Picture the perfect luxury holiday, and what do you see? Chances are, if you are a comfort-seeking traveller, it is peaceful days spent basking in golden sunlight by a glistening infinity pool, and balmy evenings spent relaxing in your own private jacuzzi with a glass of wine, as the sun sets over the Mediterranean.

In a super-luxe retreat surrounded by acres of sensuous gardens you can have all that, and more. Relax, unwind and revitalise while enjoying a totally private and unique experience. Which is why a luxury villa holiday in Sicily, the largest, sunniest island in the Mediterranean, should absolutely be at the top of your bucket list for 2022.

Across the narrow Strait of Messina from mainland Italy, the island of Sicily has become a hotspot for luxury travel, with a growing number of ultra-luxe accommodation options sitting alongside architectural treasures, UNESCO World Heritage sites, the best seafood in Italy, and splendid beaches lapped by the clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Holidays in this gorgeous, tricornered island off the toe of Italy’s boot have always been popular with high-profile vacationers, and they are all the more appealing now, after the Covid-19 pandemic. Privacy, seclusion and social distancing are the new luxury, and the very nature of hiring your own villa means that you can enjoy all the comforts, conveniences and deluxe facilities of a boutique hotel, with no other guests in sight.

Which is where luxury vacation rental company Select Sicily comes in. Options in Select Sicily’s portfolio vary from architect-designed contemporary homes and super-luxe villas equipped with private pools, saunas and gardens to beachfront mansions and recently-renovated countryside retreats with lush surroundings. Here’s our pick of the best…

Prestige, Syracuse

A real jewel, Prestige is a luxuriously finished holiday home located some five miles south-east of Siracusa, a UNESCO-protected gem on the south-eastern coast of Sicily.

With elegant, airy interiors, four well-appointed bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, tons of outdoor space for al fresco living, a seaside tennis court, telescope, and infinity pool (complete with jacuzzi and heated plunge pool), a stay in this contemporary architectural masterpiece ticks all the right boxes.

The private sea access makes it possible to dive into the waters of the Ionian Sea without leaving the comfort of your home away from home. A few steps take you down to a delightful rocky cove available for use exclusively by you and your loved ones.

The panoramic veranda is perfect for family lunches and dinners with the sounds of cicadas in the background, but if you want to get out a little, excellent restaurants serving gourmet delicacies and great local wine are within easy striking distance.

Seashore, Taormina

With its spellbinding views and easy access to the gorgeous Bay of Naxos, Seashore is a luxury beachfront villa of the highest quality, offering well-thought-out accommodation for up to 13 guests.

Designed to offer maximum privacy, this contemporary retreat features an on-site gym, a wellness area, the kind of high-spec kitchen a Michelin-chef wouldn’t turn their nose up at, a spa-like bath with hydrotherapy shower, a massage room, and a beautiful outdoor swimming pool.

Its position is ideal for discovering Sicily’s eastern coast. Don’t miss the glamorous hilltop town of Taormina or the gorgeous pebbly beach of Isola Bella, a UNESCO-protected nature reserve previously owned by a British aristocrat.

Villa Orizzonte, Noto

If you’re looking for a slice of classic Italian dolce vita, then you can’t go wrong with Villa Orizzonte, a stunning villa near the baroque town of Noto, another UNESCO treasure on the south-eastern coast of Sicily.

Occupying a privileged hilltop position from which it surveys the sparkling Ionian Sea, Villa Orizzonte really has few rivals. Modern luxury and comfort coupled with a peaceful ambience make this oasis of laid-back luxury living the perfect base for your next Sicilian holiday in the sun.

This top-of-the-range, four-bedroom villa can house up to eight guests, and is the ideal intimate luxury retreat for large gatherings of friends and family wanting a memorable island getaway.

Essence, Menfi-Porto Palo

Imbued with an atmosphere of tranquillity, Essence is the picture of contemporary cool. Its spacious interiors flow out onto multiple outdoor relaxation areas which offer captivating views across the lush vineyards of award-winning wine producer Planeta and the Mediterranean Sea behind.

Highlights abound at Essence, with a full-size billiards table, a state-of-the-art designer kitchen, manicured lawns, and an inviting 20×40 foot swimming pool surrounded by tall palm trees, all just a few minutes from the spectacular beaches of the Menfi coast.

Sleeping up to six people, this panoramically positioned three-bedroom property is the idyllic summer vacation home.

Villa Sciutia, Scordia

Villa Sciutia, pronounced with the stress on the last syllable, is a wonderfully spacious three-building estate situated in the lush countryside surrounding the charming town of Scordia, roughly halfway between Catania and the historic city of Syracuse.

Easily housing up to 20 people, this amenity-laden, ten-bedroom mansion built in true Mediterranean style offers guests hypnotic views of Mount Etna – the highest and most active volcano in Europe – a full-sized tennis court, a wine cellar, a large library, a kids’ play area, a cosy Finnish-style sauna, and a gorgeous 25×50 foot swimming pool, where we have no doubt you will spend most of your time.