A Sicilian Summer
Summer on a Mediterranean island is hard to beat, and Sicily’s warm climate, great food and wine, distant smoking volcanoes and cities scattered with temples, baroque churches and Arab ruins mean that it’s much more than a beach holiday.
We’ve done the digging on the ground to find five Sicilian villas that we’d recommend – and each one has its own selling point. Read on to see which suits you.
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Villa Framar
A modernist, contemporary villa, made up of block-like segments and swathes of glass, this wow-factor residence suits those that favour minimalist, pared-back design.
Inside, the villa follows a rustic-luxe interior style, with a subdued colour scheme, brought to life with natural hessian rugs, rattan furniture, nautical-hued throws and cushions and quirky touches such as lightbulbs hanging from thickly coiled ropes and wall art made up of scattered sunhats. Three bedrooms are on the ground floor with ensuites, while the upstairs has its own entrance, living room and a further two more ensuite bedrooms, giving families and groups lots of space.
The sea-facing first floor terrace is the perfect spot for cocktails and the shaded dining table by the pool makes long lunches a breeze, just steps from the tempting pool. Even better, the sandy beach at Santa Maria del Focallo is just a few minutes’ walk away, and a short drive will bring you to pizzerias, bars, a bakery and supermarket. Villa Framar makes a holiday in Sicily seriously easy.
Best For: Those that like modern design and enjoy being walking distance to a beach.
Bedrooms: Five (sleeps ten)
Location: South east Sicily
Guide Price: Villa price from £4200 – £5550 per week.
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Casale dell’Ulivo
Arriving at Casale dell’Ulivo, found at the end of a driveway lined with flower-dotted trees and mature shrubs, the beautifully maintained farm building stretches out in the shimmering heat, clasped in gardens. Inside, the interiors could be described as Mediterranean-chic, with flooring made up of cool, terracotta tiles, exposed wooden ceilings, floral wallpaper and elegant bathrooms. The dining room is a more formal space, ideal for candlelit evening meals and the kitchen is a rustic-luxe farmhouse delight.
However, it’s outside where the farmhouse comes into its own. The ten-by-five metre pool glints invitingly and around it are scattered plush loungers, shade-giving fruit trees and scented Mediterranean plants. A large, covered patio is ideal for lunches and drinks and the whole outdoor area feels spacious; certainly a large group could spread out and enjoy downtime. Nearby, there’s a beach accessible by car, and one of Casale’s highlights is its proximity to Syracuse, one of Sicily’s most enchanting towns: a tangle of medieval streets, baroque piazzas, ancient Greek ruins, and archaeological parks. Just three kilometres away you’re at a distinct advantage over day-trippers – you can dip in and out of Syracuse at leisure.
Best For: With its garden and spacious kitchen this villa would be ideal for a large family. Surprisingly good value.
Bedrooms: Five (sleeps eight)
Location: South east Sicily
Guide Price: Villa price from from £2780 – £4450 per week
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Villa Angela Blu
A magical setting right by the sea, yet with the delights of Palermo not far off, this white-washed villa oozes holiday vibes. With perfectly placed windows onto sea and sky vistas, a breezy, colonnaded terrace, a pool that overlooks the azure Tyrrhenian Sea, and private access to a beach, families and large groups will be startled by its beauty, privacy and peace.
This large villa is filled with light and colour: reflections from the sea, bright dashes of Mediterranean flowers and of course the deep cornflower-blue sky. Interiors aficionados will love the hand-painted tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms; elsewhere the design is pared-back and contemporary to make way for those stunning sea views. The first and second floors are where the bedrooms are located including a master suite, bunk room and panoramic terrace. If you can ever drag yourself away from the luxe convenience of this villa, you should visit the UNESCO town of Palermo with its two-thousand-year-old history which includes Greek, Arab, Roman and Norman rule. This melting pot creates a fascinating hub to explore via its crumbling streets, lofty cathedral, mosaiced palazzos and the biggest opera house in Italy. Its cuisine is excellent too – ask for our recommendations of where to dine, and we’ll make the booking for you.
Best For: A great choice for multi-generational groups due to its size and closeness to Palermo (25kms). Perfect for those that love sea views and easy beach access.
Bedrooms: Six bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Location: Palermo
Guide Price: Villa price from £4950 – £8195 per week.
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Casa Gaspare
Surrounded by rolling, rural Sicilian countryside, Casa Gaspare is perfect for those that like to get away from it all, where you can fully immerse yourself in the peace and tranquillity of rustic life. The property is an old farmhouse, and full of character from antiques handed down through the family to olive-wood furniture, simply decorated bedrooms and a traditional tiled kitchen.
Outside, oversize terracotta pots housing ancient cacti dot the exterior alongside olive and citrus trees, plenty of scrubby plants, vintage cart wheels and the jewel in Casa Gaspare’s crown: its large turquoise swimming pool – perfect for a few laps or as a cooling respite from the Sicilian heat. There’s also a shady terrace and BBQ area, making al fresco meals easy. We certainly recommend evenings here – the silence is serene, punctuated by the click of cicadas and the swoop of bats. As it is somewhat isolated, we’d also recommend exploring the area including a visit to Trapani, just six kilometres away where you can admire the 17th century watch tower or spend the day at San Vito Lo Capo, a small seaside resort known for its stunning beach.
Best For: Couples or families on a budget, and those that like a rural location
Bedrooms: Three bedrooms (sleeps five)
Location: North west Sicily
Guide Price: Villa price from £1900 – £2550 per week
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Nature’s Embrace
For a small group wanting a good value villa which has easy access to the beach, in a remote and dramatically beautiful part of Sicily, Nature’s Embrace, appropriately named because of its location clasped between the jagged cliffs of Mount Cofano and the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea, could be a perfect fit.
The villa has genuine Sicilian charm, and would suit guests preferring a characterful property, with its polished terracotta floor, antique bedsteads, exposed wooden ceiling, and traditional wood burning oven in the garden. Outside, the elevated swimming pool, surrounded by oiled decking is the ideal spot for a refreshing dip, sunbathing or taking in the panoramic sea and mountain vista. What is really special about this property is the sandy track that leads directly by foot to a remote and beautiful Cornino beach, which has a couple of cafes for cold drinks and snacks. Return to the sanctuary of Nature’s Embrace to watch the sun set over the sea with a chilled glass of vino bianco.
Best For: Two couples or a small group who like peaceful views and walking to the nearby beach
Bedrooms: Three bedrooms
Location: North west Sicily
Guide Price: Villa price from £1900 – £2950 per week.
