the 2016 collection

Transcription

the 2016 collection

THE 2016 COLLECTION
HAND-PICKED VILLAS, APARTMENTS
& HOTELS IN SICILY
Contents
INTRODUCTION
Benvenuti in Sicilia
What to expect
The regions of Sicily
Beaches
Places to visit
Festivals & events
Why book with Sicilian Places?
4–5
6–7
8–9
10 – 11
12
13
14 – 15
Front cover: Syracuse © Marco Ossino / Shutterstock
This page: © kubais / Shutterstock
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For more information or to book online visit SicilianPlaces.co.uk
OUR PROPERTIES
Taormina & the North East
Val di Noto & the South East
Southern, Western & Northern Sicily
FURTHER INFO
16 – 27
28 – 45
46 – 57
Flights
Car hire & transfers
Things to know before you go A-Z
Insurance
Terms and conditions
How to book
Map of Sicily
58
59
60 – 63
63
64 – 65
66
67
All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you
pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked
(flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our terms and conditions for further information or for
more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate
Our ATOL number is 1866. We are also members of ABTA and AITO, the AITO quality charter is on page 67.
Serenity Holidays Ltd, Registered in the U.K number 01744872.
Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AN
Thanks to: Shutterstock. Design: Serenity Design Studio | Print: Taylor Bloxham Ltd
Copyright © 2016 Serenity Holidays. All rights reserved.
Call the Sicilian experts on 01489 866 994
3
Ragusa, Southern Sicily
© Martin M303 / Shutterstock
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introduction to Sicily
Benvenuti
in Sicilia
Sicily is truly part of Italy, yet set apart and rich in its own
dramatic history, natural beauty and geography.
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is
where Africa meets Europe – nowhere is quite like
Sicily in its mix of cultures, its mix of people; and
nowhere else has such a vast array of civilisations left
their mark including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Greeks, Romans, Moors, Byzantines, Spaniards and
even the Normans. It is blessed by a wonderful
climate with long, hot summers and boasts some
of the best beaches in the Mediterranean with long
stretches of fine golden sand, idyllic pebbly coves
and striking volcanic shores lapped by unbelievably
clear aquamarine waters.
Italian is the official language of Sicily, however,
when chatting amongst family and friends, Sicilian
is commonly used, readily reverting to Italian to
include non-Sicilian speakers. Sicilian can be said to
be a language in its own right (rather than a dialect
of Italian). It has always been a spoken rather than
written language and by the 17th century it was
the language of the people rather than the nobility,
the latter speaking a dialect of Italian. Following
Italy’s unification in 1861, Italian became the official
language but Sicilian lived on, despite the efforts of
the national government to extinguish it.
There is a staggering amount of revealed history in
Sicily – sites of national and international importance;
and it’s all so accessible, including the seven
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Valley of the
Temples at Agrigento, the Villa Romana del Casale,
the late baroque towns of the Val di Noto, the
city of Syracuse and the Necropolis of Pantalica, the
Aeolian Islands, Mount Etna and the most recent
listing Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedral
churches of Cefalù and Monreale.
Over the course of its rich history, so many famous
Mediterranean and African culinary traditions have
been absorbed into the local gastronomy. Byzantine,
Arabic, French, Spanish and South Italian influences
are all evident, producing a diverse cuisine that can be
simple and hearty or complex and refined, delicately
flavoured or richly spiced. There are many local
specialities that simply have to be indulged.
The Sicilian people are incredibly welcoming and
proud to share their beautiful island with you. They
have been poured from a melting pot of a dozen
cultures representing three continents and their
characters are said to be as varied and complex as
their ancestry. One thing that the people of Sicily all
have in common is the love of a good party with any
excuse being found for a celebration, both religious
and secular.
We are using
our many years
experience in providing
Mediterranean holidays
to do our very best in
sharing our passion
for this amazing island
with our customers.
Tiziano - Sicily Product Manager
With a wealth of art and archaeological gems,
historic cities, medieval towns and villages, superb
food and the most stunning natural beauty, from
golden sandy beaches, clear blue seas, to the
smoking crater of Mount Etna, a holiday to Sicily
will surprise and delight you.
5
What to
expect in Sicily
AVERAGE MONTHLY HIGHS °C
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A S O N D
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Food
With its long, hot summers, Sicily has many months
of truly fabulous weather each year and the best
time of year to go depends very much on what
you intend to do during your holiday. From May to
October the weather is warm enough to swim from
the many beautiful beaches found around Sicily’s
stunning coastline.
Sicily is well known for its wonderful food that
stems from the quality of the ingredients, which
are, wherever possible, locally grown or reared and
always follow the seasons, making them particularly
fresh and tasty. Think plump olives, sun-ripened
tomatoes, nuts and mushrooms, succulent meats,
tasty cheeses and a bountiful supply of locally caught
fish and seafood. Not to mention the full-bodied
wines made from grapes grown on the volcanic
soils of Mount Etna. The other single major factor
that has most greatly influenced the cuisine of the
island is the absorption of some of the world’s most
famous culinary traditions of the people that have
governed the island throughout its turbulent history
including the Arabs, French, Spanish and of course,
the Southern Italians, resulting in a colourful and
varied cuisine.
Wild flowers start to bloom in early spring,
especially by the coast, as the temperatures begin to
rise and yet the highest peaks of Etna, Nebrodi and
Madonie are still covered in snow.
In April, as the days grow longer, warmer and dryer,
the bravest might even take a dip in the sea although
the waters are still bracing. By May there is very little
rain and the sea and air temperatures are steadily
rising. June is the perfect time for walking in the
higher mountains, as temperatures continue to rise.
The sea is warm but the beaches remain deserted
apart from at the weekends. The Scirocco wind
occasionally sends temperatures soaring.
AVERAGE DAILY SUNSHINE HOURS
4
J
Climate
4
D
In peak season, glorious temperatures both in and
out of the sea, brings locals and visitors alike flocking
to the coasts. There’s virtually no rain across the
island however the cities can be humid. In August
the beach resorts are even more crowded and
the heat can be oppressive but there are still quiet
stretches of coast that remain virtually deserted
even now and the cooler, higher, interior of the
island remains a pleasant escape route. September
sees the temperatures drop a little while the sea
remains delightfully warm and the crowds begin to
disperse. Apart from the occasional coastal storms
the weather is lovely. The end of the month tends
to be a little cooler and wetter.
Here are just a few of our favourite dishes to look
out for starting with Pasta con le Sarde with sardines,
anchovies, fennel, sultanas, pine nuts and a pinch of
saffron; sicilian ingredients with a touch of the exotic.
Then there’s the Spanish influenced Impanata di
Pesce Spada (swordfish pie) and the Arab influenced,
Cùscusu made from pellets of couscous steamed
over fish broth and served with prawns or small fish.
Sicilian desserts are legendary, the most well-known
being Cannoli, a fried tube of pastry filled with sweet
ricotta cheese, decorated with candied fruit and
chocolate, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
On a hot day try a refreshing Granita, a simple mix
of granulated ice with sugar and fresh fruits, invented
in Sicily but now popular throughout Italy.
Vegetarians are well catered for on the island and a
Sicilian favourite to look out for is Pasta alla Norma,
made with fried eggplant, tomatoes, ricotta
and herbs.
Taormina © Marcin Krzyzak / Shutterstock
Wine
Shopping & markets
Sicily is one of the oldest wine producing areas in the
world. Today, Sicily’s wine scene is flourishing, with
many fine wines being produced throughout the
island and numerous tasting opportunities. Sicily is
perhaps best known for Marsala, a fortified wine from
the west of the island. It was first produced in the late
19th century and was an immediate hit. There are
three different levels of sweetness, and it is a good
choice with cheese, dessert, or as an aperitif.
In Sicily’s large cities you’ll find the usual chain stores however independent Sicilian shops and
market stalls are far more interesting places to shop.
The colourful outdoor markets can be reminiscent
of an Arabic souk, in fact some of these markets are
held on the very same streets today as they were
in the 10th century. They should be enjoyed with
all your senses and the many gastronomic delights
you’ll find here make great souvenirs. While the
most well-known are in Palermo and Catania,
almost every town and neighbourhood has its own ‘mercato’ (market) held once a week.
Nero d’Avola is an important Sicilian red, named
after the town of Avola. Fruity and rich, the best
of this wine is produced in the Syracuse region
and is an ideal accompaniment to meat dishes.
For Chardonnay grapes, Sicily has the perfect
environment and today most vineries produce high
quality Chardonnay. This wine is great with fish, or as
an aperitif. Passito di Pantelleria is an excellent sweet
wine made from dried grapes grown on the island
of Pantelleria. This wine is perfect with dessert.
As well as the familiar Italian favourites, limoncello
(lemon), anisette and amaretto (almond), Sicily
produces some excellent and unique liqueurs
including Ala made in Casteldaccia near Palermo,
Averna made in Caltanisetta and Fichera. Grappa,
a fragrant, grape-based brandy is also a popular
digestive, after dinner drink.
Nightlife
A typical way for an Italian to spend an evening is
chatting with family and friends over a leisurely meal
in a restaurant or pavement café and that certainly
holds true for Sicily. If you are after something a little
more lively, however, Palermo, Taormina, Syracuse
and Catania all have a great choice of bars and clubs,
as well as restaurants.
Getting around
Hiring a car is the best way to get out and about,
giving you the freedom to explore the island at
your leisure. By car, it only takes a few minutes to
escape from the tourist routes into the untouched
countryside, either along the spectacular coastline or
in the mountains. The island is dotted with historic
towns and villages that are a delight to explore, as
are the numerous archaeological sites. There are
good quality motorways linking the main cities, as
well as dual carriageways and a few toll roads.
The smaller roads tend to be narrower and winding
but as a consequence offer some spectacular views.
© CedarchisCociredeF / Shutterstock
There is a train service around much of the island
but it is not always a convenient option compared
to a car. Many towns and villages are served by a
network of buses. Timetables however are not
always adhered to and services on a Sunday tend
to be somewhat restricted. The blue buses run
between cities, while the orange buses provide a
more local service.
Agrigento © Silky / Shutterstock
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Palermo Airport
Fly from:
Gatwick
Heathrow
The
regions
of Sicily
San Vito Lo Capo
PALERMO
Riserva Naturale
dello Zingaro
Trapani
A19
Buseto Palizzolo
SS113
Riserva Naturale
Orientata Pizzo Cane
Segesta
SS118
Marsala
WESTERN SICILY
SS386
Selinunte
Western Sicily
Segesta
Lured by its abundant fishing grounds, hillside
vineyards and coastal salt pans, many invaders
have left their mark here. Visit the ancient ruins
of Segesta, principally the Doric temple and the
mountain side amphitheatre, the views above which
are magnificent.
Selinunte
At Selinunte, you’ll find magical historic sites and
temples, the ancient city itself and the acropolis.
Here and throughout the south west of the island,
there are many fine beaches. Heading north along
the coast, visit the vineyards and famous wine cellars
around Marsala.
Trapani
With its maze of narrow streets in its Moorish
centre, Trapani has many fine examples of baroque
architecture. It is overlooked by the impressive,
medieval town of Erice, worth visiting for the
views alone, while the nearby Egadi Islands make a
relaxing day trip from Trapani or Marsala.
Agrigento © Maria Rita Meli / Shutterstock
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Sciacca
SOUTHERN SICILY
Southern Sicily
SS640
Enna
In the wild interior of desolate peaks and sleepy
valleys the pace of life slows down and traditions
live on. The hill-top town of Enna, has a stunning
medieval centre and equally stunning views.
Agrigento
E931
A spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site is
inland at Piazza Armerina, namely the marvellous
4th century mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale.
Agrigento
Around Agrigento is unspoilt coastline and beaches
including the impressive beauty spot of the Turkish
Steps. Continuing west you’ll find the Riserva
Naturale Torre Salsa, the ruins of Eraclea Minoa and
the beaches of this striking coastline which stretches
to the spa town of Sciacca. This is the place to spoil
yourself with a massage or beauty treatment. While
here, stroll around the handsome historic centre,
then head to the port for a fresh fish lunch.
Sicily’s best known archaeological site is the Valley
of the Temples and a whole day can easily be spent
here. The eastern zone has the most impressive
temples if your time is short.
Calamosche beach © Andrea Izzotti / Shutterstock
Val di Noto & the South East
Syracuse
Syracuse is the best known town of the region. It can
be roughly divided into three parts, the modern town
with its seaside promenades and broad avenues,
the ancient Greek and Roman city at the foot of
Monti Iblei and lastly, the island of Ortigia with its
narrow streets, baroque churches and piazzas. Of
particular note, the remarkable Piazza del Duomo
is a masterpiece of baroque architecture lined with
restaurants and home to its stunning cathedral
adapted by the Byzantines and later the Normans
from a 5th century BC temple to Minerva.
San Vito Lo Capo © Marzolino / Shutterstock
Northern Sicily
Palermo
This ancient city has a plethora of historic gems
waiting to be discovered, including the magnificent
Cathedral di Monreale, possibly the finest Norman
building in Sicily and part of the UNESCO World
Heritage Site. But it’s not just its fabulous cathedrals
and palaces that Palermo is famed for, it’s also known
for its excellent street food, reputed to be among
the best in the world. Other highlights include some
excellent museums, an open-air theatre, colourful
street markets and the nearby beach of Mondello.
Messina
Capo d’Orlando
SS18 5
Cefalù
SS113
NORTH EAST SICILY
Parco Naturale
dei Nebrodi
Collesano
Parco delle Madonie
NORTHERN SICILY
Taormina
SS575
SS117
A19
Parco
dell’Etna
Giardini Naxos
Cefalù
Heading east, picture postcard Cefalù with its
narrow cobbled streets, impressive cathedral (also
part of this area’s World Heritage Site) and long
sandy beach with the imposing rocky outcrop of
La Rocca forming a dramatic backdrop, is one of
Sicily’s most well-known resorts. Between here
and Palermo you’ll find many fine beaches, all of
which are very popular throughout the summer.
Continuing east you’ll find numerous coves and
seaside villages, such as Capo d’Orlando.
Zafferana Etnea
Enna
A19
Caltanissetta
CATANIA
Catania Airport
Fly from:
Gatwick
Manchester
Birmingham
Luton
SS417
Piazza Armerina
Riserva Naturale
Orientata Bosco
di Santo Pietro
SS117
Gela
Floridia
Monti Madonie
A natural park with excellent hiking routes and
picturesque, historic hilltop villages. It’s an area also
known for its excellent traditional restaurants, as is
Parco Naturale dei Nebrodi, a vast region of forests
and mountain pastures, with many remote areas
that few visitors to the island discover.
Syracuse
E45
SOUTH EAST SICILY
Ragusa
SS115
Noto
Modica
Scicli
The devastating earthquake of 1693 destroyed
much of the south east region of Sicily. Towns were
re-built from scratch, sometimes in new locations,
and redesigned according to baroque town planning,
including most notably the charming towns of Noto,
Modica and Ragusa.
Palermo © Gandolfo Cannatella / Shutterstock
SCALE
0
0
10
20
10
30
20
40
50kms
30 miles
Ragusa
As well as fascinating ancient sites and fabulous
beaches, the south east of the island is also a food
lover’s delight. Ragusa is particularly famed for its
gastronomy and produces some excellent cheeses
and wine. The older part of the town, Ragusa Ibla,
is well known for its baroque architecture.
Taormina & the North East
Mount Etna
Etna is Sicily’s mother figure – its creator, its fiery
guardian angel, dominating the north east with her
presence, a truly staggering sight to behold – a must
see. Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe and
some of the best Sicilian wines are produced from
grapes grown from her fertile volcanic soils.
Taormina
Dating back to 4th century BC, Taormina today is a
wonderful eclectic mix of the old and the new. A chic
resort, though unashamedly touristy, it is arguably
the most enchanting town in Sicily. Her many
charms include beautiful restored medieval buildings
on narrow, winding streets. Every evening people
converge on the pedestrianized Corso Umberto for
the passeggiata, a sociable stroll where the intention
is to see and to be seen. People dress to impress and
intoxicating perfumes fill the air. The street meanders
through the old town, passing under ancient gateways
and through one lovely piazza after another, each
with a smattering of street musicians and artists, a
great choice of bars and restaurants and exclusive
designer boutiques and luxury jewellers.
Taormina © Steve Bower / Shutterstock
9
Beaches
Sicily has long stretches of fine golden sand, idyllic pebbly coves
and striking volcanic shores, it’s easy to find beaches which suit
everybody, especially if you know where to look...
The bay of Giardini-Naxos © K.Roy Zerloch / Shutterstock
In the tourist resorts you’ll find a good range of
facilities and water sports available; and with crystal
clear water in subtly changing shades of cobalt,
turquoise and emerald it’s a favourite destination
for diving, as well as snorkelling.
What’s more, with its long hot summers, Sicily has
a longer summer season than most other European
resorts – making it a fantastic choice for a beach
based holiday.
Mondello – North
With pale, soft sand and crystal clear shallow water,
this beautiful crescent bay is the most famous
beach resort on the island. Lying between two
cliffs, Monte Gallo and Monte Pellegrino, it is 12km
from Palermo’s city centre and can be reached
by a 15-minute bus ride. It’s a great family beach
with a bustling, lively atmosphere and is popular
with windsurfers and for snorkelling. Sunloungers,
parasols and pedal boats are available for hire.
Lungomare di Cefalù – North
Lungomare di Cefalù is a beautiful 8km stretch of
golden sands by calm, shallow waters. It’s ideal for
families with sunloungers and parasols for hire.
Caldura – North
Caldura is a lesser known and therefore quieter
beach, opposite Cefalù’s harbour without a sunbed
or parasol in sight (unless you take your own). It’s
a 20-minute walk from the town centre of Cefalù,
where you’ll find a flight of around 100 steps leading
down to the pebbly beach, surrounded by rocks,
perfect for snorkelling in the wonderfully clear water.
10
Isola Bella Beach, North West
© Nikiforov Alexander / Shutterstock
Sant’Ambrogio – North
Sant’Ambrogio is a large beach, 5km from Cefalù.
This mainly pebbly beach is one of the quietest in
the region.
Isola Bella, Taormina – North East
The most famous of Taormina’s beaches and one of
the prettiest of coves, Isola Bella beach is connected
to the little island of the same name by a thin strip
of sand. Offering panoramic views and crystal clear
water, this very popular, pebbly beach is connected
to the town by cable car (or some 300 steps) and
has sunloungers and parasols for hire.
Giardini Naxos – North East
This beautiful and popular sandy bay with some
pebbly sections is the largest stretch of beach in the
area and has lovely views of Taormina. There’s a
good range of facilities with sunloungers, parasols for
hire, water sports, beach bars and restaurants.
Aci Trezza, Catania – North East
Aci Trezza is a little seaside town with a couple of
small streets and Cyclops islands, rocky outcrops
which can be explored by a canoe or pedalo. In
the summer months there are a few bars along
the waterfront where you can enjoy refreshments
from breakfast though to drinks in the evening while
watching the sunset.
Fontane Bianche – South East
One of the best beaches in the region, Fontane
Bianche is 3km stretch of coast, 15km from the
centre of Syracuse. With fine white sand, a gently
sloping seabed and warm, transparent waters, it is
very popular with families. Sunloungers and parasols
are available for hire.
Scala dei Turchi, Southern Sicily
© Rafael Fernandez Torres / Shutterstock
Vendicari, Noto – South East
In the heart of Vendicari Nature Reserve just 10
minutes’ drive from Noto, lies an 8km stretch of
golden sand dunes, lagoons, cliffs and hidden bays.
