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Ortigia-siracusa-wish-sicily

What will your New Year resolutions be when the clock chimes at midnight? If travelling responsibly is one of them, you may be wondering about the best holiday options for 2020. The fact is that plenty of short-haul destinations, from northern France to the most southerly point of Italy, are still easily accessible by train if you’re prepared to spend a little longer getting there. A train journey to Sicily, for example, takes around 28 hours, but when you factor in a night’s sleep, you realise that you won’t actually miss out on that much holiday time. Once you’ve worked…

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sicily-holiday-villas

Are you, or is a member of your family hitting a special milestone in 2020? If so, why not make it even more memorable by celebrating together under one roof? Check in to a villa in the sun and mark the occasion with a relaxing break with all your favourite people. Of course, organising dates and other logistics can be tricky while you’re juggling normal life, when both physical time and mental space are under pressure. However, with time off work and fewer everyday stresses, the Christmas break is a good opportunity to think carefully about what works best for…

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sicily-holiday-tours-activities

There are plenty of reasons for getting ahead of the crowd and booking your 2020 villa in Sicily now and here’s one more! If you book a 2020 holiday at one of our Early Booking Villas by 29th February 2020, we’ll give everyone in your party a fabulous free Sicily Experience. The offer is available on all holiday dates excluding 27 June – 29 August. Participating in an activity or excursion is a great way to get a feel for the island and there are so many to choose from. Find out about Sicily’s history and culture, get an in-depth…

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Fontane Bianche Sicily

When do you usually start planning your summer holiday? Do you start dreaming of white sandy beaches and sun loungers as soon as the evenings draw in, or are you more of a last-minute sort of person? Making sure you get the best possible price for your holiday is likely to be a part of your decision-making.  If you’re booking your own accommodation and flights, then you’ll certainly want to book your flights when they’re at their lowest price, particularly if you’re a family or a fairly large group. However, the flights are just one element of the holiday. and…

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sicily-holiday-villas

So you’ve packed away your summer clothes, sorted your holiday snaps and are squaring up for a flurry of autumn leaves and shorter days. And if we’re anything to go by, you’re probably also toying with ideas for next summer’s holiday! After all, with so many decisions involved, there’s no harm in some early planning. First up, where in the world do you want to visit? And what sort of accommodation will suit you best? If you’re planning to base yourself in just one, or even two places, rather than touring, consider the many advantages of a villa or apartment…

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ragusa-ibla-wish-sicily

Enjoy an action-packed calendar of lively local events in Sicily’s towns and cities throughout October when blazing blue skies and warm autumn sunshine provide a backdrop to vibrant and colourful festivities around the island. During this time, everything from Sicily’s bountiful produce to its rich cultural heritage is on show, making it a wonderful opportunity to get behind the scenes and discover a more authentic side to the island. This year marks the 13th anniversary of the Le Vie dei Tesori festival.  The annual event started in Palermo, with the aim of opening up the city’s rich heritage to the…

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le case di tindari - wishsicily

Some of Sicily’s most evocative land and seascapes first found their way on to our TV screens via the popular detective Montalbano series. Written by native Sicilian, Andrea Camilleri, who died earlier this year, the televised novels and short stories are a wonderful snapshot of the island, not least through the fictional detective’s love of great food! There’s no doubt that exploring a destination through its literature is a great way to get a feel for a place before you arrive. So if you enjoy reading, set aside some time as the evenings draw in to curl up with a…

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villa giacona wishsicily

Summer in Sicily continues well into September so if you’re unfettered by school holidays and looking for a romantic break for two, check out what’s available on this sunny Mediterranean island.  While temperatures in northern Europe have generally started to cool down by early September, if you head south, you’ll find yourself basking in warm sunshine on empty beaches.  Apart from the sunshine, there’s plenty of opportunity for romantic sea view dinners, boat trips and leisurely strolls along the sea front and through atmospheric towns and villages. Read on to find out more and visit our collection of villas in…

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sicily-villas-on-discount

Looking for some last-minute September sun? In Sicily, you’ll find that summer doesn’t end as September starts.  Daytime temperatures can still reach the high 20’s and the sea retains much of its summer warmth, but the August crowds have largely dispersed on the beach and at Sicily’s key attractions. Better still, if you shop around, you can find some decent holiday discounts. Here at Wish Sicily, we’re currently offering savings of up to 20% at a range of properties in September and October. Coast and countryside Save 20% at newly-built Villa Geranio (sleeps 8-12) and enjoy a winning combination of…

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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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