Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

200  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

worldwide, the UK-based Think
Sicily and Travel Sicilia, a
Sicilian company, all have
extensive portfolios of country
and town houses, seaside villas
and other privately owned
holiday accommodation.
Airbnb is a worldwide web-
based initiative allowing private
owners to advertise rooms,
apartments and villas. Both
owners and clients are
protected as payments are held
by Airbnb until both parties
The interior of the Art Nouveau Grand Hotel Villa Igiea in Palermo (see p202) confirm that they are satisfied.
Bed and Breakfast Agriturismi
Recommended Hotels
Ever since a law was passed to The rural tourism or agriturismo
allow ordinary people to offer scheme began in the 1980s, to The accommodation options
bed and breakfast in their enable farmers and landowners featured on the following pages
homes, hundreds of B&Bs have to boost falling revenues by – listed by area and then by
opened in Sicily. The best offer renting out converted farm price – have all been carefully
excellent value for money, as buildings to tourists. They can selected. Those singled out as
well as the opportunity to range from cool, state-of-the-art DK Choices, however, stand out
experience Italian hospitality at country hotels to simple, down- from the crowd in some way.
its best, whether in a Palermo to-earth self-catering apart- They could offer 5-star luxury
apartment, an Aeolian island ments. Some serve food made with impeccable service, or be
village house or a stylish room from home-grown produce, set in a historically significant
in a Baroque palace. Although others have restaurants. Many building such as a former
the rule is that B&Bs can have offer activities such as horse- monastery or a palazzo. They
no more than three rooms, and riding, and some have may offer exceptional value for
that the owners live on the developed into little country money, or a welcome that
premises, this is often ignored. resorts with swimming pools, makes you want to start
If you are looking for a B&B on tennis courts and bikes to rent. planning your next visit straight
spec, be sure to ask if there are away. They might offer rooms
any staff on the premises, and if Villas and Apartments with views that will stay with
not, how to contact the owner you for a lifetime – of the Valle
should the need arise; ask as Sicily has a fantastic range of dei Templi in Agrigento, the
well if breakfast is actually self-catering accommodation, erupting volcano of Stromboli
served in the B&B, or whether ranging from unpretentious in the Aeolian Islands, the
they have an arrangement with seaside apartments and city bougainvillea-clad cliffs below
a local café. Occasionally use of flats to palatial villas with pools Taormina, or the exuberant
the kitchen may be allowed. and exquisitely restored ancient Baroque architecture of Syracuse
If you are looking for B&Bs country houses. Companies or Ragusa. Whatever the reason,
before you leave, it is well worth such as Vacation Rentals By a DK Choice will provide an
checking out online reviews by Owner, which operates especially memorable stay.
other travellers at sites such as
www.tripadvisor.com.
Boutique Hotels
Sicily has some outstanding
boutique hotels: in cities, in the
countryside and by the sea.
Placing an emphasis on smart
design, they generally offer
the same facilities and services
as larger hotels, but in a
more intimate setting. Some
are run by hospitality-trade
professionals, others by
passionate newcomers, often
from the worlds of architecture
and design. An inviting bath and cosy dressing gowns at BB22 in Palermo (see p202)

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