There are no sunloungers, bars or water sports and
no crowds. A truly wonderful place to swim and
well-suited to families but be sure to take anything
you might need including water with you.
Pachino to Gela – South East
At the south east tip of Sicily you’ll find the never
ending dunes where the allied forces landed in World
War II and from here, heading west, there is a long
stretch of virtually non-stop sandy beaches right up
until you reach the industrial town of Gela. Spiagga
Sampieri is of particular note, a 3km stretch of fine
golden sand with a gently shelving seabed and clear
turquoise water. At one end of the beach, you will
find the atmospheric ruins of an old brickworks.
San Leone – South
Just south of the town of Agrigento, this is the most
popular beach of the region. It is sandy with a mixture
of free beach areas interspersed with those used by
restaurants, hiring out sunloungers and parasols. In
the evening this can be a lively and vibrant area.
Punta Bianca – South
Moving further west, just a 15-minute drive from
Agrigento, the stunning white marlstone cliffs form
a natural staircase, known as the Scala dei Turchi
(Turkish Steps) to a beach of fine sand scattered
with rocky areas where the water is of course,
crystal clear.
Belice natural reserve, Southern Sicily
© Elisa Locci / Shutterstock
San Vito Lo Capo – West
This 1km long, curving bay of white, pristine sand
with crystal clear water, is about an hour west of
Palermo. It’s ideal for families with plenty of small,
beachside restaurants, sunloungers and parasols for
hire and stunning panoramic views.
Zingaro Nature Reserve – West
In the Zingaro Nature Reserve, east of San Vito Lo
Capo, you’ll find numerous lovely pebbly coves
from where to swim, as well as some great
coastal walks.
Sicily is the perfect
destination as there
is so much to see, or
you can just sit on
the beach all day if
you wish to. I love the
history of the island,
the delicious food and
you can relax too...
Nina - Reservations
11
INTRODUCTION TO Sicily
Places to visit
Sicily is blessed with the most natural beauty from golden beaches,
lapped by aquamarine waters, to the smoking crater of Mount Etna.
Combine this with a wealth of UNESCO World Heritage sites and
fabulous cuisine – Sicily will surprise and delight you.
Taormina
Vineyards
Mount Etna
Dating back to 4th century BC, the town of Taormina
offers an eclectic mix of the old and the new. A chic
resort, though unashamedly touristy, it is arguably the
most enchanting town in Sicily with beautiful restored
medieval buildings on winding streets, the famous
passeggiata along Corso Umberto (the main street
in the town) and the stunning Greek Theatre which
holds an impressive programme of events during
the summer.
Sicily has in recent years become renowned for its
quality wine production and with more vineyards
than any other region in Italy, there are many
delicious wines to choose from. For those wishing
to sample the local specialities, wine tasting and
vineyard tours can be found in most areas.
Another recently added UNESCO World Heritage
Site, Mount Etna is one of Sicily’s most famous
landmarks. The largest active volcano in Europe and
Sicily’s highest peak, Etna dominates the landscape
on the north east coast. A tour up to the craters or
even the summit area is a must.
Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina
Markets
Syracuse
The most remarkable Roman ruins in Sicily and
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this
grandiose 4th century Roman villa is home to one of
the finest floor mosaics in existence.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Syracuse has many
attractions but the absolute gem for us is the stunning
cathedral on Piazza del Duomo. This café-lined
piazza is on the island of Ortigia with its enchanting
cobbled streets and many more baroque churches
and piazzas to discover. Explore the ancient Greek
and Roman part of the city, as well as the contrasting
modern town with its seaside promenades.
Val di Noto
Eight towns in the south east of Sicily make up the
late baroque towns of the Val di Noto: Caltagirone,
Militello in Val di Catania, Modica, Noto, Catania,
Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli. Another
UNESCO World Heritage Site, the valley is home
to this series of highly picturesque towns composed
almost entirely of baroque churches, palaces and
houses – an absolute must see for architectural and
historical enthusiasts.
You can’t leave Sicily without experiencing one of
its vibrant and colourful markets. Some of the best
on the island include Palermo’s Mercato di Ballarò
filled with every food imaginable and Catania’s La
Pescheria, a lively morning fish market behind the
Piazza del Duomo.
Valle dei Templi, Agrigento
The Valle dei Templi holds some of Sicily’s most
impressive Greek ruins and indeed, some of the
best preserved ancient Greek temples in the world.
In particular ‘must see’ Tempio della Concordia, is
a remarkably intact temple, constructed in 430BC.
And it’s no surprise that the valley is also a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Palermo
Taormina © Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock
Palermo is a fabulous ancient city packed with
historic buildings, theatres, museums and art
galleries, as well as its excellent shopping and street
food. The 12th century Arab-Norman features
and the cathedral churches of Monreale and Cefalù
were named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 2015.
Temple of Concordia © Silky / Shutterstock
12
Festivals
and events
There are hundreds of festivals and events held across Sicily
throughout the year, here is a selection of a few of our favourites.
MAY | Infiorata di Noto, Noto
One of Italy’s best-known flower festivals sees the
baroque town’s main street, Via Nicolaci, carpeted
with a series of flower tapestries. The day after the
festival finishes, children enjoy running through the
petals scattering them in all directions.
MAY | Sagra delle Teste di Turco, Scicli, Ragusa
A celebration of the liberation of Sicily in 1091,
following the Norman victory over the Arabs, with
the town’s traditional cake, known as Turks’ Head,
and a glass of local wine.
MID MAY – LATE JUN | Teatro Greco, Syracuse
One of Sicily’s most prestigious cultural events
each spring is the Greek Theatre Festival.
At sunset, in the evocative setting of this ancient
amphitheatre, a classical Greek comedy or tragedy
is performed, transporting audiences thousands of
years back in time.
JUN | Inycon a Menfi Wine Festival, Menfi
A chance to sample some of the most famous Sicilian
wines in one of the most important wine-producing
towns on the island.
JUN TO SEP | Teatro Antico, Taormina
The busy summer schedule at the Greek Theatre in
Taormina, with its extraordinary backdrop of Mount
Etna, includes the annual, star-studded Taormina
Film Festival, operas including Don Giovanni,
Carmen and The Barber of Seville as well as rock
concerts. Recent artists include James Blunt and
Simple Minds.
JUL | Festa di San Calogero, Agrigento
A week long festival celebrating Saint Calogero who
saved Agrigento from the plague.
JUL | Sagra dell’Olio, Furnari
Locals and visitors alike tuck into local produce
including olives, olive oil, bruschette and wine while
enjoying the live music of this vivacious festival.
JUL | Festino di Santa Rosalia, Palermo
A three day festival celebrating Santa Rosalia,
Palermo’s patron saint, believed to have saved the
town from 17th century plague. The highlights are
the parade with the saint’s relics, the traditional
street food of the city, and the final fireworks.
JUL & AUG | Sagra del Pesce, Giardini-Naxos
Each weekend throughout July and August the
Fish Festival takes place in the port, recreating the
atmosphere of the small fishing village it once was,
with folklore and music and delicious fresh fish
dishes washed down with local wine.
AUG | Ypsigrock Festival, Castelbuono
A unique outdoor indie-rock musical festival held in
a stunning castle setting.
SEP | Cous Cous Fest, San Vito Lo Capo
A particularly popular festival held over five days,
the highlight of which is the highly competitive
cook-off with chefs from around the Mediterranean
and further afield, with live music, dancing and a
fabulous atmosphere.
SEP | Sagra della Salsiccia, Aragona
A three day festival in celebration of sausages and
the local patron saint, with stalls, fairground rides
and live music.
AUG | Palio dei Normanni, Piazza Armerina
A medieval pageant celebrating Count Roger’s
capture of the town from the Moors in 1087.
Highlights of this festival are the costumed parade
and the joust between four districts of the town.
AUG | Festa di San Salvatore, Cefalù
A celebration of Cefalù’s patron saint with
processions, great food and the odd glass of wine,
held over a few days each August, swelling the
number of Cefalù’s summer visitors even more,
especially on the last day of the festival.
AUG | Sagra delle Melanzana, Milazzo
An annual aubergine festival held over two evenings
with folk music and dancing and the chance to
sample a wonderful variety of dishes based on one
of Sicily’s favourite ingredients.
© Steve Bower / Shutterstock
13
Villa Siracusa - page 32
Our accommodation
We offer a growing portfolio of hand-picked quality
holiday accommodation, ranging from a simple
apartment to idyllic villas with private pools, and
family friendly hotels to boutique luxury. Chosen for
their location, distinctive character and warmth of
service, we have a range of hotels across the island
to suit all tastes. Our expert team have visited the
island so let us guide you to the property that best
suits your needs.
Our Luxury Hotel Collection – Sicily has many
excellent hotels and we have chosen these
properties specifically for their exceptional high
standard in service, comfort or facilities. Look for
the diamond icon on the individual hotel pages.
Self-catering
All our self-catering properties have individual
characters with different styles, furnishings and level
of facilities. To give you an idea of the standard
you can expect from each, we have grouped our
properties into the following categories:
Very Comfortable – Furnished as a permanent or
second home with many personal touches, fully
equipped kitchen and a well-equipped garden/
outdoor area.
Comfortable – Well decorated and appointed
with comfortable and functional furniture, personal
touches and good kitchen facilities.
Simple – Properties furnished with the emphasis
on holiday living, generally with practical, functional
furniture and basic kitchen facilities.
ProPErty FEAturE iconS
To help you find the right property, we have put together a list of icons to
highlight the main features for each property and which you can find on the
individual accommodation page of this brochure or online. Here’s a brief
description of each icon:
Central location - Located in a town or a village,
within easy reach of the local amenities.
Pool - Use of a private or shared pool on the
property grounds.
Air-conditioning - This facility may be available
throughout the property or only in certain rooms.
Families - Accommodation suitable for families with
toddlers or with older children. Icons with a + symbol
represent properties suitable for large groups.
Restaurant - Hotels with a restaurant on site.
Couples - Properties suitable for couples looking for
a base or a romantic break.
Wi-Fi - Properties equipped with wireless
internet access.
Luxury - Accommodation and service of the
highest standard.
Touring - Hotels perfect for a few nights as part of
touring holiday.
Beachfront - Properties located by the beach.
New property - Newly added to our collection.
Waterfront - Properties in close proximity to
the waterfront.
Character - Properties with individual or original
features or charm.
Stunning views - If you’re looking for a property with
scenic or picturesque views, look out for this icon.
Hideaway - Properties in a peaceful or ‘away from
it all’ setting.
15
Why book
with Sicilian Places?
With 29 years’ experience in Corsica and 28 years in Sardinia,
we endeavour to use our in-depth knowledge to provide the best
possible service and most suitable holidays in Sicily.
At Sicilian Places, we believe in freedom of choice
and we will provide our guests with the holiday that
is right for them. We realise that booking a ‘package’
doesn’t suit everyone and for this reason, we have
chosen to display both flight-inclusive holidays and
accommodation only prices, giving complete flexibility.
Package holidays
We offer traditional package holidays inclusive
of charter, scheduled or low-cost flights,
accommodation as well as car hire or transfers.
Package holidays booked through a tour operator
offer complete financial security and peace of mind.
Prices displayed are per person and are based on the
occupancy stated – for other occupancies, please call
our reservations team or visit our website.
Property only
We also offer you the opportunity to book the
accommodation element of your holiday with us
and arrange your own flights independently. You can
find property only prices on each property page.
As a fully bonded tour operator, our property only
holidays are financially secured through our ABTOT
membership for the accommodation element only.
Tailormade holidays
If you prefer to spend your holiday travelling the
island rather than staying in one location, we can
help you put together a tailormade, multi-centre
or touring holiday to suit your particular choices
and requirements.
Castello di San Marco - page 27
14
Flexible duration
There are daily flights from the UK to Sicily,
allowing for any holiday duration whether you are
looking for a weekend break or a longer holiday.
For full flight options and prices, please call us or
check our website.
What we offer
• UK staff dedicated to Sicily
• 29 years’ experience of offering holidays to
Mediterranean islands
• Unrivalled customer service
• Hand-picked properties
• Competitive prices
• Flexibility of package holidays or
accommodation only
• Choice of charter, scheduled and low-cost flights
enabling shorter or longer holiday durations
• Welcome pack at self-catering properties
• Free high chairs and cots for infants
(linen not included)
• Free child places or child discounts at selected
hotels
• Competitive car hire prices with AVIS including
unlimited mileage
• Loyalty discount for previous customers including
those who have travelled with Sardinian and
Corsican Places
• Tailormade itineraries
• Website SicilianPlaces.co.uk
• Fully bonded with ATOL and ABTA for packages
and ABTOT for accommodation only
Hotel special offers
Many hotels in Sicily offer early booking discounts.
Please call our expert team for a quote or for the
latest offers.
© Christophe Faugere / Shutterstock
© Boris Stroujko / Shutterstock
16
© mRGB / Shutterstock
Introducing Taormina & the north east
Taormina
& the North East
In the north east of Sicily the vast volcanic
Mount Etna forms the stunning backdrop of
some of the island’s most beautiful towns
and picturesque beaches, including the
understandably popular resort of Taormina.
mILAZZO
Messina
TAORMINA
GIARDINI NAXOS
ZAFFERANA ETNEA
Dominating the landscape of the north east of
Sicily, the majestic Mount Etna forms the stunning
backdrop of some of the island’s most beautiful
towns and picturesque beaches. The volcano is an
omnipresent benefactor for on her fertile slopes
grape vines, olives and pistachios thrive in the
volcanic soil. Indeed some of the best Sicilian wines
are produced here. Listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 2013, a tour up to the volcano’s
craters is a must for any tourist visiting the area.
The most well-known resort here is Taormina
with its famous Greek Theatre and beautiful
medieval buildings that line narrow, winding streets
leading to one impressive piazza after another, all
bursting with friendly cafés, elegant restaurants
and chic boutiques. It is along the Corso Umberto
that passes through these lovely squares that the
passeggiata takes place each evening, as young and
old alike, both locals and visitors, take a leisurely
stroll to the sound track of chattering friends and
colourful street musicians.
Lastly you’ll reach Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II which
connects to Via Teatro Greco, with its plethora of
souvenir shops leading to the jewel in Taormina’s
crown, the stunning Greek Theatre. With its view
across the Gulf of Naxos and a backdrop of Mount
Etna, a more picturesque setting could not be
imagined and each summer it has an impressive
schedule of events from rock concerts to opera as
well as an annual film festival.
The beach at Taormina, Lido Mazzarò, is a cable car ride down from the town while nearby Giardini-Naxos, a charming seaside resort, has
a glorious sandy bay and promenade lined with
restaurants, cafés and ice-cream parlours. Both have
breathtakingly beautiful views and both are very
popular. Further south, however, Catania boasts
vast stretches of golden sands while on the far north
east tip of the island, Messina has many more great
sandy beaches to choose between.
From Michelin starred restaurants to simple
traditional trattorie, you’ll find a wonderful range of
dishes and indeed, restaurants, to try throughout
the region. Vineyards producing excellent wines
cover the lower slopes of Mount Etna, an area
also known for its porcini mushrooms, chestnuts,
sausages and citrus fruits, as well as the refreshing
chilled granita, a semi-frozen dessert originally
said to have been made with the snow from the
volcano’s peak. And, of course, the azure blue sea
provides an abundance of fresh fish and seafood.
Highlights...
Mount Etna – A visit to the craters or even the
summit area is a must for any visitor to this area
of Sicily.
Corso Umberto – A pedestrianized street
winding through the old town, walk across piazzas
and watch musicians and artists. Along the street is
a great choice of bar, cafés, restaurants, boutiques
and jewellers.
Teatro Greco – The second largest in Sicily, the
stunning Greek Theatre hosts an impressive series
of events throughout the summer, or simply visit to
marvel at the architecture and drink in the views.
Villa Comunale – These beautiful public gardens,
full of tropical plants and flowers, were created by
an English women, Florence Trevelyan.
Driving Distances
Catania airport > Taormina
67km (50mins)
Catania airport > Giardini Naxos
60km (45mins)
Catania airport > Zafferana Etnea
41km (45mins)
17
Taormina mare
Hotel | 83 ROOMS
Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay 5★
In the shelter of the beautiful Baia delle Sirene,
the Atlantis Bay is a modern luxury hotel in a truly
stunning setting. Carefully designed to make the most of its
picturesque location, the hotel is arranged on
elegantly shelving terraces all leading down to the
crystal clear Mediterranean waters below. The
interior is furnished in soft shades and natural
tones of the pebbles, seashells and sunbleached
driftwood that feature throughout; this, together
with exposed beams, local rock and marble,
creates light and elegant surroundings, evocative
of the marine location.
Making the most of the hotel’s position, the
extremely comfortable bedrooms are beautifully
furnished with elegant touches and all enjoy their
own terrace with stunning views over the bay.
Double sea view
1 Week
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
extras included
- Transfers (in package)
- Bed & Breakfast
- Half Board available
web id: TA A B
Private beach | beautiful setting by the bay
Offering a similar panorama, the inviting swimming
pool and sunbathing deck give access to the
private beach where guests can cool off in the
turquoise sea. The extensive breakfast buffet and
delicious baked pastries are served on the water’s
edge where guests can watch the local fishermen
bringing in their catch, just as they have for many
centuries. And at night, the Atlantis Bay‘s highly
acclaimed al fresco restaurant Ippocampo, is the
perfect setting for a romantic dinner under the
stars, while the piano bar offers a warm and inviting
atmosphere for pre, or post dinner drinks.
Being just a short walk to the cable car up to
the main town of Taormina, it is also easy to
explore this historic town with it famous Greek
Theatre, stylish boutiques and atmospheric,
restaurant-lined piazzas.
Beach: By the beach
Restaurants: On-site, in Taormina
Shops: In Taormina
Main town: Taormina
Airport: Catania 63km
facilities in hotel
Large swimming pool, Ippocampo open-air restaurant, piano bar,
wellness centre, solarium, fitness centre, Wi-Fi (payable locally), four
lifts, private section of beach.
facilities in room
En-suite bathroom or shower room, satellite television, telephone,
safe, minibar, hairdryer, air-conditioning, all rooms have balcony or
terrace with sea views.
1 apr – 29 apr
1 oct – 31 oct
30 apr – 24 Jun
3 sep – 30 sep
25 Jun – 22 jul
27 aug – 2 sep
23 jul – 5 Aug
6 aug – 19 aug
20 aug – 26 aug
£1189
£1882
£106
£1325
£2152
£126
£1592
£2687
£167
£1698
£2898
£183
£1879
£3262
£210
£1698
£2898
£183
1 and 2 week package prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing stated room type on Bed & Breakfast and include flights and airport transfers. For hotel only please use the extra night prices. For flight and car hire details see p58-59.
For supplements and latest offers, please call our reservations team or visit our website.
18
19
Taormina
Hotel | 70 ROOMS
Junior suite executive
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo 5★
web id: TA G T
NEW FOR 2016 | exclusive luxury | historic central location
Recognised among Italy’s most luxurious retreats,
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is in itself an iconic
landmark of fascinating Taormina. Situated in two
buildings beside the town’s famous ancient Greek
Theatre, this hotel boasts far more than a perfect
location, including a rejuvenating wellness centre,
mouth-watering regional cooking and free shuttle
service to its beachside sister hotel, Belmond Villa
Sant’Andrea.
