It’s known as the football kicked by Italy’s boot, and although only two miles separates Sicily from the tip of the Italian mainland the fascinating island is a world apart.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean and Italy’s southernmost outpost, has a unique history, landscape, seriously laid-back lifestyle and even a language of its own. Greek temples are just part of a rich heritage, and the Spanish, Arabs and French have all left their mark.
Sightseeing highlights include the Valle dei Templi (Valley of Temples) at Agrigento, the beautiful city of Taormina with its ancient cliff-side Greek theatre, the Unesco-listed city of Syracuse, and the capital Palermo with its ornate Baroque architecture.
Another attraction is the Villa Romana del Casale archaeological site in Piazza Armerina, famous for its mosaics of Roman girls in ‘bikinis’, which recently reopened followed a period of restoration.
Dominating the natural scenery is Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and most active volcano. But don’t let that deter clients as it’s not considered dangerous. Many farms and vineyards are on the rich soil of its slopes and locals are used to seeing it smouldering and glowing in the background. In winter you can even ski on it!
Sicily is ideal for repeat visitors to Italy looking for something different, and for culture vultures wanting to experience a traditional Italian way of life. Accommodation ranges from self-catering and family-run B&Bs to luxury five-star properties.
While Tuscany clearly remains Britons’ favourite region in Italy, Sicily has risen from third place to second, according to the Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy.
Vicki Wye, product manager at Cosmos Tours & Cruises, says: “For those who have done the popular tourist areas of mainland Italy, Sicily offers something a little different. Our leisurely eight-day Discover Sicily product leading in at £805 sits midway between a full-on classic touring itinerary and a beach resort holiday with stays in just two hotels but with the bonus of lots of sightseeing.”
Sicily’s airline gateways are Palermo, Catania and, more recently, Trapani, served by scheduled, charter and no-frills airlines from London and Manchester. For independent travellers, ferries run from Genoa, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples and other Italian ports.
Product update
First Choice has added Sicily to its 2011 programme. Sarah Dawson, product executive for Italy at Tui UK and Ireland, says: “We’ve expanded the range of Italian destinations as Italy is proving to be very popular with customers. We have three new properties in Sicily in fantastic locations, available half-board and all-inclusive. This includes the four-sun-rated Premier Acacia Resort, which is exclusive to First Choice.”
Kirker’s cultural tours programme features Sicily for the first time since 2008. The nine-night Enigmatic Island itinerary is based in Palermo, Agrigento and Syracuse, and includes visits to Palermo’s Norman Royal Palace and Archaeological Museum, and major Greek and Roman sites such as the Valley of the Temples. The tour costs from £2,120 half-board, with departures in May and October, and includes entrance fees and the services of a tour lecturer.
Belleair Holidays’ Sicily programme has three new properties for this year: Taormina’s Hotel Andromaco Palace, the Grande Albergo Alfeo in Syracusa and Sant Alphio Garden in Giardini Naxos. For clients seeking flexible breaks, agents can also book accommodation-only holidays at its hotels, villas and apartments.
Sunvil Discovery’s new products for 2011 include Residence Galati and Hotel II Mulino, both in Capo d’Orlando and leading in from £402 and £593 a week respectively, and Taormina’s Hotel Villa Paradiso, from £668.
For self-catering, Interhome features more than 200 villas and apartments in Sicily and the neighbouring island of Lipari. One of its 24 new properties for summer 2011 include a four-star villa with pool in Lipari that sleeps eight and leads in at £2,260 a week.
Essential Italy has also expanded its portfolio of villas, apartments and hotels. It includes family-run B&B Giuggiulena, built on the side of a craggy rock face in the historic Greek town of Syracusa, where all the rooms have balconies and prices lead in at £76 a night.
Palazzo Hedone (above), a palatial villa sleeping up to 24 in the Unesco-listed town of Scicli, is among the new properties added by luxury villa specialist Think Sicily. The property, with a heated pool, private chef, beach house and daily maid service, ranges in price from £7,250 a week for 12 people to £13,020 for 24. And Cottages to Castles recently contracted 11 properties, including Casa delle Mandorla, which sleeps up to four and has a swimming pool, and leads in at £1,480 a week in high season.
Hotels update
Extensive renovation work has continued at the Taormina sister properties of Grand Hotel Timeo and Villa Sant Andrea, now owned by Orient-Express. Villa Sant Andrea has a new infinity pool overlooking the Bay of Mazzaro, while the pool restaurant at Grand Hotel Timeo has been extended.
The five-star Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa, part of the NH Hotel Group, opened last summer. It’s new to Citalia’s range this year.
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, part of The Rocco Forte Collection, recently launched a Tennis Academy.
What’s new
- Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa: Created from three historic buildings, including an old convent, in Palermo
- NH Capo dei Greci: Resort and spa overlooking Taormina Bay
- Grand Hotel Villa Itria: Part of the Ora group’s luxury collection, the hotel is situated in the countryside with views of Mount Etna
- La Plage Resort: Five-star bungalows and rooms on the Taormina coast
- Torre Don Virgilio Resort: Luxury rural living near the baroque town of Modica
- Maurice Messegue Wellness Centre: Spa complex at Parco Augusto near Messina
Sample product
Belleair has seven nights’ B&B at the three-star Hotel Andromaco Palace in Taormina from £579 for travel in May or June, including British Airways flights from Gatwick and transfers. Book it: 0845 365 3412, Belleair agent site
Page & Moy has a seven-night half-board guided tour called Highlights of Ancient Sicily, which includes excursions to Syracusa and Palermo. The tour costs from £925 for travel between June and September and includes BA flights from Gatwick. 0800 987 5112
Interhome offers seven nights’ self-catering at the four-bedroom Villa i Magazzini in Scopello on the north-west coast of Sicily from £2,642 for travel in July, excluding flights. The villa sleeps up to eight and has a private pool. 020 8246 4108,Interhome agent site
