So you’ve packed away your summer clothes, sorted your holiday snaps and are squaring up for a flurry of autumn leaves and shorter days. And if we’re anything to go by, you’re probably also toying with ideas for next summer’s holiday! After all, with so many decisions involved, there’s no harm in some early planning.
First up, where in the world do you want to visit? And what sort of accommodation will suit you best? If you’re planning to base yourself in just one, or even two places, rather than touring, consider the many advantages of a villa or apartment holiday versus a hotel stay. Here are a few to get you thinking.

Renting a villa is very cost effective compared to booking a hotel room. At our most luxurious properties, you’ll sleep in 5-star hotel style en suite bedrooms and cook in contemporary kitchens with all mod cons. At Villa Geranio, which has a mini spa area and pool with dreamy views over the Nebrodi mountains, you’ll pay as little as €25 per person per day.

For most of us, just the thought of eating delicious meals in restaurants and not having to think about meal-planning is a holiday in itself! The reality, however, is that a little flexibility is a good thing, not least because eating every meal out can get pretty expensive, particularly with a family. Stay in a villa and you can whip up an easy salad or light poolside snack or even pack a picnic for the beach with minimum effort. Choose a villa within walking distance of town and mix in visits to local pizzerias or trattorias with laidback barbecues.

Not too keen on the idea of slaving over a hot stove in the summer heat? There are plenty of villas with outside kitchens and barbecues to choose from. At Casa Turi, the spectacular outdoor kitchen has a charcoal grill, sink and hob, and stunning outdoor dining area.

Better still, why not let someone else slave over the spaghetti? Treat yourselves to the services of one of our local chefs who will spend the evening magicking up a classic Sicilian meal. While you linger over a chilled poolside aperitivo, your chef will be chopping and slicing in the kitchen, preparing your Sicilian feast.

For many, the main upside to staying in a villa rather than a resort is the opportunity to really get to know a place. Frequent the local shops or stop by the bar for an espresso and you’ll soon find yourself chatting to the locals regardless of any language barriers! A villa holiday can take you deep into the countryside, which, in Sicily, is a world away from the more developed coastline. Villa Olmo is a wonderful rural retreat, set close to the very authentic village of Castel di Lucio, between the Madonie and Nebrodi mountains.

Whether you’ve got toddlers or teens, the fact is that kids will be kids, which means food fads, frayed tempers and raised noise levels in the pool and at bedtime. In a villa, you can relax back in the knowledge that no one cares how much noise they make! Then there’s also the convenience of a washing machine and, at several of our villas, such as Casa dei Sogni, toys, a play area with trampoline, cots and high chairs.

Better still, away from the confines of hotel regulations, make the most of your own private pool. Start your day with an early morning swim before breakfast and indulge in a midnight dip under the stars.

You won’t want to be anywhere other than a villa if you’re holidaying with a large group of friends or family. Choose a villa with en suite bedrooms so that you all have your own private space and enjoy the luxury of spreading out and relaxing in landscaped gardens and spacious living rooms. We know that organising the perfect group getaway involves keeping everyone happy, and while there are some who will want to be by the pool or on the beach, others will prefer to spend the day sightseeing or shopping. Which is one of the reasons we love Villa Taormina so much!  The latest addition to our portfolio is the ultimate celebration house, with design-inspired interiors, a 16m pool and steps down to a sparklingly translucent sea.