Sport, nature and relax in Sicily

Set 12 2023

HALF-TERM VILLAS IN SICILY

5 REASONS TO VISIT SICILY IN OCTOBER For most of us, October half-term week is usually one filled with pumpkins, crisp fallen leaves and organizing playdates. So why not think about breaking with convention and planning a sunny week in a Sicily villa? As thick coats are pulled out of wardrobes ready for the arrival of winter chills and long dark evenings loom ever closer, the prospect of waiting a whole 6 months for spring can be, at best, testing. Added to that, the challenge for both children and their parents of new classes and activities, maddeningly complex family timetables…

Ago 13 2023

Top natural spots in Sicily

Explore Sicily’s nature reserves, mountain ranges and islands Best known for its beaches and extraordinary architectural legacy, Sicily is also a big crowd-puller when it comes to natural attractions. Everyone’s heard about Mount Etna but fewer are aware of the island’s superb natural heritage. In fact, Sicily has no fewer than four regional parks and 76 nature reserves. Add to that mountain ranges, marine reserves and astonishing offshore islands, and you start to get a bigger picture. Because of its remarkable natural richness, a visit in the autumn months brings with it a whole host of thrilling sights, from spectacular…

Mar 15 2023

Exploring Sicily’s Madonie mountains

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…

Nov 24 2022

Best day trips around Palermo, Sicily

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…

Nov 09 2022

DISCOVER SECRET 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…

Lug 05 2022

WishSicily in the Times | Explore Europe’s top spots for nature

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…

Giu 23 2022

Stay in a luxury Sicily villa

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…

Giu 14 2022

Top 8 villas in Sicily 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,…

Mar 01 2022

Best Sicily villas for al fresco living

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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…

Gen 10 2022

Evening fun in Sicily

2022 adventures from the inewspaper Ready for an adventure? After almost 2 years of holiday uncertainty, the prospect of a big trip in 2022 is infinitely appealing and this weekend’s press was full of inspiration on where to find adventure. The i Newspaper delivered a great round-up of tempting ideas, from family adventures in Jordan and Costa Rica to a gastronomic tasting holiday in Siri Lanka. And having recently launched our new collection of adventure experiences in Sicily, we were delighted to see our 4×4 ‘Bandit Tour’ included in the feature! The tour’s a great option if you’re one of…

Dic 07 2021

New adventure experiences in Sicily’s national parks

Villa specialist Wish Sicily has added a range of jeep, mountain bike and horseback adventures in Sicily’s spectacular Madonie and Nebrodi national parks to its 2022 programme. The villa operator has also introduced a selection of new coastal villas. JEEP MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES Wild safari jeep adventures, night-time bandit tours and jeep trails to the peaks of the Madonie mountains promise to take guests deep into the heart of Sicily’s national parks. There are also sunset jeep excursions with a barbecue and a tour to the Valle di Halaesa, home to Europe’s largest contemporary open-air sculpture park. Family adventures Set off…

Nov 26 2021

Discover Sicily’s fascinating interior

5 reasons to stay inland in Sicily How much do you know about Sicily’s extraordinary interior? While most visitors to Sicily flock to the coast, shunning its mountains and rugged landscape for its beaches and inviting seas, its heartland remains delightfully unexplored and tourist-free. Venture inland and you’ll find mountain ranges, limestone plains, hilltop villages, and olives groves and vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see. If you choose to stay on the coast, you can of course still easily access the island’s interior but if you’re looking to get under Sicily’s skin, then inland is the…

Ott 02 2021

Six of the best things to do in Sicily

Experience Sicilian food, culture and nature If a holiday in Sicily has been on your radar for a while, you’ll already know how much there is to do. Long lists of ancient temples, baroque churches and Roman amphitheatres trip off the tongue and before you know it, you’re feeling stressed about how you’re going to fit everything into a mere week on the island! But what about activities that don’t involve traditional sightseeing? It seems that while many visitors may not necessarily want to delve back into ancient history, they may equally want to do something other than flop on…

Lug 14 2021

Best of the West in Sicily

5 of the best things to do on the west coast of Sicily Given that Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and around a fifth the size of England, it’s not surprising that the vibes on its west coast are very different to those of the north and east. This is partly due to its lack of obvious tourist hotspots. Compare it to the east coast where Taormina takes centre stage, or the north coast which is dominated by Cefalù. However, its proximity to north Africa (Tunisia is less than 100 miles away) is also a key factor…

Mar 30 2021

Sicily for the soul

Nourish your inner self with a break in Sicily Travel for most of us is off limits right now but that doesn’t stop us dreaming – or indeed planning ahead. While we may not be able to jet off in the near future, a week in Sicily in late summer or early autumn, when there’s still plenty of sunshine, is just what we need to re-boot and pep up depleted energy levels. After over a year of restrictions, the benefits of escaping to a completely different environment are immeasurable. Different food, culture and a new environment are a sure fire…

Mar 16 2021

Visit Sicily in June

Our top 5 Sicily villas for an early summer break June is one of our favourite months in Sicily and in many ways, the perfect month for first-time visitors. The intense heat of July and August is still some way off and you can take your pick of powder-soft sandy beaches and visits to awe-inspiring Greek temples without worrying about crowds. So it’s good to hear that, depending on where you live, overseas travel in June is increasingly looking like a possibility. What better time than now to start looking forward and planning a trip to the sun? Here are…

Feb 11 2021

Five of the best small villas in Sicily

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Sensational Sicilian villas for smaller groups It’s easy to get swept up by the idea of planning a grand scale villa holiday for a large group. After a year of minimal socialising and even more limited hugging, reconnecting with friends or family seems irresistible. Plus those tantalising images of sprawling country estates, infinity pools and mini-gyms, together with poolside yoga and in-chef dining add-ons, are enough to send us into meltdown. Planning those big group holidays, however, can be complex and 2021 may just be the year to keep things simple. The good news though is that if you’re looking…

Gen 29 2021

Best romantic breaks in Sicily

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Add these Sicily holidays for two to your post-lockdown bucket list In any ‘normal’ year, slipping from January into February can be a bit of a pendulum swing. Suddenly days are longer, spring is just round the corner and romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day looms. Things are far from normal in 2021 but perhaps that’s even more reason to treasure the prospect of spring and to add a romantic break for two to your post-lockdown bucket list. If you need inspiration, consider Sicily, where sensational sunsets and dramatic sea views, sun-drenched vines and food bursting with flavour,…

Gen 20 2021

Wellbeing and relaxation breaks in Sicily

Re-charge mind, body and soul on a villa holiday in Sicily January is often the time we take stock and assess our sense of wellbeing. Have we managed to achieve a healthy balance in our lives? Even in the midst of the turmoil of a pandemic, do we manage to find a little time for ourselves? Whether it’s home-schooling that’s getting you down, a stressful job or simply the need for a change of scene, this is the time when, for so many of us, thoughts turn to getting away from it all. In fact, rarely has there been a…

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