28, October 2014: Top travel experts have predicted many people will get in early to book their breaks in the villas in Sicily in anticipation of the Christmas festivities this year. Always a popular destination with tourists, in recent years the island has become renowned for its delightful ambience at this time of the year. Many of the locals decorate their homes with handmade crafts and take part in processions through the historic city streets. Visitors staying in any of the villas in Sicily may even get the added bonus of being able to see snow on top of the mountains of Nebrodi and Madonie as an extra special Christmas treat.

What’s On?

The first of the notable celebrations will be Monreale’s annual week of holy music, during late November. Worshippers from far and wide gather in the Byzantine cathedral and sing songs of religious significance. There will also be a feast and procession in honour of St Mary in early December. Visitors staying in villas in Sicily with a passion for Italian food will have the opportunity to sample traditional Vastedda and Testa di Turco during the festive period.

Christmas traditions are different all over the island. In Palermo, for instance, visitors can watch classic reinterpretations of the nativity story in the many beautiful and historic religious buildings of the city, while in Taormina they can take the opportunity to try an assortment of festive cuisine at famous restaurants like Al Duomo.

All over the island, the streets will be lit up by fantastic illuminations during the Christmas period, and visitors can join in the tradition by leaving tokens of appreciation underneath the many live Christmas trees, which are sourced from Germany and Austria. For children, Christmas can be a thrilling time in Sicily, quite different from what they are used to; travel experts say this is one of the prime motivating factors for booking a family break on the island at this special time of the year. They advise booking early in order to secure first choice accommodation in the best villas in Sicily.

About Essential Italy:

Essential Italy provides affordable, good-quality, authentically Italian villa, hotel or apartment accommodation in Puglia, Sardinia, Tuscany, Umbria, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast. Contact them at http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk

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