Experience the ‘Cous Cous Fest’, Authentic Car Racing & The Frontier Film Festival

Sicilian villa company, Villatravellers, is delighted to share a selection of unique, local events for guests to enjoy this autumn, designed to showcase the authentic Sicily. This comes in light of Italy lifting quarantine restrictions for UK arrivals and these unique experiences include the world-famous ‘Cous Cous Fest’, traditional rally racing and the International Frontier Film Festival. Sicily is renowned for its diverse offering – with each corner of the island carrying its own identity and hosting great celebrations all year round. Villatravellers has handpicked a selection of beautiful villas, all situated under a half an hour’s drive from these traditional events, and designed to enable guests easy access, and a truly Sicilian getaway.

Villatravellers’ properties combine the indulgences of a five-star hotel with their dedicated concierge service and without compromising on the familiarities and privacy of home. The brand prides itself in their expert local knowledge across all regions of Sicily. Villatravellers’ expertly designed experiences are an incredible addition to any villa booking with each property boasting its unique range of additional activities guests can opt to enjoy.

The International Festival of Frontier Cinema

The International Festival of Frontier Cinema, which celebrates its eighteenth edition this year, is now an unmissable event and highlight of the tourist turnout in Marzamemi. Every year, coinciding with the Frontier Cinema Festival, now considered one of the main events of the Sicilian summer, Piazza Regina Margherita in Marzamemi becomes the southernmost and largest cinema in Europe.

This year the festival will be held for four days running from 14th to 19th September. There will be three screens playing films and two competitions. Europa Fresh Film, winner of the Quinzaine des Réalisateurs Cannes 2021 and presented by director Haider Rashid will kick off the series. This will be followed by The Marriage of Rosa, the comedy by Spanish director Icíar Bollaín, and Gagarine by Fanny Liatard and Jérémy Trouilh, a French revelation film first presented at Cannes.

The Cous Cous Fest

The Cous Cous Fest originated in 1998 and was designed to celebrate an ingredient, famously used in the Maghreb region of Sicily: cous cous. Today the international competitions brings thousands of people together, all in the name of cous cous, and celebrates a variety of different traditions, histories, cultures and religions. The festival is held every September in San Vito Lo Capo, with chefs from all over the globe coming together to create different Mediterranean dishes with beloved cous cous.

This year the festival will last for ten days, running from 17th to 26th September. Not only will there be competitions, but there will be live music and cooking shows from international chefs. The San Vito area has a lot to offer, between the beautiful beaches and an exceptional food and wine heritage.

The Targa Florio Classica

The Targa Florio Classica is one of the most famous car races in the world, and takes place every year in Palermo. The race was created by Vincenzo Florio in 1906 and has since taken place 103 times – originally as a speed race and today, as a rally racing competition. This year, the race will be running from 14th to 17th October.

Over the years, the scenery of the Madonie Park has welcomed many famous drivers in world of car racing, including Albert Divo, Achille Varzi,Tazio Nuvolari, Stirling Moss, Vic Elford, Graham Hill and Nino Vaccarella, who have raced and won, on the historic “Madonie Mountains Circuit”.

Live Like a Sicilian

Dimore di Ulisse - The International Festival of Frontier Cinema

Villa Dimore di Ulisse is situated a short half an hour’s drive from the International Festival of Frontier Cinema and its iconic big screens. A charming beachside property, with striking sea views, made up of two adjacent cottages and a large, shady garden with a great pool. Guests can enjoy the stylish seaside location and sunbathe in the garden, play volleyball, swim or relax on the rooftop terrace.

Dimore di Ulisse features 4 bedrooms and sleeps 8 guests available through Villatravellers from €2,710/£2,321 per week (www.villatravellers.com/ ; 0044 (0)20 3608 4505.) https://www.villatravellers.com/sicily/villas/dimore-di-ulisse

Itaca Villa - Cous Cous Fest

Only a 30 minute drive from the Cous Cous Fest and its tantalising tasting menus, Itaca is a wonderful choice for a break in Sicily. This newly built Sicilian villa has comfortable interiors and brilliant outdoor space. The saltwater pool is perfect for a refreshing swim in the middle of a hot day, and the covered gazebo offers a shady place to relax and unwind. The villa is particularly well-suited for families and the local area has many beautiful beaches and fun towns to explore too.

Itaca features 3 bedrooms and sleeps 5 guests available through Villatravellers from €1,900/£1,628 per week (www.villatravellers.com/ ; 0044 (0)20 3608 4505.) https://www.villatravellers.com/sicily/villas/Itaca

Disia - Targa Florio Classica

Experience the Targa Florio Classica like a true local at villa Disia, the perfect home for any car lover and less than a half an hour’s drive from where the race kicks off. Stylish, spacious, and supremely comfortable for a group of friends, the property is situated right by the beautiful Mondello Beach and manages to deliver a city and beach experience all in one go. The villa is well-suited for nightly aperitives on the veranda with a large outdoor dining area. Villa Disia is perfectly located with direct links to Palermo's city centre, Mondello beach and the airport, which is situated less than an hour away.

Disia features 5 bedrooms and sleeps 10 guests available through Villatravellers from €5,000/£4,274 per week (www.villatravellers.com/ ; 0044 (0)20 3608 4505.) https://www.villatravellers.com/sicily/villas/disia