Slowing Down in the South of Sicily

A distinctive leisurely pace one is the first thing you’ll detect when visiting the southern regions of Sicily. Villas by the sea, orange and olive groves and authentic old world charm greet you at the end of tiny, two lane roads. It's a far cry from the highways of the north, and you're forced to slow down and enjoy every moment of time, however small. There’s plenty to do and a million things to see around here, but there’s no rush. Don’t believe us? Just look around and take your cue from the locals.

Despite the languid air, however, you’ll find there’s myriad activities you can engage in. One of the most popular ways to while a day away is, of course, spending it at one of the great beaches of Sicily. Villas by the coastline, however, demand that you spend more than your fair share of time enjoying the sun and surf. The innate beauty of these areas may tempt you to throw away your old life and become a beachcomber instead! If you can pull yourself away from the beaches, however, listed below are a few more things to do.

Enjoy Life at the Farm

The hills in southeastern area of the island are known as the capital of agroturismo. These are really working farms, where one gets together with the area’s produce farmers, vineyard owners, wine makers, olive growers and olive oil producers, to get a clearer view of how they work - and help out a little. You’ll definitely be rewarded with lots of fresh, wonderful food and drink to enjoy the Sicilian way.

Walk the Ancient Streets

You don’t need to walk fast to see a lot. In fact, slowly but surely is the best way to explore the late Baroque towns of Sicily. Villas in the Val di Noto region provide easy access to Noto, Modica, and Ragusa, to name a few, so you can sightsee quite leisurely. Navigate winding streets and narrow staircases to see the many buildings that are in historic UNESCO heritage sites. Go inside golden palaces (palazzos), ornate churches and museums, and take leisurely breaks in charming cafes to enjoy espresso and panini. Need something more substantially and authentically Sicilian? Try the famous street food: sfinciuni (spicy Sicilian pizza), arancini (deep fried rice balls with fillings) and seafood bites.

Go Fish

Make arrangements for a day of fishing along the coastline for a day of excitement at the most leisurely of paces. Alternatively, you can take a quick trip to the nearest fishing village (Scoglitti comes to mind) and buy fish fresh from the boats early in the morning. The island's seafood is superb, and even better when freshly caught.

Eat Ice Cream, and Lots of It!

Nothing says "slow down" like enjoying several large scoops of ice cream. Trying the local gelato is a must – it's the rich, smooth creaminess that you'll only find in Italy. Some say the best gelato is in Caffe Sicilia, in Noto, although some will insist the wine-based ice cream from Gelati Divini wins out. Whatever you choose is sure to be great! (By the way, it is perfectly acceptable to have ice cream for breakfast!)

Slow down, relax, and bask in the pace of spectacular Sicily. Villas dotted all over this lovely island will afford you the very best way to explore at your own pace. You’ll be amazed at how many more things you can enjoy when you’re not rushing through the day.

Helen Forbes is from Essential Italy, a company specialising in Italian holiday villas, apartments and hotels. If you’re looking for the perfect Sicily villas we can help. Our handpicked villas offer distinctive Italian qualities, great comfort and convenience.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.