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If you’re beginning to regret not having booked a summer holiday in the sun, don’t despair. This Saturday’s weekend travel section of the i newspaper was packed full of last-minute summer holiday bargains, including two of our top villas in Sicily, Casa Franchina and Casa del Carrubo. NE Sicily Casa Franchina is the latest addition to our portfolio. Guaranteed to be a hit with families, the 4-bedroom villa has a private pool, toddler play area and table tennis but is also within walking distance of the beach and local shops and restaurants in Acquedolci. With good access to the motorway…

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Which sort of holiday booker are you? Do you start planning a trip as soon as you return from a holiday? Or do you keep everyone on tenterhooks by waiting till the last minute? If the latter, you’re in luck! We still have some availability for this month and next at a selection of villas in Sicily. These are four of our top recommendations for this summer. Private pool and jacuzzi  Save 20% at one of Wish Sicily’s most popular villas in the last week of August. Two-bedroom Casa del Carrubo has a private pool, jacuzzi, table tennis, bikes and…

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villa-olmo-sicily-wishsicily

So you’ve booked your villa in Sicily, organised your flights and sorted out your car hire. Now comes the fun bit – planning what you’re going to do when you get there! If you like keeping busy, there’s plenty of choice, from cookery classes to volcano climbs and boat trips. However, the good news is that there’s no need to spend a fortune if you want to do more than just chill by the pool. To help you plan your trip, here are a few of the best free things to do in Sicily. Visit a festival Local festivals and…

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best-villas-in-sicily

Go for up-to-the-minute modern style this summer and splash out on a week of designer living under the Sicilian sun. Fortunately, there’s no need to spend crazy money to enjoy brilliant design features and impeccable taste. At Wish Sicily, we think it’s the tiny details and the ‘wow’ factor that count. So, no two villas in our stylish and contemporary villa collection are the same: while one might have striking modern art, another may be included for its state-of-the-art kitchen.  Nevertheless, when it comes to flair and sophistication, these villas are in a class of their own. Design extravaganza The…

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tours-activities-in-sicily

Whether it’s climbing a volcano or swimming with dolphins, everyone has a vague idea as to what should be on a bucket list. But does your bucket list really need to take you to the four corners of the globe? You may find that many of those thrilling moments and big achievements are closer than you thought. To get you started, read some of our guests’ favourite things to do in Sicily and get inspiration for your very own personalised bucket list. Climb a volcano Mount Etna isn’t just any volcano. It also happens to be Europe’s largest active volcano,…

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the-sun-wish-sicily-villas

We loved Alex Peake’s review of his recent stay at Casa Turi. Situated between Palermo and Cefalù, Casa Turi is perfectly located for visiting so much of northern Sicily. Like Alex, you can spend time exploring the towns or just chill out on the numerous local beaches. Another option is taking a street food tour. While Palermo’s streets are lined with plenty of fascinating art and architecture, if you have young children, a street food tour is a great way of exploring the markets and learning about the island’s culture through its food. Contemporary yet oozing with atmosphere, Casa Turi…

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best-villas-in-sicily

Lunch by the pool or dinner under the stars is one of the great treats of a villa holiday in the sun. In fact we think having an exquisite outdoor space is a real decider when choosing a holiday villa.  From May to September one of the big pleasures of life in Sicily is being outside from dawn to dusk, and beyond. Throw in the luxury of an outdoor kitchen and some dramatic coastal or rural views, and you’re well on your way to a holiday in heaven. Not sure where to start looking for your villa? Read on to…

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villas-italy-sicily

If you’re wondering whether you’ve left it too late to book a villa in Italy with a pool this summer, relax. We’ve added three new family villas to our portfolio, each with a fabulous pool and close to the beach. Villa for sharing Ideal for two families, 6-bedroom Villa Geranio has a stunning pool with views over the Nebrodi mountains, volleyball and, tucked away in a stone-walled outhouse, a jacuzzi spa area. With accommodation split over two floors, with a living room and kitchen on both levels, each family can be comfortably independent. Outside, there are spacious terraces and a…

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top-five-villas-in-sicily-with-pools

If you’re considering a holiday in Sicily this summer, the chances are that you’re going to want to be fairly close to the water. Temperatures in May and June are pleasantly warm but once you hit the peak summer highs, you’ll probably want somewhere to cool down. For those of you desperate to dip a toe into crystal-clear sea water, we have a great selection of villas which are either walking distance or just a short hop in the car to the nearest beach. Of course, there’s nothing quite like having your own private swimming space – we know that…

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top-villas-sicily-spring

Lower prices, fewer people and the first hint of gentle sunshine make spring a wonderful time to holiday in Sicily. Although cool, the sea is beginning to warm up, and in the countryside and national parks, wild flowers dot hillside slopes.  If you’re a foodie, you’ll find local market stalls piled high with mouth-watering fruit and vegetables. Tempted? Read on to find out more about our top villas in Sicily for a springtime break. Big savings on family-friendly villas If you have young children, make the most of the precious pre-school years by taking your main holiday in May or…

