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Wish Sicily in the press While Sicily’s beaches and cultural attractions still undoubtedly steal the show, holidaying here now comes hand-in-hand with a whole host of other options.  Our villa holidays with outdoor activities such as river trekking, canyoning and body rafting were included in the Independent’s recent feature on family holidays in Italy while Good Things magazine featured our yoga holidays amongst its fabulous assortment of luxury travel ideas.   What’s happening right now From now until 26 June, there is an extra treat to pack into an already jam-packed list of things to do and see in Syracuse.…

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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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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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villa-agave-wish-sicily

White sandy beaches fringed by translucent seas, great food and wine and a wealth of history and culture are just part of the picture in Sicily where several of the top designer villas are likely to leave you wanting to check in and stay poolside for your entire holiday.  If you are looking for a week or two of rural or beachside bliss, Sicily-based villa specialist, Wish Sicily, gives the lowdown on which glammed-up villas are still available this summer, together with some top tips on what to see and do on the island.   Outdoor style:  If outdoor living…

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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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Holiday in Sicily

A May or June holiday in Sicily brings with it warm sunshine, a series of charming food and wine sagre in the smaller villages and several impressive events and festivals.   Flower festival in Noto (12-15 May) While masses of wild flowers blanket the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains in the north of the island, the baroque town of Noto in Sicily’s south east presents a very different floral display. During the colourful Infiorata di Noto flower festival (12-15 May), the palazzo-lined Corrado Nicolaci, is transformed into a flowered carpet of petal-filled mosaic-style pictures.   Once you have admired the display and…

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valley-of-the-temples-agrigento-sicily

The Most Unforgettable Places you Cannot Afford to Miss during your Holidays in Sicily, Italy Sometimes it can be difficult to check out all the attractions that the most popular holiday destinations like Sicily, in Southern Italy, have to offer- either due to budget concerns or because job priorities or the concerns of daily life require your stay to be a short one. For this reason, restricting your visit to only the most important locations admired by travelers world-wide is your best option. While the entire island is rich in archaeological, artistic, historical and natural treasures which have shaped its…

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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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Carneval-in-sicily-acireale

While the carnivals of Venice and Viareggio may be more famous, Sicily’s carnivals can be equally spectacular and are more likely to be accompanied by better weather. Our top carnivals are in Acireale, Sciacca, and, just outside Palermo, at Termini Imerese and Mezzojuso.  Visit during the February celebrations and combine your stay in Sicily with visiting some of the island’s top attractions, minus the crowds and the heat of the summer sun.   Acireale carnival: With concerts, parades through the town’s baroque historic centre and processions of allegorical and floral floats, Acireale is one of Sicily’s most colourful and impressive…

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luxury-villas-in-sicily-christmas

With Christmas nearly upon us, we’d like to wish a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our clients. While you are celebrating with friends and family, why not take the opportunity to plan a 2016 holiday either under one roof or in adjoining properties? Get inspiration here for a group holiday at one of our larger villas in Sicily. The Nebrodi mountains The village of San Marco d’Alunzio has managed to stay firmly off the tourist trail, despite its great location between the north coast and the foodie-friendly Nebrodi mountains. In an area renowned for its gastronomy, the…

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Villa Arte Mare Blu

Christmas in Sicily is a festive occasion, packed full of traditions and customs that make it a very special time. Cool temperatures means that the focus shifts away from the beach and swimming and into the heart of the local village or town where locals keep the Christmas spirit alive and kicking.   Christmas Presepi Many homes and the vast majority of churches in Sicily display a presepe (nativity scene). In some cases, these are ‘Presepi viventi’ – living nativity scenes where locals dress up and re-enact the Nativity between Christmas Day and Epiphany with the privilege of representing baby…

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Sicily villas for foodies

From its creamy risotto filled arancini to its prolifically-growing zucchini, Sicilian food is packed with flavour.  Fresh sun-ripened tomatoes, shiny silver sardines and sweet fat pistachios have been incorporated into a distinctive cuisine that has been shaped by centuries of foreign rule.  Events such as San Vito lo Capo’s Cous Cous Fest and sagre celebrating everything from artichokes to onions punctuate the calendar but every day in Sicily brings another gastronomic treat. Villa specialist Wish Sicily has brought out a new collection of villas for foodies, where guests are never more than a bite away from the top foodie hotspots…

