Susafa is a country estate owned by the Saeli-Rizzuto family who have created welcoming farm-style guest rooms and suites with lovely pool area and restaurant in the heart of the Sicilian countryside yet well situated between Palermo and Catania, Cefalù and Agrigento, ideal for those wishing to tour the island.

Vallegrande Nature Resort is situated between the Tyrrhenian Sea, Madonie Regional Natural Park and the cultural coastal town of Cefalù on the north coast of Sicily. It is a small boutique hotel with wooden and glass buildings surrounded by nature, a restaurant serving local delicacies and a lovely infinity pool with stunning sea views.

This stunning 17^th century hotel boasts a fantastic location right next to the Ionian Sea, just 7km south of the beautiful town of Taormina. The Baroque Castello di San Marco is surrounded by 4 hectares of parkland and just 50m away from its own private beach, in a tranquil and convenient location on the north east coast of Sicily.

Hotel Villa Sonia is a delightful family run hotel situated in the medieval village of Castelmola, perched high on the hillside above Taormina in the north east of Sicily, enjoying dramatic views of the coastline and Mount Etna beyond.

Situated in the heart of a nursery growing sub-tropical Mediterranean plants, this 18^th century farm has been expertly recreated as a boutique hotel offering guests elegant, contemporary guest rooms and suites with an excellent restaurant and pool in an exceptionally tranquil setting between Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea.

Monaci delle Terre Nere is a 62 acre estate with an amazing rustic-chic country house hotel dating back to 1800, situated between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna in the east of Sicily. It has breath taking views of the mountain and coast, an organic restaurant and pool surrounded by olive groves, citrus trees and vineyards.  

Situated on the slopes of Mount Etna in east Sicily, La Torretta is an old farmhouse which has been converted into a fabulous villa overlooking vineyards, orchards and countryside. It boasts a lovely saltwater pool with panoramic views to the sea, large furnished terraces, lovely garden with aromatic plants and a feature indoor spa area.

Recreated from an old 19^th century farm in the beautiful Sicilian countryside 7km from the historic city of Syracuse in south east Sicily, Hotel Borgo Pantano offers contemporary accommodation, lovely pool, restaurant and small wellness area just 7km from the beach.

Isla Verde is an exclusive complex of three 3 bedroom villas with lovely sea views, located 3km from the fishing village of Sampieri in the south east of Sicily. The villas share a pool set in lawned gardens, but each have their own private furnished terrace and garden area, perfect for a relaxing holiday in the Sicilian countryside yet well placed to also visit the baroque towns of Scicli, Modica, Ragusa and Noto.

Mangiabove is a charming old farmhouse just outside Marina di Ragusa on the south east coast of Sicily which has been transformed into a lovely rustic-chic residence with self catering apartments and guest rooms with breakfast served in the common room, with pool overlooking the countryside leading to the sea.

Originally a 16^th century fortified Saracen tower, Relais Torre Marabino has been recreated into a small and chic hotel with just 7 charming guest rooms and suites, surrounded by pristine lawns, olive trees, vines and palm trees with a pool and organic restaurant. It is just 7km from the Baroque town of Ispica and 5km from the beaches along the south east coast of Sicily. 

Villa Corte Dorata is located in a quiet area just outside Scicli, a charming baroque town and UNESCO world heritage site in the south east of Sicily. The villa has lovely al fresco terraces to enjoy the panoramic views over the town to the sea beyond, 4 bedrooms, large swimming pool, tennis court and wellness area with sauna, Turkish bath and jacuzzi.

Immersed in the Iblean countryside south of Ragusa in the south east of Sicily, Villa Hybla has 3 bedrooms, private pool and a quiet and sunny position with a splendid view of the countryside, yet is an excellent base for visiting the enchanting baroque towns in this part of the island. 

Villa Luna is an elegant country house with stunning infinity pool with a panoramic view over Scicli, a charming baroque town and UNESCO world heritage site in the south east of Sicily. The villa has been lovingly restored to provide ultimate comfort with attractive exposed brickwork and benefits from an indoor spa area with whirlpool and sauna. 

Situated in the countryside near the town of Rosolini in the south east of Sicily, Villa Mara is a 2 bedroom villa with pool surrounded by a large natural park of olive and almond trees and enjoying far reaching views from its lovely al fresco terraces.

Immersed in the beautiful Sicilian countryside in south east Sicily, Relais Chiaramonte has been converted from an old olive oil mill into a modern boutique-style agriturismo hotel with restaurant and pool in an amazing location with far reaching views over olive groves to the coast.

Situated in the countryside near the town of Rosolini in south east Sicily between the baroque towns of the Noto Valley, Villa Mora is a modern 2 bedroom villa with pool enjoying far reaching views over a picturesque landscape characterised by olive, carob trees and typical dry stone walls from its lovely sun terraces.

