Feast on the best Slow Food in your Sicily villa Bronte pistachios, fava beans, thorny artichokes and manna from the Madonie mountains. Perhaps you won’t be surprised to learn that in Sicily, where the sun-baked land yields produce that is simply bursting with flavour, there are a total of 56 products on the Slow Food Presidium list. So how many of them could you name? Here’s a quick introduction to the Slow Food movement and a brief overview of some of the items you’ll find on market stalls, at local festivals and as ingredients in traditional dishes. What is the Slow Food movement? Since the ..read more

Everything you need to know about Sicily So you’ve heard about the volcano, drooled over cannoli and arancini, and marvelled at the seascapes and idyllic sets in the White Lotus TV series. But how much do you actually know about Sicily when it comes to booking villas in Sicily? If you’re tempted by a trip to this extraordinary Mediterranean island but still have heaps of unanswered questions, read on. When is the best time to visit Sicily? Sicily is actually a year-round destination. Low season, from November to April, can be rainy but the daytime temperature rarely drops much lower than 10°C ..read more

Everything you need to know about Sicilian street food and traditional cuisine So how much do you know about Sicilian food? You wouldn’t be alone in assuming that it probably isn’t that different from that of the rest of Italy and, to a certain extent, you’re right. Think fruit and vegetables bursting with flavour, and a healthy dose of olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fish – in essence, the classic Mediterranean diet. And, in common with mainland Italy, a rigorous commitment to using seasonal, locally grown produce. However, if you’ve stayed any length of time in Italy, you’ll know that every regi ..read more

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 highes ..read more

Take a peek at our new family-friendly villas in south east Sicily It’s that time of year again, when we all dream of days filled with sunshine, and start planning a summer holiday that the whole family can look forward to. And to make it even easier for you to choose the ideal spot for your holiday, we’ve taken on several new brilliantly located family-friendly villas in Sicily that we know you’ll love. Great value at Lavinia, Scicli There’s plenty of room for a family of 6 at Lavinia, with 4 bedrooms, a living room, and a garden where you can relax on poolside terraces and watch the kids pla ..read more

Focus on Sicilian food We’re frequently asked how Sicilian food differs from the rest of Italy and what makes our cuisine so unique. After all, we too eat pizza and pasta and demolish huge quantities of gelato! In fact every region of Italy has its own distinctive cuisine but this is particularly noticeable in Sicily where our daily diet is an extraordinary legacy of the island’s history, resulting in a dazzling combination of flavours. Add to that a mix of ingredients that have been enriched by the Sicilian sun and our steadfast commitment to so called ‘cibo chilometri zero’, that is locally ..read more

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 looked after! Large group villas wi ..read more

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 our tempe ..read more

Lunch by the pool or dinner under the stars is one of the great treats of a villa holiday in the sun. In fact we think having an exquisite outdoor space is a real decider when choosing a holiday villa.  From May to September one of the big pleasures of life in Sicily is being outside from dawn to dusk, and beyond. Throw in the luxury of an outdoor kitchen and some dramatic coastal or rural views, and you’re well on your way to a holiday in heaven. Not sure where to start looking for your villa? Read on to find out why these are five of our best villas in Sicily for an alfresco dining expe ..read more

Traditional festive Christmas and New Year celebrations Christmas is coming and with it, a sparkling display of nativity scenes, twinkling lights and a selection of foodie treats. As you’d expect, the Christmas period in Sicily is both traditional and religious but you’ll also find plenty of festive fun. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to get a real insight into life in Sicily without the tourists. Weather in Sicily at Christmas In spite of Sicily’s proximity to Africa, you’re not going to find soaring Mediterranean heat. Temperatures tend to range from around 11 to 16˚ but this can vary fur ..read more