Posts Written ByWish Sicily

Food and pastry. Cannoli from Sicily

Focus on Sicilian food We’re frequently asked how Sicilian food differs from the rest of Italy and what makes our cuisine so unique. After all, we too eat pizza and pasta and demolish huge quantities of gelato! In fact every region of Italy has its own distinctive cuisine but this is particularly noticeable in Sicily where our daily diet is an extraordinary legacy of the island’s history, resulting in a dazzling combination of flavours. Add to that a mix of ingredients that have been enriched by the Sicilian sun and our steadfast commitment to so called ‘cibo chilometri zero’, that…

LoveEXPORING

Wish Sicily in LoveExploring LoveExploring, the inspirational guide to independent travellers, has included a Sicily villa stay with WishSicily in their recent round-up of best places to visit in October. October is a delightful time to visit Sicily. Days are still filled with sunshine, the most popular tourist sites are now crowd-free, and the sea still retains some of the summer heat. In the southeast of the island, the Vendicari Nature Reserve welcomes the arrival of thousands of flamingos and other aquatic birds en route for warmer climes in Africa. October is also the time when many of the smaller…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Good to see another great round-up of some of the best places to stay in Sicily in the weekend’s Times newspaper, including our villa Nefele. The feature looks at some of Sicily’s most stylish accommodation, from modest villas to the island’s new generation of wine resorts and luxurious hotels. Wine experiences, extraordinary ancient sites and striking scenery are also par for the course – we’ve even caught the attention of Mick Jagger who last year bought a property near the south eastern tip of the island! A new addition to our collection this year, Nefele continues to attract rave reviews…

Pizzo dell'Ovo

Book a villa in Sicily to celebrate in style in 2023! Are you one of the many who have lost out on celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary in recent years, or have simply missed sharing experiences with friends? If so, there’s no time like the present to start planning for 2023! Several of our villas in Sicily are big enough for parties of 20 and more, with a whole range of services that cater for large groups, designed to make your holiday even more memorable. Choose from chef services, tours and gastronomic experiences – we’ll make sure you’re well…

luxury-villas-in-sicily-for-rent-wishsicily

Stay in a luxury villa in Sicily this October Not quite ready to wave goodbye to summer? In Sicily, the sunshine often reaches well into October when, as an added bonus, prices are lower and beaches blissfully quiet. Throw into the mix some wonderfully luxurious villas in Sicily, swimming in seas still warm from the heat of the summer sun and lingering over leisurely seafood lunches, and suddenly, a week in Sicily seems like a great idea! Luxury villas with great prices Our newest property is the wonderful Casale Donna Costanza, a beautifully restored rural home that’s made for sharing,…

focus-on-taormina-sicily-wishsicily

Sicily’s best-known coastal resort Ask anyone who’s holidayed in Sicily whether they’ve visited Taormina and the chances are they will have done. The fact is this jewel of a town attracts more tourists than anywhere else on the island. Staying here is not everyone’s cup of tea – exploring some of the lesser-known corners of Sicily can be far more rewarding – but there’s no denying that there are plenty of reasons to visit. After all, this is a town where dazzling blue seas and the dramatic outline of Mount Etna form the backdrop to achingly pretty medieval buildings and…

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

Summer holidays are drawing to a close. However, for those who still have the wonderful prospect of a late summer break to look forward to, journalist Anna Selby has pulled out a few suggestions in her Telegraph article on how to holiday like an Italian, including a stay at our Sicily Luxury Villa Dionisio. Yes, we certainly know how to holiday! Years of practice makes perfect and we’ve really turned the concept of ‘dolce far niente’ into an art form! Here, a summer holiday is all about leisurely sea dips, delicious meals with friends and family, and enjoying a simple evening…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Best Villas in Sicily We’re delighted to be featured again in a Times newspaper round-up of top villas in Sicily, this time with our highly sought after Villa Arte Mare Blue. The villa for 10 is perfectly positioned with rural views over the Madonie mountains, yet is just a short drive from the bustling seaside resort of Cefalù – really the best of both worlds! Its traditional exterior nestles amidst the hills, set in secluded gardens which include a stunning infinity pool and enviable covered outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven. Step inside, however, to interiors that are far from…

autumn-in-sicily-wishsicily

Why September and October are the best months for a holiday in Sicily While Sicily sparkles as one of the Med’s top summer spots, visit in September or October and you’ll fall instantly in love with this fascinating island. Sandy beaches and warm sunshine still beckon but slightly milder temperatures mean that you can wander round the island’s towns and historic sites at ease. Sicily – one giant museum Keen to explore Sicily’s extraordinary art and architecture? Le Vie dei Tesori is the organisation behind the Borghi dei Tesori Fest, an initiative which allows visitors to peep behind the scenes…

acireale-sicily-wishsicily

Discover all you need to know about Acireale How much do you know about the town of Acireale? One of Sicily’s unsung, lesser-known stars, this is a town steeped in mythology, with an elegant baroque historic centre and some of Sicily’s most spectacular Carnival celebrations. Where is Acireale? Set half-way between Catania and Taormina, just 40 minutes by car from Catania airport, the coastal town is perfectly located for exploring Sicily’s east coast. The vineyard-carpeted slopes of Mount Etna are on your doorstep and, heading south, Syracuse is just over an hour’s drive away,. The legend of Acis and Galatea…

