Welcome to Wish Sicily travel Blog

Blog Wish Sicily

Posts Written ByWish Sicily

villa-oasivera-vendicari-wish-sicily

Round off your summer with a Sicily villa holiday Jet off this September or October for a late summer sun holiday in Sicily and catch the last rays of sunshine before autumn sets in. Just a couple of hours’ flight from the UK, temperatures on Italy’s southernmost island can still easily hit the mid 20’s, with sea temperatures reaching a comfortable 22°C. During the day time, flit between powder soft sandy beaches, historic towns and ancient sites, punctuating sightseeing with refreshing gelati and long lazy lunches in the local piazza. October is the month for bird migrations, making it the…

Continue Reading

Cefalu

Is September and October a good time to visit Sicily? With temperatures soaring in Sicily and other Mediterranean destinations during the hottest months of July and August, a sunshine holiday in September and October is becoming increasingly appealing. Of course it’s not an option for everyone, but even if you’re tied by school holidays, a week of Sicilian sunshine at October half-term might still be possible. In fact, September is often regarded as one of the best months to visit Sicily. Quite apart from the weather, you’ll find quieter resorts, excellent deals on flights and accommodation, and plenty going on…

Continue Reading

inews blog

Choose Sicily for an affordable autumn break Our thanks to journalist Sarah Holt for including Wish Sicily in her round up of affordable autumn breaks in the I newspaper. September and October are Sicily’s sweet spot. While temperatures are cooling in the rest of Italy, you can still expect up to 6 hours of daytime sunshine in Sicily, and balmy seas that have been warmed by the summer sun. Naturally, milder temperatures make sightseeing more enjoyable than during the months of July and August, and, of course, prices start to drop alongside the temperature. Head for Sicily’s east coast where…

Continue Reading

evening-standard-blog

Wild swimming spots in Europe Feeling the heat? Pick up some tips on how to cool things down in the Evening Standard’s recent round-up of the best wild swimming spots in Europe. From Lake Achensee in Austria to Norangsfjorden in Norway, there’s no shortage of away-from-the-crowds scenic spots where you can plunge into icy waters free from chlorine and salt, surrounded by idyllic natural beauty. Amongst the favourites in Italy are the waterfalls and pools at Sicily’s Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve. Admittedly, there’s an hour-plus walk to get to the pools but once there, you’ll find crystal clear water…

Continue Reading

holidays-in-sicily-secret-places

Hidden treasures and unique places in Sicily Sicily’s history, superb beaches and mouthwatering food are well documented. So too the magnificence of some of its main tourist attractions, such as the ancient Greek temples and baroque architecture of the UNESCO towns of the Val di Noto. But the island is home to many locations and hidden gems that fall outside the main tourist radar. Take time to explore some of these places to delve deeper into the island’s history and culture, or simply to enjoy relaxing off the beaten track. Ceramics in Caltagirone Its location in central Sicily keeps its…

Continue Reading

syracuse-ortigia-sicily-wishsicily

Where to stay and how to get around without a car Deciding whether to rent a car for your holiday in Sicily is a big consideration when planning your trip. Renting a car for a week or two will naturally bump up the cost of your holiday and for many, the thought of letting someone else take the strain – whether on a bus, train or taxi – can be tempting. We’re often asked how easy it is to get round Sicily with public transport and if a car is really necessary, whether not having a car will mean missing…

Continue Reading

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Stay like a local in Syracuse A big thank you to the Times Scotland correspondent, Kenny Farquharson, for the lowdown on his stay at Casa a Ortigia in Syracuse. The city is easily accessible to Scottish holidaymakers (Edinburgh to Catania on Easyjet) and ideal for either a weekend or longer stay. In fact, with so much to see in the city, you’ll be hard pushed to squeeze everything into a fleeting weekend. Visiting Syracuse’s ancient Greek amphitheatre is a must, but the city’s historic centre on the island of Ortigia is the magnet for most holidaymakers. Stroll through the narrow,…

Continue Reading

best-places-holiday-Sicily-wishsicily

Which are the best places for a holiday in Sicily So you’ve decided on Sicily and have heard of Palermo, Catania and Taormina but don’t really know much about the rest of the island. The trouble with researching that perfect holiday is that one person’s idea of a dream holiday might be quite different from another’s. Want to stay right by the best beach on Sicily? Keen to hike or cycle? Eager to explore ancient temples? Clearly, context counts but these six destinations are a good starting point for planning your holiday to Sicily. Best for families Firstly, it’s worth…

Continue Reading

baglio-la-corte-pool-villa-in-sicily-wishsicily

Choose from these top 5 Sicily villas with pools If you haven’t booked your summer holiday yet and are worried about running out of options, think again. These fabulous villas in Sicily are all located in the southeast of the island and have pockets of availability throughout the summer and into the early autumn months. All you need to do is decide how close you want to be to the beach and who you want to spend that precious holiday time with. Wellness area and rooftop jacuzzi With a lovely pool to keep the kids happy and a fantastic beachfront…

Continue Reading

the-mom-edit-wishsicily-blog

Casa a Ortigia and swimming in Syracuse Unsurprisingly, most people typically associate Syracuse with extraordinary ancient Greek ruins, baroque palaces and, naturally, the mathematician and physicist, Archimede. Somehow, the sea and beach slip into second place. But if you’re visiting during the heat of the summer, a chance to cool off in the sea is just what you need at the end of a tiring day of exploring, as Shana reveals in her holiday review on The Mom Edit. And when kids are involved, the promise of fun in the water can be a wonderful incentive during a morning of…

