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…

spring-sicily-villa-cecilia-trabia-wishsicily

5 reasons to book a Sicily holiday in springtime Holiday in Sicily during the months of April, May and June and plunge into a world of scented floral blooms, blossoming trees and the fresh flavours of springtime. Visit over the next couple of months, before the fierce summer heat takes hold, and you’ll find local dishes featuring the delicate flavours of artichokes, spring peas, and wild fennel and asparagus, and a heavenly backdrop of hillsides and mountain slopes carpeted with colourful spring flowers. Quite simply, spring is one of the loveliest times to holiday in Sicily. Here are just a…

modica-sicily-wishsicily

Churches and chocolate in Sicily’s baroque southeast If you’re anywhere near the extraordinary baroque towns of southeast during your holiday in Sicily, you’ll certainly want to spend time in Modica. One of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Val di Noto towns and cities, visitors come to the town for two main reasons – the churches and utterly bewitching baroque architecture, and the chocolate. In common with its neighbours, the medieval old town underwent a major reconstruction after the devasting earthquake of 1693, when damaged buildings were replaced by magnificent baroque facades, extravagant churches and palazzi, all connected by a labyrinth…

prima-wisg-sicily-blog

If you’re desperate to feel the sun on your face and catch a whiff of sea air, get some inspiration from Prima magazine’s April issue in which travel editor Jane Anderson selects some of the best places to stay in special locations, all just a few hours away by plane. The suggestions in the round-up of Great Getaways includes two Wish Sicily villas, both situated on the east coast of Sicily. For a truly away-from-it-all location, Terrazza sul Mare is a two-bedroom villa perched above the fishing village of Pozzillo where the sea is literally on your doorstep and the…

luxury-villas-sicily-rent-wishsicily

The best luxury villa holidays in Sicily with teenagers They can be a tricky breed, teenagers, and finding a holiday that delivers a steady flow of good-tempered sweetness and light on their part can be challenging. Throw in some younger siblings and you’ve got your work cut out. So we’ve done the homework for you and come up with a selection of luxury villas in Sicily that are a sure-fire way of keeping teenagers, and everyone else in the family happy. Juke box vibes Sicilian villas don’t come much cooler than Villa Arte Mare Blue, a 5-bedroom villa set in…

oasivera-luxury-villa-in-sicily-to-rent-wishsicily

Luxury villas in Sicily made for living outdoors For those of us who inhabit cooler climes, the mere thought of a summer holiday spent under dazzling blue skies by day and inky twinkling skies by night is quite irresistible. So while luxury bedrooms and bathrooms are very welcome, sometimes it’s worth giving a quick glance at what’s on offer outside. A pool is at the top of most people’s wish lists, but if you plan to self-cater most of your meals and really want to spend most of your time outside, an outdoor kitchen and living room can be the…

luxury-villas-in-sicily-to-rent-wishsicily

Indulgent extras in your Sicily luxury villa Not surprisingly, we’ve all got our own very individual tick box when it comes to selecting a luxury villa in Sicily to rent and what’s essential for one person may not have even occurred to someone else. Great views, infinity pools, outdoor kitchens, jacuzzis … while any of these might be completely indispensable for your best friend, you may be more interested in checking that every room has an ensuite bathroom. However, while many of these features are a given, there might be just one extra detail that you didn’t even realise you…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Family holiday for Easter in Sicily A holiday in Sicily at Easter always feels like a bit of a bonus – a chance to bask in some unexpected sunshine way ahead of the main summer months – so the Times got a big thumbs-up from us at the weekend for including us in their round-up of Easter family holiday ideas! Amongst the suggestions for holidays in the Bahamas, Costa Rica and the UK, the Times agreed that a holiday on the southern tip of Sicily ticked every box for families looking for early spring warmth combined with sightseeing and countryside…

Beach near Cefalu, Sicily

Charming Sicilian coastal resort with a UNESCO world heritage cathedral It’s home to one of Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, a glorious crescent-shaped beach and a harbour that’s worth of any picture postcard, but what else makes this Sicilian seaside town so popular with Italians and tourists alike? Most visitors would agree that Cefalù has a completely different atmosphere to the equally popular and undeniably glamorous town of Taormina on the east coast. It’s loved by both Sicilians and visitors from mainland Italy and beyond, partly for being so charmingly unpretentious. In the oldest part of town, cobbled lanes wind…