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sicily-holidays-teenagers

There’s no question they can be tricky travel companions, but with a little careful homework, a holiday in Sicily with teenagers can be as enjoyable as holidaying with friends. Remove the pressure of exams and social arrangements and your teenage children may surprise you! Everything on tap Step one is to identify what makes them tick. Do they thrive on being active or would they like nothing better than lazy days by the pool or on the beach? If you have two or more children, the chances of them all agreeing is unlikely so a reliable compromise may be to…

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villas-in-sicily-to-rent

Some of the questions that crop up repeatedly amongst our guests involve driving in Sicily – particularly what it’s like to drive in Sicily, whether a car is absolutely essential and whether there are restaurants and shops within walking distance of the villa. The truth is that if your villa is in a rural location, a car is generally recommended. In fact, even if your villa is near to shops and other services, there’s no doubt that having the independence of your own rental car to explore will definitely enhance your holiday. Travelling by bus or train can take time…

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cheap-villas-in-sicily

Spring is on the doorstep and if you haven’t already done so, it’s definitely time to start planning a holiday. The good news is that, if you’re thinking of staying in a holiday villa, there’s no need to splash the cash. In fact, a villa holiday with your family or a group of friends is an excellent option if you’re looking to keep costs down.  Choose exactly how much you want to spend per person before you book and then, when you’re on holiday, enjoy browsing in local markets for delicious ingredients for poolside lunches and dinners under the stars.…

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tours-activities-experiences-sicily

If sunshine is top of your wish list but you’re looking for something more than a straight fly and flop holiday, a week in Sicily may be the answer. One of the best things about the island is its incredibly broad appeal.  For nature lovers, there are mountains and volcanoes, national parks dotted with picturesque hilltop villages, and a 1000km-long varied coastline.  Meanwhile, in its towns and cities, the island’s fascinating history has left its mark on its stunning art, architecture and cuisine. The fact is that whether you’re into food, wine, walking or culture, there’s a huge range of…

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Taormina town with Mount Etna on background

If you’re looking for variety, you’ll certainly find it on the east coast of Sicily. Between the drama of Mount Etna and astonishing ancient sights in Syracuse, there are palaces and craggy peaks, powder-soft sands and translucent water to enjoy. Read on to find out more about some of our favourite places and things to do on the east coast. Taormina – Casa dei Sogni Generally regarded as the jewel in Sicily’s crown, Taormina is undeniably chic. Head for the main Corso Umberto to see and be seen, ending up in the Piazza IX April for some of the most…

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carnevale-acireale-sicily

Masks, parades, allegorical floats and much more besides … carnival in Sicily is a wonderful mix of tradition, colour and family fun! Age-old traditions still remain in many of the towns and villages but fortunately, confetti is now thrown in place of eggs and vegetables! Behind the scenes in artisan workshops, specialists in design, engineering and sculpture have been working for months on papier-mâché masterpieces to ensure the carnival processions are truly spectacular. But it’s not all about the parades … not surprisingly, food also plays a big part! Traditional food during carnival includes cavateddi pasta with meat sauce and…

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sicily-villas-with-views

If you’re anything like us, you may be wondering whether life is just too busy! Which is why when it comes to holidays, there’s nothing quite like blissing out on some extraordinary views and indulging in simply doing nothing. If you need inspiration, take a look at our choice of Sicily villas with perfect panoramas. Villa Dionisio Against a spectacular rural backdrop, gaze out from the terrace at Villa Dionisio over a stunning infinity pool and the eye-catching Sanctuary of Tindari. The views are no less dramatic from inside the contemporary 5-bedroom villa with its double height ceilings and striking…

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cosmopolitan-logo

Watch out for Cosmo’s review of our Villa Arte Mare Blue in the current (March) issue. With space for up to 10 people, a heavenly pool and plenty of space for sun-worshipping, the villa is a natural choice for 2 families or a group of friends looking for some luxury in the sun. There’s a stylish outdoor kitchen for al fresco cooking and a seriously alternative art collection to feast your eyes on. The villa is tucked away in the hills just 10 minutes’ drive from the seaside town of Cefalù which means there are plenty of great beaches and…

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feefo_rt_gold_service_2019_white

Wish Sicily has won the Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers. Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded only to those businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine reviews and insights. Those that meet the high standard, based on the number of reviews they have collected, and their average rating, receive the award. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique, as it is based purely on the interactions with real customers. As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of…

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towns of sicily | wishsicily.com

Be prepared to be spoilt for choice if you’re visiting Sicily this year and looking for some interesting, off-the-beaten-track towns and villages. From the beautiful honey-hued Baroque towns of the south east to the mountain villages of the Madonie mountains in the north, there’s an abundance of authentic villages to explore throughout Sicily. Read on to discover some of our favourites, all of which feature in the collection of Italy’s most beautiful villages (‘I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia’). Mountain villages in the Madonie We still can’t agree on which is the prettiest village in the Madonie! Polizzi Generosa, Isnello and…

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