GREAT FAMILY HALF-TERM BREAKS IN SICILY

With around six hours of sunshine a day and temperatures just tipping the early 20’s, October half-term is a great time to enjoy some of the activities and cultural attractions on offer in Sicily.  Book a self-catering villa in Sicily a well-chosen location and you can combine a beach, city and countryside holiday in one.

Free horse-riding in western Sicily:  Book a stay at soloSicily's luxurious 4-bedroom Il Poggio and horse-lovers in the group can explore the surrounding woods on horse-back whenever they want, at no extra cost.  The fully-equipped stables adjacent to the villa are home to eight horses.

For non-riding guests, the villa has a lovely garden and pool area with views over the hills around Palermo and is in an excellent location for sightseeing and beach trips. Visit the nearby lively Mondello beach resort, lined with cafés and restaurants, wander through the vibrant street markets in Palermo and take a trip to nearby Monreale, home to the last and most beautiful of the Norman churches built in Sicily.

A week at Il Poggio at October half-term costs from £2695 (sleeps 8), including free horse-riding, with www.soloSicily.com.

Hiking and mountain-biking:  Follow well-trodden hiking routes through the Madonie Mountains or spend a day at the Parco Avventura Madonie, where rope climbs, assault courses and mountain biking (bikes and helmets provided) are on offer at an adventure playground in the woods. 

Stay at Ai Mulini, an 18^th farmhouse with pool, near the village of Polizzi Generosa, best known for its remarkable assortment of 33 ancient churches.   Take time out to visit other nearby hill-top villages, such as Gangi, Geraci Siculo and Petralia Soprana with their cobbled streets, castles, palaces and Baroque and Norman churches and if you need to feel the sand between your toes for one more time this year, the villa is just over an hour’s drive to Cefalù on the coast.

One week at Ai Mulini at half-term starts at £1140 (sleeps 8) with www.soloSicily.com.

soloSicily features accommodation in apartments, villas and boutique hotels throughout inland and coastal Sicily.  For further information, please visit www.solosicily.com, tel. 020 7193 0158.