Browsing CategoryThings to do in Sicily

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,…

cheap-villas-in-sicily

Spring is on the doorstep and if you haven’t already done so, it’s definitely time to start planning a holiday. The good news is that, if you’re thinking of staying in a holiday villa, there’s no need to splash the cash. In fact, a villa holiday with your family or a group of friends is an excellent option if you’re looking to keep costs down.  Choose exactly how much you want to spend per person before you book and then, when you’re on holiday, enjoy browsing in local markets for delicious ingredients for poolside lunches and dinners under the stars.…

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…

northern-sicily-tindari

In this post, we take a look at the north coast of Sicily, with its UNESCO world heritage sights, beaches and hideaway mountain villages. Head away from the busier seaside resorts into the hinterland to explore a more authentic side of the island or hop across on a boat to the splendid Aeolian Islands for memorable views of one of Italy’s three active volcanos. These are some of our favourite things to do on holiday in northern Sicily. UNESCO world heritage sights The north of Sicily is home to the most recent addition to the island’s collection of UNESCO sites…

luxury-villas-in-sicily

For families looking for sunnier climes without the cost, Sicily is an inspired choice. With April temperatures nudging 18°C, the weather is ideal for a family adventure on one of Europe’s most fascinating islands. Climb a volcano Wander across the lunar landscape of Europe’s highest active volcano. Choose from a selection of jeep tours and guided walks, depending on the age of your children, to explore the smoking craters and snaking lava flows of Mount Etna. Villa Viscalori is a traditional Sicilian villa, with antique furniture and ceramics with a pool and huge garden that overlook the slopes of Mount…

siracusa-sicily-spring

Springtime in Sicily is awash with spectacular processions, floral displays and warm sunshine. Take a look at some of our favourite Spring events. Easter on Sicily’s north west coast The Procession of the Mysteries in Trapani on Good Friday is amongst the most evocative and traditional of Sicily’s Easter celebrations. The 24-hour event sees a two-mile procession of thousands of people and marching bands follow the 20 wooden ‘Mysteries’ as they are carried on volunteers’ shoulders through the streets of the city. Nearby, there are also Good Friday processions at Erice and Buseto Palizzolo. Cupole Arabe’s unique dome-shaped accommodation is…

sicily water activities

Warm weather in Sicily summer with temperatures currently nudging 30° plus, the only way to really cool down is to make tracks for some water.  Most of our Sicily villas with private pool have a direct access to the sea but if you are looking for something a little more active, there are also water-based activities for everyone in the family. Sicily water activity in the Alcantara Gorge Situated on the east coast of Sicily, just inland from Taormina, the Alcantara Gorge is the place for adrenalin-charged activities.  River trekking and body rafting are both on offer and canyoning can…

Noto

Packed with extraordinary art and architecture, Sicily’s south east coast corner is an ideal retreat at any time of the year. Try to find time for a few beach visits if you’re holidaying here in the heat of the summer but our guess is that at any time, you may still struggle to squeeze in everything there is to see in this unique region. If ever you needed an example of a silver lining to a natural disaster, the eight towns in the Val di Noto, a combined UNESCO site, are the perfect illustration. Flattened by an earthquake in 1693,…

best family activities in Sicily

One of the reasons that we think Sicily is so great for a family villa holiday is that it offers things to do so much more than a just a beach break. Like everyone else, we certainly need our dose of holiday inertia but throwing in a couple of activities is great for family bonding and having fun together. Not every activity needs to involve action man levels of energy – in fact some are distinctly laidback – but they are all guaranteed to keep everyone in the family entertained with exciting events.   Street food tour Start with the…

marsala-wine-sicily

Blessed with around 300 days of sunshine a year, Sicily’s climate is heaven sent for wine-making. Add to that the island’s territory and tradition – no less than 25 centuries of wine-making – and you start to understand some of the reasons for the growing interest in Sicilian wine. The wine renaissance on the island first started to gain momentum in the 1990’s and gradually the focus has shifted from quantity to quality, bringing with it a new wave of boutique wineries focused on bringing some superior wines and vintage experiences to the wine-loving world. Compared to regions such as…

Infiorata di Noto

With its broad mix of invaders and fascinating history, it is not surprising that Sicily’s cultural calendar is peppered with colourful events and celebrations. From re-enactments of Norman conquests to the decoration of streets with floral carpets, the Mediterranean’s largest island provides its visitors with plenty of spectacular events throughout the year.   Palio dei Normanni at Piazza Armerina The otherwise sleepy town of Piazza Armerina springs into action between 12-14 August (weather is usually good) each year with the medieval pageant of the Palio dei Normanni. Re-enacting the key historical moment of the conquest of Sicily in 1061 by…

archaeological-sites-in-sicily

Top of the class? Make learning fun on a holiday in Sicily Travelling is by its very nature educational but there’s nothing to say that you can’t have fun at the same time! Greek ruins, history by the bucket load and a landscape that would enhance any geography lesson all make Sicily a fascinating destination. Better still, with castles, caves and Europe’s tallest active volcano, the island is as appealing for kids as for adults. So while some in your party might be more than happy to lounge on the beach or chill by the villa pool, there are enough…

budget-villas-in-sicily

We’ve got a few suggestions for holidays in Sicily that cost under £50 per person per day! Pick your dates and accommodation wisely and you can holiday in Sicily this spring or summer for less than £50pp per day, including your accommodation and flights!  A mid-April Easter weekend in 2017 makes an Easter break in Sicily more appealing than ever but there’s also plenty going on in Sicily right through the year if you are looking for inspiration.   Easter in Modica: one week from £252 per person Visit Modica at Easter and you’ll get the best of all worlds:…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

LUXURY-VILLAS-IN-SICILY-WITH-POOL

Still looking for a villa in the sun? Villa specialist Wish Sicily has added to its portfolio several new properties that are ideal for families and have excellent availability in July and August.   Family friendly villa in north Sicily Casa del Gelso is a newly-restored villa with a fantastic garden and pool with views over the Tyrrhenian coast.  A sure-fire hit with kids of all ages, the pool has easy access steps for younger children, and a diving board for the older ones. There is also table tennis and a stunning outdoor kitchen designed to make family catering that…

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…

Don’t Want to Deal with the Hassle of Organizing your Vacation? Rely on the Numerous Sicily Tour Packages and you Won’t Be Disappointed (Tour of Sicily) For the best sightseeing tour of Sicily experience there are many options available at any location around this exotic and wondrous island. From Catania to Palermo or Agrigento you can find great packages that include visits to family cottages, local agriturismo farms where you can learn the art of Sicilian cooking and taste the many exotic recipes that trace their roots to the ancient Romans, Greeks, Spanish and Arabs; go on wine-tasting excursions and…