Completed in 1873, the hotel was the first to be
built in Taormina, today offering 70 bedrooms and
suites spanning sumptuously-decorated double
rooms complete with splendid French balconies
and exclusive deluxe suites with breathtaking views
of the Bay of Taormina. With its backdrop of Mount
Etna and Cape Taormina, the hotel restaurant’s
unrivalled location is matched by its superb culinary
prowess, serving up regional and seasonal dishes
which evoke the unique flavours of Sicily. The
heated, panoramic swimming pool, surrounded by
beautiful terraced gardens, is the ideal setting for
relaxation. Or perhaps you’d prefer to get active on
one of the hotel’s boat excursions?
Exploring Taormina is a must, something
complemented by Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo’s
ideal location. In addition to catching the rays on
Taormina’s beaches, encountering the Greek
Theatre, the 13th century Duomo and the
picturesque Piazza IX Aprile will add a dose of
culture and history to your indulgent stay at the
grandest of hotels.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: 5km
Restaurants: On-site, 100m
Shops: 100m
Main town: In Taormina
facilities in hotel
Heated swimming pool. Two restaurants: The Restaurant and
Poolside restaurant. Two bars: Literary terrace and Poolside bar.
Fitness centre, wellness centre, courtesy shuttle bus to the beach
and to sister Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea where guests can use the
facilities, Wi-Fi (payable locally).
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, LCD television, DVD player,
telephone, minibar, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
The second building, Villa Flora, is situated 50m from the main hotel building.
classic villa flora
1 apr – 28 apr
29 apr – 26 may
27 may – 1 oct
2 oct – 15 oct
16 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£1609
£2693
£165
£2037
£3549
£230
£2252
£3978
£263
£2037
£3549
£230
£1609
£2693
£165
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
20
Taormina mare
Hotel | 64 ROOMS
Junior suite executive
Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea 5★
web id: TA S A
NEW FOR 2016 | beachfront location | relaxing retreat
Perched beside the sparkling waters of its own
private beach in one of the most idyllic corners
of picturesque Taormina, the Belmond Villa
Sant’Andrea encapsulates the exclusivity of a
luxurious Sicilian escape. Set below Taormina’s
historic old town, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea
presents its own separate oasis of calm, a retreat
promising rest and relaxation, but never preventing
the option of a relaxing boat excursion or the
chance to explore Mount Etna on a guided tour.
In addition to the beautiful sea views, Belmond
Villa Sant’Andrea is also surrounded by subtropical
gardens. Whether you opt for a sea or garden
view from the elegant double bedrooms or
exclusive suites, your choice will come equipped
with the likes of marble bathrooms, king-sized
beds and charming balconies from which to
admire the awe-inspiring sunsets. The hotel
is equipped with three bars and Restaurant
Oliviero, a traditional eatery serving classic Italian
flavours beside the sea; the perfect setting for
an evening meal, best accompanied by some
delicious local wine.
A short cable car ride or a free shuttle bus
connects Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea with its
iconic sister hotel, the Belmond Grand Hotel
Timeo, and the heart of Taormina. Here you’ll
discover a range of bars and restaurants, as well
as numerous intriguing attractions including the
ancient Greek Theatre.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: By sandy beach
Shops: 100m
facilities in hotel
Heated swimming pool, Restaurant Olivero. Two bars: Beach bar
and Pool bar. Fitnes centre, wellness centre, smile kids club, private
section of beach with private cabanas for hire, courtesy shuttle bus
to sister Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo where guests can use the
facilities, Wi-Fi (payable locally).
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, LCD television, DVD player,
minibar, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
Classic double
8 apr – 19 may
20 may – 30 jun
1 jul – 28 aug
29 aug – 8 oct
9 oct – 29 oct
1 Week
£1376
£2228
£130
£1936
£3346
£215
£2077
£3629
£236
£1936
£3346
£215
£1376
£2228
£130
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
21
Taormina
Hotel | 25 ROOMS
Deluxe room
The Ashbee 5★
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: TATA
Colonial style | luxurious surroundings
In this English colonial style, luxury hotel you’ll
find a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere combined
with impeccable hospitality – yet the highlights
of the lively town of Taormina are just a stone’s
throw away. Designed in 1908 by the English
architect Robert Charles Ashbee, this historic
villa seamlessly blends features from Sicilian
architecture with the style and ethos of the Arts
and Crafts movement for which Ashbee was a
key exponent.
The hotel’s fine dining restaurant St George
offers delightful Mediterranean dishes inspired
by mouth-watering seasonal produce and local
specialities. Reservations can be made for the
elegant dining room or the outdoor terrace, both
enjoying fabulous sea views. Daytime lunch and
snacks, as well as refreshing drinks, are served
at the Pool Club bar while the Terrace bar is the
perfect spot to watch the sunset over the sea,
cocktail in hand.
The villa is surrounded by a beautiful park with
citrus trees, water features, an infinity swimming
pool and truly stunning panoramic views
overlooking the Sicilian coastline out across the sea
towards Calabria on mainland Italy. Each bedroom
is attentively furnished with exclusive refined
furniture and is glamorously decorated.
The Ashbee is the perfect place to relax and
unwind in refined surroundings with the
attractions of Taormina close at hand. A cable car
to the beach is just a few minutes’ walk away, as
is the Teatro Greco, as well as Corso Umberto,
where you can join the passeggiata (evening stroll)
in one of the town’s most famous streets.
beach: 2km
restaurantS: On-site, 100m
shops: 100m
main town: In Taormina
airport: Catania 65km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, fine dining restaurant St George, Terrace bar, Pool
Club bar (open mid-June to mid-September), Wi-Fi, car park (€25
per day).
The hotel’s concierge is on hand to make any arrangements during
your stay in and outside the hotel, from booking theatre tickets to
arranging an excursion to Mount Etna.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, television, safe, minibar, Wi-Fi,
air-conditioning.
CLASSIC ROOM
1 apr – 30 apr
1 may – 30 sep
1 oct – 30 oct
1 Week
£1381
£2265
£135
£1407
£2317
£139
£1381
£2265
£135
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
22
23
Taormina
Hotel | 105 ROOMS
San Domenico Palace 5★
web id: TA S D
Converted monastery | 2 michelin star restaurant
Presenting a fascinating combination of luxury
and history, San Domenico Palace is one of the
most majestic hotels in beautiful Taormina. Set in
a former monastery dating from the 15th century,
original structures including the building’s ancient
walls perfectly reflect the ambiance of monastic
life. A location in the heart of the town adds
convenience, with a range of bars and eateries in
walking distance, though San Domenico Palace
boasts three high quality restaurants, including the
Principe Cerami, awarded two Michelin Stars, so
you’d be forgiven for choosing to eat in.
theme. The Mediterranean gardens which spill
out from the back of the hotel are as breathtaking
as the building itself, defined by citrus aromas and
complemented by the Sicilian sunshine. At the foot
of the gardens is the inviting blue of the hotel’s
pool; the perfect place to relax away an afternoon.
The location is ideal for exploring the attractions
of Taormina. Make sure you absorb the grandeur
of Piazza IX Aprile and the ancient Greek Theatre.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: 2km
Shops: 100m
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool. Three restaurants: Principe Cerami (two Michelin
stars), Il Giardino dei Limoni, Les Bouganvillées. Three bars: The
Cloister lounge bar, Oratorio dei Frati grand bar, Pool bar. Beauty
corner, fitness centre, parking, beach shuttle, Wi-Fi zone.
facilities in room
En-suite bathroom or shower room, LCD satellite television,
telephone, safe, minibar, air-conditioning.
The 105 bedrooms and suites are split across two
wings, both reflecting history and authenticity to
create a prestigious atmosphere. Modern facilities
are on offer in every room, though it is the
heritage of the building that dominates the overall
CLASSIC ROOM
1 Apr – 31 May
1 Jun – 7 Aug
8 Aug – 21 Aug
22 Aug – 8 Oct
9 oct – 31 Oct
1 Week
£1323
£2154
£127
£1373
£2253
£134
£1468
£2445
£149
£1373
£2253
£134
£1323
£2154
£127
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
24
Taormina mare
Hotel | 88 ROOMS
Grand Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace 5★
an aperitif or after dinner drink. In a prominent
position, the inviting swimming pool is elevated
just above the beach and offers a wonderful spot
to soak up the Sicilian sunshine.
The Grand Mazzarò Sea Palace is set in an
enviable position on the picturesque Bay of
Mazzarò offering panoramic views over the coast.
This luxurious and grand hotel has a truly sought
after location, with its own private beach and just
a short stroll from the cable car that will take you
up to the delights of Taormina. The hotel’s interior
is beautifully designed in a classic Italian style with
Carrara marble and bespoke furnishings. The
spacious and well-equipped bedrooms all have
a terrace or balcony where you can take in the
stunning Mediterranean views.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: TA S P
Luxurious hotel | Beautiful views of the coast | private beach
Beach: By pebble beach
Restaurants: On-site, in Taormina
Shops: In Taormina
Main town: Taormina
Should you feel like exploring, the chic town of
Taormina is just a cable ride away; amble along
the cobbled streets of the old town, stopping for
a granita in a beautiful piazza or visit the stunning
Greek Theatre and enjoy the dramatic backdrop
of the coast and Mount Etna.
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, restaurant Il Gattopardo, Tancredi bar, wellness
centre and solarium (at sister Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay), fitness
centre, Wi-Fi (payable locally), four lifts, private section of beach.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, satellite television, telephone,
safe, minibar, hairdryer, air-conditioning, all rooms have balcony or
terrace with sea views.
The elegant restaurant, Il Gattopardo, with its
ornate wood panelling, opens out onto a beautiful
terrace overlooking the bay and serves delicious
Sicilian cuisine, while the Tancredi bar, serving fine
wines, spirits and cocktails, is the perfect place for
DOUBLE SEA VIEW
1 Week
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
1 apr – 1 may
3 oct – 31 oct
2 May – 26 Jun
5 sep – 2 Oct
27 Jun – 24 jul
29 aug – 4 sep
25 jul – 7 Aug
8 aug – 21 aug
22 aug – 28 aug
£1169
£1842
£103
£1301
£2106
£123
£1562
£2628
£162
£1665
£2832
£178
£1839
£3182
£204
£1665
£2832
£178
25
the north east | Zafferana Etnea
Hotel | 19 ROOMS
Double Deluxe Floreale
Monaci delle Terre Nere
web id: Z E M T
tranquil surroundings | restored monAstery | boutique property
Monaci delle Terre Nere is a genuine one-off:
a 19-room boutique hotel on a 40-acre estate,
housed in a lovingly-restored listed Sicilian
monastery and set in the remarkable surroundings
of the Mount Etna National Park.
The owner of this property stumbled across
the monastery in 2007 and set about restoring
it, using local materials and hours and hours of
sustained hard work. The bedrooms have all
been individually designed, and feature a range
of types and styles in the different suites. Many of
the rooms have beautiful views of the grounds;
all are designed with an emphasis on comfort.
The owner’s respect for the property and love
of style and fabulous furnishings is everywhere
apparent, with a mixture of the classical and the
contemporary in the exposed beams, the modern
art and the designer bathrooms. The Monaci is
also one of only three Sicilian ratified ‘eco-bio’
hotels, with a real emphasis on home-grown
produce – including a luscious range of fruit
and vegetables and some fabulous examples of
widely-praised local ‘Etna’ wine. These can all be
sampled in the hotel’s restaurant, serving delicious
Sicilian food you can enjoy whilst looking out
across the sublimely beautiful countryside.
There’s no doubt you’ll spend an awful lot of
your time just gazing at all the natural beauty.
Stroll around the grounds, wander amongst the
surrounding vineyards or visit the organic farm.
Book a traditional cookery class, take a swim in
the pool or indulge in a spot of yoga or pilates,
all this with the mighty presence of Etna always
in view.
extras included
- Car hire (in package)
- Bed & Breakfast
beach: 9.2km
restaurantS: On-site, Zafferana Etnea 3km
shops: Zafferana Etnea 3km, Catania 23km
main town: Catania 23km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, restaurant serving traditional cuisine using produce
from the organic farm, lounge bar, poolside bar, children’s play area,
reading room, car park, wine school, wine & oil tasting, nature trails,
farm tours, yoga and pilates in high season, open-air cinema in high
season, bicycle hire and tours, traditional cooking classes, massages.
Wi-Fi in communal areas.
facilities in room
En-suite shower or bathroom, minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi,
air-conditioning, balcony or terrace, views over the gardens,
surrounding vineyards, Mount Etna or the coast.
Please note, there is no television or telephone in the rooms as it is
a hotel for you to completely relax and unwind.
superior room
1 apr – 31 May
1 Jun – 31 Jul
1 aug – 31 aug
1 sep – 30 sep
1 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£1125
£1858
£98
£1211
£2030
£111
£1353
£2314
£132
£1211
£2030
£111
£1125
£1858
£98
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
1 and 2 week package prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing stated room type on Bed & Breakfast and include flights and car hire. For hotel only please use the extra night prices. For flight and car hire details see p58-59.
26
the north east | calatabiano
Hotel | 30 ROOMS
Castello di San Marco 4★
This boutique hotel is housed in a converted
baroque castle dating back to the end of the
XVII century, and is truly unique. Combining
historic elegance with modern comfort, it
exudes character, warmth and charm. With
cobbled pathways, ancient archways and lush
Mediterranean gardens, you can relax by the
enormous swimming pool or soak up the
sunshine on the private beach where views of the
majestic Mount Etna are simply sublime.
The spacious bedrooms, scattered throughout the
park, are all beautifully appointed, creating a warm
and inviting atmosphere with great attention to
detail and comfort. Each has its own shaded terrace
opening onto the tranquil castle grounds. The
hotel’s restaurant, The Mastri Flavetta, combines
passion and sophistication with local culinary
Junior suite
1 Week
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: C B S M
Converted baroque castle | boutique property | Private beach
tradition to bring you exquisite dishes made from
the freshest produce, wherever possible from the
local market or grown in the hotel’s own gardens.
In the summer months enjoy dining al fresco in the
gazebo restaurant, Acquicella.
For some indulgence, visit Aquae Leonis, the
hotel’s excellent spa. The old wine cellar, complete
with wine press, has been converted into a
comfortable lounge bar, al Palmento, serving a
superior selection of Sicilian wines including the rich
reds made on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna.
On warmer evenings the garden lounge bar is the
perfect place to relax with an aperitivo.
beach: 100m
restaurantS: On-site, Calatabiano 3km
shops: Calatabiano 3km
main town: Calatabiano 3km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, spa, tennis courts. Two restaurants: The Mastri
Flavetta and Acquicella. Three bars: Wine bar al Palmento, Le
Terrazze de Eolo garden lounge bar and Poolside bar. Car park,
private section of beach.
facilities in room
En-suite bathroom with shower, television, telephone, safe, minibar,
hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, Wi-Fi.
This family-run hotel is the perfect place to relax
and unwind with the charms of Taormina close
by, as well as three natural parks: Mount Etna, the
Alcantara Gorges and the Nebrodi National Park.
1 apr – 30 Apr
12 oct – 31 oct
1 may – 31 may
1 Jun – 30 jun
1 jul – 31 jul
1 aug – 31 aug
1 sep – 30 Sep
1 Oct – 11 oct
£927
£1462
£68
£993
£1594
£78
£1142
£1891
£100
£1297
£2201
£124
£1386
£2380
£137
£1241
£2089
£115
£1092
£1792
£93
27
Ragusa © MaRap / Shutterstock
© RZ Design / Shutterstock
28
© Galimaufry / Shutterstock
introducing vAL DI NOTO & THE soUTH EAST
Val di Noto
& the South East
The south east of Sicily not only includes the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Syracuse
and the lovely baroque towns of the Val
di Noto, you’ll also find some of the best
coastline on the island here, in particular on the south coast.
Syracuse, is the best known town of the region. It can
be roughly divided into three parts, the modern town
with its seaside promenades and broad avenues, the
ancient Greek and Roman city at the foot of Monti
Iblei and lastly, the island of Ortigia with its narrow
streets, baroque churches and piazzas.
Ortigia island is linked with two bridges to Syracuse
town, and is the perfect place to explore without
your car as you can park in the Talete car park (pay
and display). Just 5 minutes’ walk from the car park
are the remains of the Apollo Temple, pass through
Piazza Archimede – named after the mathematician
born in Syracuse in 3rd century AC on your way
to the remarkable Piazza Duomo, a masterpiece
of baroque architecture lined with restaurants
serving traditional Sicilian dishes and home to a
stunning cathedral adapted by the Byzantines and
later the Normans from a 5th century BC temple
to Minerva. There is also a plethora of bars where
you can sit and have a glass of local wine with some
arancini. Caravaggio’s ‘Burial of St Lucy’ painting is
in Santa Lucia church in Piazza Duomo, and is also
worth a visit. The Catacombe di San Giovanni are
the most extensive in Syracuse. They are a little dark
and spooky but well worth a visit; there are guided
tours available.
During the devastating earthquake of 1693 much
of the south east region of Sicily was destroyed.
Towns were re-built from scratch, sometimes in new
locations, and redesigned according to Renaissance
and baroque town planning, including most notably
the charming towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa. In
Noto the little theatre on the main street is beautiful
– it’s really tiny but you can explore everywhere, and
even go on the stage if you like. Ragusa is particularly
famed for its gastronomy and produces some
excellent cheeses while nearby Modica is known for its
Cioccolato al peperoncino (chilli chocolate), there are
several chocolate shops and factories here, while Noto
is known for its delicious ice creams.
Pozzallo is a nice seaside town with bars and
restaurants along its seafront. Just out of the town
along the coastal road towards Noto there are
secluded, unspoilt beaches and coves that will be
less crowded than in town. Marzamemi is lively
with the locals in the summer evenings. Many bars
and restaurants offer music until late – if you want
to experience an authentic Sicilian night out. The
main square also has a lovely little church and hosts
several weddings during the summer months, which
are fascinating to see with their stunning dresses.
There are also several concerts and shows held in
the square during summer evenings.
cATANIA
Catania
airport
Floridia
sYRACUSE
Ragusa
Modica
Noto
Scicli
Highlights...
Syracuse – Explore the main sites on Ortigia
on foot and wonder at the magnificent Piazza del
Duomo and its cathedral.
Boat trip – Take an alternative view of Ortigia, its
13th century castle and the surrounding coastline.
Beaches – On the south eastern tip of Sicily there
are some stunning stretches of deserted beaches
where sand gently shelves into warm turqouise
waters. Take everything you need including water
and shade, for a perfect day out.
Baroque towns – Ragusa, Noto and Modica each
have their own charm, views and an abundance of
churches to discover.
Driving Distances
Catania airport > Scicli
128km (1hour 30mins)
Catania airport > Ragusa
Catania airport > Syracuse
60km (40mins)
Catania airport > Floridia
62km (45mins)
29
Val di noto & The south east | Floridia
4-6 bedroom villa | sleeps 8-12
Villa Viancu
extras included
- Welcome pack
- Midweek clean
Standard
VERY COMFORTABLE
eco-friendly | state of the art design | superb pool area
web id: F LV V
We’re sure you’ll be impressed with Villa Viancu,
with its mix of style, unique architecture and
contemporary design.
so much to explore in the local area – from the
historic city of Syracuse with its ancient Greek
ruins, and the chic cobbled streets of Ortigia, to
the stunning baroque towns of the Val di Noto
and the picturesque beach of Fontane Bianche.
