Villas in Sicily with Pool
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is one of the richest and most charming territories in the world and is considered the birthplace of the Western civilisation. The generations who have settled and passed through the island left a huge historical, cultural and artistic heritage. The region is formed by nine provinces, each one different from the other for its natural and cultural history. So it really takes some time to truly get to know the island, since each of its corners is constantly offering up new surprises. Experiencing Sicily also means, perhaps above all, participating to the many events organised in the main cities as well as in the small town centres such as feasts and religious festivals, discovering the most beautiful coastlines and beaches, planning food and wine tours, and visiting and admiring the wonderful art districts. That's why the organisation of your holidays in Sicily is essential: there really is a lot to do. Sicilian heritage is undoubtedly rich, and despite the presence all throughout the territory of numerous excellent accommodation options, including private villas or villas in sicily with pool, the best way to enjoy your Sicily holidays is still in private villas or rental villas. In this way, you will have all the freedom to organise your excursions, tours and travels as you wish. It is the ideal solution when planning a holiday in Sicily with your entire family or with friends.
The capital of Sicily is Palermo. Excellent accommodation solutions are available such as a swimming pool villa or perhaps a B&B in Palermo situated primarily in the city centre near tourist attractions. Many of these are truly noteworthy even from an architectural perspective, offering comforts and wellbeing with all the freedom you need to truly enjoy your Sicily holidays. A lot of wonders to be seen, and so many itineraries of historical and artistic interest. In the capital of Sicily, the influence left behind by each dominating culture made Palermo one of the most eclectic cities in Europe, with a different itinerary possible for each day. Some examples? You can surely choose the Arabo-Normano, including a visit to the Norman Palace with its Palatine Chapel and the Zisa Castle; or a Gothic-renaissance itinerary, including amongst other things, a visit to Abatellis Palace, one of the most beautiful testimonies to the late Gothic architecture of Western Sicily, the Santa Maria della Catena Church, the Gancia Church and the Santa Maria dello Spasimo Church, situated in one of the most ancient parts of the historical centre - also known as Kalsa. Also not to be missed is Pretorio Palace, today the official site of the Municipality of Palermo. Another option still, is the Baroque and Liberty itinerary, including a visit to the Mura delle Cattive walk opposite the port of Palermo, known as the place where widows came to soothe their pain by admiring the spectacular view of the sea, and also including the Chinese Palace and Theatre Massimo, one of the most important theatres in Europe. Every kind of artistic taste will be satisfied - and the huge numer of restaurants will satisfy the taste for the tyical Sicilian cuisine. A lot of nightspots are also available for you to taste the lively and addictive nightlife of the city, always offering so much entertainment: bars, pubs, discos, caf?s and pictoresque squares in the city centre hosting crowded dancing nights.
And of course there is the sea, the wonderful sea of Sicily, both in the city and its province. The beautiful and renowned Mondello beach and the Addaura area, where seaside Sicily villas with pool can be rented, is a valid accommodation alternative, with the city centre just 15 minutes away by car or public transport.
The best beaches in the Palermo province to enjoy the sea and the sun are: Capaci, Balestrate and Partinico on one side, and on the other, Santa Flavia, Trabia and Cefal?, just to name a few.
The Province of Palermo also boasts an island, Ustica, that was born after a powerful volcanic eruption in the Gulf of Palermo. Its name derives from the Latin "ustum" which means "burnt", thanks to the nature of its dark colours obtained from the lava spills.
The island is a splendour of inlets, bays and marvellous caves hidden from the jagged coastlines. Ustica has become a paradise for deep water diving lovers, thanks to its stunning sea bed and crystal waters: for this reason, in 1987, it was declared a marine reserve.
