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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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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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Taormina town with Mount Etna on background

If you’re looking for variety, you’ll certainly find it on the east coast of Sicily. Between the drama of Mount Etna and astonishing ancient sights in Syracuse, there are palaces and craggy peaks, powder-soft sands and translucent water to enjoy. Read on to find out more about some of our favourite places and things to do on the east coast. Taormina – Casa dei Sogni Generally regarded as the jewel in Sicily’s crown, Taormina is undeniably chic. Head for the main Corso Umberto to see and be seen, ending up in the Piazza IX April for some of the most…

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carnevale-acireale-sicily

Masks, parades, allegorical floats and much more besides … carnival in Sicily is a wonderful mix of tradition, colour and family fun! Age-old traditions still remain in many of the towns and villages but fortunately, confetti is now thrown in place of eggs and vegetables! Behind the scenes in artisan workshops, specialists in design, engineering and sculpture have been working for months on papier-mâché masterpieces to ensure the carnival processions are truly spectacular. But it’s not all about the parades … not surprisingly, food also plays a big part! Traditional food during carnival includes cavateddi pasta with meat sauce and…

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sicily-villas-with-views

If you’re anything like us, you may be wondering whether life is just too busy! Which is why when it comes to holidays, there’s nothing quite like blissing out on some extraordinary views and indulging in simply doing nothing. If you need inspiration, take a look at our choice of Sicily villas with perfect panoramas. Villa Dionisio Against a spectacular rural backdrop, gaze out from the terrace at Villa Dionisio over a stunning infinity pool and the eye-catching Sanctuary of Tindari. The views are no less dramatic from inside the contemporary 5-bedroom villa with its double height ceilings and striking…

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feefo_rt_gold_service_2019_white

Wish Sicily has won the Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers. Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded only to those businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine reviews and insights. Those that meet the high standard, based on the number of reviews they have collected, and their average rating, receive the award. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique, as it is based purely on the interactions with real customers. As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of…

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towns of sicily | wishsicily.com

Sicily’s most beautiful villages Be prepared to be spoilt for choice if you’re visiting Sicily this year and looking for some interesting, off-the-beaten-track towns and villages. From the beautiful honey-hued Baroque towns of the south east to the mountain villages of the Madonie mountains in the north, there’s an abundance of authentic villages to explore throughout Sicily. Read on to discover some of our favourites, all of which feature in the collection of Italy’s most beautiful villages (‘I Borghi Più Belli d’Italia’). Mountain villages in the Madonie We still can’t agree on which is the prettiest village in the Madonie!…

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What is it that makes Sicily so special? After all, it’s not just overseas visitors flocking to the island: around half of its visitors are Italians. The cultural attractions are certainly a big draw, but with one of the country’s highest records of sunshine, gorgeous beaches, sparkling clear seas and mouth-watering food, Italians know when they’re on to a good thing! In fact once you’ve visited Sicily, you may not be surprised to learn that many Sicilians stay on the island for their own holiday. Read on for some local tips on the best things to do and places to…

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family-villas-in-sicily-wishsicily

Now that Christmas is done and dusted, there’s nothing quite like the thought of a sun-soaked summer holiday to get you through the hardest winter months. Admittedly, summer sunshine still seems a long way off and the temptation is to delay any decision making.  However, if you’re planning a family villa holiday in Sicily in the busier weeks of Whitsun half-term or July and August, our advice is to book as soon as you can for maximum choice. The next decision is where to stay. If you’ve been to Sicily before, you’ll know all about our beaches and delicious food…

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2019-sicily-holiday-villas

It looks like 2019 is going to be another action-packed year for Wish Sicily.  Our fabulous new villas in Sicily are available exclusively through us and range from affordable rural hideaways to ultra-elegant sea-facing holiday homes. Best of all, they cater for all budgets and group sizes, whether you’re holidaying with family or friends, with children or grandparents. So if you need inspiration, here are a few of our top picks for 2019: Glam it up Get that additional layer of luxury at Casa dei Sogni where contemporary, sophisticated design and extremely high-tech features sit happily alongside toys, games and…

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As the festive season gets underway, this seems as good a moment as any to look back over the past year and pick a few of our highlights for 2018. More villas, more choice As in previous years, we’ve continued to add new villas in Sicily over the course of the year so those who were a little late off the starting block were still able to find what they wanted. Not surprisingly, one of the main priorities for most of our guests is a private pool and in fact, over 80% of our properties do have a pool and…

