Simpson Travel (020 8003 6557, www.simpsontravel.com), the specialist, independent, luxury villa and boutique hotel operator, has introduced a brand new collection of villas in Sicily for 2017.

Adding to its existing Italian portfolio, the operator is now offering a choice of beautiful villas in and around the small town of Cefalù, on Sicily's northern coast. With properties ranging from a spectacular hillside villa overlooking the incredible coastline, to a stylish waterside loft apartment in the heart of Cefalù itself and from a beautiful farmhouse in easy reach of the Madonie National Park to a fabulous converted monastery, the collection offers guests the chance to enjoy the best of this lovely region, with its perfect combination of coast, culture and countryside.

Commenting, Graham Simpson, Simpson Travel says: 'We're delighted to be adding Sicily to our ever-expanding choice of destinations. It ticks all the boxes for a Simpson client, with beautiful beaches, unspoilt coastline and countryside to explore and the properties we've selected are in great settings, all with wonderful views and most with private pools. With parts of the island on the same latitude as the North African coast, it's also the perfect place to find the sun – for longer. We have a dedicated, knowledgeable team on hand to talk clients through the destination, and we look forward to introducing Simpson Travel clients to this wonderful part of the world.'

The programme currently centres around the former fishing village of Cefalù. With its medieval streets and pretty squares set against the dramatic backdrop of a giant rock – La Rocca – it was a location in Giuseppe Tornatore's iconic film Cinema Paradiso. The commune has a fascinating history, with a cathedral dating back to 1131, built by one of Sicily's Norman rulers, Roger II, its interior featuring gleaming Byzantine mosaics, considered one of Sicily's greatest attractions. There are also various Norman ruins and a romantic monolithic shrine: The Temple of Diana. 

 In its narrow streets visitors can enjoy lovely pavement cafés and restaurants, with a choice of cuisine reflecting the many cultures that have influenced life along this stretch of coastline. There is also an array of beaches to choose from. One of the most popular, thanks to its fabulous setting, is that of Cefalù town itself. Overlooked by the Cathedral-dominated skyline and towering La Rocca beyond, you can step off the beach and be right in the heart of the Old Town. For those who prefer to be a little more off the beaten track, a string of idyllic beaches can be found within a short drive, offering  long stretches of sandy and pebbles along with sparklingly clean water.

Those in search of a more rural adventure have the sweeping pine plains of the Madonie National Park to explore, with something for every season. Spring sees wildflowers in bloom, whilst in summer it offers a welcome break from the coast and autumn brings colourful foliage. There are also a number of hilltop towns and villages to explore, with cobbled streets, attractive squares and restaurants offering delicious home-cooked Sicilian food.

Highlights of the properties include:

Villa Splendida

Sleeping up to eight guests, this beautiful property offers stunning views across the terracotta rooftops, sandy beach and handsome Duomo of Cefalù to the blue sea and Aeolian islands beyond.  The decked terrace, with a pool and surrounding lawn, is framed by mature olive and pine trees, making it a wonderfully private setting to stretch out in the sun after a cooling swim. Warm sunny days last from April to November so the summer kitchen is the place to cook like a true Sicilian, with aromatic herbs from the garden and fresh fish from the market. Inside, the cosy, open-plan living areas are white and luminous, a welcome and practical space for family gatherings with an additional self-contained annex, ideal for visiting grandparents or a couple.

Villa Le Sorbe

With a path down to a private beach, a large pool and sea views, Villa Le Sorbe, made up of two separate three-bedroom houses, is ideal for two families holidaying together. It's perfectly located, with fabulous views and walks from the door either up into a forested hillside to a lake, or via a path down to the pebbly beach for a dip in the sea. Sleeping up to 12, the house is fresh and airy and also has wonderful outside space, with a beautiful pool, terrace and a summer kitchen – perfect for enjoying a fresh seafood platter or pizza together under the pergola. For a real taste of rural Sicily, the gardener's mother is also on hand to prepare some authentic home-cooked meals so you can truly relax and simply enjoy the experience (pre-booked in advance, payable locally).

Terrazza Gabbiano

This unique loft-style apartment is located in the heart of the picturesque coastal town of Cefalù, with its historic honey-coloured houses and medieval cobbled streets. Sleeping up to eight people in four bedrooms, it has breathtaking, panoramic sea views, and you can hear the sound of waves lapping on the rocks below. Once home to an artist, the interiors reflect the whites and blues of the coastline, with colourful tiles, whitewashed beams and wooden floors.  

Staying in the vibrant historic centre offers a real slice of Sicilian life, with plenty of authentic bars, pizzerias and seafood restaurants to sample the local cuisine. Buy fresh fish, fruit and vegetables from street stalls for a long lazy lunch at home, explore the local sights or just sunbathe and swim on the sandy beach. Evenings can be spent enjoying the local restaurants, or soaking up the views from your private balconies.

For bookings call 020 8003 6557 or visit www.simpsontravel.com

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For further media information, please contact:  Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com or Anthea Yabsley – 0208 578 6777 or email anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors: Simpson Travel was established in 2002, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Founder Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it became one of the most respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service.

In Simpson Travel, he recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually-selected properties, exceptional local knowledge for each destination, a highly experienced team of staff and excellent representatives in resort. Clients booking with Simpson Travel can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday has been created with their needs in mind and each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements. They can also rest assured that they will be really well looked after by the excellent representatives on hand in each resort.

In Greece, destinations for villas and hotels include Corfu, Paxos, Anti Paxos, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada, Meganissi, Zakynthos, Sivota, Skopelos and Crete. In Turkey, there is a choice of villas and some hotels in Akakya, the Bozburun Peninsula, Dalyan, Kalkan, Islamlar and Kaş. In Mallorca, choose from villas in Pollença, Puerto Pollença, Fornalutx and Southern Mallorca, whilst in Corsica, there are properties in Porto Vecchio, Bonifacio, The Valinco, The West Coast,  Calvi & The Balagne; Central Corsica, St Florent and Cap Corse, as well as the private island of Cavallo. The French programme includes villas and châteaux across France, with a particular focus on Provence, the Côte d'Azur, the Vendée and the South West/Dordogne area, whilst the 2017 Italy programme includes villas and apartments in Liguria, Tuscany, Umbria and Venice, as well two new boutique Simpson Hotels in Tuscany and range of properties in Cefalù on Sicily.