Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, is located just off the 'toe' of Italy's 'boot'.

It is separated into nine provinces which all have direct access to the coast, except for the province of Enna which is entirely landlocked.

It offers UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse landscapes and active volcanoes, sandy beaches and five national parks.

The Valley of the Temples has well-preserved ruins of seven Doric-style Greek temples, and on its eastern edge is Mount Etna is one of Europe's highest active volcanoes.

Agriturismo was codified into Italian law in 1985 and means a holiday spent on a working farm or country estate.

The small-scale cultivation of local produce and the traditional cuisines of the regions are valued highly by Sicilians.

Since small farms have latterly become less profitable, many owners of land or smallholdings have restored their buildings to accommodate holidaymakers and augment their incomes.

Many encourage their guests to take part in the farm's activities while enjoying the rural life of the region, albeit in some comfort.

Sunvil offer self-catering villas on Sicily including :

Villa Bianca Ponente and Levante, Ragusa, eastern Sicily

Open all year round, these two identical villas, each with three bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, can be rented separately or as two villas.

The villas are on a hill and overlook the Donnafugata castle and the sprawling Sicilian countryside, with the Mediterranean Sea in the distance.

Baroque towns in this corner of the island are nearby including Ragusa Ibla, Noto, Syracuse, Scicli, Ispica and Palazzolo.

The are also the beaches of Punta Secca and the fishing village of Marzamemi with its Tonnara - one of the oldest and most important tuna factories.

Villa Taormina Bellevue, Taormina, eastern Sicily

This modern spacious villa, with four double bedrooms, is set on three floors and located 4km from the centre of Taormina.

The villa makes a base for exploring Sicily's eastern coastline with small fishing villages, hilltop towns and rural landscapes along with active volcanoes (Mount Etna), vineyards and historical monuments.

Villa Selinunte Garden, Selinunte, western Sicily

This traditional country house (four bedrooms, sleeps eight) is located in the rural province of Trapani, near to the Mediterranean Sea and to many historical and cultural sites.

These include the five Greek temples at Agrigento, which are some of the best-preserved temples in Europe.

Marsala, a 40 minute drive, is known for its ancient ruins and fortified Marsala wine, and Stagnone Nature Reserve, with its salt pans and migratory birdlife.

From the harbour town of Trapani there is a boat to the Egadi Islands or reach the medieval hilltop town of Erice by cable car or drive up the winding mountain road.

Villa Casale dell Ulivo, Syracuse, eastern Sicily

This luxury villa (five bedrooms, sleeps eight) features a covered patio, private swimming pool, manicured lawns and tall trees

It is a short drive from the towns of Ragusa Ibla, Noto, Syracuse, Scicli, Ispica and Palazzolo.

Villa Nature's Embrace, San Vito Lo Capo, western Sicily

Located close to Monte Cofano, one of the maritime reserves on the island, this is for nature lovers, with hiking trails and cycling routes, a nature reserve which attracts several species of birds, plus several caves with evidence of prehistoric settlements.

There is a small beach just 600m away and the beaches of San Vito Lo Capo are a 25-minute drive.

www.sunvil.co.uk

Useful links

​ www.visitsicily.info/en/