Baglio Donna Franca is a boutique hotel, nestled in Marsala, Sicily, and boasts fantastic food. A small agritourist country hotel in an utterly authentic Sicilian baglio, set in vineyards.
Near Marsala and only about 15 minutes from Trapani airport, Agritourist hotel Baglio Donna Franca is a perfect stop for any itinerary. Truly an undiscovered part of Sicily, colours seem fiercer and striking. The landscape can be flat, challenging the eye with sights not seen before and not to be missed – windmills, salt flats, offshore islands within touching distance, hovering in the heat. This is full-on Sicily and here at Long Travel we love it.
Set amongst 10 hectares of vineyards, Hotel Baglio Donna Franca was just a small part of the famous Florio estates. In the mid 1800’s, the Florio family built the baglio around a 15th century watchtower and surrounded it with vineyards of the best quality grapes. Their aim was to compete with the first producers of Marsala wine, who were Englishmen. So, an opportunistic entrepreneur from Calabria set out to provide market competition, with the aim of eventually taking over altogether, and he succeeded. Vincenzo Florio finally bought out his English rivals, thrived and became ridiculously wealthy until the Florio cantina’s ultimate demise, when it was bought by a consortium of producers and exists as such today.
The current owners of the agritourismo Baglio Donna Franca produce wine on a smaller scale, but of no less impressive quality. Their small production is totally organic, using typical grapes of the region, such as grillo, zibibo and moscato for the whites, and pericone and nero d’avola for the reds. Whether you are a connoisseur or not, these wines are wonderful and far too drinkable for your own good! The cuisine at Baglio Donna Franca hotel is also delicious and has been well praised by many Long Travel clients.
Outside the main baglio walls, on an open terrace, with far-reaching views over the vineyards to the sea and the Egadi Islands, it is difficult to describe how breathtakingly dramatic the views from the pool area of the Baglio Donna Franca are. At first, it seems stark and maybe too open, even though there is a shaded gazebo for shade. Then, you realise that they could not have put the pool anywhere else. At sunset, the colours change completely. The neutral stone wall glows orange. The Baglio Donna Franca and its palm trees are reflected in the glassy turquoise blue water. Unforgettable!
Baglio Donna Franca provides refuge, as it has for centuries, in a truly romantic, magical setting. It is a haven of comfort and friendliness, a true agriturismo and a genuine experience from start to finish. With real soul, an intimate atmosphere, breath-taking views from a glorious pool, amazing food and wine, there is so much about it that is absolutely striking and romantic.