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northern-sicily-tindari

In this post, we take a look at the north coast of Sicily, with its UNESCO world heritage sights, beaches and hideaway mountain villages. Head away from the busier seaside resorts into the hinterland to explore a more authentic side of the island or hop across on a boat to the splendid Aeolian Islands for memorable views of one of Italy’s three active volcanos. These are some of our favourite things to do on holiday in northern Sicily. UNESCO world heritage sights The north of Sicily is home to the most recent addition to the island’s collection of UNESCO sites…

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villas-sicily

While most people still associate a holiday in Sicily with a beach break, going rural in Sicily is one of the best ways we know to get away from it all. Tuck yourself away amidst a landscape of olive groves or vineyards, on the slopes of a volcano or nestled amongst one of the island’s mountain ranges and you’ll discover an inner calm that you never knew existed! Need more inspiration? These are some of our suggestions for the best rural retreats in Sicily. Mountains and medieval villages Sleepy medieval villages and flower-carpeted mountain slopes characterise Sicily’s Madonie mountains. Villages…

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luxury-villa-sicily-casa-dei-sogni-wishsicily

If you’re parents of young children wondering if it’s time to wave goodbye to designer holidays, you can relax! Our newest villa, Casa dei Sogni, is a picture of sophisticated style.  Sleek modern lines and high-quality materials have been combined to create a light-filled contemporary villa in Sicily with everything you could need for an indulgent holiday – whether you’re a couple of families holidaying together, or a group of adults. Linger on the terrace or by the pool Outside, there are lush lawns and a spacious panoramic terrace – the perfect spot for a gentle snooze in the shade…

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sicily-villas-with-pools

Does next year mark a milestone birthday or anniversary? Or perhaps you need no reason for a celebration other than the sheer pleasure of grabbing a holiday with your oldest friends. Either way, now that the summer’s over and the kids are back at school, if you are thinking about planning a big group holiday for 2019, this is the ideal time to set the wheels in motion. Book now to eliminate the stress of finally agreeing on a villa, only to find it’s unavailable on the dates that you want! Once you’ve picked the perfect villa for your party,…

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luxury-villas-in-sicily

Reluctant to wave goodbye to the sunshine? Stretch your summer into September or October with a relaxing week in one of our luxury villas in Sicily and save 20% on your holiday! Choose from a collection of stylish beachfront retreats and contemporary designer homes with sparkling pools and dramatic views. With temperatures still in their 20’s and up to eight hours of sunshine a day in September, it’s tempting to spend your days soaking up the sun. But when you do venture out, you’ll find an island packed with culture and fascinating historical sights. These are a few of our…

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sicily-villas

Extend your summer with a sunny autumn break in Sicily If you enjoy the sunshine as much as we do, you’ll want this wonderful summer to last as long as possible. Make the most of our September discounts and carry on soaking up the sun right through the autumn months. Many of our villas have discounts of up to 20% on most weeks in September which also happens to be the ideal time to explore the island’s many cultural attractions and enjoy the best of the island’s food and wine! Here’s a small selection of what’s available. Sophistication in Taormina…

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villas-in-sicily-noto-wishsicily

We’re well into summer here in Sicily, with temperatures creeping up into the mid-20’s and the sea gradually warming up. Villa rental rates and flights are considerably lower than in the peak season months and as an added bonus, we’re offering savings of up to 20% at a selection of some of our top villas.  So, if you’re free to travel at relatively short notice, this is the time to snap up a bargain! Visit Sicily in May or June and catch the first rays of summer sun while you idle away a few hours on a blissfully quiet beach…

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Foodie-Experiences-in-Sicily

You don’t need to be a diehard foodie to recognise the role that food and drink plays in a holiday in Sicily. Part of its culinary attraction is the simplicity of the food and the fantastic quality of the ingredients, from the flavour-packed tomatoes and capers to the surrounding seas which are teeming with shellfish and seafood. The cuisine also provides a fascinating – and extremely enjoyable! – history lesson of the island, providing an invaluable insight into past invaders. Many of its natural ingredients can be traced to a former time, from the Greeks and Arab invaders to cooking…

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sicily-villas

Hands up if you’ve just realised that Whitsun is fast approaching and you still haven’t got round to organising your family’s summer holiday! In common with most of the Mediterranean, the villas in Sicily that have a private pool or direct beach access are the first to get snapped up, but all is not lost! Meet the latest addition to the Wish Sicily portfolio: Casa Maoma. Contemporary, stylish and brand new on the holiday villa scene, the 3-bedroom villa in south west Sicily is tailor made for a family holiday. There’s a gorgeous private pool and plenty of space to…

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