Heading towards Trapani, if you wish to take a dive into nature, a stopover at the Zingaro Natural Reserve into the Western part of the Gulf of Castellammare is a must. You will find here wild nature with striking mountains, deep nooks, small beaches, caves and inlets. Since this is a protected area, the best way to discover this site is participating to some of the activities or excursions organised by the associations taking care of the area. San Vito Lo Capo, another bathing site in Trapani, boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in all Sicily with its extra fine sand and crystal waters. The small town is perfect for a few days of absolute relaxation in a place that will make you feel like you are lying on a Caribbean beach, boasting delicious cuisine and seafood cous cous as its speciality dish - an heritage from the Arabs that has been improved by the well-known Sicilian cooking tradition. Once again, numerous accommodation solutions are available by simply searching amongst the offers for villas to rent in Sicily, swimming pool villas, Sicily villas etc...
There are various itineraries available to experience Trapani, from its Sanctuary to its numerous churches. It is a lively city with elegant commercial streets, with the port area as the actual beating heart of the city. It is in fact from this city that the Egadi Islands can be reached, an archipelago composed of three islands situated off the Western coast of Sicily, as well as the marvellous Pantelleria.
The archipelago is formed by Favignana, the largest island, Levanzo, the smallest one, and Marettimo. Close by, there are also two large rock structures which emerge from the Tyrrhenian waters, named Maraone and Formica. Unlike other Sicilian islands, these do not have volcanic origins.
Favignana is shaped as a butterfly and as with every small town, its town square acts as a meeting point for locals and tourists. There are many holiday houses, villas to rent and even a hotel in Favignana. Patient fisherman wait at the port near the town square, offering to take tourists to the most hidden and beautiful spots of the island such as the Grotta Azzurra, that derives this name from the colour of its water, Grotta degli Innammorati (Lovers Cave), whose name comes from the presence of two identical rocks lying very close to each other against the wall in the back of the cave, and the suggestive Grotta dei Sospiri (Cave of Sighs), where in winter, strong winds provoke sounds similar to wails. Favignana is also known for a rite which is terribly cruel, but, alas, tolerated, as it is buried in tradition. It is a killing rite associated with tuna fishing, whereby the tuna is killed in a terrible manner, trapped in a cage built by fisherman, known as the death chamber. In the past, tuna fishing was the main activity for island dwellers, primarily in the summer.
Among the islands, Levanzo is the closest one to the Trapani coast, with a small port and small town with a population of less than one hundred people. The island is formed by calcareous white rock, a colour which prevails throughout the entire island. It is a solitary oasis without the hustle and bustle of daily life, and is the ideal place to take a break and escape from the city - or if you're not a big fan of "tourist hoards". Despite the arid terrain, there is no shortage of lush vegetation, with minimal blossoming and a prevailing Mediterranean stamp.
Finally, Marettimo is the most mountainous and verdant island of the archipelago. Visits to the island are facilitated by the presence of a pathway, allowing visitors to cross through the island and totally appreciate its charm. It is rich with suggestive caves, such as the Cammello, Presepe and Bombarda caves, that can only be reached by small boats. The island is also home to a variety of animal and plant species.
Pantelleria, also in the Province of Trapani, is the largest of Sicily's satellite islands, with a warm climate tempered by the always-present sea breezes. It has two populated centres; the main small town near the port, which is the meeting point for all tourists, and the Scauri centre, which is more appreciated by inhabitants rater than visitors. The coasts are jagged, with steep descents down to the sea. The sea's variety of shades from light blue to cobalt blue, the terrace cultivations framed by typical dry walls, the bougainvilleas prevailing everywhere, and the typical traditional houses, all create and communicate a unique beauty and identity. The colour of the land, composed mostly of basalt and obsidian rock, is the reason for Pantelleria's nickname, "the black pearl of the Mediterranean". Once upon a time, every Dammuso (typical stone house with a vault roof) was a single dwelling, often divided into two rooms - one of which was occupied by humans while the other was for animals. Today, a lot of Dammusi have been removed and transformed into summer residences. It is possible to find numerous rental villas in Sicily with pool, perhaps even close to the Armani or G?rard Depardieu estates, or perhaps near the famous photographer Ferri's estate, all of whom have been residents for years after being completely enchanted by this island. The island has a huge number of natural attractions including Great Mountain, natural saunas, a spectacular hinterland offering amazing shades of colour to the human eye at sunset, Lake Venus with thermal springs, hot springs, sea, and more sea... It is no doubt a demanding island, given its limited accessibility in its most beautiful parts, but it is absolutely necessary to visit this enchanting spot at least once in your lifetime! Amongst the typical products, we should remember Passito, an excellent sweet liquor whose popularity is increasingly on the rise, as is the consensus of the international winegrower community. Caltanissetta is located in the centre of Sicily. It is full of magnificent castles and fortresses, fountains and suggestive buildings, and its cathedral is not to be missed. Centres of archaeological interest include the districts of Gela, Milena and San Cataldo.