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Villa Cecilia Trabia, Sicily

DESPERATE FOR SOME SEPTEMBER SUN? Grab the last few rays of summer sunshine in September when temperatures in Sicily are still in the 20’s and the crowds have dispersed. And if time is at a premium, you can keep your transfer times to a minimum by flying to Palermo and hopping across to one of our villas in Scopello, close to some of Sicily’s top natural and historical sites.   BE A CULTURE VULTURE IN SICILY If you thought that the majority of Sicily’s cultural attractions were in the south east of the island, think again. Last month, Sicily boosted…

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What To Do Favignana Island Sicily Tourist Attraction Beach

If you are traveling to Sicily, the Egadi Islands are one of the sites that you have to see. The largest in the island chain, Favignana, is a wonderful place to start because it is easily accessible and not overcrowded. Favignana Sicily is a hidden gem of the area making it a great spot to enjoy a relaxing vacation. Here is a quick guide to the laid-back island, of things to do in Favignana and how to get to the island. How to get there The island is very accessible because of its close proximity to Trapani and its airport.…

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Don't Miss Things Messina Aeolian Islands Sicily

The lovely city of Messina, in Sicily, is a great destination or day trip for your Sicilian vacation. The city sits looking across the Strait of Messina, which separates Calabria on the Italian mainland from the Island of Sicily. It has been a major port city for thousands of years and is still a major cruise port for Sicily. This gateway to Sicily is a beautiful place to take in the wonderful weather because of its natural surroundings as well as to see the amazing historical sites. So visit Messina in Sicily on your vacation for a truly magical experience!…

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Luxury Villa La Belsia, Taormina

With sterling soaring against the euro, warm sunshine and a selection of attractive discounted villas, Sicily is an excellent destination for a holiday this September.   Wish Sicily offers the largest specialist collection of villas and apartments in Sicily that are booked directly with their owners, and at the lowest available rate.  Comments Gioacchino Sortino, Wish Sicily: ‘Booking a September holiday in Sicily this year offers excellent value for money.   With Wish Sicily, bookings are made directly with our villa owners so there are no fixed tour operator fees and any benefits in currency fluctuations are passed on to the…

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Villa La Belsia

Fill in some of the gaps in your kids’ education with a visit to Sicily where you can squeeze in a session on the Greeks, Romans and Normans, or a volcano-themed geography lesson, without so much as a mention of books or homework. Sicily’s extraordinary past and its hugely varied land and seascapes make it a fascinating island for all ages. If you have not booked anything yet, there are weeks available right up to early September at a selection of Wish Sicily villas.   Escape the crowds and head for the heartland of Sicily Head inland for peace and…

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What To Do Syracuse Port

The largest city of ancient times, Syracuse, Italy is a city of ruins and life. Outstanding medieval roads, baroque architecture, Greek style buildings, and a vivid life with markets and people running all around the city are some of the characteristics that make Syracuse a magic place for both locals and tourists. Siracusa Weather If you’re looking for a summer holiday, the weather in Syracuse is warm yet pleasantly windy, thanks to the currents blowing in from the sea. Many are the stunning Siracusa beaches with their white sand, emerald islets, blue bays, and cliffs perfect for diving. All of…

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Activities Catania Cathedral Saint Agatha

On the eastern coast of Sicily, situated at the foot of beautiful Mount Etna is the city of Catania. Always at the mercy of the volcano, but still bustling with nightlife, medieval architecture and great food, it is a mainstay in any Sicilian vacation. This guide to Catania will navigate you through the many of bars, clubs, grand palazzo and fish markets. Here is a list of things to do if you visit the charming city and the main attractions of Catania. As always, the historical monuments are always a great thing to visit during the day. The city has…

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Villa Pizzo Rocca, Sicily

Great beaches, water sports, outdoor activities and child-friendly attractions are just part of the picture.  Wander into town for an ice-cream, check out the menu and bambino-adoring welcome at the local trattoria and you will soon see why Sicily is the obvious choice for a family holiday! See our selection of family-friendly villas.   Activities for all the family If you are holidaying in Sicily with young children during our hottest months, a couple of cultural visits may be enough.  Intersperse them with days by the pool or on the beach or head for the Parco Avventura Madonie, an adventure…

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