Blending harmoniously with its surroundings and
designed to respect the environment, Viancu uses
modern technology to give guests an extremely
comfortable stay. The interior of the property is
stylish and modern with four en-suite bedrooms,
an airy lounge with a suspended fireplace,
cinema room and a fully equipped kitchen and
dining area. Large bay windows open on to the
inviting terrace and pool where you are bound
to spend most of your time. Set in immaculately
kept gardens and surrounded by olive trees, it
is the ideal spot to soak up the Sicilian sunshine
and make the most of outdoor living. If you
can tear yourself away from the pool, there is
2 APR – 27 MAy
beach: 14km
restaurantS: Floridia 3km
shops: Floridia 3km
main town: Syracuse 16km
Villa Viancu is the perfect choice for a family or
group of friends looking for a taste of pure luxury
in a truly Sicilian setting.
Layout
Raised ground floor: Lounge, dining room, kitchen, laundry room,
bathroom, double bedroom with en-suite facilities including bath
and hydro-massage shower, two double bedrooms with en-suite
shower room, twin bedroom with en-suite shower room.
In addition to the four bedrooms there are also
two further suites on the lower floor available at
an additional cost:
Lower ground floor: Fitness room, cinema room, two bedrooms
with en-suite shower room (available on request and at extra cost).
Suite 1 with two single beds, a living area with
kitchenette and shower room, a small terrace.
facilities
Private pool (18m x 6m, depth 1.2m-2.5m), external shower,
barbecue, dishwasher, washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave,
oven, three fridges, freezer, LCD television, iPod docking station,
home theatre, decoder with Sky card (except sport channels), CD
player, DVD player, hairdryer, safe, internet (wired), air-conditioning
(under floor cooling system), parking. Private chef available on request.
Electricity is inclusive up to 400kwh per week, for further information
see page 60.
Suite 2 with a double bed, a living area with
kitchenette and a shower room.
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 juL – 29 jul
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
8
c+C
6
B+B
4
c
£850
£987
£1207
£1326
£1618
£2102
£972
£1129
£1390
£1425
£1734
£2250
£899
£1052
£1305
£1543
£1907
£2535
£1079
£1292
£1665
£1838
£2300
£3125
£1194
£1445
£1895
£1952
£2453
£3354
£899
£1052
£1305
£1363
£1667
£2175
£850
£987
£1207
£1265
£1536
£1979
property only
£2857
£3350
£3250
£4691
£5607
£3250
£2857
Property only prices are per week for the accommodation and welcome pack only. Other prices are per person and include flights, car hire and a welcome pack. For flight and car hire details see p58-59.
For occupancies not shown and latest offers, please call our reservations team or visit our website.
30
31
Val di noto & The south east | syracuse
Villa Siracusa
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
VERY COMFORTABLE
nEW FOR 2016 | STYLISH DÉCOR | SEA VIEWS
web id: S Y V S
Set amid the beauty of a nature reserve just a short
distance from the historical city of Syracuse, Villa
Siracusa is a magnificent and contemporary four
bedroom property boasting a range of modern
comforts and breathtaking style. This villa sleeps
up to eight people, making it the perfect property
for families or groups of friends looking to base
themselves in an exciting location in Sicily.
perfect place in which to relax before cooling
down in the inviting swimming pool. Here the
outdoor area comes into its own, featuring a
dining table, sofas and various sunloungers from
where you can enjoy a stunning sea view.
Restaurants: 800m
Shops: Syracuse 12km
Main town: Syracuse 12km
Syracuse is a fascinating city well worth
exploring. From the grandeur of Piazza Duomo
to the fascinating ancient Greek Temple, you’ll
benefit from having one of Sicily’s most alluring
destinations on your doorstep.
The four bedrooms are split across two levels,
with three double rooms and a twin room,
all boasting en-suite facilities and a light and
contemporary design. A large and open modern
lounge with striking stone walls opens out into a
sleek and shiny kitchen, where an adjoining dining
area enjoys views into the verdant garden. Villa
Siracusa still has a few more tricks up its sleeve,
most notably in the form of an indoor sauna; the
2 APR – 27 MAy
Beach: By rocks 200m, sandy beach 6km
Layout
First floor: Large lounge with kitchen and dining area, double
bedroom with en-suite facilities including shower and hydro-massage
bath, double bedroom, shower room.
Ground floor: Sauna, fitness room, shower room, double bedroom
with en-suite shower room, double bedroom with en-suite shower
room (available on request and at extra cost).
The prices below are for three bedrooms only, if you
would like to book the fourth bedroom, please call
our reservations team for prices.
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jun – 29 jul
facilities
Pool (12m x 4m, 1m-2m depth), external shower, barbecue,
dishwasher, washing machine, CD player, DVD player, oven, two fridges, two televisions, microwave, hairdryer, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, parking. Private chef available. Electricity is inclusive
up to 200Kwh. For further information see page 60.
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
6
B+B
4
c
2
B
£731
£853
£1271
£1110
£1387
£2316
£875
£1029
£1544
£1228
£1528
£2529
£778
£924
£1414
£1237
£1577
£2696
£874
£1067
£1700
£1428
£1863
£3269
£969
£1211
£1987
£1523
£2007
£3555
£778
£924
£1414
£1141
£1433
£2409
£731
£853
£1271
£1046
£1290
£2123
property only
£1539
£1925
£1825
£2398
£2971
£1825
£1539
32
33
Val di noto & The south east | scicli
4 bedroom villa | sleeps 8
Villa Scurata
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
VERY COMFORTABLE
FANTASTIC COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS | SPORTS COURT
web id: S C V S
Named after the spectacular sunsets that can be
enjoyed from its grounds and perched above the
baroque town of Scicli, Villa Scurata is a beautifully
converted stone house commanding panoramic
views over the Val di Noto.
fresco living. There is also a separate fenced sports
court for racket sports and kick-a-bouts and games.
beach: Marina di Ragusa 8km
restaurantS: 2km
For those who wish to venture out, the magnificent
baroque towns of the Val di Noto are only a short
drive, as is the chic beach resort of Marina di
Ragusa and the golden sands of Donnalucata.
Set amongst olive and carob trees and with a
scattering of nearby houses, the villa offers a superb
setting for a true Sicilian getaway.
shops: 2km
main town: Scicli 2.5km
Layout
Ground floor: Large lounge with kitchen and dining area, double
bedroom with en-suite bathroom, laundry room, terrace.
The interior is spread over three floors and
decorated in a minimalistic style. With a light and
airy feel, it features a spacious open-plan kitchen,
dining and lounge area, a second smaller lounge
room with a bar and four double bedrooms.
Outside, the well-tended gardens encircle a large
swimming pool, spa area with hot tub and sauna,
and a private sun-kissed terrace where you are
sure to embrace the typically Mediterranean al
2 APR – 27 MAy
First floor: Living room with bar, double bedroom with en-suite
bathroom, terrace.
Second floor: Two double bedrooms with en-suite.
facilities
Private pool (12m x 6m, 1.5m depth), barbecue, separate sauna,
Turkish bath, hot tub, external shower & changing room, sports
court. Dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, oven (electric),
hairdryer, safe, five televisions with satellite channels, CD player,
DVD player, Hi-Fi, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning. Private chef available on
request. Electricity is inclusive up to 300kwh per week, for further
information see page 60.
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jul – 29 jul
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 23 sep
24 sep – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
8
c+C
6
B+B
4
c
£798
£911
£1118
£1194
£1423
£1847
£881
£998
£1213
£1244
£1473
£1897
£798
£911
£1118
£1263
£1516
£1986
£880
£1020
£1282
£1407
£1707
£2272
£941
£1102
£1405
£1468
£1789
£2395
£798
£911
£1118
£1181
£1407
£1822
£737
£829
£996
£1059
£1243
£1576
property only
£2562
£2662
£2562
£3217
£3708
£2562
£2071
34
35
Val di noto & The south east | sYRACUSE
Villa Onda
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
COMFORTABLE
stunning sea views | great grounds and location
web id: s y vo
Situated on a wonderful stretch of Sicilian
coastline, Villa Onda is a comfortable holiday
home with lovely views of the sea – the shoreline
is only 80m away!
housing two of the four bedrooms, its own
shower room and small terrace.
beach: By rocks, Arenella 7km
restaurantS: 5km, Syrcause 12km
If you can tear yourself away from Villa Onda, the
amenities of Syracuse are not too far away and the
charming baroque towns of Noto and the seaside
town of Marzamemi are recommended for a day
out. The nearby Vendicari Nature Reserve is a
superb area for some great coastal walks.
This detached Mediterranean-style villa has its
own private pool surrounded by a large terrace
offering both sun and shade, with seating and a
dining table and chairs to enjoy plenty of al fresco
meals while looking across the beautiful south east coastline.
shops: Syracuse 12km
airports: Catania 70km, Palermo 300km
Layout
Lounge with dining area, kitchen, double bedroom with en-suite
shower room, two single bedrooms, hydro-massage shower
room, terrace with covered seating. Separate annexe with double
bedroom and single bedroom, shower room and small terrace.
This property is not recommended for young children
due to unguarded drops at the rear of the villa.
facilities
Private pool (10m x 6m, 0.8m-3m depth), external shower and
changing room, summer kitchen, barbecue, dishwasher, washing
machine, microwave, coffee machine, CD & DVD player, three
televisions with satellite receiver, safe, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning/heating,
parking. Private chef available on request. Electricity is inclusive up to
300Kwh per week, for further information see page 60.
With its pretty flowers and trees making up the
well-tended gardens and small lawn areas to
complement the bright terracotta roof and the
blue of the pool and sea, Villa Onda invites you
into its bright and airy rooms with a traditional
yet cosy feel. There is everything you need
inside and out, plus a separate little annexe
2 APR – 27 MAy
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jul – 29 jul
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
7
c+C
4
c
2
B
£710
£879
£1324
£1123
£1538
£2598
£889
£1133
£1752
£1259
£1737
£2946
£795
£1028
£1622
£1394
£2027
£3596
£905
£1221
£2007
£1454
£2131
£3805
£965
£1325
£2216
£1514
£2236
£4014
£795
£1028
£1622
£1174
£1642
£2826
£710
£879
£1324
£1004
£1343
£2229
property only
£1645
£2342
£2242
£3012
£3430
£2242
£1645
36
Val di noto & The south east | Noto
Casa Marino
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
SIMPLE
panoramic terrace | right next to the sea
web id: N TA M
Casa Marino is a charming seafront house
beautifully positioned right next to the sea.
piazzas and ancient ruins, and Ragusa with its love
of street food and gastronomy are also in the area
for a day of sight-seeing plus the town of Scicli
(if you are an Inspector Montalbano fan) making
Casa Marino an excellent base for exploring this
amazing part of Sicily.
Carefully decorated, the open-plan style interior
is a perfect mix of traditional and original features
and bright, contemporary modern touches. Just
open the doors to let the sea breeze in! Outside
there is a surrounding terrace, part covered with
seating and dining table to enjoy sea view dining,
plus some small grassed areas with sunloungers
to relax on.
beach: By the sea, large beach 4km (Lido di Noto)
restaurantS: 200m, Lido di Noto 4km
shops: Lido di Noto 4km
main town: Lido di Noto 4km
This is an idyllic location; so close to a natural
stretch of the island’s south east coastline, hear the
waves lapping, relax and make the most of the
sea air...
Layout
Lounge, dining room, kitchen, double bedroom with en-suite
shower room, double bedroom, twin bedroom, two shower
rooms, terrace with covered seating area.
facilities
Barbecue, outdoor shower, washing machine, dishwasher,
microwave, two televisions with satellite receiver, DVD & CD
player, air-conditioning/heating, parking. Electricity is inclusive up to
200Kwh per week, for further information, see page 60.
The quiet village of Calabernardo has a couple of
restaurants and a grocery shop, with Lido di Noto
only 4km away with shops, restaurants and a
large beach. The historic baroque town of Noto,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is only 8km
away and the nature reserve of Vendicari is only
10km away. The historic town of Syracuse with its
2 APR – 27 MAy
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jul – 29 jul
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
6
B+B
4
c
2
B
£609
£670
£906
£862
£1015
£1573
£729
£820
£1145
£939
£1115
£1742
£655
£740
£1045
£1026
£1262
£2065
£721
£838
£1242
£1095
£1364
£2270
£798
£940
£1446
£1163
£1466
£2475
£655
£740
£1045
£895
£1065
£1672
£609
£670
£906
£803
£926
£1394
property only
£810
£1168
£1088
£1481
£1891
£1088
£810
37
Val di noto & The south east | Syracuse
hotel | 97 rooms
Deluxe room
Grand Hotel Minareto 5★
web id: S Y G M
private beach | stunning views of syracuse | waterfront luxury
The Grand Hotel Minareto offers a unique
prospect being the only luxury hotel in the
Plemmerio Marine Nature Reserve. It combines
a spectacular setting with excellent service and
facilities in stylishly contemporary surroundings.
The promontory on which the Minareto sits is
a thing of wonder, with swathes of lush carob,
olive and palm trees giving way to hidden coves
and crystal clear waters – not to mention the
views beyond, across the water to Ortigia and
the brooding drama of Mount Etna. There are
two beach areas, one sandy cove and one rocky
outcrop, readily equipped with parasols and
sunbeds, so you can really make the most of
the views and the cool sea breeze. And being a
marine reserve, the opportunities for snorkelling
really shouldn’t be missed.
All the bedrooms are elegantly furnished and
well equipped, with private balconies making
the absolute best of the dazzling surroundings.
The hotel has two restaurants, Nesos and
Titanic, offering a mix of Sicilian delicacies and
Mediterranean dishes; the roof garden is
particularly stunning throughout the summer
months. There are also two bars where you can
enjoy drinks by the pool or under the canopy of
the stars on the Minareto terrace, plus a wine
house offering a glass, or two!
Out and about, the hotel operates a shuttle
service to the city of Syracuse, where you’ll find
countless layers of cultural history to pick through
and you can catch a boat (payable locally) to
Ortigia, the old centre of Syracuse and true sight
to behold – a visit to this city is an absolute must.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: By the beach
Restaurants: On-site, Syracuse 9km
Shops: Syracuse 9km
Main town: Syracuse 9km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool. Two restaurants: Nesos and Titanic. Two bars:
Minareto and Poolside. Wine house, spa, gym, Wi-Fi in communcal
areas, bicycles, complimentary shuttle service to Syracuse, water
taxi to the island of Ortigia (payable locally approx £20pp), private
section of the beach.
facilities in room
En-suite shower room, LCD television, safe, minibar, hairdryer,
internet connection, air-conditioning.
CLASSIC ROOM
1 apr – 30 apr
1 may – 30 Jun
1 Jul – 27 aug
28 Aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 30 oct
1 Week
£927
£1462
£68
£1073
£1752
£90
£1356
£2320
£133
£1073
£1752
£90
£927
£1462
£68
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
38
hotel | 76 rooms
Superior room
Des Ètrangers Hotel & Spa 5★
Des Ètrangers is something a little bit special,
combining a beautiful location – on the fabled
island of Ortigia – with fantastic architecture,
sumptuous furnishings and some truly excellent
levels of service.
Garden offers fabulous Mediterranean cuisine
with views over the ancient Ortigian rooftops to
the glittering sea beyond. Relax in Bar Sabot and
La Pergola Terrace and enjoy cocktails under the
stars. The hotel also has a spa and wellness centre
with a Jacuzzi, sauna, an ice fall and offers various
aromatherapy treatments and massages.
The hotel is housed in two neoclassical Sicilian
buildings, complete with all the elegant finery
that characterizes the style: gilded ceilings, cool
marble flooring and a real attention to detail in
the ubiquitous stucco work. The restoration
work really is second to none. The bedrooms are
beautifully decorated combining personal touches
with a subtle blend of contempoary design, and all
benefit from views of Ortigia or across the gulf.
When you want to get out and about, Ortigia is
almost a miracle of architecture and atmosphere
– it’s no wonder the whole site has been given
UNESCO World Heritage status. Take a stroll
along the bustling cobbled streets and marvel and
the remarkable Piazza Duomo, a masterpiece of
baroque architecture lined with restaurants and
home to its stunning cathedral.
There are numerous choices for eating and
drinking within the hotel: La Medusa restaurant
provides breakfasts in a charming setting, the Roof
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: S Y D E
beautifully restored buildings | located on the island of ortigia
beach: Punta del Pero 10km
shops: In Syracuse
main town: In Syracuse
facilities in hotel
Two restaurants: La Medusa and Roof Garden. Three bars: Rooftop,
La Pergola and Bar Sabot. Spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, ice
fall, Turkish bath, massage treatments, fitness room and a personal
trainer on request, reading room.
facilities in room
En-suite shower or bathroom, bathrobes, LCD television with
satellite channels, minibar, hairdryer, air-conditioning.
CLASSIC ROOM
1 Apr – 10 Apr
11 apr – 30 Jun
1 Jul – 7 jul
8 jul – 21 Aug
22 aug – 31 Aug
1 Sep – 31 Oct
1 Week
£861
£1330
£58
£977
£1561
£75
£861
£1330
£58
£977
£1561
£75
£861
£1330
£58
£977
£1561
£75
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
39
hotel | 32 rooms
Comfort room
Hotel Borgo Pantano 4★
web id: S Y B P
rural location | delightful restaurant
Located just outside the historic town of Syracuse,
Borgo Pantano is a character property with a
pretty, rural setting and friendly, welcoming staff.
The hotel is a great base for couples looking to
explore this beautiful part of Sicily, making the most
of the owners’ expert knowledge of the area.
The free form pool is bound to be a real focus of
your stay at the Borgo Pantano and it’s a wonderful
prospect: broad, open and surrounded by lemon
trees, hammocks and sunbeds. Quite the place to
spend the day, lounging, taking in the odd drink,
watching the sun set... Should you need some
pampering, the hotel also has a wellness centre
with a Jacuzzi, a sauna and specialist massages such
as chocolate and almond oils.
decorated using Sicilian fabrics. The hotel excellent
gastronomic restaurant, Luigi Capuana, serves
a range of Sicilian dishes prepared using locallysourced produce. The restaurant terrace is a real
delight as is the rich, delicious breakfast served
every morning including home-made cakes, sweets
and freshly squeezed Sicilian orange juice. During
the summer you can enjoy lunch by the pool.
In terms of exploring the local area, Borgo Pantano
is ideally placed. You can easily get to the centre of
Syracuse and the ‘must see’ beautiful old town of
Ortigia. The area of Val di Noto is also only a short
drive away with its stunning baroque towns.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
beach: 12km
restaurantS: On-site, Syracuse 7km
shops: Syracuse 7km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, pool bar, gastronomic restaurant Luigi Capuana,
wellness centre, fitness centre, indoor games room. Payable locally:
tour guides, wine tasting, shuttle service, boat, raft and scooter
rentals, baby-sitting.
facilities in room
En-suite shower room, LCD television, DVD player, safe, minibar,
hairdryer, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, air-conditioning.
Named after famous Sicilian poets and artists, the
32 bedrooms are unique in style and elegantly
CLASSIC ROOM
1 apr – 15 May
16 may – 14 Jul
15 Jul – 21 aug
22 Aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£868
£1343
£59
£891
£1389
£62
£964
£1535
£73
£891
£1389
£62
£868
£1343
£59
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
40
Val di noto & The south east | Ispica
hotel | 7 rooms
Relais Torre Marabino 4★
web id: rgtm
New for 2016 | small character hotel | tranquil countryside setting
Located amid stunning Sicilian countryside an
hour from Syracuse and set within a historical
stone tower dating from the 1500s, Relais Torre
Marabino is as fascinating as it is elegant. In addition
to its beautiful rooms and quality services, the
hotel also specialises in agritourism, working with
its organic farm which delivers local produce and
renowned regional wine to the on-site restaurant.
start a new day, before heading for a generous
breakfast on the patio in the beautiful gardens.
