If you are craving a getaway that offers peace and tranquillity in the midst of nature without sacrificing a sensational sunny climate, look no further than the beautiful nature reserve of the Madonie Mountains.

This cosy, magically rustic cottage offers a kitchen-cum-living room with a sofa bed that comfortably sleeps two, an open loft under the wooden eaves with a pair of single beds which can be reached up a short ladder, and a bathroom with a shower. Enjoy sunny lunches and long lazy dinners from the outdoor dining table on the well-kept terrace, and let yourself be carried away by the breathtaking views of the surrounding Madonie wilderness.

Located around a thousand metres above sea level, Pagliaio delle Madonie lies just a few kilometres from the twin mediaeval villages of Petralia Sottana and Petralia Soprana. A picture-perfect hiking trail runs nearby, leading up to the fourteenth century sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Alto; from here the views extend as far as Mount Etna, eighty kilometres to the east. Kids of all ages (including the grown-up ones!) will love the woodland adventure park just a short drive from your front door.

The Madonie Natural Park

Everyone knows that Sicily is blessed with a stunning coastline, filled with long sandy beaches and wild cliffs. But don’t sleep on the interior of the island! Whether you prefer a scenic ramble or a bracing hike, the mountainous hinterland that rises up from the north coast is a must-visit.

Despite the island of Sicily now being separated from the mainland, these mountains are in fact the end of the long Apennine chain that runs the length of the Italian peninsula, starting in the northwestern Alps and rolling unbroken until their final salute at the Madonie Natural Park. The tallest peaks of this area of outstanding natural beauty are over 2000m above sea level, but the foothills begin to rise directly as soon as you leave the beaches of Campfelice, Lascari and Cefalù.

From gentle pastures to dramatic precipices, cultivated olive groves to meadows filled with wildflowers and some of the most biodiverse forests in the Mediterranean, there is something to quicken every heart and fill every camera lens. In the summer its paths are filled with hikers, pony-trekkers and cyclists, while in the skies overhead paragliders descend slowly and silently to the beaches below. In the winter the snow-covered slopes of Piano Battaglia offer opportunities to ski, sledge and snowboard.

But the Madonie is not only a natural wonderland. The complex history of our storied island, and the interaction of numerous ancient cultures with dramatic terrain has left a network of beautiful and endlessly surprising towns and villages dotted across its green canvass. Although united by a deep commitment to the Dolce Vita ideals of taking life at a leisurely place, tight family bonds and never being too far from a mouth-watering meal, each one brings its own special charm.

The ancient walls of Castelbuono and Gratteri give a sense of the region’s dramatic past, while the quaint beauty of Gangi, Petralia Soprana and Polizzi Generosa will teleport you to another era. Take a few days to explore the full array, like chocolates in a delicious selection box – and while we’re on the subject of delicious treats, don’t miss the opportunity to sample the regional specialities of every one!