Browsing CategorySicily holidays

scicli-sicily-wishsicily

Find the best things to do and see in the baroque town of Scicli More understated, and generally less visited than some of its neighbouring crowd-pullers, Scicli is certainly worth a visit if you’re on holiday in southeast Sicily. One of the eight towns in the cluster of UNESCO Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Scicli is both smaller and more lowkey than Modica and Ragusa, but nevertheless, utterly charming and with plenty of attractions to fill a day or two with leisurely sightseeing. Where is Scicli? Scicli is conveniently located between the coast and rural heart of…

activities-and-tours-in-sicily

Cultural attractions, activities and gastronomy in Sicily There’s little question that Sicily’s a natural choice when it comes to a beach holiday. With mile upon mile of sandy beaches and an enviable scattering of pretty coves fringed by translucent water, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to soaking up the sun by the sea in Sicily. But that’s not to say that Sicily is only about sun and sea. For a start, UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient temples dot the landscape, and towns and cities are awash with extraordinary art and architecture. Then there are nature reserves, Europe’s…

beach-villas-in-sicily

Relax in your seafront holiday villa in Sicily If you’re planning a holiday in Sicily in July or August, the chances are you won’t want to be too far from the water. Of course, having a pool in your garden certainly ticks some boxes, but there’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of stepping through your garden gate and on to the sand. Not surprisingly, our beach villas in Sicily are generally the first to get snapped up, but if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, take a look at our collection of seafront holiday homes in Sicily…

last-minute-deals-in-sicily-villas-wishsicily

May and June villa discounts Springtime is the perfect time to visit Sicily. Mild temperatures are ideal for sightseeing or hiking, and beaches and tourist hotspots have yet to be filled by the summer rush.  Elsewhere, sprinklings of wildflowers are emerging on Sicily’s nature reserves and hillsides, and delicately flavoured spring fruits and vegetables are beginning to appear on local market stalls and in mouth-watering dishes at restaurants. And we’re making a springtime visit to Sicily even more irresistible! We’ve reduced the price of a large selection of properties by up to 20% in May, with further discounts at plenty…

madonie-mountains-sicily-wishsicily

Off the beaten track in Sicily Unless you’re a keen hiker, you’re likely to be amongst the many visitors to Sicily’s shores who head for the beaches and completely overlook the Madonie mountains. But the mountainous reserve is alternative Sicily at its best, offering almost year round walking and a string of captivating medieval villages. The Madonie was the second nature reserve to be established in Sicily, located at the centre of the north coast of the island and extending over 35,000 hectares.  Skiing takes over in winter but during spring, summer and autumn, the network of paths through the…

Easter-holiday-sicily-villas-wishsicily

6 reasons to holiday in Sicily this spring Why wait for June or July for a hint of sunshine? While northern Europe might still be in shiver mode, get an early taste of summer with an Easter break in Sicily. What better way to spend Easter than lingering over cappuccinos at pavement cafés and feasting on the daily catch overlooking the ocean? Alongside the warm sunshine, you’ll find spectacular Easter parades and processions, delicious food, and shop windows crammed with wonderful displays of Easter goodies. Spring sunshine While Easter sunshine can be a bit hit and miss in northern Europe,…

2023-villas-in-sicily

Five stylish villas in Sicily for 2023 Looking for inspiration for summer 2023?  We’re thinking stylish gardens and sparkling infinity pools with captivating sea views. Plus enticing interiors filled with traditional ceramics, and original architectural features that merge seamlessly with high tech mod cons and stunning contemporary design. Scroll through our 2023 collection but watch out for these villas in Sicily with a special wow factor that will leave you happy to spend entire days and evenings by the pool, just drinking in your surroundings. Multi-family gathering in Scicli New for 2023, Casale Donna Costanza in south east Sicily is…

Sicilian landscape, Scopello.

