Resorts in Sicily and Sardinia are improving and extending their products. Jeannine Williamson looks at new accommodation, tours and flights
Lying in the Mediterranean off southwest Italy, Sicily and Sardinia are the stepping stones between Europe and Africa and have a different feel to the mainland. Read on to find out what’s new.
Sicily
Hotels and accommodation
Next May sees the Rocco Forte Collection open its first Sicilian resort. All 203 rooms at the Verdura Golf and Spa Resort will have terraces and sea views.
The property, on a private beach, will include six restaurants, two 18-hole golf courses, a golf academy, spa complex, 25-metre pool and conference facilities. Situated on the southwest of the island, the Verdura is an hour’s drive from Palermo airport.
Classic Collection has added the four-star Hotel Santa Tecla Palace, in the old fishing port of Acireale, to its summer 2009 programme. Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to Timpa National Park, seven nights’ bed and breakfast starts at £984 per person, including flights.
Villas for Travel has extended its portfolio of self-catering properties in Sicily and Sardinia. New villas for Sicily include Casa Masseria, a converted farmhouse near the Madonie Natural Reserve, which sleeps four, with prices starting from £1,484 for seven nights in November; and a villa in Mondello, 15 minutes from Palermo, which also sleeps four, with prices starting from £756 for the same period.
Tours
Cadogan Holidays has introduced a private jeep and walking tour of Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano, in its Inspirational Experiences brochure. The day includes a visit to lava fields and a lava cave, the opportunity to take a dip in Alcantara gorge and an al fresco picnic. The tour, costing £460, can be tailored to suit specific requests.
Flights
Ryanair launches a service from Luton to Trapani, on the northwest of the island on October 28. There will be flights three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with lead-in fares from £23 one-way, including taxes.
Sample product: Discover Travel offers painting, photography and yoga breaks at Villa Eleuthera, near Trapani. A seven-night painting holiday costs £1,350 per person, twin-share, including breakfast, most lunches and dinners with wine, a five-day painting course and transfers, but not flights (0870 290 1010).
Sardinia
Sardinia has 1,100 miles of coastline and is renowned for its white-sand beaches and clear water. Earlier this year, Chia beach, in southern Sardinia, was voted the best beach in Europe by readers of the Daily Telegraph.
Hotels and accommodation
New to Just Sardinia for 2009 is the four-star Hotel Garden Beach in Villasimius, built three years ago to match local architectural style. The hotel is at Cala Marina, between Villasimius and Costa Rei on the southeast coast, and set in gardens with a large swimming pool. It would suit families and couples looking for a beach property.
All rooms at the 120-room four-star Hotel Cala di Falco in Cannigione were refurbished for this summer and the hotel will be fully renovated in all areas for summer 2009. Facilities at the family-friendly property include a freshwater pool, tennis court and children’s club.
Resort Dune Village in Badesi is opening a relaxation area next to the Le Sabine Spa for 2009. There will be an area for adults only and another area where couples can
chill out with their children. Clients staying in Deluxe Wellness rooms receive free access to the spa.
A new spa has opened at the five-star Hotel Villa Las Tronas, a former Italian royal residence in Alghero. The complex includes an indoor pool, Turkish bath, sauna
and relaxation area.
Tours
Just Sardinia has teamed up with Dolcevita Bike Tours to offer guided and self-guided tours and short breaks to take in Sardinia on two wheels. Just Sardinia can match routes, itineraries and accommodation according to clients’ requirements.
Flights
Jet2.com is launching a weekly direct service from Edinburgh to Olbia, on the northeast coast of Sardinia, for summer 2009. The Saturday flights start on May 16
with one-way fares from £50, including taxes.
Sample product: Page and Moy offers a seven-night half-board Island of Sardinia itinerary from £769 per person, including flights, transfers and several excursions (0116 217 8041).
