Choose a Sicily villa this summer for sunshine and relaxation

We all know someone who starts planning their summer holiday at Christmas and let’s face it, it can give rise to a mix of emotions. A sense of wonder perhaps at their impressive organisational skills, paired with a tinge of envy? Booking early is easier if you have young children, but once they reach the teen years, or if you’re sorting out a villa for a group of adults, getting anyone to commit to dates can be tricky.

On a positive note, there’s still every chance you’ll find a villa that works for you. We’ve introduced several new villas to our portfolio in recent weeks which all have plenty of availability over the summer months, including school holidays.

Between Mount Etna and the sea

Wake to the sight of Mount Etna at Dea dell’Etna, a spacious 4-bedroom villa with several lounge spaces and outside, a pool and large garden with outdoor kitchen.

Set amidst rolling green hills and vineyards on the edge of the Etna National Park, the villa is brilliantly positioned for visits to the area’s wine producing villages and for adventure experiences on Etna – think jeep tours and guided bike, quad and horse riding excursions. Plus, the beaches around Aci Trezza or Taormina are close by and the dramatic Alcantara Gorge is only a short drive to the north.

Discover Sicily’s west coast and Egadi Islands

Despite having fabulous beaches and several interesting towns, Sicily’s west coast is generally quieter and less touristy than the east where Etna, Taormina and Syracuse have been on the tourist map for longer. You’ll also see stronger evidence here of Moorish influences, mainly through the food and architecture. Explore the historic centres of Marsala and Trapani, visit Arab-Norman churches in Palermo and feast on fish couscous and ‘busiate’ pasta with ‘pesto alla Trapanese’. A boat trip to the Egadi Islands is a must for any holidaymaker to the area. Favignana is the closest of the 3 islands, with good ferry connections and private boat trips available from Trapani.

Case Fil is a modern villa (sleeps 11) with 18m pool, offering affordable luxury for couples or families.

Waterfront villa at Baia Porto Ulisse

Live life outdoors at Baia L’Aura where terraces have whitewashed flooring with seagrass matting and gently billowing drapes that flutter in the sea breeze. Accommodation is divided between 4 separate fishermen’s cottages, each with a private shaded terrace, connected by wooden walkways that lead down to a large stone-paved terrace at the water’s edge. If you can drag yourself away from this haven of tranquillity, you’ll find more beaches with velvety soft sand and beautifully clear water than you could ever squeeze into one holiday, as well as beauty spots at the Cavagrande del Cassibile and the Vendicari Nature Reserve. The villa is also well placed for trips to Syracuse and the baroque towns of Ragusa, Modica and Scicli.

Family holiday close to Ispica

Stay at Villa Erika and enjoy the luxury of interspersing visits to the remarkable baroque towns of the Val di Noto with days on the beach. Take your pick from a selection of great beaches, including the fabulous 8km long sandy Santa Maria del Focallo beach, where you can rent sun beds and umbrellas at the family friendly beach clubs and feast at lunchtime on ‘insalata di mare’ and ‘grigliata di pesce’ at one of the beachfront restaurants.

The villa’s large walled garden features plenty of outdoor space for the kids to play, an outdoor kitchen and lovely 10m pool while inside, there are 4 double bedrooms, a living room and separate dining room.

Contemporary luxury near the Aeolian Islands

Unsure about staying on the Aeolian Islands? Our villa Panarea is located less than 20kms from Milazzo, the departure point for the islands, so you can take a ferry across to Vulcano for the day but still enjoy a holiday on mainland Sicily. Better still, take in several islands on a one day private yacht cruise, stopping for swims in secluded bays and exploring some of the islands’ more remote inlets and coves.

The 3-bedroom rural retreat is also well placed for visiting the hideaway villages in the Nebrodi mountains and the once significant Greek centre of Tindari. But tearing yourself away from Panarea isn’t easy. Its vast garden features a 15m saltwater pool, jacuzzi and superbly equipped outdoor kitchen, while contemporary interiors feature modern art and an indulgent spa area.