Continue Reading

The_Daily_Mail

The hottest last-minute summer holidays under £1000pp Wish Sicily’s Aqua Turchina was in prime position in the Daily Mail’s weekend round-up of the hottest last-minute summer breaks for under £1000pp. A week’s holiday for up to 8 people at the seafront villa in Sicily was the first of 28 brilliant holiday ideas in the sunshine break article, with other holidays featured including Caribbean beach resorts, glamping in Istria and an all-inclusive holiday in Turkey. Set in a sea-facing position just outside the village of Finale di Pollina on Sicily’s north coast, Aqua Turchina is the perfect choice for families or…

Continue Reading

sicily-villa-to-rent-the-telegraph-2

Short break in Syracuse Great to see Syracuse included as one of 20 recommended destinations in the Telegraph’s recent round-up of perfect places for a long weekend. With more flexible working available for many, and the welcome arrival of summer bank holidays, it’s easier than ever to add an extra day to make that weekend away last even longer. Significantly less crowded than some of Italy’s other hotspots such as Florence, Venice and Rome, and crammed with impressive sights, Syracuse ticks plenty of boxes for a weekend away. You’ll easily find enough to do to fill a couple of days,…

Continue Reading

Family-Holidays-in-Sicily-casa-turi

Perfect Family-Friendly Villas and Adventures in Sicily If you feasted on images of Sicily’s gorgeous scenery, pretty towns and sun drenched beaches during the White Lotus TV series, the chances are you’ll have been tempted by the idea of booking your own holiday on the island. But although undeniably enticing for adults, if you’re organising a family holiday, you’ll inevitably have other criteria to consider. The good news, however, is that Sicily is also an excellent destination for kids. Fabulous food, a big warm welcome and family friendly beaches all add up to a wonderful family holiday and Sicily also has…

Continue Reading

villa-rocca-di-pietra-wish-sicily

Where to stay for beach fun and city culture Summer in Sicily means beach time, and wherever you stay on the island, you’re never too far from a fabulous sandy beach. But to go to Sicily and spend a week by the pool or on the beach without stopping by some of its amazing towns, even if just for an evening passeggiata, is to miss out on the essence of the island. Temperatures in July and August may mean you want to do little more than flop on a beach during the heat of the day, but if you’re close…

Continue Reading

Casale Donna Costanza - WISHSCILY

Villas for every size group in our new collection How many times have you caught sight online of a dreamy villa, checked out the details and discovered that the number of bedrooms just doesn’t work for your group? Our new villas in Sicily for 2024 range from cottages for two to restored farmhouses with space for large groups, so there really is something for everyone. Best of all, each villa has its own hot tub or pool so you can enjoy relaxing in your own private space. Villas for two in Sicily Beachfront cottage The peak summer weeks are being…

Continue Reading

almond-harvesting-in-sicily

Feast on the best Slow Food in your Sicily villa Bronte pistachios, fava beans, thorny artichokes and manna from the Madonie mountains. Perhaps you won’t be surprised to learn that in Sicily, where the sun-baked land yields produce that is simply bursting with flavour, there are a total of 56 products on the Slow Food Presidium list. So how many of them could you name? Here’s a quick introduction to the Slow Food movement and a brief overview of some of the items you’ll find on market stalls, at local festivals and as ingredients in traditional dishes. What is the…

Continue Reading

wish-sicily-villas-JC-logo-web

Enjoy a bucket list escape in Sicily We were delighted to see Wish Sicily recommended by the Jewish Chronicle in an article on the best Passover holidays. We all know that holiday prices – accommodation and flights – rise during peak holiday periods such as Easter or summer school holidays. But with the Jewish holiday of Passover falling several weeks later than Easter this year, families with children at Jewish schools have the flexibility to book lower-priced holidays when everyone else is back at school. Together with suggestions on visiting Canada, St Lucia and Sri Lanka, Sicily was the preferred short-haul…

Continue Reading

spectator-wishsicily-blog

If you’ve experienced Sicily personally, the chances are you won’t need us to tell you how great the food is. But if you need written evidence, Amy Rose Everett’s recent article in Spectator World on eating her way through Sicily will leave you in no doubt that if you’re a foodie, this is the place to be! From simple snacks of doughy brioche rolls oozing with almond milk granita to Michelin-approved restaurants, Amy’s 3-week stay in Sicily was crammed full of mouthwatering experiences. Arancini, chocolate cannoli and pasta all norma all found their way on to her plate, providing the…

Continue Reading

best-time-to-visit-sicily

Which is the best month for a villa holiday in Sicily? It’s that time of year when thoughts automatically turn to holiday planning, whether for a main summer holiday or possibly just squeezing in a tempting spring mini break to look forward to during what’s left of winter. Of course, planning a holiday isn’t just about working out where to go, but also when to go. Visit when a destination is overrun with tourists, or too hot or too cold to do what you want to do, and it can shape your entire holiday experience. So if you’re thinking of…

Continue Reading

sicily-villa-to-rent-the-telegraph-2

It’s that time of year again, that pivotal moment in the annual calendar when so many of us turn our thoughts to holidays and travel. Maybe it’s the short days and cold temperatures but there’s no denying that planning and booking a holiday is probably the most effective way to get through January and February. For those looking for ideas for a family holiday, the Telegraph’s 50 best family holidays round-up is packed with inspiration. Organised into a selection of ideas for each main school holiday, you’ll find plenty of suggestions for the February, May and October 2024 half term…

Continue Reading