A Week in Taormina, Sicily
Taormina is a stunning little town that perches on the rugged side of stunning Sicilian landscape. It is enriched by a fascinating history, and a jaw-dropping view of the Mediterranean sea that stretches as far as the horizon will allow, with a dozing volcano Mount Etna, that dwarfs everything in its shadow.
A fantastic location, if you want a holiday where you can dually lie under the sun looking out to the most beautiful ocean, and also learn about the environment around you. Now, I have to warn you it can be quite steep in places, but that just makes the views all the more worthwhile.
Things to see
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina
An upward journey not for the faint-hearted, the 3rd century BC Ancient Greek theatre is a remarkably well-preserved ancient site perfect for visitors with a penchant for history and appreciation for ruins. And what makes it all the more interesting, this theatre still remains in use!
It is the venue used for the annual Taormina film festival ceremonies and can fit a capacity of around 10,000 seats. You can enjoy the ancient seating, stage area, and entrances used by those who lived 2300 years ago.
As well as this, because of where this theatre is placed, once you reach the top, as well as throughtout the whole journey as you walk up, the views are magnificent, and you’re met with the immense sight of Mount Etna in all its size and glory. An unforgettable memory of Taormina.
Corso Umberto I and Piazza IX Aprile
The Corso Umberto I is the main street in Taormina. It has some restaurants and ice cream parlours dotted along it, and it is also where the shops are located. There is a great balance of both high end shops that wouldn’t be out of place in Bond street, as well as smaller family-run boutique shops selling everything from handmade leather goods (Mara’s was a favourite), to maps or jewellery.
The town square, the Piazza IX Aprile, made up of stunning chequered black and white tiles, is situated in the middle of the Corso Umberto. It is a marvellous space to stop for a minute — preferably ice cream in-hand, and watch as the sun drops below the horizon. Also, despite the active nature of this Main Street, I remember this square to be a calm and easy place to sit and people watch, while I regained my strength to tackle the rest of the street.
Giardini della Villa Communale
Adjacent to our hotel we stumbled across this garden and how lucky we were to have found it. It was full of the most beautiful bougainvillea and luscious greenery, accompanied by decorative Victorian follies used and built by Lady Florence Trevelyn in 1889. What further enhances this park’s beauty, is that it stretches right out to the edge of the headland providing a magnificent view of the turquoise Mediterranean, with the surrounding of trees and plant-life.
But even more than that, there is a cat rescue shelter in the middle of it! This was so sweet and there were some very happy cats able to shelter comfortably away from the sun. This charming little garden we visited every evening, and it was contently peaceful but never silent, and it gave us a haven-like stroll before entering the livelier streets and stumbling upon yet another fabulous trettoria.
Arabian Necropolis and Church of St. Peter
And, if your thirst for history has yet to be quenched, walk a little way down the Via Bagnoli Croci and along the Via Pirandello and you will be met with a series of catacombs from the Byzantine 900–1000s, and connects as a cemetery to the remains of Taormina’s most ancient Christian church, The Church of San Pietro, or St. Peter.
These are great for they offer another quick flash of the broad Sicilian past, that makes it such a historically significant island and Taormina such an impressive town.
Where we stayed
We stayed at The Hotel Villa Belvedere, which was lovely. It had great service, a few stairs, but a wonderful view looking over the Mediterranean, as well as a great poolside restaurant/bar that did the most delicious lunches. We enjoyed an elegantly decorated room and bathroom, and were also lucky enough to have the most gorgeous terrace that gave us a fantastic view of Mount Etna as she slumbered, and as such made for a perfect place where we could take photographs. An excellent place to stay.
Restaurants
Gourmet 32. Before I go any further, Gourmet 32. We were there for a week, and we dined at Gourmet 32 several times. All our meals there were utterly delicious. The mains were so beautifully presented and perfectly cooked, but even more than this: the desserts. The desserts were astonishing, and as someone who wouldn’t classify herself as a dessert-person, I was completely wowed by these desserts: the cakes, the ice cream, and the presentation was just —
phenomenal.
Everywhere we ate had really gorgeous food and drink. One is not short of nice places to eat in Taormina, that’s for sure.
Activities
The Opera
Now I’m no opera-buff, but if you’re in Taormina and you’re looking for something fun and entertaining to do in the evening, go and see an opera performance. You don’t need to understand what they’re singing, because you’re so amazed at the incredible voice singing before you, and you still get the general gist of the story. There is also an interval, at which point you’re invited out onto the balcony, and given a glass of champagne as you look over a sparkly Taormina.They performed a variety of melodies and at the end, we were treated to a performance of The Godfather theme tune. A really lovely evening.
And finally…
One of the main factors that made Taormina quite so lovely was its atmosphere. It was easygoing and friendly. The service we received was completely first class and it just made the week very easy and relaxing. The history of this town kept us fascinated and wanting to know more, and accompanied by the most divine views, it made for an altogether charming and wonderful holiday location.
I’m looking forward to returning to this magical island, and learning even more.
Cara Winters
