Southern Italy in Style

It could be Sicily’s Ionian Riviera, Palermo’s buzzing bar scene or the rugged beauty of Trapani on the north-west coast, perhaps – the Mediterranean’s largest island has no shortage of stunning destinations. With so much choice it’s hard to know where to start, which is what makes Villatravellers’ carefully curated list of villas all the more appealing.

Each of the 60-plus properties throughout Sicily has been hand-picked by a member of the Villatravellers team. Enviable location, stunning design and top facilities are all major considerations – and, once chosen, regular visits are made to ensure the highest standards are maintained.

What better way to get to the heart of island life than a stay in one of Villatravellers’ top-class villas in Sicily? There’s something for everybody – from family get-togethers on a countryside estate to a romantic escape to an intimate seafront villa – guaranteeing you’ll find the ideal property for an unforgettable getaway. What’s more, thanks to Villatravellers’ expert knowledge of the region, they’re able to offer bespoke recommendations catering to guests’ requirements and are on hand 24/7 to help. Plus, with the handy Villatravellers app, information on the villa, experiences and local area are at your fingertips.

All that’s left to decide is how to spend the week. It’s no surprise that the island attracts the type of traveller who is guided by what’s on the plate. Like most Italian regions, meals might start with antipasti, often featuring Sicilian delicacies like arancini and sarde a beccafico (stuffed sardines) followed by three, sometimes four, flavourful courses, paired with the highest quality local wines.

There are volcanic wines from the mineral-rich foothills of Mount Etna, and bright peppery olive oils. Artisanal cheeses and cured meat are in abundance, as are sweet tomatoes swollen by the sun, and ripe figs – perhaps wrapped in the thinnest slice of prosciutto. The coffee is strong, cold gelato is scooped on to oven-warm brioche and fruit granitas quickly melt in the summer sun.

Another great way to get to the heart of Sicilian cuisine is through the numerous street food markets – whole town squares thrown open to Arabic-style souks, or stalls lining winding alleyways, laden with cannoli pastries, mounds of pistachios and loaves of the local sesame and semolina bread.

If that whets the appetite, Villatravellers’ considered food experiences are sure to excite. Guests can easily arrange in-villa classes, mastering pizza, pasta or pastry, or hand over the reins entirely to an in-villa cook. Other gourmet options include classes at a local cookery school, winery tours and guided street food tours of the two main cities in Sicily – Palermo and Catania. All that’s left to do is focus on perfecting the art of La Passeggiata – perhaps a slow lap of the grounds, maybe a game of bocce and an aperitivo: a delicious taste of La Dolce Vita.

Offering beautiful properties to rent in Sicily since 2006, Villatravellers extended their bespoke collection of villas to neighbouring Puglia this year. An unbeatable food and wine scene, natural vistas, age-old towns and sweeping coastline are all found under the warming Mediterranean sun. Whether holidaying as a couple, group or as a family, discover southern Italy’s rich culinary history, paired with authentic experiences and a stylish villa stay throughout the charismatic region of Puglia.

As the experts on all things Sicilian and Puglian, Villatravellers know the properties and southern Italy inside-out. To find out more and book your match-made villa, head to villatravellers.com