Highlights of north west Sicily If you’re planning a villa holiday on Sicily’s west coast, you’ll certainly be thinking about spending a day or two in Palermo where you can marvel at ancient mosaics and art in palazzi and churches, and stroll through colourful markets. There are also plenty of attractions that are easily accessible as a day trip from Palermo. Just an hour or two away by car, these easily match many of the city highlights yet are frequently overlooked. So we’ve put together a list of some of our favourites, with a couple of tips to help you…

BEST-HIDEAWAY-VILLAGES-SICILY

SIX OF THE BEST HIDEAWAY VILLAGES IN SICILY Sicily’s beaches and coastline are undoubtedly the big magnet for most holidaymakers, but venture slightly inland to explore several of its hideaway villages and you’ll enter a whole new world. This is where you’ll find glorious views, centuries old architecture and a traditional way of life that allows you to step right back in time. Rent one of our villas in Sicily and explore some of the best hideaway villages on the Island. Greek and baroque architecture at Palazzolo Acreide Sicily’s massive 1693 earthquake resulted in the rebuilding of eight towns in…

palermo-sicily

FOCUS ON PALERMO Step off the plane or train in Palermo and despite still being in Italy, you’ll find yourself in a world of souk-like markets, Arab-style domes and eye popping baroque architecture. Yes, Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily but it’s also a fascinating hotchpotch of cultures and traditions. In fact, few places in the world rival Palermo when it comes to cultural melting pots. Unification with mainland Italy didn’t take place until 1861 and by then, the numerous invaders – Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Spanish and Normans – each left their mark on the island, creating a unique…

LoveEXPORING

Wish Sicily in LoveExploring LoveExploring, the inspirational guide to independent travellers, has included a Sicily villa stay with WishSicily in their recent round-up of best places to visit in October. October is a delightful time to visit Sicily. Days are still filled with sunshine, the most popular tourist sites are now crowd-free, and the sea still retains some of the summer heat. In the southeast of the island, the Vendicari Nature Reserve welcomes the arrival of thousands of flamingos and other aquatic birds en route for warmer climes in Africa. October is also the time when many of the smaller…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Good to see another great round-up of some of the best places to stay in Sicily in the weekend’s Times newspaper, including our villa Nefele. The feature looks at some of Sicily’s most stylish accommodation, from modest villas to the island’s new generation of wine resorts and luxurious hotels. Wine experiences, extraordinary ancient sites and striking scenery are also par for the course – we’ve even caught the attention of Mick Jagger who last year bought a property near the south eastern tip of the island! A new addition to our collection this year, Nefele continues to attract rave reviews…

Pizzo dell'Ovo

Book a villa in Sicily to celebrate in style in 2023! Are you one of the many who have lost out on celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary in recent years, or have simply missed sharing experiences with friends? If so, there’s no time like the present to start planning for 2023! Several of our villas in Sicily are big enough for parties of 20 and more, with a whole range of services that cater for large groups, designed to make your holiday even more memorable. Choose from chef services, tours and gastronomic experiences – we’ll make sure you’re well…

luxury-villas-in-sicily-for-rent-wishsicily

Stay in a luxury villa in Sicily this October Not quite ready to wave goodbye to summer? In Sicily, the sunshine often reaches well into October when, as an added bonus, prices are lower and beaches blissfully quiet. Throw into the mix some wonderfully luxurious villas in Sicily, swimming in seas still warm from the heat of the summer sun and lingering over leisurely seafood lunches, and suddenly, a week in Sicily seems like a great idea! Luxury villas with great prices Our newest property is the wonderful Casale Donna Costanza, a beautifully restored rural home that’s made for sharing,…

The_times_blog_wishsicily

Best Villas in Sicily We’re delighted to be featured again in a Times newspaper round-up of top villas in Sicily, this time with our highly sought after Villa Arte Mare Blue. The villa for 10 is perfectly positioned with rural views over the Madonie mountains, yet is just a short drive from the bustling seaside resort of Cefalù – really the best of both worlds! Its traditional exterior nestles amidst the hills, set in secluded gardens which include a stunning infinity pool and enviable covered outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven. Step inside, however, to interiors that are far from…

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…

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…

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,…

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…