Wish Sicily, Author at Blog Wish Sicily

Set 12 2023

HALF-TERM VILLAS IN SICILY

5 REASONS TO VISIT SICILY IN OCTOBER For most of us, October half-term week is usually one filled with pumpkins, crisp fallen leaves and organizing playdates. So why not think about breaking with convention and planning a sunny week in a Sicily villa? As thick coats are pulled out of wardrobes ready for the arrival of winter chills and long dark evenings loom ever closer, the prospect of waiting a whole 6 months for spring can be, at best, testing. Added to that, the challenge for both children and their parents of new classes and activities, maddeningly complex family timetables…

Ago 25 2023

First villa holiday in Sicily with your baby?

Our top tips for happy villa holidays in Sicily The first trip abroad with a baby or toddler can often be somewhat daunting. You may just have got used to some sort of routine at home and the prospect of abandoning that framework is rather alarming. And if it’s your first attempt to holiday with a baby and a pre-schooler, then you’re forgiven for panicking! In fact, if you’ve done your homework and planned well, there’s no reason why your holiday shouldn’t be just as lovely as your now long-forgotten holidays à deux. Lovely, but different. But if you’re not…

Ago 13 2023

Top natural spots in Sicily

Explore Sicily’s nature reserves, mountain ranges and islands Best known for its beaches and extraordinary architectural legacy, Sicily is also a big crowd-puller when it comes to natural attractions. Everyone’s heard about Mount Etna but fewer are aware of the island’s superb natural heritage. In fact, Sicily has no fewer than four regional parks and 76 nature reserves. Add to that mountain ranges, marine reserves and astonishing offshore islands, and you start to get a bigger picture. Because of its remarkable natural richness, a visit in the autumn months brings with it a whole host of thrilling sights, from spectacular…

Ago 01 2023

Dive in – the water’s lovely!

8 fabulous villa pools in Sicily There’s only one place to be when the mercury starts to climb and that’s in the water! If your idea of heaven is topping and tailing your day with an early morning dip and a sunset swim in your own private pool, then the chances are your choice of villa will be strongly influenced by the pool. Most of our Sicily villas have a private pool but they can vary enormously. Not surprisingly, show-stopping infinity pools with a view remain a firm favourite with most guests but if you have toddlers, a lagoon-style pool…

Lug 11 2023

REVIEW OF CASA FRANCHINA IN FABULOUS MAGAZINE

Wine-tasting, cannoli and White Lotus sets in Sicily It was our pleasure to recently host Jess Wilson, the Associate Editor of the Sun’s Fabulous magazine, at Casa Franchina on the north coast. One of our most popular family-friendly properties, the villa is a short walk from the coastal town of Acquedolci and is brilliantly located for exploring the whole of the north coast, from Palermo to Cefalù and eastwards to Capo d’Orlando. Jess’s feature in Fabulous magazine highlights some of the simple pleasures of holidaying in Sicily: strolling into town for a cappuccino and home-made Sicilian biscuits at the local…

Giu 29 2023

12 of the best things to do in Sicily

Top Sicilian experiences and places to visit Sicily’s location, geography and history go a long way to explaining just what makes the island so unique. Offering a vivid assortment of everything from Greek temples to jeep adventures, wine-tasting on the slopes of an active volcano, and some wonderful culinary traditions, the island provides holidaymakers with ample opportunity to peek into its fascinating culture. These are some of our favourite things to do and see in Sicily. Take a trip to Monreale cathedral A must for anyone staying in western Sicily, the UNESCO world heritage Norman cathedral at Monreale is an…

Giu 13 2023

How to eat like a local in Sicily

Everything you need to know about Sicilian street food and traditional cuisine So how much do you know about Sicilian food? You wouldn’t be alone in assuming that it probably isn’t that different from that of the rest of Italy and, to a certain extent, you’re right. Think fruit and vegetables bursting with flavour, and a healthy dose of olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fish – in essence, the classic Mediterranean diet. And, in common with mainland Italy, a rigorous commitment to using seasonal, locally grown produce. However, if you’ve stayed any length of time in Italy, you’ll know that…

Mag 31 2023

WishSicily on Channel News Asia

CNA suggests 6 magical spots to visit in Sicily The smash HBO TV hit White Lotus (series 2) may have finished but the magic of Sicily lives on. The satirical series is hugely entertaining (we can’t wait for series no. 3!) and not surprisingly, has generated a huge amount of interest in Sicily. Apart from attracting big box office ratings, it has also pushed Sicily to the top of many viewers’ ‘must visit’ wish list. In fact, much of the series was filmed at the San Domenico Palace in Taormina but there are plenty of other alternatives, and you may…

Mag 16 2023

A guide to Scicli, southeast Sicily

Find the best things to do and see in the baroque town of Scicli More understated, and generally less visited than some of its neighbouring crowd-pullers, Scicli is certainly worth a visit if you’re on holiday in southeast Sicily. One of the eight towns in the cluster of UNESCO Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Scicli is both smaller and more lowkey than Modica and Ragusa, but nevertheless, utterly charming and with plenty of attractions to fill a day or two with leisurely sightseeing. Where is Scicli? Scicli is conveniently located between the coast and rural heart of…

