Sicily is now gradually opening its doors to overseas real estate purchasers in the way the ever-popular Tuscany did more than half a century ago. One major change has been the greater number of homes on the local market. Until only a few years ago, they were in the main handed from fathers to sons. But younger islanders have been more likely to sell their inheritance to buy a home of their own.

Another factor behind the increased demand among overseas buyers for Sicilian properties is its prices, which are in general not only barely a fraction of those in Tuscany but some of the most affordable in Italy.

You may not find deals to beat the homes for $1.45 offered by Salemi mayor Vittorio Sgarbi a couple of years ago on condition that buyers repaired the properties' old earthquake damage within two years. Nonetheless, just Euro 55,000 will usually be enough for a 70sq m renovation project if you are happy to be 15 minutes by road from a beach resort. Euro 65,000 for an apartment around 10 minutes' walk from the beach in areas such as Calatabiano on the east coast and not far from the famous resort of Taormina. If you prefer to be a stone's throw from the sea, you might pay Euro 90,000 in nearby sites such as Giardini Naxos.

The soaring popularity of the island among house buyers and holidaymakers has also been propelled by th establishment of new direct routes by budget air companies such as easyJet and Ryanair to its three airports in Palermo in the north, Trapani in the north-west and Catania in the east. A further airport is set to be opened shortly in the south-eastern city of Ragusa. In addition a proposal has been unveiled for a Euro 6 billion bridge connecting the island with the mainland.

Sicily has always been popular with vacationers because of its sunny temperatures, rich history, spectacular landscape and affordable prices. Until a few years ago, there wasn't a great range of real estate for sale except for in coastal resorts as they tended to remain within families. Now a younger generation is less tied to tradition. They are prepared to cash in on these family heirlooms to allow them to buy elsewhere themselves.
It is very possible to buy a three bedroom property in Sicily for under US $250,000. Bear in mind there are pricy areas, such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Cefalu and Scopello, but they boast excellent rental potential as they are tourist hotspots practically all year round."

The most popular areas with foreign buyers and holidaymakers are Taormina on the east coast and Cefalu, Castellammare del Golfo, Scopello and Trapani on the north. A property with two bedrooms in Cefalu will typically cost Euro 160,000. For one with a sea view, budget around some Euro 225,000 either here or in nearby Castellammare.

Taormina is possibly the island's most sought-after spot for overseas buyers and as a result its most costly. In comparison, prices in Catania, 55km along the coast can often be 50% more affordable. Top-end villas in and around Taormina often go for more than Euro 1million. On the flip side letting potential is huge and and can top Euro 12,000 a month. Despite the high prices it is possible to unearth bargains. Euro 300,000 can get you a sea-view property and Euro 225,000 a three-bedroom home just 10 minutes walk away.

Sicily sparkles with star quality. Part of Ocean s Twelve was filmed in Castellammare del Golfo while Cefalu was the setting of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso. And a number of well-known names own on the island, such as UK pop stars Jim Kerr, Peter Gabriel and Mick Hucknall as well as fashion icon Giorgio Armani, England soccer coach Fabio Capello and French actor Gerard Depardieu. Madonna and Julia Roberts have also holidayed in Sicily.

Even down the ages Sicily had its legions of famous fans. literary icons D H Lawrence, who penned Lady Chatterley s Lover in Taormina, and Truman Capote as well as screen legends Marlene Dietrich, Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. In the 1700s the poet Wolfgang Goethe called the island "a land unutterably beautiful" while a century later Richard Wagner orchestrated his final opera, Parsifal, in Palermo.

Sicily's principal gems are its stunning landscapes, Roman amphitheatres and Greek temples. Its centuries-old ruins speak of the series of civilisations that have left their influence down the centuries: everyone from the Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and French. Sicily, the largest isle in the Mediterranean has a unique natural allure too, from its 620-mile coastline with mile after mile of inviting beaches to its magnificent mountain ranges. Then again there aren't many places where you can own a villa overlooking Mount Etna.

Sicily also has a number of sunny islands. Off the north coast lie Vulcano, Stromboli, which has an active volcano, and five other Aeolian Islands. To the west are the Egadi Islands and Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands off the south coast are closer to the North African coast than Sicily.

All this and pretty much never-ending sunshine. Take a look for yourself – you might just make some estate agent an offer he can't refuse.

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