi (approx. 1Km) Local Restaurant : La PUERTA do SOL Local Resturant : Antica Masseria Di Salvo Restaurant: Saloon West (Recommended ask for Angelo) Flights to Sicily Ryanair – flies twice a day from London Stansted to Palermo, although the afternoon flight is normally only available between May & October. Flights can be booked online at www.ryanair.com Easyjet - flies to Catania three times a week all year round from Gatwick and also has weekly flights to Palermo. British Airways - flies four times a week from London Gatwick to Catania, although this service only operates between May & October. Flights can be booked online at www.ba.com Air Malta - flies three times a week from London Gatwick to Catania, although during the off-peak months this service is reduced to Mondays and Thursdays only. Flights can be booked online at www.airmalta.com or calling Air Malta on 0845 607 3710. Charter flights - there are a number of charter companies that operate a Saturday to Saturday service between Gatwick, Heathrow & Manchester to Catania. Please be aware that these flights are only available from April to October. In order to assist you with booking flights with the Charter companies, Open Sicily has secured a relationship with an ATOL bonded flight broker who can provide you with quotations and ticketing. Schedule flights to Sicily Alitalia - offers a daily indirect scheduled service to both Palermo and Catania departing from London Heathrow. This service requires a change of aircraft at either Milan or Rome. Flights can be booked online at www.alitalia.co.uk or on 0870 544 8259. Meridiana – also offers an indirect scheduled service to both Palermo and Catania, with a change of aircraft at Florence. Flights can be booked by calling 020 7839 2222. Puffin Computers Design