well travelled
This page, from top left: The courtyard of a Scent of Sicily villa in Marausa; Hot stu ! The world-famous Mount Etna; Palermo Cathedral is one of many architectural delights in the city; A Scent of Sicily in villa by night; Clear turquoise waters at Mondello beach in Palermo SCENT OF 2 SICILY VILLAS
THE LOCATION: Sicily, Italy PRICE RANGE: Villas, which sleep six to eight people, average between€ 2,000 per week, o -season t€o3 ,000 per week, high season. ocated just o the toe of Italy’s magni cent selection of welcoming HOW TO GET THERE: well-heeled boot and home to the accommodations that are situated in exclusive Aer Lingus ies directly from Dublin to Catania, bolshie Mount Etna, the island locations throughout the island. Sicily’s second largest city. has been a crossroads of cultures All their rental o erings have been carefully WEBSITE: for over three millennia – a hand-picked and are found in either o -the- scent-of-sicily.com history that is re ected in its beaten-track locations or nestled in the diverse architecture, ancient ruins meandering narrow, cobbled streets of some OVERVIEW: and cuisine, notably its delicious couscous. of the ancient towns. When you think of Sicily, the name of Michael LBustling with sandy beaches, beautifully- Whether it’s in the western city of Marsala, Corleone might spring to mind but there is much more to this mesmeric Italian region thTahen preserved temples and striking Byzantine the eastern town of Taormina or the UNESCO- Godfathe. rIn fact, the only crime you would mosaics, Sicily is one of Europe’s most vibrant listed setting of Syracuse in the south, Scent of be guilty of committing is not dusting o your holiday destinations – one that has un pocof or Sicily’s extensive catalogue is awash with passport and spending a few days immersed in the beguiling atmosphere of the Mediterranean’s everyone. beach or private pool options that guarantee largest island, a location that’s sure to leave you If you’re looking for the perfect host, be sunny horizons, warm sea breezes, and a feeling revived, inspired and mesmerised. sure to familiarise yourself with Scent of Sicily, life-time of memories to bore the a superb, locally-run business that provides a grandchildren with in years to come.
102103 IRISH TATLER MAN
PG98-104 Rooms with a view.indd 102 27/08/2015 18:28 This page, from top left: The legendry Fountain of Artemis in Archimedes Square, Syracuse; Tonnara di Scopello, Sicily; Views from a Scent of Sicily villa in Marausa; Sicily’s numerous outdoor markets are a popular draw with tourists; A moment of quiet in Palermo; Ample space and an elegant design are common to all Scent of Sicily villas
The magni cent Valley of the Temples is worth the trip alone
sampling the local gastronomy or witnessing the endless Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque churches, palaces and buildings that THREE THINGS TO DO litter this frenetic and fast-paced city. NEARBY MOUNT ETNA VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES (VALLE DEI Sicily has UNESCO run ragged with the TEMPLI) amount of World Heritage sites to which the If you’re staying on the west coast of the island lays claim. Another ne example is the island, be sure to visit the magni cent and Heritage Site is also the largest archaeological wondrous Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active immaculately preserved Valley of the area this planet of ours has to o er. volcano and one of the island’s, ahem, Temples, which is found close to the city of hot-spots. Agrigento. PALERMO To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was While calling itself a valley is something of a On the north of the island is Sicily’s cultural, the realm of Vulcan, god of re, and the misnomer, seeing as the site is located on a economic and touristic capital Palermo. With home of Cyclops, the one-eyed monster. ridge, it is, nonetheless, amongst the most a population of around 650,000, the city is a Speaking of eyes, follow one of the many outstanding examples of architecture in the cornucopia of history, culture, art, music and itineraries available and yours will be world. Not only is it one of the main food. It also boasts some stunning beaches. dislodging themselves from their sockets, attractions to visit in Sicily, the UNESCO Give your senses the time of their lives by such is the magni cence of the sights.
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