Situated close to the beaches of Sampieri and surrounded by the enchanting baroque towns in south east Sicily, Hotel Pietra d'Acqua is a perfect fusion of ancient and modern set in beautiful gardens with an infinity pool overlooking the surrounding valley and Mediterranean mood restaurant, ideal to relax and discover this enchanting part of the island.

Mandranova Resort is a delightful family run, small countryside hotel situated 6km from Palma di Montechiaro and 4km from the coast in rural southern Sicily.  It is a wonderful secret hideaway with rustic-chic farmhouse rooms and a villa, surrounded by olive and palm trees with a charming pool, home cooking with local wines and there are cookery lessons and olive oil production tours available.

Situated in the countryside on the central south coast of Sicily 16km from Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, Masseria Agnello is a 19th century farmhouse that has been lovingly transformed into a charming boutique style hotel.  There are just 10 charming guest rooms and suites along with restaurant, bar and pool, all enjoying wonderful views over the Sicilian countryside to the sea beyond.

This luxury 3 bedroom villa with stunning swimming pool and views to the sea is situated near Ribera on the south west coast of Sicily, adjacent to the orange groves of Ribera.

This beautiful, tranquil, Sicilian farmhouse dates back to the 18^th century and has been expertly restored to provide elegant guest rooms, apartments and restaurant. Enveloped by acres of Sicilian countryside in the south west of the island, the Agriturismo Baglio Vecchio is a truly serene location. 

Situated in a secluded hillside position enjoying wonderful views over the Tyrrhenian Sea on the north west tip of Sicily, Baglio La Porta is a small boutique style hotel 8km from the beach and town of San Vito Lo Capo and just 2km from Zingaro Nature Reserve with stunning views, hiking, beaches and caves. 

Situated in the heart of south west Sicily, La Foresteria is owned and run by the Planeta family, wine and olive oil makers for 500 years. Nestled amongst vineyards and olive groves, there are 14 guest rooms, restaurant and bar, pool, cooking classes and wine tours.

The contrasting mountainous interior has far reaching views of the island and the spectacular coastline from the summits of the Nebrodi and Madonie Mountains in the north of the island.

Monte Speziale within Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, just south of San Vito Lo Capo on the north west tip is great for trekking with magnificent views and trails down to deserted coves and beaches.

There are lakes, waterfalls, gorges, fascinating geology and the native flora and fauna to discover in the Iblei Mountains in south east Sicily.

Wine is an integral part of the Sicilian culture and a number of Sicilian restaurants pride themselves on their extensive local wine lists and well stocked cellars.

Among the local wines, try the Etna red, white and rose produced in the fertile soil of the volcano's vineyards. Full bodied red or white Cerasuolol comes from Vittoria, near Ragusa. From vineyards near Palermo, Donnafugata is a fruity white wine. In the west Bianco di Alcamo is an honourable white wine popular around Trapani and Marsala from Marsala is the most famous of the island’s dessert wines.

There are a number of guided vineyard tours with wine tasting across the island where travellers can learn more about the production and varieties of Sicilian wine such as Santa Anastasia Winery in Castelbuono, Corvo Winery in Casteldaccia near Palermo, Florio winery in Marsala, Scilio Winery in Linguaglossa and Baglio del Cristo at Campobello di Licata near Agrigento.

A number of hotels across the island offer their guests the opportunity to go horse riding with excursions to explore the local area. Some countryside hotels have their own stables or can organise trekking to enjoy the spectacular scenery and offer the chance to ride along the coast. In the north east, some hotels can organise riding in Mount Etna National Park.

Sicily boasts a number of coastal nature reserves, ideal for bird watching, hiking, swimming and snorkelling. These include the beautiful Plemmirio Nature Reserve near Syracuse where fauna and flora can be found in abundance along with numerous marine species including dolphins and sperm whales.

Vendicari Nature Reserve also on the south east coast is home to Herons, Cranes, black Storks, Pelicans and home to a flamboyance of Flamingos in its lagoons, marshes, dunes and beaches.

Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve on the north west tip of the island is another beautiful coastal park and is home to several beautiful little secluded coves surrounded by the sea, worn limestone cliffs as well as 700 varieties of Mediterranean trees, shrubs and flowers and 40 different species of birds.

Sicily is home to Mount Etna, Europe's highest (3,323m) and most active volcano, (see Mount Etna >) and is close to the Aeolian Archipelago with several active volcanoes on Stromboli and Vulcano.

There are various trips to view Mount Etna which can be arranged by most hotels in the north east with tours of the national park, treks and 4 wheel drive excursions. 

Stromboli and Vulcano islands can be accessed by ferry or hydrofoil and feature natural springs, mud baths, craters, dramatic cliffs and on Stromboli nightly shows of molten rock spewing up into the sky every 20 minutes or so.

A number of rural retreats are situated on their own estates with their own vineyards or olive groves, providing guests with the opportunity to try home grown produce, including wine and olive oil.