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sicily-villa-holiday-autumn

Unlike much of Europe, in Sicily summer doesn’t stop once you get to the end of August. Far from it. Holiday in Sicily in September and you can expect warm sunshine, blue skies and blissfully quiet beaches. Aside from the obvious benefit of a significant drop in rental prices across the island, find out Sicily’s other main attractions in autumn. Sagra dell’Arancina The 18th Sagra dell’Arancina takes place from 5-8 September 2019 in Ficarazzi on the east coast, in honour of the island’s iconic ‘arancina’. Alongside the classic ‘arancini’ fillings of butter, aubergine and ‘ragù’, expect to find a range…

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tours-activities-in-sicily

Whether it’s climbing a volcano or swimming with dolphins, everyone has a vague idea as to what should be on a bucket list. But does your bucket list really need to take you to the four corners of the globe? You may find that many of those thrilling moments and big achievements are closer than you thought. To get you started, read some of our guests’ favourite things to do in Sicily and get inspiration for your very own personalised bucket list. Climb a volcano Mount Etna isn’t just any volcano. It also happens to be Europe’s largest active volcano,…

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sicily-holidays-teenagers

There’s no question they can be tricky travel companions, but with a little careful homework, a holiday in Sicily with teenagers can be as enjoyable as holidaying with friends. Remove the pressure of exams and social arrangements and your teenage children may surprise you! Everything on tap Step one is to identify what makes them tick. Do they thrive on being active or would they like nothing better than lazy days by the pool or on the beach? If you have two or more children, the chances of them all agreeing is unlikely so a reliable compromise may be to…

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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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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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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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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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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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visit-sicily-villas

Sicily and summertime go hand in hand but with a warm weather season that stretches from April to October, the summer months are by no means the only time to visit this vibrant island. We take a look at each of the seasons and weigh up the pros and cons of visiting Sicily at different times of the year. Spring Possibly the loveliest time of year to visit Sicily, the months of April and May are bathed in gentle sunshine and so ideal for walking or exploring the island’s fascinating sights. This is the time to drink in the sight…

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best-villas-in-sicily-city-break

Sicily’s reputation as the go-to destination for beach-lovers is well-known. Stretching for an eye-catching 1,000km or so, the island’s coastline is a wonderful combination of sandy beaches, pebbly coves and untamed nature reserves. Yet it only takes one visit to Sicily to quickly realise that its towns and cities are as big a draw as its beaches. While away the hours wandering through narrow winding streets and explore the magnificent squares and imposing cathedrals that dominate ancient historic town centres. To help you on your journey, we highlight some of the best villas and locations for a city break in…

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The_times_wish-sicily

There’s plenty of good advice in the Times travel section today on where to find the best last-minute budget breaks in school holidays and beyond. Wish Sicily is top of the list of 50 best budget holidays for summer. Suggestions include Villa Rebecca, a brand new 4-bedroom villa with private pool and Casa Sant’Anna, a family villa for 5. Finding high-quality villas with a pool is never easy at this time of year, so, not surprisingly, the villas are getting snapped up quickly. However, there are still several school holiday weeks available, as well as all of September, so the…

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villas-sicily-rent-august

Anyone who has holidayed in Italy in mid-August will know that 15 August is Ferragosto, the national Bank Holiday which sees most of the country shutting up shop and heading for the beach. Essentially marking Assumption Day, the national holiday is a religious one, but it also marks the beginning of Italy’s holiday period. Ferragosto celebrations take place across the country, ranging from local village-based events to huge crowd-pulling occasions such as Siena’s Palio. In Sicily, most activities are focused around the beach, with some towns and villages also organising festivals, processions and fireworks. Not surprisingly, the celebrations spill out…

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sicily-holidays-wishsicily

How much do you know about Sicily? The Mafia, beaches and great food immediately spring to mind but delve further and you may be surprised by what you find.  In fact, holiday just once in Italy’s southernmost region and you may find yourself curiously addicted. Read on for some insider tips on some of the best things to see and do in Sicily. Visit some of the Med’s top archaeological sites Sicily was the star of Magna Graecia and rivals Greece for ancient Greek architecture.  At the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento, the remains of the Doric temples are…

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visit-sicily-wishsicily

If, like us, you’re longing for bright skies and warm Spring sunshine, the chances are you’ll be poring through online magazines and websites for holiday inspiration. Luckily for us, Spring comes early to Sicily so while much of Europe is still wrestling with late April showers, our thoughts are turning to fresh Springtime flavours and flowers. Read on to discover just five of the many reasons why Sicily is perfect for a holiday in May or June. Top tourist attractions Sightseeing in May or June means relatively crowd-free attractions. Sites such as Segesta and Selinunte are fascinating for anyone interested…

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best-villas-in-sicily

If you’re anything like us, as soon as the last crumbs of panettone are hoovered up, summer holidays are next on the agenda! While it’s tempting to put off any final decision making, if you’re one of the lucky ones with some time off work between Christmas and New Year, this is the ideal opportunity to put your heads together. So just to start you on your way, we’ve gathered together some of our favourite holiday ideas. Happy holiday planning and Happy New Year! Easter treats Bask in some early Spring sunshine on an Easter break in Sicily. As well…

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sicily short breaks

Holiday habits have changed enormously in recent years, with many of us finding that just a few days away can be a wonderful way to recharge your batteries at any time of year.  There is certainly something very thrilling about hopping on an early morning flight on a Thursday or Friday with the prospect of three glorious days filled with new sights, warm sunshine and delicious local food ahead of you! Short city breaks have always been popular and with its glut of beautiful cities and Instagrammable sights, Italy has always been one of the top spots for short breaks…

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October and November Holidays in Sicily often mean food tasting

If you have always assumed that the best time to visit Sicily is in the summer, think again. Take a holiday in Sicily in September or October and you can enjoy the double delights of the last of the summer sun and delicious food found in Sicily in Autumn. If you holiday in Sicily in November and December, there are crowd-free museums, churches and archaeological sites and some spectacular Christmas nativity scenes. A trip to Sicily in winter may be all you need to get into the festive spirit. Autumn in Sicily: a good season to go on holiday With…

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sicily-travel-guide

Choosing a villa overseas can be a bit of a minefield, even when you know the destination, so finding a Sicily travel guide is a wise place to start. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in an unknown location, careful planning and research is key to making the best of your holiday in Sicily, for everyone.  Identify the needs and interests of your group and, if you are planning a holiday with other families or a large party, establish a realistic budget from the outset. You should also decide which part of Sicily you want to visit during…

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