The afternoon can be spent relaxing by the
inviting pool or in the Jacuzzi, though others may
feel tempted by a trip to the beach. The nearby
town of Ispica is a must for some sight-seeing with
wonderful examples of baroque architecture.
Within the walls of the beautiful hotel you’ll
discover many original features which maintain
the building’s distinctive character, while within the
seven bedrooms the original décor and furnishing
continue to transport you to a bygone era.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: 5km
Restaurants: On-site, 5km
Shops: Ispica 5km
Main town: Ispica 5km
facilities in hotel
Pool and separate whirlpool, gourmet restaurant La Moresca,
breakfast terrace, organic farm, wine cellar.
facilities in room
En-suite shower room, satellite television, minibar, air-conditioning,
safe, telephone, Wi-Fi.
Each of the seven bedrooms are named after fine
wines available from the hotel’s cellar. Absorbing
the breathtaking views across the Sicilian
landscape from your room is the perfect way to
Superior
1 apr – 30 Apr
1 may – 31 MAY
1 Jun – 31 aug
1 sep – 30 sep
1 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£894
£1396
£63
£947
£1502
£71
£974
£1554
£75
£947
£1502
£71
£894
£1396
£63
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
41
Val di noto & The south east | Ragusa
hotel | 19 rooms
Deluxe room
Eremo della Giubiliana 5★
web id: R G E G
new for 2016 | historic converted convent
A stay at the Eremo della Giubiliana will make you
part of this building’s rich history, one which starts
as far back as the 12th century amid the Hyblean
plateaus of southern Sicily. Beginning life as an
ecclesiastical feudal hold of Renna, over the last
900 years the convent building has served as an
Arab home, a defensive fortress and as host to
the Knights of the Order of San Giovanni. Today
the building functions as a 5-star, luxurious hotel,
though the heritage remains in the retention of
authentic features.
furniture, iron beds and original household goods
that define these gloriously-authentic bedrooms.
Local produce is an important concept at the
Eremo, something experienced in the superb
on-site restaurant, Don Eusebio, while a cooking
course under the watchful eye of its head chef will
teach you more about these local flavours.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
Beach: 13km
Restaurants: On-site, 13km
Shops: Ragusa 13km
Main town: Ragusa 13km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, restaurant Don Eusebio, wine cellar The Crypt,
bicycles, bar, Wi-Fi, parking, room service. Payable locally: culinary
school, Asphodelus wellness area, laundry, baby-sitting.
A prime location allows for exploration around
the area, with the fascinating old city of Ragusa
and the beaches of Marina de Ragusa within a
short drive of the hotel.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, satellite television, telephone,
minibar, safe, air-conditioning.
Ancient pitch stone features prominently
throughout the building and its 19 bedrooms
and suites, once serving as cells in the convent.
Each bedroom is unique, and although they
feature modern comforts such as televisions and
air-conditioning, they also have the old-style Sicilian
CLASSIC ROOM
1 apr – 31 May
1 Jun – 5 aug
6 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£1099
£1805
£94
£1007
£1620
£80
£1099
£1805
£94
£1007
£1620
£80
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
42
Val di noto & The south east | Marina di ragusa
hotel | 15 rooms
La Moresca Maison de Charme 4★
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: R G L M
new for 2016 | restored moorish tower
Stay amid the stylish and attractive features of a
restored Liberty style townhouse just a stone’s
throw from the beach and in a prime location for
exploring the fascinating locations discovered in
the south of Sicily. La Moresca Maison de Charme
is a recently-restored hotel maintaining several
original features while incorporating modernist
touches throughout the overall décor.
morning, sourcing local and regional products to
deliver a comprehensive flavour of the region.
Several intriguing day trips can be experienced
with La Moresca as your base. The historical
old town of Ragusa is a fascinating stop with its
immense Duomo, the stunning church of San
Giorgio. The awe-inspiring UNESCO city of
Modica is also within easy reach by car.
14 double bedrooms and one tower duplex
bedroom benefit from classic bed and breakfast
service in the heart of Marina di Ragusa, a
charming seaside resort boasting beaches, bars
and eateries aplenty. Each bedroom showcases
its own unique qualities, all finished with original
furnishings and contemporary decoration to result
in a breathtaking mix of old and new. A traditional
buffet-style Sicilian breakfast awaits you each
Beach: 250m
Shops: 450m
Main town: Ragusa 25km
facilities in hotel
Internet point. Payable locally: laundry, sewing workshop, babysitting, concierge, valet parking.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, satellite television, radio, telephone,
safe, small fridge, butler service, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
1 Apr – 31 Oct
Double room
La torre ROOM
1 Week
£1290
£2188
£123
£1927
£3462
£214
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
43
Val di noto & The south east | Ragusa
hotel | 202 rooms
Deluxe room
Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa 5★
Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa is a prestigious
and well-renowned resort and a real paradise for
couples. It mixes exceptional service and excellent
facilities in a spectacular setting.
Donnafugata boasts two 18-hole championship
courses – one Parkland, designed by Gary Player
and one Links, created by the architect Franco
Piras – and the surroundings are beautiful. There
is also the golf academy, the Darren Clarke
Centre of Excellence, offering lessons for golfers
of all skills, from beginners to experts.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: R G D F
two 18-hole golf courses | luxury spa resort
Enjoy breakfast on Il Fico d’India terrace under the
warm morning sun and dine in Il Carrubo, which
serves a mix of local and Mediterranean dishes.
In terms of venturing further afield you won’t be
at a loss for things to do. The seaside locations
such as Marina di Ragusa, Randello, Punta Secca
and Sampieri are all close by and the stunning
World Heritage Sites of Val di Noto, Modica
and Scicli are also just a short drive away – the
setting of the famous Italian series ‘Inspector
Montalbano’.
The resort comprises elegant bedrooms with a
classy, contemporary feel, a pool, well-equipped
fitness centre and a large spa and wellness centre
with stunning views over the park. The spa
offers a range of treatments from aromatherapy
massages, holistic and osteopathic therapies, to
mud treatments and specialist facials.
beach: Marina di Ragusa 8km
restaurantS: On-site, Ragusa 26km
shops: Ragusa 26km
main town: Ragusa 26km
facilities in hotel
Large swimming pool. Three restaurants: Il Fico d’India, Club House
19th Hole and Il Carrubo. Wine bar, Wi-Fi (in reception areas),
fitness centre, Darren Clarke Centre of Excellence Golf Academy,
shuttle service to the beach at Marina di Ragusa (sunloungers and
parasols payable locally).
Payable locally: two 18-hole championship golf-courses (Parkland
and Links), SPA & wellness centre.
facilities in room
En-suite facilities, satellite television, safe, minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi,
air-conditioning.
CLASSIC ROOM
1 Apr – 28 Jul
29 Jul – 20 aug
21 aug – 31 oct
1 Week
£1109
£1825
£95
£1261
£2129
£118
£1109
£1825
£95
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
1 and 2 week package prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing stated room type and include flights and car hire. For hotel only please use the extra night prices. For flight and car hire details see p58-59.
44
hotel | 102 rooms
Deluxe room
I Monasteri Golf Resort 4★
web id: S Y M G
great for golfers and non-golfers | elegant grounds
I Monasteri is a charming golf resort and spa, set in
a lovingly restored Benedectine monastery deep in
classic Sicilian countryside and near to the historic
city of Syracuse.
The beautiful architecture of the buildings fits
neatly into the roll of the countryside with its
orange groves, citrus and myrtle; and the way the
golf course has been expertly blended in without
appearing ostentatious. The spa is a real treat,
with Thalasso treatments, massages, a hot tub,
Turkish bath and a sauna. You’ll be hard pushed
to tear yourself away... The pool has lovely views
of the grounds, as do the restaurant terraces,
where you can sample exquisite Sicilian delicacies.
There’s also a cosy courtyard area for breakfast
and three bars where you can make the most of
some pre-dinner cocktails.
The bedrooms are elegantly arranged and offer
different views of the complex – many with
private terraces and some with balconies.
For days out, there is plenty to see in the local
area including the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
of Syracuse and the lovely baroque towns of the
Val di Noto.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
beach: 16km
restaurantS: On-site, Syracuse 17km
shops: Syracuse 17km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool (open 01/06-30/09), 18-hole golf course and
lessons (payable locally), clubhouse and pro shop. Two restaurants:
I Monasteri and Il Golf. Three bars, spa and wellness centre, Wi-Fi,
shuttle service to beach, parking.
facilities in room
En-suite shower room, television, telephone, safe, minibar,
hairdryer, air-conditioning.
CLASSIC ROOM
1 Apr – 30 Jun
1 Jul – 30 sep
1 oct – 31 oct
1 Week
£944
£1495
£70
£993
£1594
£78
£944
£1495
£70
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
45
Western Sicily © Gandolfo Cannatella / Shutterstock
Northern Sicily © Rolf E.Staerk / Shutterstock
46
Southern Sicily © Silky / Shutterstock
introducing Southern, Western & northern sicily
Southern, Western,
& Northern
The rest of Sicily is full of ancient ruins
and World Heritage Sites, hill-top villages,
stunning sea and mountain scenery,
charming fishing villages, nature reserves
and of course the capital Palermo with its
stunning baroque architecture, cathedrals
and street markets.
Southern Sicily
Sicily’s best known archaeological site is the Valley
of the Temples and a whole day can easily be spent
here. The highlight has to be the beautiful Tempio
della Concordia, one of the best preserved Greek
temples anywhere.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site is further
inland at Piazza Armerina, namely the spectacular 4th
century mosaics at the newly re-opened Villa Romana
del Casale. Around Agrigento is some lovely unspoilt
coastline and beaches including the impressive beauty
spot of the Turkish Steps. Continuing west you’ll find
the Riserva Naturale Torre Salsa, the ruins of Eraclea
Minoa and the beaches of this striking coastline which
stretches to the spa town of Sciacca. This is the place
to spoil yourself with a massage or beauty treatment.
While here stroll around the handsome historic
centre, then head to the port for a tasty fish lunch. In
the wild interior of desolate peaks and sleepy valleys
the pace of life slows down and traditions live on.
The hilltop town of Enna, has a stunning medieval
centre and equally stunning views.
Western Sicily
Lured by its abundant fishing grounds, hillside
vineyards and coastal salt pans many invaders have
left their mark in western Sicily. Not to be missed
attractions include the ancient ruins of Segesta,
principally the Doric temple and the mountain
side amphitheatre, the views above which are
magnificent. At Selinunte, on the south coast, you’ll
find magical historic sites including a number of
temples, the ancient city itself and the acropolis. Both
here and throughout the south west of the island,
there are many fine beaches. Heading north along
the coast, wine lovers will enjoy visiting vineyards and
touring the famous wine cellars around Marsala.
The harbour town of Trapani, with its maze of
narrow streets in its Moorish centre, also has
many fine examples of baroque architecture and is
overlooked by the impressive, mountaintop medieval
town of Erice, worth visiting for the views alone. In the north west you’ll find the famous beach of San
Vito Lo Capo, a sweeping bay of fine white sand,
and the fabulous hiking country of Lo Zingaro Nature
Reserve, which also has some lovely secluded coves.
Northern Sicily
Palermo is full of history, wonderful architecture,
museums, two opera houses and plenty of shops
and restaurants. It’s also known for its excellent street
food, reputed to be among the best in the world.
The Arab-Norman features and cathedral churches
on Monreale and Cefalù are now a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and are a must see. Heading east from
Palermo, picture postcard Cefalù with its narrow
Palermo airport
San vito
lo capo
Trapani
Palermo
CefalÙ
Collesano
eNNA
Sciacca
Caltanissetta
Agrigento
Gela
cobbled streets, impressive cathedral and long sandy
beach with the imposing rocky outcrop of La Rocca
forming a dramatic backdrop, is one of Sicily’s most
well-known resorts. Between here and Palermo
you’ll find many lovely sandy beaches, all of which are
very popular throughout the summer.
Inland you’ll find a cooler, quieter Sicily on the slopes
of Monti Madonie, a natural park with numerous
excellent hiking routes and picturesque, historic hilltop
towns and villages. It’s an area also known for its
excellent traditional restaurants, as is Parco Naturale
dei Nebrodi, a vast region of forests and mountain
pastures, with many remote villages that few visitors
to the island discover.
Driving Distances
Palermo airport > Agrigento
180km (2 hours)
Palermo airport > San Vito Lo Capo
88km (1hour 20mins)
Palermo airport > Cefalù
Palermo airport > Sciacca
47
Western sicily | buseto palizzolo
Villa Colline
Standard
VERY COMFORTABLE
amazing countryside views | fantastic pool
extras included
- Welcome pack
- Midweek cleaning
web id: B P V C
Villa Colline exudes Sicilian charm and character,
tucked away in the Trapani countryside overlooking
a vista of rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves.
to the inviting infinity pool, where the panoramic
countryside views are simply sublime.
beach: 18km
restaurantS: Buseto Palizzolo 7km
If you can tear yourself away from this idyllic setting,
Villa Colline is the perfect base for exploring the
west coast: from the beautiful beaches of Cornino,
Macari and San Vito Lo Capo to the medieval
village of Erice and the ancient ruins at Segesta.
This semi-detached villa harmoniously mixes
modern and traditional styles using local stone,
whitewashed walls and bare wooden beams.
Bright and airy, the open-plan interior is arranged
over one floor including a lounge with fireplace,
well-equipped kitchen, dining room and three
double bedrooms. For larger groups, the first
floor can also be opened up at an additional
charge consisting of a fourth bedroom with an
en-suite bathroom.
shops: Buseto Palizzolo 7km
main town: Valderice 11km
airport: Palermo 77km
Layout
Ground floor: Lounge with fireplace, living room with sofa
bed, dining room, kitchen, laundry, double/twin bedroom with
small terrace, shower room, double bedroom with en-suite
shower, double bedroom with single bed with en-suite shower.
This property is not recommended for young children
due to unguarded drops by the pool.
First floor: Double/twin bedroom with en-suite bath and shower
(available on request and at extra cost).
facilities
Private pool (10m x 4.5m, depth 1.2m-2.2m), barbecue, external
shower, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, oven (electric),
fridge, freezer, hairdryer, five televisions, CD player, DVD player, Hi-Fi, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, parking. Private chef available on
Large bay windows open onto the sun-drenched
terrace and veranda, where you are sure to spend
most of your time. From here, steps lead down
2 APR – 27 MAy
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jul – 29 jul
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
6
B+B
4
c
2
B
£813
£971
£1497
£1306
£1671
£2864
£979
£1185
£1855
£1435
£1840
£3151
£892
£1090
£1735
£1465
£1910
£3342
£989
£1235
£2026
£1662
£2205
£3932
£1088
£1384
£2324
£1761
£2354
£4230
£892
£1090
£1735
£1368
£1765
£3051
£813
£971
£1497
£1210
£1527
£2577
property only
£1973
£2547
£2447
£3029
£3626
£2447
£1973
48
49
western sicily | Buseto palizzolo
Villa del Vino
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
VERY COMFORTABLE
wonderful outdoor areas | ideal for groups
web id: B P V V
living and opens onto a large dining room, ideal
for leisurely dinners. To try some taster menus
with local wines, why not hire a private chef?
Villa del Vino is a beautifully converted farmhouse
located on the outskirts of Buseto Palizzolo, a
quaint rural hill town. With spectacular views
over the neighbouring vineyards and across the
surrounding countryside, del Vino is ideal for
groups of friends or extended families wanting an
authentic Sicilian getaway.
restaurantS: Buseto Palizzolo 1km
shops: Buseto Palizzolo 1km
Outside, the beautiful countryside views can be
enjoyed from the inviting swimming pool with
Jacuzzi area and the large cobbled terrace which
wraps around the villa. With many seating areas
and ample shade and sun throughout the day, you are sure to while away the hours here, a book in hand.
Inside, the villa has been tastefully decorated in
a charming Mediterranean style with local stone,
exposed wooden beams and rich terracotta
colours as well as many elegant furnishings. Set over two floors, there is ample space for
larger parties with a spacious living room with
fireplace, second sitting room and five double
bedrooms with a further three bedrooms (at an
extra cost) for groups of up to 14. The small,
traditional kitchen is well equipped for holiday
2 APR – 27 MAy
beach: 15km
main town: Buseto Palizzolo 1km
Layout
Ground floor: Living room with fireplace, lounge, study with sofa
bed and en-suite, small kitchen, dining room, laundry room, shower
room, two double bedrooms with en-suite, twin bedroom with
en-suite.
First floor: Tea room with kitchenette, two double bedrooms with
en-suite. Double bedroom with single bed and en-suite, two single
bedrooms with en-suite (available on request and at extra cost).
For those who can tear themselves away from
the pool, the local area is rich in places of interest
just waiting to be discovered. Why not visit the
impressive mountaintop medieval town of Erice
with stunning views over Trapani or visit one of
the many vineyards and sample the local Marsala?
28 May – 3 Jun
4 Jun – 1 Jul
2 jul – 29 jul
facilities
Private pool with Jacuzzi corner (12m x 6m, depth 1.30-2.30m)
barbecue, external shower, dishwasher, washing machine,
microwave, oven (electric), hairdryer, fireplace, piano, safe, eight
LCD televisions, CD Player, DVD Player, computer, mini-fridge
in each bedroom, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning. Private chef available on
30 JuL – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
10
D+D
8
c+C
6
B+B
£775
£853
£981
£1171
£1341
£1620
£890
£983
£1134
£1266
£1449
£1746
£820
£910
£1057
£1347
£1562
£1914
£961
£1086
£1292
£1583
£1857
£2307
£1056
£1205
£1450
£1678
£1975
£2465
£820
£910
£1057
£1206
£1386
£1680
£775
£853
£981
£1115
£1271
£1527
property only
£2922
£3481
£3381
£4789
£5738
£3381
£2922
50
southern sicily | agrigento
hotel | 25 rooms
Villa suite
Villa Athena 5★
You’d be forgiven for thinking this hotel is really
all about the position – and it is a breathtaking
location facing the Valley of the Temples, and yet
Villa Athena more than holds its own in terms of
a hotel experience, with elegant décor, welldesigned rooms, excellent service and a couple of
very good restaurants.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: A O VA
outstanding views of the temple of concordia
You’ll be hard pushed to tear yourself away from all
this, but if you want to explore the area, there are
some fantastic beaches including the lively seaside
resort at San Leone and the Scala dei Turchi, white
marlstone cliffs forming a natural staircase.
beach: 6km
restaurantS: On-site, Agrigento 6km
shops: Agrigento 6km
main town: Agrigento 6km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, gardens, Terrazza degli Dei restaurant. Two bars:
Bar Federico II and Poolside bar, Wi-Fi, parking.
The gardens are lush and well kept and perfect
for a stroll – and the views are quite something.
