Daphne and Harper’s Noto Villa From The White Lotus Is Now on Airbnb (2024)

There are so many reasons why viewers around the world have been hooked on The White Lotus. One among them is the plot, always suspended between intrigue and sociological reflections that are anything but trivial. Despite a muted start, Mike White’s work has become one of the phenomena of the small screen to the point of winning a Golden Globe recently. An important part of the success of the series can certainly be attributed to the locations.

Indeed, The White Lotus tells the story of a group of people vacationing at the beautiful, eponymous resort and the staff. In the first season of the successful TV show, it was located on the island of Maui, Hawaii, while in the second, it is Italy that serves as the backdrop for the vicissitudes of a cast that includes, among others, Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham.

A setting that immediately won over (as did the soundtrack) viewers from all parts of the globe, it was an unprecedented success, which saw the New York Times pose the question, “Is it time for a White Lotus vacation?” Specifically, the show was filmed on the island of Sicily.

One home in which the characters Daphne (Meghann Fahy) and Harper (Aubrey Plaza) stay is Villa Tasca, a 16th-century jewel that stands in an 8-hectare park full of citrus groves and ancient trees on the road from Palermo to Monreale. Its spacious and bright interiors are characterized by frescoes and majolica tiles depicting rock scenes, thus conveying that same balance of liveliness and serenity found in the outdoor garden. It is an historic home that over time has hosted the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy, Bismarck, and Margaret of Savoy, and influenced the compositions of musicians such as Verdi and Wagner.

This historic Sicilian mansion is now part of Airbnb’s rich portfolio, ready to make discerning travelers daydream. As White Lotus fans will well remember, in addition to the magnificent garden, it is impossible not to be won over by the period architecture, trompe-l'oeil frescoes, and Murano chandeliers. These are just some of the details that recall the splendor of the past and that still make Villa Tasca special today.

Located just a few kilometers from the Palatine Chapel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as part of the route that includes Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale, Villa Tasca is a wonder to be discovered. If 16th-century echoes are well present indoors, the gardens take us back to 19th-century Romanticism. Indeed, centuries-old trees and citrus groves evoke the unmistakable atmosphere of Victorian-era gardens. It is a location suspended in time, revived in a sumptuous present charged with history and beauty.

Let’s get to know it better: a double staircase leads guests to the main floor of Villa Tasca, where the living room and dining room are located, characterized by very high ceilings and large windows that let the warm and intense light of the Mediterranean filter through. The charm of the period rooms is revitalized by pieces of Italian art and design, while landscape frescoes decorate the walls against a backdrop of polished stone floors and majestic carpets.

There is no shortage of paintings adorned with precious frames, as well as a swimming pool and furnished terrace and, inside, a billiard room, music room, bar, TV, and Wi-Fi. A vacation at Villa Tasca includes the presence of a full staff. The splendid bedrooms feature private baths, air conditioning, and an en suite sitting area or lounge. Details such as gilt-framed portraits, carved wooden closets, and marble bathroom tiles can be found in each room.

As we said, this luxury residence is a 10-minute drive from the golden mosaics of the Palatine Chapel, the Norman Palace, and the Capuchin Catacombs. Monreale is ideal for a stroll along the harbor, a visit to the cathedral, or a stop at the water park. For the more curious, we suggest a tour of downtown Palermo, whose colorful streets are a mix of architecture from all over the Mediterranean. For a few days, you just might feel like the protagonists of The White Lotus.

This article was originally published on AD Italy and has been translated.

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