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autumn-in-sicily-villas

The summer sunshine continues right through September here but the heat is less fierce and the climate ideal for venturing inland to explore the island’s nature reserves and spectacular countryside. If you enjoy being active, why not combine a week in the sun with a selection of walking tours and hiking excursions at different spots on the island? For foodies, this is the season for hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds and harvest time for the olive groves and vineyards. October sees the start of the wild mushroom season, and of roast chestnuts and prickly pears. Take a look at our favourite…

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sicily-villas

If you haven’t booked to get away this summer yet, we’ve tried to make life easy by picking a selection of top villas for autumn getaways. September and early October are great months to holiday in Sicily: you can still expect temperatures in the low to mid-20’s, up to ten hours of sunshine a day and quiet beaches and tourist attractions as Italians return to work. Of course if September seems too long to wait for warm sunshine, there is always the option of a quick getaway. Take a look at our collection of villas offering last-minute deals and promotions.…

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LUXURY-VILLAS-IN-SICILY-WITH-POOL

Still looking for a villa in the sun? Villa specialist Wish Sicily has added to its portfolio several new properties that are ideal for families and have excellent availability in July and August.   Family friendly villa in north Sicily Casa del Gelso is a newly-restored villa with a fantastic garden and pool with views over the Tyrrhenian coast.  A sure-fire hit with kids of all ages, the pool has easy access steps for younger children, and a diving board for the older ones. There is also table tennis and a stunning outdoor kitchen designed to make family catering that…

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holiday-rentals-in-sicily-wishsicily

Wish Sicily in the press While Sicily’s beaches and cultural attractions still undoubtedly steal the show, holidaying here now comes hand-in-hand with a whole host of other options.  Our villa holidays with outdoor activities such as river trekking, canyoning and body rafting were included in the Independent’s recent feature on family holidays in Italy while Good Things magazine featured our yoga holidays amongst its fabulous assortment of luxury travel ideas.   What’s happening right now From now until 26 June, there is an extra treat to pack into an already jam-packed list of things to do and see in Syracuse.…

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Independent-Logo

We were thrilled to see our new range of villa holidays with outdoor activities included in the Independent’s Family Holiday Guide this weekend!  While most people will know about our great beaches, not everyone is aware of the ever-expanding choice of adventure activities on Sicily, many of which are suitable for all the family. The Alcantara Gorge, near Taormina, is a particular hotspot, with body rafting, river trekking and canyoning all available, while the Madonie mountains are a great place for hiking. For families looking for a slightly different way to explore Mount Etna, a jeep tour is guaranteed to…

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition

If the prospect of a week on the beach or lazing by your villa pool is still not enough to tempt your teenage offspring away with you this summer, they may be interested in our new collection of adventure activities. Body-rafting, river trekking, and, for younger children, canyoning or a family jeep tour, are all guaranteed to keep everyone entertained for days.   Canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge: Introduce the younger members of the family (minimum age: 8) to the thrills of canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge.  This involves travelling through a dry section of the Alcantara river bed, past…

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Holiday in Sicily

A May or June holiday in Sicily brings with it warm sunshine, a series of charming food and wine sagre in the smaller villages and several impressive events and festivals.   Flower festival in Noto (12-15 May) While masses of wild flowers blanket the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains in the north of the island, the baroque town of Noto in Sicily’s south east presents a very different floral display. During the colourful Infiorata di Noto flower festival (12-15 May), the palazzo-lined Corrado Nicolaci, is transformed into a flowered carpet of petal-filled mosaic-style pictures.   Once you have admired the display and…

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wish-sicily-villas-to-rent

Choosing a villa for a family holiday is loaded with complex decisions, with budgets, location and ‘must-have’ facilities all playing their part – and that’s before you have even discussed whether holidaying with another family may be a good idea. So here are some of our top tips to help you along the way, with a small selection of some of our best villas for families.   Beachfront location If you are working within a budget, decide which is more important – a pool or proximity to the sea. For families with young children, being able to walk straight on…

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scopello-villas

Dear Wish Sicily holidaymaker, If you haven’t already started planning your summer holiday, it’s definitely time to take action. Read on for inspiration and get ready to take the plunge!   SPRING SAVINGS Beat the crowds and save up to 20% throughout March and April at several of our villas in Scopello, an atmospheric seaside resort on the edge of the Zingaro Nature Reserve that is under an hour’s drive from Palermo airport. Perfect for a quick burst of Spring sunshine!   SAVE £££’S IN MAY AND JUNE Book now for early summer savings. Villa Il Baglio Siciliano is a…

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Carneval-in-sicily-acireale

While the carnivals of Venice and Viareggio may be more famous, Sicily’s carnivals can be equally spectacular and are more likely to be accompanied by better weather. Our top carnivals are in Acireale, Sciacca, and, just outside Palermo, at Termini Imerese and Mezzojuso.  Visit during the February celebrations and combine your stay in Sicily with visiting some of the island’s top attractions, minus the crowds and the heat of the summer sun.   Acireale carnival: With concerts, parades through the town’s baroque historic centre and processions of allegorical and floral floats, Acireale is one of Sicily’s most colourful and impressive…

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luxury-villas-in-sicily-christmas

With Christmas nearly upon us, we’d like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our clients. While you are celebrating with friends and family, why not take the opportunity to plan a 2016 holiday either under one roof or in adjoining properties? Get inspiration here for a group holiday at one of our larger villas in Sicily. The Nebrodi mountains The village of San Marco d’Alunzio has managed to stay firmly off the tourist trail, despite its great location between the north coast and the foodie-friendly Nebrodi mountains. In an area renowned for its gastronomy, the…

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Villa Arte Mare Blu

Christmas in Sicily is a festive occasion, packed full of traditions and customs that make it a very special time. Cool temperatures means that the focus shifts away from the beach and swimming and into the heart of the local village or town where locals keep the Christmas spirit alive and kicking.   Christmas Presepi Many homes and the vast majority of churches in Sicily display a presepe (nativity scene). In some cases, these are ‘Presepi viventi’ – living nativity scenes where locals dress up and re-enact the Nativity between Christmas Day and Epiphany with the privilege of representing baby…

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Villa La Belsia

Fill in some of the gaps in your kids’ education with a visit to Sicily where you can squeeze in a session on the Greeks, Romans and Normans, or a volcano-themed geography lesson, without so much as a mention of books or homework. Sicily’s extraordinary past and its hugely varied land and seascapes make it a fascinating island for all ages. If you have not booked anything yet, there are weeks available right up to early September at a selection of Wish Sicily villas.   Escape the crowds and head for the heartland of Sicily Head inland for peace and…

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Villa Pizzo Rocca, Sicily

Great beaches, water sports, outdoor activities and child-friendly attractions are just part of the picture.  Wander into town for an ice-cream, check out the menu and bambino-adoring welcome at the local trattoria and you will soon see why Sicily is the obvious choice for a family holiday! See our selection of family-friendly villas.   Activities for all the family If you are holidaying in Sicily with young children during our hottest months, a couple of cultural visits may be enough.  Intersperse them with days by the pool or on the beach or head for the Parco Avventura Madonie, an adventure…

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