Evanthe Garden

Visit Marsala, a pretty town in the Trapani area of Sicily and the fifth largest town in the region. This town has it all, beautiful scenery, fascinating museums, beautiful shops, excellent food and of course a stunning coastline.

Stay in a picturesque villa in Marsala for a few days and soak up the beauty of this authentic spot of Sicily!

Famous for its wine and being the landing place of Garibaldi and his ‘mille’ in 1860 which began the events leading up to the Unification of Italy, Marsala is guaranteed to be an enriching tourist visit!

Favignana is the largest and most important of the Egadi Islands, a group of three islands that are located off the western coast of Sicily.

It is a relatively unknown and unspoiled hidden gem that mostly greets Italian holiday-makers and while there are tourist amenities, the original character of the island has been little-altered over time. The atmosphere is authentic and peaceful, not the glamour and glitz that has taken over some of the islands in the area.

If you are in search of a place with a slow pace of life, a lack of bustling tourist crowds, beautiful beaches, a real Italian lifestyle and perfect summer weather, look no further.

Just find a vacation rental in Sicily and spend some time on Favignana.

If you're looking for a wonderful sun holiday destination, then a luxury villa in Sicily is a perfect option. Boasting incredibly hot and sunny summers, a unique and diverse cultural history, a rich cuisine, a striking landscape, and lots of truly amazing beaches, this slice of paradise on earth has all that you could ask for for an idyllic summer getaway.

Then, off the western coast of Sicily you will find the three Isole Egadi, also known as the Aegadian Islands or Egadi Islands in English; Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. While not as famous as the dramatic and volcanic Aeolian Islands or as chic and exclusive as Capri, this group of Sicilian Islands have their own perfectly laid-back appeal. Expect smaller crowds of international tourists (this is one of those spots Italians have largely kept to themselves), better value for your money, stunning azure waters and excellent swimming and diving spots, and lots of surprises along the way – all of it making the Egadi Islands and ideal place to spend some time if you have found a luxury villa in Sicily and are exploring this part of Italy.

The Archipelago of the Egadi, in addition to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, is also home to the islets of Formica and Maraone. There have been archaeological findings indicating the presence of people on the islands dating back to at least the Paleolithic era and prehistoric cave paintings suggest that these islanders have always lived with, and by, the sea. To this day, fishing remains a core industry on the islands, though overfishing in previous eras has lead to a great decline in the numbers of fish in the waters surrounding the Egadi and in the value of the industry to the local area. The islands have also gone through many different rulers and changes throughout the centuries. They have been a key Carthagian stronghold, a stepping-stone of the Arabs in taking control of Sicily, owned by Genovese bankers, and then a branch of the lucrative tuna empire owned and run by the Florio family in the 19th century, until they finally became a part of the Italian state in 1937.

Those who are interested in archaeology and who are planning a trip to Italy will find themselves in no short supply of incredible archaeological sites and museums to visit. Considering the country's long and complex past, with many different periods of rule and civilizations, it makes sense that these archaeological institutions are dotted all over the country and, among them, are some of the most famous examples in the world. For every Pompeii and Colosseum, however, there are also endless local sites worth perusing. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily, for example, you may want to head to the island of Isola di San Pantaleo, which is basically one great archaeological site called Mozia, to explore the past.

Mozia can be reached by ferries that launch from two spots on the lagoon shore between Marsala and Trapani. Run by two different companies, these ferries leave and return continuously throughout the day (except during lunch) and return tickets cost around five euros. When you get to the island, you will find a ticket office by the ferry jetty where you can pay for admission to the island and museum. On the island are basic facilities like a restroom, benches, a water fountain to get a drink, and a little cafe serving pastries, pizza, and some other small bits to eat and drink.