6 villas in Sicily to put on your radar for 2022

As we hurtle towards the year end, it’s a good time to reflect back on the past 12 months, but also to look forward. Once again, the year has not been without its share of challenges but with lows come highs and we’re confident that 2022 will bring plenty of those. So while you may not be ready to book a 2022 holiday, having a little rummage around to see what you might fancy can be useful and is certainly very enjoyable! To help get you started, we’ve pulled out of the bag a couple of villas in Sicily which are guaranteed to get you dreaming of sunny Mediterranean skies and aquamarine seas.

Farmhouse fun in southeast Sicily

Go for a fully immersive Sicilian experience with a stay at Rocca di Pietra, a beautifully restored villa for 12 near Modica. Set in the magnificent rural landscape of southeast Sicily, amidst olive groves and green fields intersected by dry stone walls, the owners lovingly converted the farmhouse, retaining many of its original features. Outside, tiered terraces overlook a stunning pool while inside, antique Sicilian furniture, rustic stone walls and traditional ceramics achieve the perfect blend of tradition combined with stylish comfort.

Family favourites

With elegant contemporary design features, a heavenly pool and an outdoor kids play area that rivals the local park, Casa dei Sogni is definitely one for all the family. Visit the beaches along the Riviera dei Ciclopi and enjoy hiking, cycling and wine-tasting on the slopes of Mount Etna. The 5-bedroom villa is on the east coast near Acireale, just a short drive from Catania and Taormina.

City slickers

If you thought a city break was just about sightseeing, think again. Stay in Syracuse and you’ll find plenty of places to get some sea-facing downtime, either on one of the city’s sunbathing platforms or a little out of town on the beaches around Fontane Bianche – though with so much to see in the city, from Greek temples, churches, castles and palazzi, you might find it difficult to tear yourself away. Which all makes having a peaceful space to retreat to at the end of the day even more important. Stay at Casa a Ortigia and you can wrap up the day on your rooftop terrace watching the sun set over the sea.

Live outdoors

Few things beat the sheer pleasure of spending whole days outside, topping and tailing them with breakfast on the terrace and dinner gazing up at the stars. And everything’s geared up for you to do exactly that at Villa Gemma, a 4-bedroom villa near Ispica with a heated pool, poolside pergolas, terraces and a garden annex with a second kitchen. There’s even a super-stylish barbecue area with plenty of space for budding chefs to cook up a storm.

Al fresco meals with friends

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the past year or two, it must surely be how much our family and friends mean to us. At Oasivera you can spend time chilling by the pool and sharing delicious al fresco meals with 11 of your favourite people. The 6-bedroom villa is perfectly positioned, hovering on the edge of the Vendicari Nature Reserve and just 200m from the beach. Spend days catching up with news and gossip while you walk through the natural oasis or unwind on the powder-soft white sands of the local beaches.

Great food and wine

If exceptional food and wine play a big part in your holiday decisions, take a look at Terrasini, a small town just a short drive from Palermo airport where Michelin-starred restaurant Il Bavaglino is the place to dine. The wine routes in the Alcamo wine-growing region are also close by. When you’re not wining and dining, enjoy sea dips or relaxing by the pool at Villa Giacona Venuti, a 5-bedroom villa with private steps down to a sunbathing platform at the water’s edge.