Sicily with young children

[Buglife]

I am thinking of next years summer holiday. We won’t be going abroad this summer as I’ll be giving birth in July. But next year I was thinking of going to Sicily. We’ve never been. Ideal would be near/on the beach, possibly a resort with a pool but also near a nice village or town with typical Italian square and restaurants. Or a villa in a seaside town. Not too long a transfer from airports. Also would prefer self catering apartment/villa rather than a hotel. We have been to Amalfi coast and loved it but think is too much driving around for little ones, we want to get there and stay there! But we love that vibe. Children will be 4 and almost 1. We might go in the end of May school holiday rather than actual summer hols so it’s not so hot.

Any recommendations?! I expect we will be able to spend up to £3000.

No idea but I've just booked a week in Syracuse in September on the strength of an MN recommendation. It looks lovely.

But we are an aging couple.

We took a baby and 3yo last year and stayed in an agriturismo. They're farm stays with a pool and restaurant. Cheaper than a hotel and lots of animals, fruit groves for children. Ours had access to an empty beach, a pool and an orange grove. You do tend to need to hire a car for them but ours was about £60 for a week's car hire.

Sicily is lovely - I've been twice - but it will hot if you go in the summer. I went in Sept both times (and am going in June this year for a few days). An agriturismo would suit the children very nicely and be quite inexpensive, but these tend to be up in the hills, rather than near a beach. I think I'd check villa companies - James Villas are lovely - but also owners direct, airbnb, vrbo, etc. Most towns in Italy have a town square, so you should be okay on that front and you can always google. Before I book anything I look where it is on google maps, then switch to street view and I also google 'images' of that town or village. It's amazing the level of snooping you can do if you're inclined!

Cefalu
We went there last year, and it was brilliant. The downside is that it was a 2 hour transfer, but so worth it.