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Some of Sicily’s most evocative land and seascapes first found their way on to our TV screens via the popular detective Montalbano series. Written by native Sicilian, Andrea Camilleri, who died earlier this year, the televised novels and short stories are a wonderful snapshot of the island, not least through the fictional detective’s love of great food! There’s no doubt that exploring a destination through its literature is a great way to get a feel for a place before you arrive. So if you enjoy reading, set aside some time as the evenings draw in to curl up with a…

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villa giacona wishsicily

Summer in Sicily continues well into September so if you’re unfettered by school holidays and looking for a romantic break for two, check out what’s available on this sunny Mediterranean island.  While temperatures in northern Europe have generally started to cool down by early September, if you head south, you’ll find yourself basking in warm sunshine on empty beaches.  Apart from the sunshine, there’s plenty of opportunity for romantic sea view dinners, boat trips and leisurely strolls along the sea front and through atmospheric towns and villages. Read on to find out more and visit our collection of villas in…

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sicily-villas-on-discount

Looking for some last-minute September sun? In Sicily, you’ll find that summer doesn’t end as September starts.  Daytime temperatures can still reach the high 20’s and the sea retains much of its summer warmth, but the August crowds have largely dispersed on the beach and at Sicily’s key attractions. Better still, if you shop around, you can find some decent holiday discounts. Here at Wish Sicily, we’re currently offering savings of up to 20% at a range of properties in September and October. Coast and countryside Save 20% at newly-built Villa Geranio (sleeps 8-12) and enjoy a winning combination of…

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Cefalu, Italy - September 19, 2014: View at a parking with people and cars passing by the coast road during a warm summer evening near the old town of Cefalu, Sicily.

If you’ve missed out on a summer holiday, a quick September getaway may be just what you need to get through the winter. Pack your bags for a 4 or 5 day break in Sicily and combine a few days of sunshine with some fascinating city sightseeing. These are our top 5 picks. Catania An east coast stay means there are plenty of towns to choose from. From your base at Terrazza sul Mare, start with the least well-known, Acireale, where fine baroque buildings line the streets of the old town and spectacular views of Mount Etna are on tap…

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sicily-villa-holiday-autumn

Unlike much of Europe, in Sicily summer doesn’t stop once you get to the end of August. Far from it. Holiday in Sicily in September and you can expect warm sunshine, blue skies and blissfully quiet beaches. Aside from the obvious benefit of a significant drop in rental prices across the island, find out Sicily’s other main attractions in autumn. Sagra dell’Arancina The 18th Sagra dell’Arancina takes place from 5-8 September 2019 in Ficarazzi on the east coast, in honour of the island’s iconic ‘arancina’. Alongside the classic ‘arancini’ fillings of butter, aubergine and ‘ragù’, expect to find a range…

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northern-sicily-villas

Often overlooked in favour of the baroque splendours of south east Sicily, the mountainous Madonie and Nebrodi national parks and neighbouring coast is the place to be if you’re looking for a truly authentic experience of Sicily.  From awe-inspiring views to extraordinary contemporary sculpture, this fascinating area is guaranteed to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the island. Read on for suggestions of some of the best things to see and do. Visit Italy’s most beautiful villages Choose from a collection of stunning hilltop towns and villages including Gangi, winner of the ‘Most Beautiful Village in Italy’ accolade in 2014…

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inews blog-wishsicily

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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