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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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cheap-villas-in-sicily

Spring is on the doorstep and if you haven’t already done so, it’s definitely time to start planning a holiday. The good news is that, if you’re thinking of staying in a holiday villa, there’s no need to splash the cash. In fact, a villa holiday with your family or a group of friends is an excellent option if you’re looking to keep costs down.  Choose exactly how much you want to spend per person before you book and then, when you’re on holiday, enjoy browsing in local markets for delicious ingredients for poolside lunches and dinners under the stars.…

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tours-activities-experiences-sicily

If sunshine is top of your wish list but you’re looking for something more than a straight fly and flop holiday, a week in Sicily may be the answer. One of the best things about the island is its incredibly broad appeal.  For nature lovers, there are mountains and volcanoes, national parks dotted with picturesque hilltop villages, and a 1000km-long varied coastline.  Meanwhile, in its towns and cities, the island’s fascinating history has left its mark on its stunning art, architecture and cuisine. The fact is that whether you’re into food, wine, walking or culture, there’s a huge range of…

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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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cosmopolitan-logo

Watch out for Cosmo’s review of our Villa Arte Mare Blue in the current (March) issue. With space for up to 10 people, a heavenly pool and plenty of space for sun-worshipping, the villa is a natural choice for 2 families or a group of friends looking for some luxury in the sun. There’s a stylish outdoor kitchen for al fresco cooking and a seriously alternative art collection to feast your eyes on. The villa is tucked away in the hills just 10 minutes’ drive from the seaside town of Cefalù which means there are plenty of great beaches and…

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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

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! Polizzi Generosa, Isnello and…

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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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The_times_wish-sicily

It was great to see our Casa del Gelso named as one of the 10 best villas in Italy in the UK’s Times newspaper. In 4th position in an article that also included villas in Tuscany, Puglia, Umbria and Le Marche, the family-friendly villa is set in one of Sicily’s most unspoilt areas, with views over the Tyrrhenian sea and the Aeolian Islands. If you’re torn between booking a beach or sightseeing holiday, Casa del Gelso may be the answer. Its location between the relatively remote Nebrodi mountains and the northeast coast of Sicily means that it offers an excellent…

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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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villa-sicily-rent

New to our Sicily villas collection is Villa Dionisio which enjoys dramatic views over the Sanctuary of Tindari and the sea, and it is well-placed for exploring northern Sicily and the Aeolian islands. Exclusive to Wish Sicily, the newly-built villa has been designed to exacting standards. Bathrooms are worthy of a 5-star hotel, large picture windows let in streams of light and striking artwork adorns all the walls. The high-spec kitchen is also fitted out based on the highest of specs, with beautiful granite worktops and a separate utility room. Villa and separate guesthouse The villa’s layout works well for…

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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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Casa dei Sogni

If 2018 was the year to visit Palermo (Capital of Culture 2018), 2019 is the year to venture further afield in Sicily! Whichever direction you go in, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches, contemporary art, natural landscapes and, of course, food and wine. Read on to learn more about Sicily and why our guests return time and time again. Heavenly beaches With over 1000km of coastline, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a beach that you like in Sicily. Choose between golden sandy beaches, idyllic pebbly coves and dark volcanic sands. If you’re looking for…

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holiday-in-sicily-villa-olmo

Anyone who has holidayed in Sicily will agree that the island has an altogether different feel to the rest of Italy. On the surface, the food and wine, the beach culture and the traditional ‘passeggiata’ are still very much in evidence, but dive beneath the surface and the island’s multi-layered and utterly fascinating character starts to unravel. Of course, where you stay on the island will make a big difference to your overall experience. While the seaside resorts of Cefalù and Taormina have featured on the tourist map for many years, a holiday outside these towns will probably leave you…

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