The pool is set in the gardens and you can enjoy a
lazy swim while taking in the sight of the fabulous
architecture. The hotel’s restaurant enjoys a good
reputation; eating on the Terrazza degli Dei looking
across the valley is an absolutely unique treat. Bar
Federico II is set in the colonnade; a special setting
for cocktails and drinks. There is also a poolside bar
for light lunches and evening drinks.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, television, telephone, safe, minibar,
hairdryer, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
1 apr – 31 oct
superior room
Junior suite
deluxe room
1 Week
£1656
£2920
£178
£1775
£3158
£195
£1831
£3270
£203
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
51
Southern sicily | sciacca
hotel | 203 rooms
Superior Deluxe
Verdura Resort 5★
web id: A O V G
Private beach | two championship golf courses | top class facilities
The Rocco Forte Verdura Resort is a prestigious
and well-established gem, offering fabulous
facilities, exceptional service and access to one of
the most beautiful and culturally rich areas of Sicily.
The superb resort is located on the southern
coast of Sicily, close to the lovely seaside town
of Sciacca and set in rolling countryside giving
way to a private sandy beach. Housed in lovingly
restored ancient buildings, all refurbished with
local materials, the resort boasts a beautiful
60-metre infinity pool, six tennis courts, a kid’s
club and an extensive spa in addition to the two
Kyle Phillips’s designed 18-hole championship golf
courses, and another 9-hole course.
There are four restaurants offering a range of
dining options. Try Liolà, near the Terra Verdura
fort serving Mediterranean cuisine with a Sicilian
flavour accompanied by beautiful views of the
sea from its terrace. There is also restaurant
Amare, with its reputation for offering the finest of
seafood – perfect for a special or romantic dinner.
All the smart bedrooms are modern and stylishly
decorated and include walk in showers and a
range of breathtaking sea views from each private
furnished terrace or balcony.
All this and you’re within easy reach of a beautiful
stretch of the Sicilian coastline, where you’ll find a
range of golden beaches and hidden coves.
You can also drive to the oustanding Valley of the
Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and
one of the finest examples of Greater Greek art
and architecture anywhere in the Mediterranean.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
- Full Board available
beach: By the beach
restaurantS: On-site, Sciacca 14km
shops: Sciacca 14km
main town: Sciacca 14km
airports: Palermo 120km, Catania 200km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool, kids’ club (4-12 yrs), baby-sitting (payable locally).
Four restaurants: Zagara, Amare, Liola and Buon Giorno. Five bars,
two championship golf courses and one 9-hole course (payable
locally), junior golf academy (payable locally), tennis academy
(payable locally), spa, gym with with range of classes (some are
payable locally), complimentary bicycle hire, water sports (payable
locally), cooking, wine tasting and mixology courses (payable locally),
Juventus Soccer School Jul-Sept (payable locally), Rocco Forte
Journeys concierge service to arrange and tailormake your stay.
Private section of beach.
facilities in room
En-suite bathroom with shower, bathrobes, television, telephone,
safe, minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, balcony or terrace
with sea view.
DELUXE ROOM
1 apr – 30 apr
1 may – 30 jun
4 Sep – 31 Oct
1 jul – 17 Jul
27 aug – 3 sep
18 Jul – 5 aug
20 aug – 26 aug
6 aug – 19 aug
1 Week
£1241
£2089
£115
£1604
£2815
£170
£2066
£3740
£240
£2396
£4400
£291
£2611
£4829
£323
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
52
53
northern sicily | palermo
hotel | 116 rooms
Classic room
Grand Hotel Villa Igiea 5★
Situated in a beautiful, historic garden overlooking
the Marina and the Gulf of Palermo, this elegant
hotel offers state-of-the-art facilities and renowned
gastronomic dining.
Redesigned in the late 19th century by Art
Nouveau architect Ernesto Basile, this lovely hotel
still retains many of the original frescoes, detailing
and furniture. The bedrooms are decorated in
keeping with the hotel’s past, combined with
modern comforts. In the evening, enjoy a predinner cocktail in the stunning Bar des Arcades
before enjoying the exquisitely presented cuisine
of Cuvée du Jour. This gourmet restaurant offers
a superb tasting menu designed by the executive
chef, matched with wines from their prestigious
collection. Restaurant Donna Franca Florio
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: pmvi
wATERFRONT LUXURY | Sublime cuisine | close to palermo
overlooks the sea, serving an excellent range of
Mediterranean specialities.
Relax by the pool and make use of the great range
of leisure activities and excursions that the hotel
offers, from a romantic sunset cruise to a walking
tour of historic Palermo or even a cooking class
with their award-winning chef learning to prepare
traditional Sicilian cuisine.
The shuttle bus to Palermo’s centre also gives
plenty to do right on your doorstep, with a
wonderful base to return to after immersing
yourself in city life.
beach: 10km
restaurantS: On-site, Palermo 3km
shops: Palermo 3km
main town: Palermo 3km
facilities in hotel
Swimming pool. Two restaurants: Cuvee du Jour and Donna Franca
Florio. Two bars: Des Arcades lounge bar and Poolside grill bar.
Fitness centre, Wi-Fi areas, limited parking, shuttle service into city
centre. Payable locally: beauty corner centre, floodlit tennis courts,
private yacht mooring, private concierge service to arrange and
tailormake your stay.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, hairdryer, television, telephone,
minibar, safe, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi (payable locally).
classic room
1 apr – 30 apr
1 may – 31 oct
1 Week
£960
£1528
£73
£1125
£1858
£98
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
54
Northern sicily | palermo
hotel | 32 rooms
Junior suite
Hotel Principe di Villafranca 4★
The Principe di Villafranca is a friendly boutiquestyle city hotel, notable for its clean, contemporary
style and its fantastic location in the historic heart of
the old city of Palermo.
The hotel has a chic, modern feel with many
personal touches including original paintings by
local artists giving a real sense of intimacy. The 32
bedrooms are thoughtfully designed with signature
beds, wooden floors and comfortable furnishings.
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: P M V F
in the historic centre of palermo | boutique property
you can relax and enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif
after a day of sight-seeing. There are of course
an abundunce of fabulous restaurants in Palermo,
many of which are right on your doorstep. You’ll also find numerous exclusive boutiques,
and the beating heart of the old city just a short
distance away. It’s a great location from which
to explore this quintessential Sicilian city and the
many layers of culture and history that make it
rightly famous worldwide.
There is also a readily accessible library and
reading room, which adds a studious feel and a
fitness room and a private garage – all features
that make the Villafranca perfect for a city holiday.
beach: 11km
shops: 400m
main town: In Palermo
facilities in hotel
Restaurant Il Principe e l’Oste, lounge bar, fitness room, library, lift,
private car park (payable locally).
facilities in room
En-suite bathroom or shower room, television, telephone, safe,
minibar, hairdryer, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning.
The hotel’s restaurant, Il Principe e l’Oste, serves
a mixture of contemporary and Sicilian cuisine
and there is a refined bar and lounge area where
Superior ROOM
1 apr – 30 jun
1 Jul – 30 aug
31 aug – 31 oct
1 Week
£927
£1425
£76
£861
£1293
£66
£927
£1425
£76
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
55
Northern sicily | campofelice di rocella
hotel | 224 rooms
Deluxe room
Acacia Resort 4★
The Acacia Resort, set by the sea in northern
Sicily, is a lively prospect, full of vibrancy and bustle
and perfect for families looking for a hotel and
beach based holiday.
The resort is surrounded by lush, spacious
grounds and has a beautiful twin backdrop of hills
and coastline. All the bedrooms are bright and
modern in style, and have a terrace with views of
either the gardens or the pool area.
Along with the pool, children’s pool and the
beach, there are plenty of activities on offer,
including a children’s club and a playground. If that
isnt enough there is also table tennis, volleyball,
mini football, tennis courts, mini golf and even
cookery classes.
Standard room
1 Week
2 Weeks
EXTRA NIGHT
extras included
- Bed & Breakfast
web id: cfac
private beach | plenty of activities | beautiful gardens
After all that activity, the spa and wellness centre
gives you the chance to unwind in the sauna and steam room with outdoor massages and
beauty treatments available. In terms of dining
there is the on-site Restaurant Sala Angurie,
offering local specialities and of an evening there is
music and dancing.
If you want to venture further afield, there is the fabulous fishing town of Cefalù just a short
drive away as is the striking Madonie Natural Park with numerous hiking routes and picturesque
hilltop villages.
beach: By the beach
restaurantS: On-site, Cefalù 16km
shops: Cefalù 16km
main town: Cefalù 16km
facilities in hotel
Large pool and children’s pool, spa and wellness centre, fitness
centre, restaurant. Two bars: The Globe and The Pool bar.
Children’s club (4-12yrs), Wi-Fi in communal areas, table tennis,
volleyball, mini football, private section of beach.
Payable locally: tennis, mini golf, cookery classes, daily shuttle to
Cefalù and Palermo.
facilities in room
En-suite bath or shower room, LCD satellite television, telephone, safe, minibar, hairdryer, air-conditioning, all rooms have a terrace or balcony.
22 apr – 20 May
24 Sep – 30 Oct
21 may – 17 Jun
3 sep – 23 sep
18 Jun – 29 jul
27 aug – 2 sep
30 jul – 5 Aug
6 aug – 19 aug
20 aug – 26 aug
£762
£1132
£42
£861
£1330
£58
£947
£1502
£71
£1059
£1726
£88
£1092
£1792
£93
£1059
£1726
£88
56
Northern sicily | Collesano
2 bedroom apartment | sleeps 4
Apartment Pino Marittimo
extras included
- Welcome pack
Standard
SIMPLE
tranquil setting | shared pool | fabulous views
web id: cnpm
Pino Marittimo is the ideal base from which
to explore northern Sicily. There are plenty of
opportunities for days out in the local area –
Cefalù with its narrow cobbled streets, bustling
piazzas and impressive Norman cathedral is only a
short drive as are an abundance of alluring golden
beaches with gently shelving waters.
Pino Marittimo is one of three apartments,
peacefully tucked away in the Sicilian countryside
and not far from the Madonie Natural Park.
Surrounded by beech trees and pines, the
apartment enjoys beautiful views over verdant
rolling hills and down towards the Tyrrhenian
coast below.
beach: 8km
restaurantS: Campofelice di Roccella 4km
shops: Campofelice di Roccella 4km
main town: Cefalù 25km
Layout
First floor: Lounge with dining area, kitchen, double bedroom with
en-suite bathroom, twin bedroom, shower room, large terrace.
Set on the first floor, it is furnished in a simple
Italian style with a small open-plan kitchen, a
lounge with dining area and two bedrooms. Patio
doors lead onto a large balcony where guests
can sip wine, sample local delicacies and gaze at
the starry skies after dark. From the property, a
short narrow path leads through Mediterranean
gardens onto the shared swimming pool where
the panoramic views are at their best.
2 APR – 29 Apr
facilities
Shared pool (16m x 8m, depth 1.2m-3m), barbecue, external
shower, washing machine, microwave, hairdryer, television, Wi-Fi,
air-conditioning (€70 per week, payable locally), parking.
30 Apr – 27 May
28 May – 3 Jun
4 jun – 24 jun
25 Jun – 26 aug
27 aug – 30 sep
1 oct – 29 oct
SLEEPS
CAR HIRE
1 week
2 WEEKs
1 week
2 weeks
1 Week
2 Weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
1 week
2 weeks
4
c
3
B
2
B
£627
£687
£820
£878
£1008
£1298
£665
£737
£895
£935
£1085
£1413
£745
£824
£995
£965
£1115
£1443
£665
£737
£895
£1011
£1186
£1564
£761
£865
£1087
£1107
£1314
£1756
£665
£737
£895
£915
£1059
£1373
£627
£687
£820
£840
£958
£1222
property only
£639
£789
£869
£789
£1172
£789
£639
For latest offers, please call our reservations team or visit our website.
57
Further information
Flights
Due to the large number of charter and scheduled flights into the island, we offer you the opportunity to
make your own travel arrangements if preferred or simply allow us to take care of it for you.
Flights to Sicily are operated by easyJet, Thomson
Airways and British Airways. Our expert team
will inform you of all options and costs available
so you can decide which itinerary best suits your
requirements. Airlines regularly update their prices
so until you confirm your booking, flight-inclusive
holiday prices will be given to you as an indication
only and supplements may apply. You should be
aware that if you arrange your own flights, it is your
responsibility should you encounter any delays,
cancellations or reschedules. If your flights have
been booked by us, then we will deal with such
issues as per our terms and conditions. Please note
if we are required to purchase flights, and you
cancel, any costs are non-refundable.
Children and infants
Infants aged under 2 on the date of return are not
allocated a seat by the airline and must be seated on
a parent’s lap. Children 2 and over are allocated an
airline seat. Should you require a seat for an infant,
then this can be purchased.
from
TO
AIRLINE
DAY
OPERATING
DATES
depart
Arrive
depart
Arrive
London Heathrow
Palermo
British Airways
Tue & Sat
30 Apr – 27 Sep
15.15
19.15
19.55
22.00
5
London Gatwick
Palermo
easyJet
Sat
2 Apr – 22 Oct
16.35
20.25
21.00
22.55
South
London Gatwick
Palermo
easyJet
Sun
22 May – 16 Oct
07.00
10.50
11.25
13.25
South
London Gatwick
Palermo
easyJet
Tue & Thu*
5 Apr – 20 Oct
14.05
17.55
18.30
20.30
South
London Gatwick
Catania
easyJet
Sat Early
2 Apr – 22 Oct
06.25
10.25
11.00
13.15
North
London Gatwick
Catania
easyJet
Sat Late*
18 Jun – 20 Oct
16.00
20.00
20.35
22.50
North
London Gatwick
Catania
easyJet
Sun
3 Apr – 23 Oct
11.40
15.40
16.15
18.30
North
London Gatwick
Catania
easyJet
Mon, Wed, Fri
4 Apr – 31 Oct
11.45
15.45
16.20
18.35
North
London Gatwick
Catania
easyJet
Tue & Thu
5 Apr – 25 Oct
06.25
10.25
11.00
13.15
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Sat
2 Apr – 22 Oct
16.00
19.55
20.45
22.55
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Sun
3 Apr – 23 Oct
14.50
18.50
19.50
21.50
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Mon
4 Apr – 31 Oct
14.45
18.45
19.45
21.55
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Tue
5 Apr – 25 Oct
15.10
19.00
20.05
22.15
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Wed
6 Apr – 26 Oct
16.55
20.55
21.50
23.55
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Thu
7 Apr – 27 Oct
07.20
11.20
12.20
14.35
North
London Gatwick
Catania
British Airways
Fri
1 Apr – 28 Oct
07.30
11.30
12.20
14.40
North
London Gatwick
Catania
Thomson
Sun
1 May – 30 Oct
06.00
10.00
11.05
13.25
North
Manchester
Catania
Thomson
Sun
1 May – 30 Oct
06.00
10.20
11.20
13.55
2
Manchester
Catania
easyJet
Sun
3 Apr – 30 Oct
06.20
10.40
11.15
13.45
1
Manchester
Catania
easyJet
Wed
6 Apr – 26 Oct
08.30
12.50
13.25
15.55
1
Birmingham
Catania
Thomson
Sun
29 May – 2 Oct
15.30
19.40
20.40
23.10
1
Bristol
Catania
easyJet
Mon & Fri
17 Jun – 2 Sep
05.50
10.05
10.40
13.00
Main
Luton
Catania
easyJet
Sun*
3 Apr – 30 Oct
07.05
11.10
11.45
14.05
Main
Luton
Catania
easyJet
Wed
6 Apr – 26 Oct
07.45
11.50
12.25
14.45
Main
OUTBOUND
INBOUND
Terminal
All our flight times are local. Sicily is 1 hour ahead of the UK. Flight details are correct at the time of going to press. If further flights become available they will be listed on our website. Flight supplements may apply and this
will be advised to you at the time of booking. * These flight times may alter during high season.
58
Further information
Car hire
Hiring a car is the best way to get out and about, giving you the freedom to explore the island of Sicily at your leisure.
Most of our self-catering properties are located
in the countryside, away from beaches and main
towns, so it is essential to have a car if you are
staying in one of these properties.
Taxis in Sicily can be very expensive and taxi drivers
generally don’t speak English. Please bear in mind
that there are limited number of vehicles in Sicily
and car hire is in great demand in July and August
particularly, so we suggest booking early to avoid
disappointment. Drivers must be at least 21 years
old and have held a full licence for at least 1 year.
They will need a valid credit card as a security
deposit on collection of the car.
We are happy to make car hire arrangements for
you and offer a flexible and competitively priced
service with Avis, our partner in Sicily. Alternatively,
transfers to our centrally located properties can be
arranged on request.
Our Sicily car hire prices include:
• Unlimited mileage
• Collision Damage Waiver (Excess applies)
• Theft Protection (Excess applies)
• One driver
• Air-conditioning
• Local taxes
Transfers
We are able to arrange transfers between the airport
and our hotels instead of car hire. Some of our hotels
include transfers instead of car hire due to their
location. On some occasions these are payable locally
to the hotel or the driver – we will advise you if this is
the case. Please call us for more details.
What’s not included
• Super Cover including Collision Damage Waiver
and Super Theft Protection from €25 per day.
• Child and baby seats: €75 each, payable locally
• Additional drivers: €8.50 per day, payable locally
• Young driver surcharge (21-25): €20 per day,
payable locally
• Hotel drop off and pick up
• One way rentals: €61, payable locally
• Fuel
© Nikiforov Alexander / Shutterstock
EARLY
7 DAYS
High
Late
EARLY
Extra DAYS
High
Late
1x
£154
£180
£154
£22
£26
£22
2x
1x
£168
£195
£168
£24
£28
£24
4x
2x
1x
£199
£230
£199
£28
£33
£28
Renault Captur Diesel
5x
2x
2x
£219
£254
£219
£31
£36
£31
E
Seat Leon
5x
2x
2x
£249
£290
£249
£36
£41
£36
F
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
5x
2x
2x
£288
£334
£288
£41
£48
£41
G
Citroen C4 Picasso Diesel
5x
2x
2x
£293
£339
£293
£42
£48
£42
H
Audi A4 Diesel
5x
2x
2x
£406
£471
£406
£58
£67
£58
I
Audi A3 Automatic
4x
2x
1x
£337
£391
£337
£48
£56
£48
J
Audi A1 Automatic
2x
1x
0x
£286
£332
£286
£41
£47
£41
K
Ford Galaxy
7x
2x
2x
£526
£610
£526
£75
£87
£75
L
Mercedes E200 Diesel Auto
5x
2x
2x
£491
£569
£491
£70
£81
£70
M
Fiat Scudo
9x
2x
2x
£537
£623
£537
£77
£89
£77
Grade
CAr Model or Similar
NO of People & luggage
A
Peugeot 108
2x
1x
B
Fiat Panda
3x
C
Renault Clio Diesel
D
Car models within a grade are shown as an indication and particular makes and models cannot be guaranteed. Price in £ based on 1 week hire. *High season dates: 18th June – 9th Sept 2016.
59
fUrThEr INformATIoN
A-Z
Things to
know before
you go...
access to accommodation
Access to self-catering properties is from 4pm on
the day of arrival, and on the day of departure the
accommodation must be vacated by 10am. The
owners and cleaners will need access without guests
present, to ensure it is properly cleaned and ready
for your holiday.
advance passenger information (api)
Most airlines require us to collect Advance
Passenger Information (API) for all passengers
(including infants) flying to and from the UK. Before
you travel we require full given names and surname,
nationality, travel document type, travel document
number, document expiry date, issuing country and
date of birth. These can be added via our website
or by calling us – please note we cannot issue your
travel documents without this information.
air-conditioning
Energy on Sicily is very expensive and some properties
are metered for its use. As part of our Sustainable
Tourism code we ask that air-conditioning should be
used sensibly, windows and doors should be kept
closed and the unit turned off when guests are out.
airport hotels, car parking and lounges
We can offer a range of hotels with or without
parking to suit all budgets located at or near your
departure airport. For your convenience we can
also pre-book access to
lounges at all our UK
airports. To check prices
please visit our website
SicilianPlaces.co.uk/HolidayExtras
Barbecues
If a property has a barbecue, it will be mentioned
in the property description. As the heat of the
summer months can often provoke fires, please use
barbecues sensibly.
