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Browsing CategorySport, nature and relax

sport-sicily-villa-dioscuri

Do you like to work out even when you’re on holiday? If sport is a big part of your everyday routine at home, the chances are you’ll want to maintain fitness levels while you’re away. The good news is that it’s easy to do that in Sicily where there are plenty of options for anyone who loves an active or outdoors lifestyle. Rocky ravines and spectacular seascapes are obvious backdrops for adventure and water sports and there are also national parks, marine nature reserves and, of course, the thrill of Mount Etna. But the action doesn’t stop there. Find out…

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northern-sicily-villas

Often overlooked in favour of the baroque splendours of south east Sicily, the mountainous Madonie and Nebrodi national parks and neighbouring coast is the place to be if you’re looking for a truly authentic experience of Sicily.  From awe-inspiring views to extraordinary contemporary sculpture, this fascinating area is guaranteed to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the island. Read on for suggestions of some of the best things to see and do. Visit Italy’s most beautiful villages Choose from a collection of stunning hilltop towns and villages including Gangi, winner of the ‘Most Beautiful Village in Italy’ accolade in 2014…

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top-villas-sicily-spring

Lower prices, fewer people and the first hint of gentle sunshine make spring a wonderful time to holiday in Sicily. Although cool, the sea is beginning to warm up, and in the countryside and national parks, wild flowers dot hillside slopes.  If you’re a foodie, you’ll find local market stalls piled high with mouth-watering fruit and vegetables. Tempted? Read on to find out more about our top villas in Sicily for a springtime break. Big savings on family-friendly villas If you have young children, make the most of the precious pre-school years by taking your main holiday in May or…

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new-villas-in-sicily-wishsicily

New villas with summer holiday availability! If you’re slightly late off the mark and still looking for a summer holiday villa, the good news is that we’ve added two new family villas to our portfolio, both with excellent availability and an introductory 20% discount. Menfi vineyards, Sicily: Save over £450 in July! Set in the heart of the wine-growing countryside around Menfi, 3-bedroom Casa Maoma is close to Selinunte and the beaches around Porto Palo.  The villa has a large shady veranda overlooking the pool and the surrounding vineyards. Book now and save 20% on all weeks up to 27…

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villas-in-sicily-with-pool

Walking is a great way to explore Sicily’s countryside, and while there are some challenging hikes to choose from, you don’t need to be a fanatical hiker for the best experience. Take a short stroll in early summer when hillsides and nature reserves are sprinkled with the last remnants of spring flowers; or an autumn amble through flame-coloured landscapes. The two latest additions to our portfolio – Villa Rebecca and Casa Maoma – which are both near to two of Sicily’s most striking natural sites, got us thinking about our favourite walks in Sicily. Necropoli di Pantalica A walk through…

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villas-in-sicily

Our new range of adventure activities in Sicily is just the thing to keep energetic and inquisitive kids entertained on holiday. Choose from self-drive guided tours of Catania in an open-sided Ape Calessino, 4 x 4 jeep tours on Mount Etna and bike tours through the Alcantara Gorge. Each of these activities are perfect during October half-term and the cooler autumn months.   Exploring Catania, Sicilian-style: Whizz through the ancient alleyways of Catania’s UNESCO-listed historic centre in an iconic open-sided three-wheeler Ape Calessino, the ultimate tribute to vintage chic. The compactness of the vehicle means that you can easily access…

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larger-sicily-villas

If you’re lucky enough to have a big family, there are fewer more agreeable ways to spend a holiday than gathering everyone together in a loud, lively multi-generational melting pot of siblings, cousins and grandparents. The benefits are obvious: for the kids, spending time with favourite cousins means ready-made friends for daytime water fun and evening card games while for the adults, meal preparation takes on a whole new meaning – and there are babysitters on hand if one couple wants to slip out for a spot of sightseeing or a romantic dinner à deux. The question of pooling resources…

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The Times Wish Sicily

MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY Wish Sicily included in the Times’ round-up of family holidays with an educational twist Just how educational do you want your holiday to be? As stories emerge of parents taking tutors on family holidays and holiday companies offering language lessons, there’s little doubt that just being in a different environment and absorbing the local culture can be hugely educational. Add to that some exceptional geographical features and a bit of ancient history, and you’re on to a winner! The Times newspaper’s feature on holiday breaks that inspire and educate includes staying in one of our…

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LE CASE DELL'ETNA

Get ready to soak up the last of the summer’s rays in Sicily where temperatures can remain in the mid-20’s right into October and beaches and the most popular tourist spots are generally crowd-free. The good news is that we’re offering up to 20% off the price of some of our loveliest villas! A full listing of all our special autumn offers is available here or you can get inspiration on specific locations and villas below.   Grape picking on Mount Etna – save 20% Top of the pile of our new collection of activities and excursions in Sicily in…

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autumn-in-sicily-villas

The summer sunshine continues right through September here but the heat is less fierce and the climate ideal for venturing inland to explore the island’s nature reserves and spectacular countryside. If you enjoy being active, why not combine a week in the sun with a selection of walking tours and hiking excursions at different spots on the island? For foodies, this is the season for hazelnuts, pistachios and almonds and harvest time for the olive groves and vineyards. October sees the start of the wild mushroom season, and of roast chestnuts and prickly pears. Take a look at our favourite…