Another area of indisputable interest is Catania, a city that most Sicilians consider the nightlife capital of the whole region and an incredible artistic centre as well. Here, it is once again possible to choose from a number of options for private villas and other villas in Sicily to rent. The relationship between the sea and island cities is obviously very special, however the city of Catania in particular owes a great deal to the sea, as its development and history have depended on commercial sea traffic, and, in recent years in particular, on tourism. Moreover, Catania is at the centre of a unique natural setting, between Etna and the Ionic sea, leading the city to be a source of inspiration for the work of many poets, writers and artists of every era. Catania also has both sandy coastlines, and rocky coastlines formed by lava. Catania locals and tourists from all over the world visit not only Plaja, one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, but also the beautiful sea cliffs leading from Europa Square up until the area of Acicastello, where the natural reserve of the Cyclops Riviera can be found - an area that hosts numerous seaside resorts. It will therefore be easy to find picturesque holiday villas in Sicily to rent and luxury villas by the sea, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful sunsets and a unique atmosphere, not to mention the different options that will be available if you're looking for a hotel. In fact, if you're looking for a Catania hotel, there is a large selection of boutique hotels to choose from, and even the option of a luxury hotel in Catania.
Another beloved destination for locals and tourists are the beaches and sea cliffs of the romantic and luxuriant Taormina, a destination not to be missed, offering a taste of the classic and Greek culture which helped make Sicily the grand place it is today, and representing one of the main cultural influences of the entire island.
Taormina actually belongs to the Strait of Messina district, but given the reasonable distance between the two main cities, it is just as easy to stay in Catania as it is to stay in Messina. For this reason, a beautiful way to stay in Sicily is to rent one of the stunning luxury villas in Taormina that can be found in the area. You will be able to move around as you wish, and if you don't feel like going out, you can just enjoy the relaxing and suggestive atmosphere by staying "at home". Renting villas in Sicily with pool is therefore the ideal solution, above all if you're travelling with a group of friends, but also if you're on holiday in Sicily with your children, who will definitely not be bored in this type of accommodation! In recent years in fact, following an increased request for holiday rental villas, and in particular for seaside villas and luxury villas in Sicily with pool, a huge number of young entrepreneurs have decided to make the most of the very rich property heritage possessed by Sicily, focusing on this sector and offering a new slant on tourism and Sicilian economy in general.
Despite natural catastrophic events such as the earthquake of 1908, and particularily damaging wartime events, the city of Messina has always been able to get back on its feet: a clear evidence of the famous stubbornness of the Sicilian population. The original urban layout was maintained as the city got rebuilt after the World War, and new and modern elements have been added as well, thus providing a particularly interesting vintage atmosphere. The district is composed of countless town centres of significant historical and natural importance. Talking about natural wonderful sightseeing in the area, we can mention the Alcantara Gorges situated on the namesake torrent at the border of the Province of Catania, specifically between Gaggi and Motta Sant'Anastasia, and protected by Park Fluviale. We can also mention the Peloritani Mountains and the Nebrodi park, rich in forests, flora and fauna. Amongst areas of historical and archaeological interest, tourists can't miss Tindari at all, with its world-famous Greek theatre, where the interesting exhibition "theatre of the two seas" is organized every year, with representations of classic theatre. A lot of tourist locations made Catania one of the most joined destinations for visitors not only in Sicily, but in the whole Southern area of Italy. Its port is able to accommodate over 10,000,000 people amongst passengers, tourists and cruisers each year.
