Caol Ishka is a boutique hotel five minutes away from the charming old town of Ortigia in Siracusa, Italy. The boutique hotel's distinct name means 'the sound of water' in Gaelic, thought up by Irish owner Gareth and his Italian wife Emanuela.

This boutique hotel has all the advantages of being on the outside of town: it has beautiful surroundings, is incredibly quiet at night and yet still has excellent driving links to the surrounding area. This hotel is a great base for those who want to explore their surroundings by car, or to go hiking.

The facilities

Caol Ishka is surrounded by beautiful gardens and has an infinity pool outside. The restaurant Zafferano combines traditional Sicilian fare with the occasional oriental dish. The restaurant has friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere, and the boutique hotel's food is locally-sourced and seasonal, too.

The rooms

Caol Ishka has ten rooms and suites. Suites are decorated in a tastefully eclectic, contemporary-meets-traditional style, with ultra-modern lamps and bathrooms set against opulent chandeliers and mirrors. Rooms are painted white or grey.

Six of the ten rooms have verandas. All rooms have TVs and DVD players. Try and nab the deluxe room, which is housed in a barn with 6m high ceilings.