Building works
Although minimal by Mediterranean standards,
resorts will experience some building work from
time to time and we will advise you prior to
departure of any that we feel will impact on your
holiday, as soon as we become aware. However,
we are not always informed in advance of work
carried out by third parties and have no control over
their plans. We will endeavour to find alternative
accommodation for you, although in some cases,
particularly in high season, this may not be possible.
Car hire insurance
If you would like extra insurance on your hire car
we offer inexpensive annual policies that allow
customers to claim back the excess charged by car
hire companies if your vehicle is damaged or stolen,
through our partners at insurance4carhire. Please
visit SicilianPlaces.co.uk/Car-hire-excess-waiver
City tax
Please note, a local city tax is payable on check
out at many hotels. This will be detailed at the time
of booking.
Cleaning
Our properties are cleaned for your arrival and
bed linen, bath and hand towels are provided at
the beginning of your stay. We provide each of our
properties with general cleaning products and we
ask our guests to do a minimal clean to include
cleaning of surfaces, cleaning barbecue, clearing
perishable food away and disposing of all rubbish,
leaving all crockery washed up and put away before
they vacate their property. Failing to do so may incur
a charge for the additional cleaning required, which
can be expensive.
Cots and highchairs
Foldable highchairs and travel cots are provided free
of charge in our self-catering properties if requested
at time of booking (unless otherwise stated in our
brochure descriptions). Cots are not supplied with
linen so please remember to take your own. Cots and
highchairs can also be requested for hotel bookings,
please note a small supplement may apply for this.
décor
As properties are generally Sicilian or Italian owned,
the décor may reflect the local lifestyle and the
owner’s taste. A dining table and chairs can be
given more priority than comfortable indoor chairs,
as this is more in keeping with a Mediterranean
outdoor lifestyle. Floors are generally not carpeted
and curtains are often decorative with shutters used
to block out the light. Simpler properties can have
basic kitchen facilities, should you have any special
requirements please let us know.
documentation, passports & visas
Tickets and travel documentation are sent out 14
days prior to departure. For travel to Sicily, you will
need a valid passport for all members of your family.
If you are NOT a citizen of the UK, Ireland, another
EU country, Switzerland, Canada or the USA, you
may also need a visa (please contact the Italian
Embassy for details). Please note we are also legally
required to collect all passengers’ information before
departure and tickets will be not be issued without
this – please refer to our Advance Passenger
Information section for full details.
electricity
For self-catering properties, a reasonable amount of
electricity is included based on fair usage. Any usage
above this amount is usually charged at €0.40 per
Kwh and is payable locally. These charges are on
our website, and detailed on arrival by the owner,
and you can check your usage at any time.
Flight times and delays
Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all
concerned, flights are delayed for reasons beyond
our control. Airlines and flight times are sometimes
subject to changes beyond our control, in which
instance we will of course contact you as soon as
we are advised.
Foreign & Commonwealth Office advice
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office produces up-to
date travel information to help British travellers make
informed decisions about travelling abroad. For more
information, please see Gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
© Francesco Ocello / Shutterstock
60
fUrThEr INformATIoN
Cefalù harbour © bensliman hassan / Shutterstock
Health and safety
The welfare of our customers is our prime
consideration and we are committed to raising the
standards of health and safety in our properties and
to continue to identify areas where safety can be
improved. General safety regulations do vary from
country to country and are often less stringent than
those that we have come to expect in the UK.
Each property is unique and may have staircases,
steps or drops and it is therefore important to be
safety conscious. If you have any particular needs or
concerns please let us know at the time of booking.
Holiday questionnaire
To assist us in ensuring standards are maintained and
to help us improve our service, we would be most
grateful if you would take the time to complete our
questionnaire sent with your tickets and return it to us.
Hotels
Hotels on Sicily are graded under the Italian star
rating system. Please note half board menus are
often set with less choice than a restaurant, and
tea and coffee-making facilities are not generally
available in the rooms.
Hotel room check-in
The standard international practice is to let hotel
rooms from midday to midday, however times do
vary. Check-in times are usually between 2pm and
3pm, check-out times between 10am and 12 noon
on the day of departure.
inventory
Each of our self-catering properties includes a
minimum inventory to include such essentials as a
kettle, iron and toaster. All larger electrical equipment
e.g. television, washing machine etc, are noted in
the individual property descriptions.
internet access
More and more properties are now featuring Wi-Fi.
This facility is indicated on the individual property
descriptions. There are also internet cafés in
most cities and larger resorts. Please note internet
coverage and speed of connection may differ from
the one you have at home, and may at times be
limited or unavailable as a result of issues with the
local network, which is out of the control of the
owners and ourselves.
Language
Italian is the official language of Sicily, however,
when chatting amongst family and friends, Sicilian
is still commonly used, readily reverting to Italian
to include non-Sicilian speakers. A blend of Greek,
Latin, Aragonese, Arabic, Lombardic and NormanFrench, Sicilian can be said to be a language in its
own right (rather than a dialect of Italian). It has
always been a spoken rather than written language.
Linen
In self-catering properties bed linen, bath and hand
towels are provided on a weekly basis, and in most
properties guests can expect beds to be made up
on arrival. Please note that for multiple week stays,
clean linen will be delivered each weekend but the
beds will not be made up. Please note cot linen is
not provided.
61
fUrThEr INformATIoN
Local life, wildlife & animals
When our guests are on holiday, the local
population will be going about their daily business:
rural or village properties may have farming activities
nearby, hunting and festivals going on nearby, over
which we have no control. Some of our properties
are located in the countryside, so indigenous animals
and insects can be heard or seen at times.
Guests should expect to hear dogs barking or a
cockerel crowing at dawn – this is part of the Sicilian
way of life, unfortunately this is unavoidable and
beyond our control. Mosquitoes, ants and other
insects are quite common in the warmer climates
and we strongly advise our guests not to leave any
food uncovered or outside as this will attract insects,
rodents and stray animals.
Money
The currency in Sicily is the Euro as in the rest of
Italy. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted but
you should be aware that small shops outside the
main towns might prefer cash.
Occupancy
All guests must be named on the booking; please
advise us beforehand if you are planning to have
additional friends or family joining you – a supplement
for extra linen and additional cleaning may be required.
Any occupant whose name does not appear on the
invoice will be charged locally. Maximum occupancy
cannot be exceeded as the properties are only
insured for a certain number of guests.
prices and surcharges
Our prices are calculated using the exchange rate
of £1 = €1.35 and are based on the cost of fuel as
of 13th August 2015. If the value of the Euro or the
cost of fuel rise, then unfortunately we may need to
introduce a surcharge to cover the increased costs
to us. In the event of any other security costs or
taxes being levied, there may also be an increase in
prices printed in this brochure, please see section
12 of our Terms and Conditions for more details.
requests
If you have any requests for your holiday
accommodation or flights, please ensure they are
requested at the time of booking; we will do our
utmost but a request cannot be guaranteed. If
additional items or services are requested that are
not advertised, please be aware that we will not
have inspected these facilities.
Security deposit
Some property owners require a security deposit
to be paid in Euros on arrival to cover any losses,
damages, breakages or extra cleaning which may
occur. If the property you have chosen requires
a local deposit, you will be advised of the amount
at the time of booking. We ask guests to care for
their holiday accommodation as if it were their own
home and we require all guests to accept our travel
insurance (which covers for some material damages)
or make similar arrangements.
Swimming pools
Swimming pool details such as sizes, shape and
depth (where known) are given in the facilities
section for each property, please refer to each
property or call our team if you require further
information and we will check with the owner.
Pools are generally fresh water and unheated
though some are sea water, and only a few are
equipped with pool covers or fencing. Weather
permitting, all pools are open from the start of
May to the beginning of October. Pools are usually
maintained and cleaned by the property owners
who will try to be as discreet as possible when
working around the property.
Smoking
We have a no smoking policy in all of our
accommodation and it is also forbidden to smoke in
hired vehicles. Just as in the UK, a smoking ban in all
public areas is now in place across the whole of Italy.
Mondello © eugenia Struk / Shutterstock
62
Sustainable tourism
Sicilians are proud and passionate people who are
keen to protect the environment and traditions of
their island. We at Sicilian Places share the same
view and strive to protect their enchanting culture,
beautiful landscapes and varied wildlife. By opting
in to our Carbon Offset Scheme, a donation of £3
per person will be invested into various projects
including community tree planting, solar lighting
and low carbon stoves in The Gambia which
not only offers carbon benefits but at the same
time economically supports rural villages. We are
constantly looking at carbon offset opportunities in
Sicily for the future. For more information about
these projects and how you can help please go to
SicilianPlaces.co.uk/CarbonOffset
villa igeia - page 54
Further information
Telephones
As mobile phone coverage is good in Sicily, with the
exception of some more remote or mountainous
areas, most properties no longer require a landline.
If you intend to use your mobile phone abroad,
please ensure that it is registered for international use.
Television
As terrestrial signals in Sicily are generally very poor,
some properties have satellite boxes. However,
unless the owner has subscribed to a second
provider, the only channels available will be in Italian.
Villa maintenance
Staff at some properties live on-site and tend to the
grounds and pool. We ask our guests to allow them
reasonable access to the property and grounds so
these can be kept in good order.
Water
As in most Mediterranean islands, water is in short
supply in Sicily, so please use it sparingly. At times,
water can be temporarily cut off as a result of high
demand in the peak summer months. Tap water is
perfectly safe to drink, although many people prefer
to drink bottled water.
Welcome packs
All our self-catering properties are provided with a
welcome pack including basic breakfast provisions
such as tea, coffee, sugar, UHT milk, water and fruit
juice.
All shops are usually open on a Saturday; the large
supermarkets are open all day until 8pm whilst other
smaller shops and services might close for lunch.
Most shops close on Sunday except in high season
when some supermarkets open in the morning.
© ollirg / Shutterstock
Travel Insurance
We believe that all customers who travel with us should be
suitably insured for their own well-being. We recommend
our own cover, tailormade by t&g who are authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This policy
reflects the specific details of our programme, and is known
to our UK staff who will be more able to assist you in liaising
with the insurance company in case of emergency. Customers
wishing to arrange their own insurance, which should offer
cover at least equal to that provided by our own policy,
will receive booking details marked with the words ‘Own
Insurance Arranged’ as an undertaking that this has been done.
All amounts are maximum limits per person. £50 excess applies to most claims.
Excess can be waived for an additional £8 per policy, paid at the time of purchase.
The policy does not cover any pre-existing health conditions of the people
travelling and other people upon whose health the trip may depend unless
Healthcheck have been called on 01702 42 72 53 and they have confirmed
cover in writing. Activities covered include horse riding, mountain biking, walking,
swimming, snorkelling, surfing, sailing, water-skiing and go-karting. The policy also
provides cover where the claim is directly related to a conventional terrorist act
and delays caused by volcanic ash. Full details of the policy will be sent with your
confirmation invoice and includes a 14-day cooling off period wherein the policy
may be cancelled and premium refunded without charge.
Maximum Cover
adult
Adult
family*
child
18 - 65
66 - 79
Up to 10 days
£14.75
£33.13
£29.49
£7.37
11–17 days
£18.50
£41.61
£36.99
£9.25
18–24 days
£24.20
£54.47
£48.42
£12.11
adult
ADULT
family*
child
18 - 65
66 - 79
£54.00
£121.20
2 - 17
Personal liability including rented
property damage
Cancellation or curtailment
Emergency medical repatriation and
associated expenses abroad
Personal accident
Annual Cover**
2 - 17
£108.00
£27.00
Personal effects
Personal money
Loss of tickets
Loss of passport
Legal expenses
*Family policy is valid for up to two parents or legal guardians, under 66, residing at the same address, who are
married or living together as married, with up to four children under 18 normally residing and travelling with them.
**Annual policy includes 17 days winter sports cover. Travel in the UK and Europe only, worldwide cover
available on request.
Missed departure
Delayed departure
£2,000,000
£5,000
£5,000,000
£25,000
£2,500 (limit £400 any one article)
£500
£1,000
£250
£15,000
£1,000
£100
63
fUrThEr INformATIoN
Terms and Conditions
Sicilian places is operated by Serenity Holidays Limited. We are committed to a policy of fair trading and make every effort to ensure that you have an
enjoyable holiday with us. Our terms of trade have been formulated as a result of our responsibilities under law and in no way affect your statutory
rights as a consumer. We accept responsibility for the quality of the holidays we provide. please read this carefully and keep with you on holiday as
the Charter sets out the basis of the contract between you and Serenity Holidays Ltd.
We are a member of ABTA, membership number V5963. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.
We can also offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract. Further information on the Code
and arbitration can be found at http://www.abta.com.
data prOteCtiON When you make an enquiry or booking with us,
information about you is collected. This refers to information such as your
name, contact details, travel preferences and any special needs/disabilities
or dietary requirements. By giving us these details, you consent for these
to be used as necessary in processing your booking and complying with
legal requirements (e.g. forwarding passenger lists to airlines). We may
also use your details to send you future holiday brochures or advise of
special offers from ourselves - should you NOT want to receive these,
please tell us. Some of your information may be considered ‘sensitive
personal data’ under the Data Protection Act 1998, which will only be
used when it is necessary for us to communicate your needs to a hotel or
airline. For more information – please refer to our ‘Privacy Statement’
We sell the following arrangements:
package Holiday
A ‘package holiday’ is a combination of at least two of the following
services (a) transport, (b) accommodation or (c) other tourist services (not
ancillary to any transport or accommodation and forming a significant part
of the arrangements) where booked through us at an inclusive price.
accommodation Only
If you book accommodation only through us, we will accept responsibility
for your booking in accordance with the terms set out in the relevant
sections below. As this is a single component, the Package Travel,
Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 do not apply.
FiNaNCiaL SeCUritY
If you book a package holiday through us the Package Travel, Package Holidays
and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the
monies that you pay for the package holidays booked from this brochure.
For packages that include flights we provide this security by way of an ATOL
(number 1866) administered by the Civil Aviation Authority.
When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package, or flight only
arrangements, you will receive a confirmation invoice from us (or via your
travel agent through which you booked) confirming your arrangements and
your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number [1866].
In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are
not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid
to us for an advance booking. If we are unable to provide the services listed
(or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise)
for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make
a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You
agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely
to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of
or relating to the non-provision of the services including any claim against
us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also
agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other
body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. For further
information visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk. The price of our air
holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay
to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices.
For packages that do not include flights, as a member of the Association
of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) Serenity Holidays
Ltd has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package
Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. In the
event of Serenity Holidays’ insolvency, protection for non-flight packages
commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight packages
excluding pre-arranged travel to and from your destination. Please note
that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased
directly with Serenity Holidays Ltd. In the above circumstances, if you
have not yet travelled you may claim a refund, or if you have already
travelled, you may claim repatriation to the starting point of your nonflight package.
64
1. YOUr HOLidaY BOOKiNG When making a booking you must be
aged over 18 years and have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf
of your party our terms and conditions. All correspondence and documents
are sent to the party leader who is responsible to us for all payments in
respect of the booking. The contract is made on the terms of the information
in this brochure, the details set out in the confirmation invoice. We agree
that the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction and English Law
applies (unless you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, in which case
you can bring proceedings in your local court under Scottish or Northern
Irish law, as applicable). Our confirmation invoice is our acceptance of the
booking (as detailed therein), and the contract is made on its issue. We ask
you to check the details and any anomaly should be reported to us or your
travel agent immediately otherwise the details shown on the confirmation will
be presumed to be correct. Certain components of a package are on request
and subject to availability and therefore quotations should not be considered
binding until the first confirmation invoice is received. All holidays and offers
published in this brochure are subject to availability at the time of booking.
2. paYMeNt If you wish to confirm a booking you must pay the deposit
of 20% of the cost of your holiday. Your balance will be detailed on your
invoice and must be paid in full no later than 8 weeks before your departure,
or your booking may be deemed cancelled and your deposits retained. In
the event we need to book and pay for your flight at the time of booking,
you will be quoted the cost of this before confirming your holiday and asked
to pay for this sector in full, along with your deposit. It is at this time you will
be advised whether the flight cost is non-refundable. If payment for your
holiday is made by credit card a handling fee, currently 2% will be levied.
Cheques should be made payable to Serenity Holidays Limited.
3. iF YOU WiSH tO CaNCeL YOUr BOOKiNG You will need to
let us know as soon as possible either by telephone or in writing (or must
ensure your travel agent does so, on your behalf). Since we incur costs from
the time we confirm your booking, the cancellation charges set out below
will apply, calculated from the date on which we receive your notice of
cancellation. You will then receive a cancellation invoice detailing any charges.
NO OF DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
CANCELLATION CHARGE
More than 56 days
Loss of deposit
43-56 days
40%
29-42 days
65%
15-28 days
90%
Less than 15 days
100%
The charges above apply to your total holiday price excluding any insurance
premiums, amendment charges or charges for goods sold and dispatched.
Please note that charges may be higher than those shown where your
travel arrangements have been confirmed to you as ‘non-refundable’.
The conditions of your travel insurance policy may allow a refund claim.
Note: if any members of your party cancel, but the others still wish to travel,
it may be necessary to re-calculate the cost per person based on the new
party size as the accommodation will now be under-occupied. This may result
in an increased amount per person payable to secure the original booking.
4. aCCUraCY aNd iNFOrMatiON We have taken all care to ensure
the information shown in this brochure is accurate. Incidental information (e.g.
relating to local events or markets etc) is offered in good faith and we therefore
ask that should this be important to you, you check the details independently.
5. CHarGeS FOr NON-iNCLUSive HOteL iteMS aNd daMaGeS
You enter into a separate contract with the hotel or residence for these
items (e.g. parking, bar bills etc.), and agree to pay locally for any charges
for items or services used by your party and not included in your holiday
price. The accommodation we arrange for you can only be used by
those people named on your invoice. You are not allowed to share the
accommodation with anyone else or let anyone else stay there.
© rolf e. Staerk / Shutterstock
6. iF YOU reQUeSt a CHaNGe tO YOUr BOOKiNG
All amendments to your booking, e.g. name changes, dates of travel or
accommodation, will incur a charge, the amount of which will depend on
the nature of the change and the time before the date of travel. This is
in addition to any carriers’ alteration or cancellation fees as certain travel
arrangements (e.g. the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets) cannot
be changed after a booking has been confirmed and any request to do
so is likely to incur a 100% cancellation charge. Note: any changes made
within 8 weeks of departure may be treated as cancellations and re-bookings.
7. iF YOU BOOK tHrOUGH a traveL aGeNt We will assume that
in dealing with us the agent is acting on your behalf. All monies you pay to
the travel agent are held by him on our behalf at all times.
8. iF We CHaNGe YOUr HOLidaY Although it is unlikely, we may
occasionally have to change your holiday arrangements and we reserve
the right to change or cancel your booking. Most changes are minor and
we will always endeavour to advise you or your travel agent of any such
changes at the earliest possible date. Note: any amendment or cancellation
fees you incur in terms of other arrangements you have made with other
providers under separate contracts are not claimable from us.
package Holiday:
A change of airline, aircraft type, overseas airport of destination, travel timings
by 12 hours or less and accommodation of a similar or higher standard in
the same resort or region are classed as minor changes which do not entitle
you to cancel or change to another holiday without paying our normal
administration charges, and for which no compensation or refund is due.
