Located just ten kilometers south of Ragusa, Eremo della Giubiliana, was originally a 12th century fortification, thus its position dominating the highland that gently slopes down to the sea. The convent, used by the Knights of Malta during the first half of the 15th century, has been restored maintaining as much of its original materials as possible. Rooms have been created from the friars' "cells" (i.e., the rooms are not large) and updated to offer modern conveniences. The two-level "Great Suite", that can accommodate four persons, connects to Room 10, making it suitable for families. The "Tower Suite", located in the most ancient part of the Eremo, features two large rooms with vaulted ceilings and access to a private garden. More recently, much larger rooms were added, and these rooms (built of local stone) are impressive and perfect for JDB clients, much more so than the orginal rooms that were friars' "cells".
The hotel has an excellent restaurant featuring authentic Mediterranean cuisine prepared from old family recipes. The wine cellar is located in a medieval vault. Be sure to try a bottle of the hotel's Frate Nero red wine. It is excellent.
Other facilities include a beach located eight kilometers from the hotel, trekking on horseback (stables not on property) to other medieval sites, towns and the coast, and mountain biking.
Well worth a visit in the area are the towns of Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Scicli, and Siracusa, each with ancient centers and many buildings of great architectural interest. There is a private airfield on the property used for excursions to the North African Coast, the Aeolian Islands, etc. (For those wishing to keep a really close eye on their aircraft, there are five individual cottages fully equipped with airplane parking at one's doorstep!) Air shuttle flights can be arranged from the private airfield to major airports in Sicily.