Through Milazzo, it is possible to reach the archipelago of the Aeolian islands, created by seven natural jewels: these islands are the ideal destination for a stay in one of the special typical holiday rental villas of the area, or even for a cruise. Since the area constantly goes through continuous subsurface activity, the geophysical evolution of the islands still goes on today. Volcano, Stromboli, Alicudi, Panarea, Filicudi, Lipari and Salina, are all tiny paradises immersed in a wonderful, wild and isolated nature, yet full of life and extremely attractive. The most famous and enchanting destinations are undoubtedly Panarea and Lipari.
Lipari is the largest and most populated island among the Aeolians. Its central position within the archipelago make Lipari be logistically preferred as a "permanent home" from which it is possible to plan daily excursions to and from the other islands with hydrofoils and other types of boats. This is the richest island in terms of services and tourist equipment.
Stromboli is the geologically youngest island of the archipelago, and it is in a condition of perennial eruption. For over 2000 years, its volcano has been providing spectacular displays of spurting flames that disappear into the Tyrrhenian Sea, playing fascinating games with color and contrasting the blinding white of the houses with the black land, not to mention the breathtaking sunsets. When Mother Nature puts her mind to it, she really does know how to be an extraordinary director!
The Aeolian islands are is also famous throughout the world for the production of Malvasia, a sweet wine - called "nectar for the Gods", as well as the cultivation of delicious capers, that soon became a symbol for the whole archipelago.
Even if it's the smallest, Panarea is without a doubt the most mountainous island. Today we can only see a small part of its original shape, as it has been partially destroyed by volcanic activity.
Up until a short time ago, Alicudi and Filicudi were not considered major tourist destinations, despite the notoriety afforded to them by Director Nanni Moretti, who used them as the setting for his film "Caro Diario" (Dear Diary).
Salina, second to Lipari in terms of extension, sprung to motion-picture fame too, thanks to Massimo Troisi and his unforgettable film "Il Postino" (The Postman). All the islands have of course spectacular and untouched nature in common. There is an endless number of paths to untangle amongst the typical thick Mediterranean bushes, as well as stunning landscapes, and a deep, wonderful water - perfect for diving experts who wish to explore the luxuriant sea bed with its flora and fauna.
Siracusa is one of the most interesting archaeological and cultural cities in Sicily, the birthplace of Greek civilisation with more than an incredible theatre to prove it, and is a marvelous tribute to the baroque era.
The majestic Greek Theatre was carved out around 500BC. It is the largest theatre in Sicily - here, ancient settings are recreated with theatre shows offering the most famous Greek tragedies every year. The Roman Amphiteatre is another great evidence of the richness of the classic era, built in the Augustus era and only recently brought to light. It is the third largest amphitheatre in Italy, and was used to represent battles between gladiators and beasts, or even simulated sea battles. The Orecchio di Dioniso (Ear of Dionysius), a deep cave famous for its acoustic excellence due to the cave's ceiling, which is shaped like an auricle, is surely not to be missed.
In 1693, a terrible earthquake struck this side of Eastern Sicily. After this terrible event, a lot of cities were brought back to light and rebuilt, and the result was absolutely stunning: Noto is the most amazing evidence of the reconstruction during the 18th Century. In this enchanting city the Baroque style has reached its peak, and the whole Noto valley has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. Great authors such as Gabriele D'Annunzio have been struck by the beauty of these places - never-ending sources of inspiration for their work.
If you are visiting the area, you surely must save a day to enjoy the beauty of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a spectacular natural oasis in the district of Siracusa, halfway between Noto and Pachino, hiding one of the most beautiful and untouched beaches in all of Sicily: the delicious village of Marzamemi, Portopalo di Capopassero and Isola delle Correnti above all. In this area, there is once again the opportunity for villa rental with pools for medium-long term stays, accommodation that can be used as a base for excursions to the marvelous whereabouts. If you prefer a hotel accommodation, you can compare the best hotels in Sicily and choose the perfect solution for your holidays.