In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to advise
you of the actual carrier operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer.
We do this by listing carriers to be used or likely to be used as follows:
Easyjet, Thomson and British Airways. Any changes to the actual airline
after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as
possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. The carrier
may occasionally have to change the type of aircraft used on a particular
flight without advance warning. In such circumstances where you have
booked and paid for an additional seat supplement and such seat cannot
be provided, then you will receive only a refund of the supplement paid.
Occasionally, we have to make major changes to your travel arrangements
or accommodation. A major change is a change made before departure,
which, on the basis of the information given to us by you at the time
of booking we can reasonably expect will have a major effect on your
holiday. The following changes are examples of major changes: changing
travel times by over 12 hours, your UK departure airport (excluding
London airports), your holiday region, a change to a lower standard or
type of accommodation or reducing the number of days’ holiday.
If we have to make a major change or cancel your holiday we will tell you
as soon as possible. Where possible, we will offer the following options: you
can either a) accept the changed arrangements b) purchase another holiday
from us at the advertised current selling price or c) cancel your booking
upon which we will refund your monies in full and final settlement.
If you have booked a Package Holiday, subject to the note below,
irrespective of whether you choose a), b) or c) we will pay compensation
as follows:
NO OF DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
AMOUNT OF EACH FULL
FARE PAYING ADULT
More than 56 days
NIl
29-56 days
£15
15-28 days
£25
8-14 days
£35
Less than 8 days
£50
fUrThEr INformATIoN
accommodation Only:
If we make a change to your accommodation and you don’t want to accept
it, you can take any alternative accommodation we are able to offer you
(you will pay the increase in cost if the replacement is advertised at a higher
price than your original booking, or receive a refund of the difference if it is
less expensive) or a refund of the money you’ve paid to us. This does not
apply where the change is not material. Examples of non-material changes
include, but are not limited to, temporary withdrawal of facilities or seasonal
unavailability of amenities. If we have to cancel your accommodation, again
we may be able to offer you an alternative. If you accept it, you would
pay the difference if it was advertised at a higher price than your original
accommodation, or receive a refund of the difference if it was advertised
at a lower price. Or we will refund the monies you have paid us for your
accommodation. We will not be responsible to pay any compensation
following a change or a cancellation by us.
applicable to package Holiday, accommodation Only bookings:
Note: if a change or cancellation occurs because of circumstances beyond
our control, for example war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, actual or
threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, industrial disputes, natural
or nuclear disasters, fire, health risks, adverse weather conditions, hurricanes,
floods, unavoidable technical problems with transport, closure or congestion
of airports or ports, epidemic or pandemic illness and all similar situations
we will have no liability to you. No compensation payments, expenses or any
other sums, including the cost of securing alternative accommodation will be
paid by us.
9. iF YOU Have a COMpLaiNt In the unlikely event you have
cause for complaint during your holiday, please inform the hotel or site
management. If you do not then receive satisfaction before the problem
substantially affects your holiday and within 48 hours, please call us in the
UK, during office hours (9am - 6pm), on 0044 (0)1489 866992. Outside
of these hours please call us on our emergency line 0044 (0)7901
524782. Depending on the nature of your complaint, we will try to solve
your problem as quickly as possible or find alternative accommodation for
you if deemed appropriate. It is unreasonable for you to take little or no
action and wait until you return to complain and you must take reasonable
steps to minimise the consequences of the problem. If you fail to follow
this simple procedure we will have been deprived of the opportunity to
investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were in resort and this
may affect your rights under this contract. If a problem cannot be resolved
whilst you are on holiday, please follow this up in writing to our Customer
Relations Department at our UK office, with any supporting evidence,
within 28 days of your return from your holiday.
If your complaint cannot be settled amicably between us, you may
if you wish refer the matter to arbitration under ABTA’s scheme for
the resolution of disputes which is registered with the Government’s
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and approved by the Chartered
Trading Standards Institute (please go to www.abta.com). Alternatively,
AITO’s Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by
either side to bring the matter to a speedy and amicable solution, but
please be aware this scheme is not registered by the ADR.
10. OUr reSpONSiBiLitY
package Holiday:
If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly
performed by us or our suppliers we will pay you appropriate
compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your travel
arrangements. However, we will not be liable where any failure in the
performance of the contract is due to: you; or a third party unconnected
with the provision of the travel arrangements and where the failure
is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual and unforeseeable
circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could
not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or an
event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not
foresee or forestall. Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury
or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of [3] times the cost of your
travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with
and/or in an identical manner to:
(a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the
transportation for your travel arrangements. These terms are
incorporated into this contract; and
(b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal
Convention in respect of travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect
of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect of travel by rail and
the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation,
which limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death,
injury, delay to passengers and loss, damage and delay to luggage. We
are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation
contained in these or any conventions.
You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual terms,
or the international conventions, from our offices: Serenity Holidays
Ltd, Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Fareham,
Hampshire PO15 7AN.
We do not accept liability for happenings or actions outside our control,
e.g. delays to travel services, the temporary invasion of pests, the
presence of indigenous animals or insects, government action, industrial
disputes, damage or inconvenience resulting from the weather (e.g.
drought conditions) or from acts of God, or your party’s negligence
resulting in loss or accident.
If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly
performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party unconnected
with the provision of the services, or as a result of failures due to
unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the
consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due
care had been exercised, or an event which we or our suppliers, even
with all due care, could not foresee or forestall, and you suffer an injury
or other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is
reasonable in the circumstances. If you have taken our recommended
insurance cover, you must make an insurance claim in respect of any
legal fees incurred abroad for that purpose, and if you have taken
alternative insurance, you must do likewise under any Legal Expenses
cover provided by it. You must also provide us with the confirmation
from the insurance company of receipt of your notification to them of
your claim.
Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst
you are on holiday are not part of your package holiday provided by us.
For any excursion or other tour that you book, your contract will be
with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not
responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything
that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.
accommodation Only:
We have a duty to select the accommodation providers with reasonable
skill and care. We have no liability to you for the actual provision of
the accommodation, except in cases where it is proved that we have
breached that duty and damage to you has been caused. Therefore,
providing we have selected the provider with reasonable care and
skill, we will have no liability to you for anything that happens at the
accommodation or any acts or omissions of the provider or others. We
also have no liability in the following situations:
i.) where the accommodation cannot be provided as booked due to
circumstances beyond our control (see the Note in clause 8)
ii.) where you incur any loss or damage that could not have been
foreseen at the time of your booking, based on the information
provided by you.
iii.) where you incur any loss or damage that relates to any business
activity.
iv.) where any loss or damage relates to any services which do not form
part of our contract with you.
If we are found liable to you on any basis, we limit the amount
we have to pay you to a maximum of three times the cost of your
accommodation. This limit does not apply to cases involving death or
injury.
11. YOUr reSpONSiBiLitY Some of our accommodation providers
have their own terms and conditions which you will be required to
sign on arrival (should you wish to receive a copy of these in advance
please request this from our UK office). Such conditions relate to any
utilities which might incur additional charges and deposits for accidental
breakages and cleaning (you will be advised of such costs at the time of
booking with us). You undertake to exercise due and reasonable care in
respect of your holiday accommodation and its contents, to leave it in
a clean and complete condition, to respect local and on-site regulations
and bye-laws, to limit party numbers to those on your confirmation, to
remit payments as invoiced on or before the due dates, to indemnify
us against all loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any act,
default or omission of your party, and not to exceed the published
occupation capacity of the accommodation. Any serious abuse of a
property or its contents may render you liable to eviction without
compensation.
12. priCeS aNd SUrCHarGeS The price of your holiday was
calculated using the exchange rate of £1 = €1.35 on the 13th August
2015. We reserve the right to increase or reduce prices, and the current
price of your holiday will be advised to you at the time of booking. Whilst
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all the information and
prices provided to you, regrettably errors do occasionally occur. In the
event that an incorrect price has been given in error, any booking made
based on this price, will not be valid. You will be advised of the mistake at
the earliest opportunity and you will then have the option either to pay
the correct price for the travel arrangements or to cancel and receive a full
refund of any monies you may already have paid. Once you have booked
your holiday we reserve the right to surcharge for cost increases due
to government action such as changes in VAT or any other government
imposed charges, transportation costs (including the cost of fuel), taxes
or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes, embarkation or
disembarkation fees at airports, and exchange rates.
package Holidays
There will be no charge within 30 days of your departure. We will absorb
such increases up to 2% of your basic holiday price (excluding insurance
premiums and any amendment charges). If the surcharge is greater than
10% of your holiday price you have the option of changing to another
holiday that we offer (if we are able to offer an alternative you will not
have to pay more, but if it is of a lower quality you will be refunded
the difference in price) or you have the right to cancel (within 14 days
of receiving surcharge notification), in which case we will refund in full
all monies paid to us except insurance premiums and any amendment
charges. Should the price of your holiday go down due to the changes
mentioned above, by more than 2% of your holiday cost, then any refund
due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel arrangements
are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes
will have no impact on the price of your holiday due to contractual and
other protection in place.
accommodation Only
We reserve the right to pass on all increases. If we ask you to pay us any
increases in taxes, similarly, if any taxes you have paid to us are reduced or
abolished, you will be entitled to claim a refund. Such right shall not apply
in respect of any surcharge paid in respect of aviation fuel costs.
13. traveL ServiCeS When you travel by air the relevant carrier’s
‘Conditions of Carriage’ will apply to your journey, some of which may
limit liability or exclude liability in accordance with the relevant international
conventions. Copies of the conditions are available for inspection at any
ABTA travel agent. Information given by us about such services is for
guidance only and the carriers concerned accept no responsibility for our
brochures. It is your responsibility to report promptly at the check-in times
given by the carriers and with the appropriate valid travel documents (e.g.
Passports), and we cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred by you
if you fail to do so. Occasionally there are times beyond our control when a
flight is delayed. We will work closely with the airline and our resort office to
make sure any delay is as short as possible and that your overseas transfer
and accommodation arrangements are changed if necessary. Our aim is to
minimise the inconvenience of delays as far as possible. Under EU law you
have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from
your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delays to flights.
Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be
available from airlines. Please note that reimbursement in such cases is the
responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle you to a refund
of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation
from us is set out in clause 8 ‘if we change your holiday’. If your airline
does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Passengers
Advice and Complaints team at the CAA (email: passengercomplaints@caa.
co.uk website www.caa.co.uk) In March 2006 the European Commission
published a list of airlines considered to be unsafe and which are therefore
not permitted to fly passengers or Cargo in the EU or operate within the
European airspace. This list is updated every three months and can be
viewed by clicking on the website for the European Commission http://
ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm. Alternatively, should you wish to
be sent a copy of the list, please contact us either by telephone or in writing.
14. traveL iNSUraNCe You agree to our requirement: at the time
of booking your holiday you either accept our travel insurance or you or
your travel agent make immediate alternative arrangements with cover at
least to our own policy.
15. pHOtOGrapHS General and unlabelled pictures are understood
to illustrate a feature, the region, or the country, and not to have any
specific connection with any accommodation shown on the same or
other pages. Rooms shown in the photographs are not necessarily the
hotel’s standard rooms.
16. YOUr HeaLtH aBrOad eU Visitors to other EU countries are
entitled to receive medical treatment under the State Service providing
they have a European Health Insurance Card (please be aware that this
card may not cover all the costs involved). At the time of publication,
there are no special health precautions recommended but for up to date
information you should contact the Department of Health. We strongly
recommend you take out personal travel insurance with adequate health
cover to ensure you are fully protected should you become ill.
17. SWiMMiNG pOOLS aNd OtHer FaCiLitieS Where a
swimming pool or other facility is referred to as being available for use,
such availability is at the hotelier’s discretion and is understood to be
conditional upon temporary or unavoidable closure necessitated by:
the hotels essential maintenance programme, accident, damage or
malfunction of equipment, and in the case of swimming pools: compliance
with any water conservation regulations imposed in times of drought,
damage or malfunction of the mains water supply.
18. paSSpOrt/viSa It is the responsibility of all customers to ensure
they have a valid passport, and any required visa. For further information
on passport and visa requirements, please contact the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk.
19. HOLidaY partiCipatiON Should anyone be refused admission
to the flight or to the destination country by the airline or government
authority due to the correct documentation not being in order then we
are powerless to assist and cannot be held responsible. Any passengers
considered being unacceptably under the influence of alcohol or drugs
may be denied boarding to the aircraft or entry into the country. In these
circumstances we shall consider the customer as having given notice of
cancellation and be under no liability for any costs or charges incurred as a
result of our doing so.
65
Further information
How
to book
01489 866 994
Our expert team will take you through every
aspect of your reservation, from your selected
accommodation, to availability and pricing,
enabling you to choose the holiday that is right
for you. If you would like time to consider
your choice, we will hold your holiday on
option for 24 hours for bookings made at least
8 weeks prior to the departure date. In order
to secure the property of your choice, we
recommend you book as early as possible.
Our UK office hours are 9am to 7pm Monday
to Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturdays and 10am
to 4pm on Sundays. The office may be open
later during peak times and may be closed
during national and bank holidays.
SicilianPlaces.co.uk
You can check availability and book your
accommodation online, 24 hours a day.
Our website is complete with more detailed
information, improved imagery as well as up-to-date special offers. It is regularly
updated with additional new properties
and our web-based collection is constantly
growing throughout the year. We just cannot
fit all our enthusiasm and passion for Sicily
into our main brochure so visit our website
to find out more.
Local travel agent
Sicilian Places works with a select number of independent travel agents who we feel
offer the same high standard of service that
we adhere to. You can make your booking
with the travel agency where you obtained
our brochure.
66
© ollirg / Shutterstock
MAKING YOUR BOOKING
Once you or your travel agent has confirmed your
holiday reservation, we will issue a confirmation
invoice by the following day. Please ensure that all
details are correct and exactly as requested, and
advise us or your travel agent immediately if there
are any discrepancies. Any changes at a later date
may incur an amendment fee.
PAYMENT
On confirming your booking, we require a deposit
of 20% plus any insurance premiums. In addition,
any flights which we may purchase and add onto
your reservation must be paid in full at the time of
booking. The balance must be paid at least eight
weeks prior to departure. If we do not receive the
appropriate payment, we reserve the right to cancel
your booking and you will be liable for cancellation
charges in accordance with our booking conditions.
Please make cheques payable to:
Serenity Holidays Ltd and send to: Serenity Holidays,
Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park,
Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AN.
Any monies paid by credit card are currently subject
to a 2% charge to cover costs levied by the providers.
There is no charge for debit card payments.
FLIGHT DETAILS
It is essential for some owners who meet guests at
their properties to have an approximate arrival time.
So, if you have booked your flights independently,
please advise us of the details as early as possible.
LOYALTY DISCOUNT
Customers who have previously travelled with Sicilian
Places, Corsican Places or Sardinian Places in the
last three years, will qualify for a discount of £25 per
person when booking accommodation only or £35
per person when booking a flight-inclusive holiday.
This must be claimed at the time of booking.
LATE BOOKINGS (within eight weeks)
For bookings made within eight weeks of departure,
full payment is required at time of booking.
Unfortunately, we cannot hold a holiday on option
within eight weeks of departure.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
• Return flights from the UK
(excludes accommodation only bookings)
• Car hire or return transfers
(excludes accommodation only bookings)
• Accommodation as described
• Welcome pack in self-catering properties
• All taxes including airport taxes and duties
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
• Travel arrangements, car hire or transfers for
accommodation only bookings
• Personal travel insurance
• City tax
• Security deposit if applicable
• Air-conditioning unless otherwise stated
• Accommodation for passengers not shown on your invoice
• Extra electricity usage at self-catering properties.
See page 60.
fUrThEr INformATIoN
Palermo Airport
Fly from:
Gatwick
Heathrow
San Vito Lo Capo
Trapani
SS113
SS113
Riserva Naturale
Orientata Pizzo Cane
Segesta
SS118
Parco delle Madonie
NORTHERN SICILY
A19
Taormina
SS575
SS117
SS386
Selinunte
NORTH EAST SICILY
Parco Naturale
dei Nebrodi
Collesano
WESTERN SICILY
Marsala
SS18 5
Cefalù
A19
Buseto Palizzolo
Messina
Capo d’Orlando
PALERMO
Riserva Naturale
dello Zingaro
Parco
dell’Etna
Giardini Naxos
Zafferana Etnea
Enna
Sciacca
Caltanissetta
A19
SS640
SOUTHERN SICILY
SS117
E931
Gela
Catania Airport
Fly from:
Gatwick
Manchester
Birmingham
Luton
SS417
Piazza Armerina
Agrigento
CATANIA
Riserva Naturale
Orientata Bosco
di Santo Pietro
Floridia
E45
Syracuse
SOUTH EAST SICILY
Ragusa
SS115
Noto
Modica
SCaLe
0
0
10
Scicli
20
10
30
20
40 50 kms
30 miles
AITO Charter
exclusive membership
AITO sets criteria regarding
5113
ownership, finance and quality
which must be satisfied before
new companies are admitted to
membership. All members are required to adhere to a Code of
Business Practice which encourages high operational standards
and conduct.
professional service & continual improvements
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe
in regular and thorough training of employees. Members continually
seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their
customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.
Monitoring standards
AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly.
All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire the results
of which are scrutinised by the Association.
Financial security
An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all
holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only)
booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This
financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK
at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have
booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must
comply with UK government regulations. Members are required to
submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on
a regular basis.
Sustainable tourism
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable
Tourism guidelines, which recognise the social, economic and
environmental responsibilities of tour operating.
accurate brochure & websites
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and
other publications, print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe
the holidays and services offered.
as part of Serenity Holidays, Sicilian Places is a member of the
association of independent Tour operators.
Customer relations
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their
customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an
AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO’s lowcost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by
either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
ABTOT Charter
As a member of the Association of Bonded
Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT),
Serenity Holidays has provided a bond
to meet the requirements of the Package
Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours
Regulations 1992. In the event of Serenity
Holidays insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages
commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight
packages excluding pre-arranged travel to and from your destination.
Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only
protected when purchased directly with Serenity Holidays.
In the above circumstances, if you have not yet travelled you may
claim a refund, or if you have already travelled, you may claim
repatriation to the starting point of your non-flight package.
To contact the association, visit www.aito.com
or call 020 8744 9280.
67
We are an independent company where emphasis is very much on quality and service.
We offer specialist holidays to other destinations and all provide excellent value and choice.
The Gambia Experience
01489 866 939
Gambia.co.uk
The Senegal Experience
01489 866 947
Senegal.co.uk
The Cape Verde Experience
01489 866 969
CapeVerde.co.uk
The Goa Experience
01489 866 986
GoaExperience.co.uk
Corsican Places
01489 866 931
Corsica.co.uk
Sardinian Places
01489 866 959
SardinianPlaces.co.uk
Sicilian Places
01489 866 994
SicilianPlaces.co.uk
Great Escapes - Short Breaks
01489 866 932
GreatEscapes.co.uk
Call our reservations team on:
01489 866 994
01489 866 992 (administration)
[email protected]
for latest offers & availability:
sicilianplaces.co.uk
TRAVEL AGENTS STAMP

the 2016 collection

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