Jaded from your trips to Paris, London or New York and looking for an unspoiled place to visit this year – pick Taormina in Sicily – where you can experience a perfect combination of old world charm combined with an elegant and lively way of life. It is this balance between refinement and charm that makes Taormina the pearl of the Mediterranean.
The climate is ideal, the views breathtaking with perfect panoramas, historical monuments and rich flora and fauna. Located on the slopes of Monte Tauro, Taormina is an idyllic village with views of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe often capped with snow.
Amongst the must visit attractions include historical monuments such as Porta Catania and Porta Messina, the fountain in Piazza Duomo, the Byzantine Madonna, the San Domenico, the Clock Tower, the Greek theatre, the Naumachie, the Public Gardens and the Arabian Necropolis.
There are several other things to do in Taormina such as visits to Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorge; Islands of Lipari & Vulcano; a day trip to Syracuse; the Godfather tour where you visit the traditional Sicilian villages of Savoca and Forzà d’Agrò to see places where several scenes from The Godfather trilogy were filmed. And of course you can shop for the Armani, Prada and other Italian brands along with quaint antiques.
Taormina is a gastronomic delight offering a wide choice of diners, restaurants, trattorias, pizzerias, pastry-shops, bars, cafés and pubs to suit all tastes. If you really want to feel at ease like a resident, sit down at one of the several quaint open air cafés with your favorite book, order a cappuccino or a beverage of your choice, enjoy the music playing in the background, inhale the fresh air and relax in the magic of Taormina.
For a luxurious stay, pick the stylish Maison Blanche Luxury B & B villas. They offer amazing views of the Mediterranean and Isola Bella and a personalized experience that is missing at larger five-star hotels. The property is a 50-minute drive from the closest airport that is in Catania. Emirates Airline has a codeshare flight with Alitalia to Catania via Rome and the total flying time is around nine hours.