Apr 30 2023

Beyond the beach in Sicily

Cultural attractions, activities and gastronomy in Sicily There’s little question that Sicily’s a natural choice when it comes to a beach holiday. With mile upon mile of sandy beaches and an enviable scattering of pretty coves fringed by translucent water, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to soaking up the sun by the sea in Sicily. But that’s not to say that Sicily is only about sun and sea. For a start, UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient temples dot the landscape, and towns and cities are awash with extraordinary art and architecture. Then there are nature reserves, Europe’s…

Apr 18 2023

Sicily villas on the beach

Relax in your seafront holiday villa in Sicily If you’re planning a holiday in Sicily in July or August, the chances are you won’t want to be too far from the water. Of course, having a pool in your garden certainly ticks some boxes, but there’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of stepping through your garden gate and on to the sand. Not surprisingly, our beach villas in Sicily are generally the first to get snapped up, but if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, take a look at our collection of seafront holiday homes in Sicily…

Mar 29 2023

GUIDE TO RAGUSA

Chiesa Santa Maria dell'Ittrio and Ragusa Ibla- Sicily Italy

Everything you need to know about Ragusa, Sicily About Ragusa If you’re a Montalbano fan, you’ll definitely be familiar with Ragusa, but even if you’re not, this is a town that simply couldn’t fail to impress. Showcasing some of Sicily’s most memorable sights, Ragusa is one of the eight towns that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. The town is in fact split in two – Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla – and not surprisingly, some visitors to the area are initially confused as to which one to head for. In this…

Mar 15 2023

Exploring Sicily’s Madonie mountains

Off the beaten track in Sicily Unless you’re a keen hiker, you’re likely to be amongst the many visitors to Sicily’s shores who head for the beaches and completely overlook the Madonie mountains. But the mountainous reserve is alternative Sicily at its best, offering almost year round walking and a string of captivating medieval villages. The Madonie was the second nature reserve to be established in Sicily, located at the centre of the north coast of the island and extending over 35,000 hectares. Skiing takes over in winter but during spring, summer and autumn, the network of paths through the…

Feb 28 2023

Easter holidays in Sicily

6 reasons to holiday in Sicily this spring Why wait for June or July for a hint of sunshine? While northern Europe might still be in shiver mode, get an early taste of summer with an Easter break in Sicily. What better way to spend Easter than lingering over cappuccinos at pavement cafés and feasting on the daily catch overlooking the ocean? Alongside the warm sunshine, you’ll find spectacular Easter parades and processions, delicious food, and shop windows crammed with wonderful displays of Easter goodies. Spring sunshine While Easter sunshine can be a bit hit and miss in northern Europe,…

Feb 15 2023

Get off the beaten track in Sicily

Five of the best lesser known Sicilian towns Even if you’ve never been to Sicily, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard of Taormina, the impossibly picturesque seafront town on the island’s east coast. Recently thrust even further into the public’s consciousness by way of the TV series White Lotus, the town is unashamedly a treasure trove of jaw dropping views and film set snapshots. The downside, of course, is you won’t be the only tourist in town! Between April and October, the streets of Taormina are filled with holidaymakers keen to get their fill of the iconic vistas, fabulous…

Feb 13 2023

New collection of affordable family villas in Sicily with pools

Villa specialist Wish Sicily has announced a brand new collection of family friendly villas in Sicily, all with pools and many within walking distance of the beach. The villas are situated close to the superb beaches that characterise the coastline between Marina di Ragusa and Santa Maria del Focallo in south east Sicily. The villas start at as little as £117 per person per week at Giaira, a contemporary 4-bedroom villa (sleeps 9) with a private pool and large garden. Gorgeous Santa Maria del Focallo beach, a wide sandy beach backed by pine forests and dunes, is on the doorstep.…

Gen 31 2023

Sicily’s top beaches

8 of the best beaches in southeast Sicily If you’ve explored the idea of a holiday in south east Sicily, the chances are you’ll know all about the baroque art and beauty that envelops the region’s towns, but do you know where to find the best beaches? We’re taking you on a whistle-stop tour of the top beaches around Sicily’s southeast coastline, but before we set off, a quick word about Italian beaches in general. And specifically about the very Italian phenomenon of ‘lidi’. While some beaches are free, the private beaches – the ‘lidi’ – offer comfort and shade…

Gen 25 2023

WishSicily receives Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2023

WishSicily has won the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence, which recognises businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience. Feefo established the Trusted Service Awards in 2014 to recognise brands that use the platform to collect verified reviews and receive exceptional feedback from their customers. The awards are unique because they truly reflect a business’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service by analysing feedback from real customers. Working with over 6,000 brands, Feefo is the world’s largest provider of verified reviews, helping brands understand customers by analysing verified reviews and providing insight into trends, needs…

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