Agrigento is another lively centre of Sicily: a city that of course owes its fame to the magnificent Greek temples, some of the best-preserved in the world. By night, the dazzling floodlights make the valley appear as if it was suspended in time. The extravagant constructions of the ancient city, whose former name was "Akragas", are located on a rocky crest, abruptly erected above the Mediterranean sea. In literature, the most famous authors coming from Agrigento are Luigi Pirandello, Leonardo Sciascia and Andrea Camilleri. The latter made Port Empedocle and Montelusa (both in the province of Agrigento) the stage for performances by the renowned literary character, Superintendent Montalbano.
Its archaeological itinerary is a journey through distant space and time, that can be experienced by visitors along the infinite pathways and landscapes acting as a background to the glorious civilizations of the past. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, that preserves the fantastic ruins of the temples of Castore and Polluce, Giunone and Concordia, was world-heritage listed by UNESCO in 1997 and is the highest and most tangible evidence of Greek civilization in Sicily. Each February an event is held in the valley - an event that, over the years, has been welcoming an increasing number of visitors providing their always increasing approval. The cultural event "Mandorlo in fiore" (Almond Blossom Festival), is one of the evidences to the endless cultural activities buried in tradition and taking place on Sicilian territory.
Within the district of Agrigento lies an amazing, enchanting natural jewel, the Pelagie archipelago. Three islands, Lampedusa, Lampione and Linosa, are situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between Tunisia and Sicily. Lampedusa is the largest, while Linosa and Lampione are smaller. The latter is untouched by man if you exclude the lamp, with its vertical walls submerged approximately 60m deep under the blue sea. It has a completely untouched sea bed, making it a true paradise for deep water divers, who can encounter a huge variety of animal and plant species such as pink and yellow coral, grey reef sharks, lobster crabs and groupers.
Pelagie means "in the middle of the sea", and this is indeed a true geographical description. Every island is a treasure chest full of natural jewels belonging to both to Europe and Africa. The white Lampedusa, the black Linosa, and the secluded island of Lampione in an untouched sea with astonishing sea beds and white, fine sand, bathing in the warm African sun, all act as a "bridge" in the Mediterranean Area. The only urban settlement is in Lampedusa, whose centre has been developed along Via Roma, full of life at breakfast time in the morning and again in the evening from sunset until late at night. It is rich with shops and delightful cafes with outdoor tables and light entertainment in the summer.
Lampedusa is an unforgettable, enchanting place. Its peculiar Dammusi, protected marine turtles on Rabbit's Island (Isola dei Conigli), romantic bays, scented nights, and landscapes filled with unforgettable colours. all the ingredients for an unforgettable holiday and a relaxing break in contrast with the "entertainment" of holiday resorts, that may perhaps become even stressful if you are not "that" kind of tourist. Inhabitants are extremely hospitable, and it's easy to find swimming pool villas in Lampedusa to rent.
The city of Enna, after having been rebuilt after the earthquake, was later subject to Second World War bombardment, destroying a huge part of its historical and artistic evidences. Luckily, its territorial heritage has remained unaltered. It offers a valid alternative to the sea with its numerous lakes - one of the most famous is of course Lake Pergusa, where it is possible to either fish or simply lay by the river bank amongst the greenery, taking a sunbath. This province also boasts important archaeological sites, for example the splendid Villa Romana del Casale, where Piazza Armerina can be found, a UNESCO heritage listed site.
The last province, Ragusa is the youngest, as it was established in 1926. The city lies in a particularly beautiful part of Sicily, that still hasn't been "conquered" by mass tourism. Marina di Ragusa is the best beach of the district, and is for right considered one of the most wonderful beaches of the whole region. In the Iblei mountains looking over the city, tourists will be able to visit lots of caves hiding legends and myths - the most suggestive is Ispica.