Italy Articles

Sicily is a giant playground for couples and families that love activity holidays.  

On one side of the island you’ve got a whopping, great big volcano that still throws lava up in the sky every once in a while. Then there’s the roads and trails that are perfect for cycling or hiking and over 1,500km of coastline to explore. Throw in all that delicious carb-rich food to recover with, and it's hard to find a better place for an activity holiday than Sicily.

To give you a bit of a steer on what to do, we’ve pulled together a list of the 20 best outdoor activities in Sicily. The type of activities that it’s worth hopping on a plane for a couple of hours to do. Enjoy! 

Sicily in May. What a place. What a month. The sun is shining on the black-sand beaches in Sciacca, snow is still resting on top of Mt Etna's summit and the wildflowers are blooming.  

It's the best time to visit, and the best time explore one of the Mediterranean's prettiest and most interesting islands.

You'll be able to walk around UNESCO world heritage sites, explore mountains, pootle around vineyards and villages, and enjoy its beaches – all without having to fight the crowds or hide away from the midday sun.

Yep, May in Sicily is the best. And just to give you a taste of it, we've pulled together a list of the best things to do in Sicily in May. 

Enjoy! 

Most people go on holiday to Sicily expecting pizza, pasta and all the Italian classics. And whilst there's plenty of that, what they also find is something different but no less delicious. Saffron rice balls. Sweet-and-sour aubergines. Couscous and ricotta stuffed in nearly everything. All whole host of flavours and influences that aren't just Italian, but are pulled from all over the place.

Which is to be expected when you realise that Sicily boasts the unenviable reputation of being the most invaded island in the world. Thanks to its position in the Middle of the Med, it has been conquered by the Greeks, Arabs, Normans and even the Spanish. All have left their mark on it, creating a cuisine that feels like a greatest hits album of the Mediterranean and North Africa.  

So, if you’re building your own hit list of the best Sicilian dishes, then here's as good a place to start as any.  

Enjoy. 

Palermo is the 'jewel of Sicily'. Around every corner you'll find a historical site entrenched in ancient history, stunning architecture, markets bursting with colours and tastebud-tingling smells.  

It's a city that has had many visitors over the years. They came, they conquered and they left little imprints on all the above, making Sicily one of the most diverse cities in the Med for history, culture and cuisine.

There's so much going on that you'll be hard-pressed to get to it all in one day, but that doesn't mean you can't give it a go. And if you're a little picky and have a good itinerary, you can cover a fair amount of it.

Here's everything you need to see and do in Palermo... 

Few destinations can keep teenagers, little ones and parents equally happy, but Sicily comes close. In a week, you can stand in the shadow of a volcano, wander through 2,500-year-old Greek temples, try exhilarating water sports in turquoise bays and, perhaps even squeeze in a few pages of a book on a sun lounger.  

Forget squabbles over how to spend your time. Sicily makes it easy to find the right mix of adventure, culture and downtime. The only problem is... There might be too much to do.

So, to make your life a little easier, we've pulled together a list of the best things to do in Sicily, covering everything from culture and outdoor activities to memorable family days out.

Enjoy. 

As friendly tennis rallies turned into cross-court smashes and leisurely mountain bike rides became uphill races, it quickly became clear that our competitive sides were emerging.

Rewind 24 hours and the seven of us were sitting at the airport, running through the itinerary and discussing which activities we wanted to try. The brief was simple: have fun, get to know the guests and don't take anything too seriously.

Have fun, absolutely. Mix with the guests, you bet. Don’t take anything seriously... well.
 

Sardinia is the perfect destination for a holiday that’s a blend of relaxation and activity. Our Baia dei Mori Beachclubhas arelaxed vibe, but it’s also a great spot for getting involved in running, thanks to the beautiful surroundingarea. Our run clubs, arranged and guidedby our fitness team, are an amazing way to maintain (or gain) fitness whilst taking in the sights of Sardinia. There are running routes to match every ability level, from off-road trails to road runs around the local villages. Check out our top picks for running trails in Sardinia.

Italy truly deserves its reputation as one of the most genuinely family-friendly destinations in the world. From pizza and gelato to sunshine and beaches, you’d be hard-pressed to dream up a more popular holiday menu if you tried.

Throw in the famous Italian hospitality and a whole host of fun activities and you’ve got yourselves a family adventure to remember!

When it comes to food and drink, few countries can match Italy. Pizza, pasta, gelato, espresso, a spritz at sunset – it’s got it all. Ask anyone for their favourite foods and there’s a good chance an Italian dish makes their top 10.

Italian food is loved around the world for good reason. But it's more than just Pizza, Pasta and Gelato, and the menu changes a lot as you travel from the snowy, mountainous north down to the sun-soaked south and its islands.

So whether you're heading for the beach or the slopes, get your taste buds ready. Here are some of the tastiest, most popular dishes in Italy. 

Imagine a sun drenched, pristine coastline with colourful landscapes and ancient architecture - and you’ve got Calabria. Lying to the extreme south of Italy, located on the ‘toe’ of the country’s boot-shaped peninsula, Calabria is a region of hidden gems. The rocky mountain ranges, ancient villages and scenic beaches are kissed by the azure Ionian Sea to the east and Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. Calabria is separated from the isle of Sicily by the Strait of Messina, with the Amalfi Coast and Basilicata to the North.

Our beachclub on Sardinia, Baia dei Mori, is situated on the north east coast, to the south of the famous Costa Smeralda. Located on a beautiful bay with fine, golden sand gently shelving into the crystal clear water it’s a perfect spot for family holidays. Away from the beach, there’s so much history and culture to capture the imagination of little ones and grown ups too.