Tips for Renting Villas in Sicily

When planning a holiday in Sicily, villas on this spectacular Italian island are not hard to procure. But not all of them are the same - especially when your own unique needs are taken into consideration. What may be a dream villa for a honeymooning couple could be impossible for a group of six with three children in tow.

This is where specialist rental agencies come into the picture to match you to the accommodation of your dreams. Here are a few simple but practical tips to help you find the right one.

Define Your Priorities

You will most likely be renting the villa out for a period of time, so you need to know what you cannot do without. This step is easily done by listing down your must-haves: x number of bedrooms for y number of occupants, a kitchen, garage for z number of vehicles, etc. Then you can follow through with your wants: pool, ocean view, beach access, private dock, private chef, housekeeping etc. This step will not only help you identify what to look for, but will also help you better define your budget. Once you have all this information in hand, you can then start shopping around for agencies that will find accommodations to suit your needs and wants for your holiday in Sicily. Villas abound all over the island so you are sure to find one for your needs.

Look for as Many Photos as Possible

Good agencies won't scrimp on the photos of Sicily; villas are often located in spectacular locations and they will be keen to show them off. Half a dozen photos is a decent start, as it will show you rather than tell what the accommodation has to offer your party. Don't just stop there, though. Look for customer reviews that include amateur shots of the villa in question. It is one thing to look at a picture taken (and most probably enhanced) by a professional, and another to look at an unflattering photo from a previous customer keen to share his or her opinion.

Put Together an Inquiry List

One of the worst things you can do is book accommodation for an entire week only to find out that nobody speaks English or that you were not supposed to bring in certain medications that are illegal (or at least restricted) in Italy (for example). Before you hand over any money, it is important that you 'test' the agency you are working with. Here is a very brief list of questions to ask an agency via email or live chat (depending, of course, on what services they offer or if you are travelling independently).• How will my party be transported once we land at the airport?• Does the staff in the villa speak English?• How close is it to (choose a location or landmark you want to visit)?• Someone in my party is taking these medications. Are they restricted in Italy?

Once you receive a reply you should check the accuracy and timeliness of the response. Smart agencies know their stuff and understand that speed is of the essence when it comes to customer inquiries.

Keep these three simple points in mind and you'll have a much easier time finding agencies that will match you up to your perfect accommodation in Sicily. Villas around this wonderful island can make all your holiday dreams come true.

Looking for your perfect home away from home in Italy? Mark Slaviero is a Director of Holiday Homes in Italy, a company specialising in finding the holiday home, villa or apartment of your dreams. For the ideal Sicily villas and accommodation in Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, the Italian Lakes, ski resorts and more, we offer the best in every region.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.