nine of Sicily best out-of-the-way beaches and places to swim

9 of Sicily’s best out-of-the-way beaches and places to swim With temperatures topping the charts as they have done this summer, having a body of water close by for a refreshing dip is becoming even more important than ever. Naturally, staying in a villa with a pool is one option, but here on Sicily there are plenty of other ways to cool off while you explore the island. So come on in, the water’s lovely! Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve If you’re staying in Syracuse, take a break from sightseeing with a day at the Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve,…

gelati-sicily-holday-ice-cream

All about gelati in Sicily As temperatures soar across the UK, Italy, France and Spain, one thing we can be sure of is that ice-cream sales will rocket. In fact even the thought of stepping into a gelateria is soothing in these sweltering temperatures. Disappointing as it may be, the truth is that eating ice-cream doesn’t actually cool you down. Despite its initial cooling effect, once our body’s metabolism kicks in to break down the nutrients in the ice-cream, our body temperature starts to rise again. And the bigger the ice-cream and higher calorie content, the bigger the effect on…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Like the idea of using your holiday as a way of reconnecting with nature? A beach holiday is certainly a change of scene for most of us but what if you want to combine that with staying in some of Europe’s top natural spots? Immerse yourself in the scent of green forests or the beauty of a landscape unspoilt by modern development and you’ll benefit from a double whammy of health benefits. The Times suggests that one way to ensure a good dose of natural beauty is to seek out Europe’s national parks and nature reserves. Some of us may…

luxury-villas-in-sicily-wishsicily

8 luxury villas in Sicily with availability this summer   Still haven’t got round to booking a summer holiday? While the majority of our luxury villas in Sicily have been snapped up during July and August, there are still pockets of availability – and some of those weeks are discounted. Of course, if you can’t get as long as you wish in a particular villa, there’s always the option of booking a two-centre stay, a great way to see even more of our beautiful island! Family villa with pool in Cefalù Situated in Finale di Pollina on the outskirts of…

sicily-villas-with-beautiful-gardens

Garden favourites: our top 8 villas with beautiful gardens Part of the joy of a summer holiday in Sicily is spending most of your day and evening outside. We can’t think of anything that beats the simple pleasure of the first coffee of the day surrounded by the scent of Mediterranean blooms or lazy afternoons in the shade of palm trees. The fact is that when you take a villa holiday in Sicily, the garden can be almost as important as the villa itself – after all, the chances are that you’ll spend most of your time out there. But,…

tindari-sicily-wishsicily

Focus on Tindari So you’ve heard of Taormina, Palermo and Cefalù, and possibly of the splendid baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa in the south east of the island. But have you ever heard of Tindari? And if so, how much do you know about it? Where is Tindari? If you drive along the motorway on the north coast between Palermo and Messina, somewhere between Capo d’Orlando and Milazzo, you’ll catch sight of the spectacular Sanctuary of the Black Madonna. This is Tindari’s most famous attraction, built on the ruins of the Tindari Castle, with views of the Tyrrhenian…

budget-villas-in-sicily-holidays

6 ways to find an affordable Sicilian villa Everyone’s feeling a little squeezed at the moment when it comes to household budgets, but at the same time, on the back of the restrictions of the last few years, a holiday abroad has never seemed more enticing. On the whole, a villa holiday in Sicily is generally going to work out more affordable than staying in a hotel, not least because you can stay more in control of your daily budget by self-catering. But, once you’ve made the decision to stay in an apartment or villa, there are plenty of other…

prima-wisg-sicily-blog

If you’re looking for a great family getaway in Sicily that’s not going to break the bank, the May issue of Prima magazine is packed with ideas, including our Case Fil. The contemporary villa is a popular option among families with young children who want nothing more than to spend days splashing in the fabulous 18m pool or on one of the many local beaches. Children share a studio-style bedroom with parents but there’s a large communal living and dining room and very well-equipped kitchen. The real highlight, however, is the garden, with its huge pool, large grassy lawn and…

The-Sunday-TImes-blog-wishsicily

If you’re attracted by the idea of staying in a villa where you can either walk or rely on public transport to get around, then this week’s Sunday Times round-up of no-drive villas is just what you need. Choose from a selection of villas in Sicily, France, Croatia, Portugal and Greece, including our Casa Franchina. Without a hire car, your main priority is probably being able to walk to the beach and also to at least one or two local shops that will cover your immediate needs, particularly if you’re holidaying with children. If there’s a pizzeria and/or gelateria within…

sicily-villas-for-couples

8 of the best luxury villas for couples in Sicily Here in Sicily, there’s a definite feel of spring in the air and holidaymakers looking for sunshine are flocking back to our shores. Of course, for families, any thoughts of beaches and poolside lounging are being put on the backburner until school’s out, but if you’re able to snatch a romantic break for two, there couldn’t be a better time to visit Sicily than in May and June. Need inspiration? Take a look at some of our top Sicily villas for two. La Nave, Tindari With breath-taking views over the…