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sicily-villas

If you haven’t booked to get away this summer yet, we’ve tried to make life easy by picking a selection of top villas for autumn getaways. September and early October are great months to holiday in Sicily: you can still expect temperatures in the low to mid-20’s, up to ten hours of sunshine a day and quiet beaches and tourist attractions as Italians return to work. Of course if September seems too long to wait for warm sunshine, there is always the option of a quick getaway. Take a look at our collection of villas offering last-minute deals and promotions.…

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VILLAS-IN-SICILY-WITH-SEAVIEW

Dear holidaymaker, The days are well and truly hotting up here in Sicily: air temperatures are rising daily and sea temperatures are creeping up to the balmy mid-20’s. Meanwhile, market stalls are packed with seasonal summer fruits and vegetables such as glistening red cherries, deep purple glossy aubergines and the first of the crop of velvety apricots. To celebrate the start of summer, we’re offering some great deals on a selection of villas, including several that have been recently added to our collection. Take a look at our selection below or visit the special offers section on our website for…

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Logo-good-things-mag

Good to see our yoga villas featured in the May edition of the gourmet food and luxury travel magazine, Good Things. Packed full of great ideas for two of our favourite pastimes – eating and holidays! – the magazine is everyone’s answer to some serious daydreaming. Our yoga holidays are available at a selection of villas in gorgeous settings, overlooking the Nebrodi mountains or vineyards of western Sicily, and include between two and six hours’ yoga each day. For the ultimate feel-good holiday, we can even arrange an in-villa cook to organise your own bespoke detox menu!

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Independent-Logo

We were thrilled to see our new range of villa holidays with outdoor activities included in the Independent’s Family Holiday Guide this weekend!  While most people will know about our great beaches, not everyone is aware of the ever-expanding choice of adventure activities on Sicily, many of which are suitable for all the family. The Alcantara Gorge, near Taormina, is a particular hotspot, with body rafting, river trekking and canyoning all available, while the Madonie mountains are a great place for hiking. For families looking for a slightly different way to explore Mount Etna, a jeep tour is guaranteed to…

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition

If the prospect of a week on the beach or lazing by your villa pool is still not enough to tempt your teenage offspring away with you this summer, they may be interested in our new collection of adventure activities. Body-rafting, river trekking, and, for younger children, canyoning or a family jeep tour, are all guaranteed to keep everyone entertained for days.   Canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge: Introduce the younger members of the family (minimum age: 8) to the thrills of canyoning in the Alcantara Gorge.  This involves travelling through a dry section of the Alcantara river bed, past…

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For Sports Enthusiasts: Guided Walking Holidays in Sicily One of the best ways to enjoy the richness of Sicily and its ancient heritage is undoubtedly undertaking a guided walking holiday through its nature reserves and antique treasures. By relying on experienced tour guide companies possessing a long history and tradition of service and quality, including an in-depth knowledge of Sicily’s diverse history, geography and culture, you are bound to have the experience of a lifetime. A really good resource is sicilianexperience.com, especially due to their ongoing commitment in helping the local communities to prosper and grow with their business not…

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Taormina, Sicily: the perfect location to go on holiday

Embark on a Trip to Discover the Best of Sicily! Your Next Holidays in Taormina Taormina is one of the best places to visit if you plan to spend your holidays in the Italian island of Sicily. It is also the ideal location if your trip is short due to time constraints, since it has all the best that Southern Italy has to offer in terms of ancient art, architecture and magnificent archeological treasures and natural reserves. Holidays to Taormina: what makes this city so special It is the place to be whether you are a nature-lover, an art and…

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Sicily-villas-with-yoga-classes

Re-charge mind, body and soul on a Wish Sicily yoga break Bliss out on a revitalising yoga break in Sicily that combines personalised instruction with poolside relaxation. Choose from a selection of Wish Sicily villas that accommodate groups of between eight and 28 people, where you can enjoy up to six hours’ yoga per day in spectacular settings overlooking the Nebrodi mountains or the vineyards of western Sicily. All courses are led by yoga teachers Bruno Teyssandier and Erika Iannello who provide several classes a day.  For the ultimate restorative treat, an in-villa cook can be organised to prepare a…

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Stromboli Night Tour Trekking Sicily Guides

Stromboli Island is located north of Sicily and it’s an active volcano popular for its regular, yet small explosions. In fact, Stromboli by night is a spectacle of tiny blobs glowing lava that lighten the darkness above the crater rim of Stromboli volcano. For this reason, it has been called the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. Stromboli Volcano Facts Activity of the volcano has been recorded for over 1000 years. In the last 100 years, more violent explosions have occurred three times. The last one happened in 2003 and destroyed villages, taking the lives of locals. After the incident, the volcano…

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National Park Sicily Zingaro

Sicily is an island filled with endless natural wonders and has some of the finest nature reserves and national parks in Italy. Because of its extremely diverse ecology, these parks are pristinely kept for visitor to experience untouched natural surroundings on the island. Visiting one of the national parks in Sicily is a great way to spend a day with your family or take a break from the crowded cities. Here are the best two parks you should visit on your Sicilian vacation. Vendicari Nature Reserve, Sicily If you are in the southeast of the island there is one place…

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