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  1. Friends & Family
  2. 2018
  3. 180301 Italy 2018

10 Taormina, Naxos and Castelmola

We arrived in Taormina late in the evening, after a long drive from Ostuni. Somewhat like Ostuni, this was a city on the side of a mountain. Our hotel offered a spectacular view of the ocean as well as Mt. Etna. Streets were narrow and paved in block and marble. The main street was shopping central - a wide variety of art and clothing and restaurants, including many high end shops. Part way down the main street, a huge plaza opened up to beautiful old buildings (including what must have once been a synagogue) and a breathtaking view of the ocean and shore line. Remember, we were high up. At the far end of the main street we found our first ancient greek theatre. It, too, offered a stunning view of the land beyond, including Mt. Etna.

Below Taormina, along the coast, is an old fishing town of Giardina Naxos. It offered beachfront buildings with wonderful character and color, wide beaches, old boats and people fishing. A significant contrast to Taormina overlooking Naxos.

Traveling back towards and beyond Taormina is the small island of Isola Bella. It is located within a small bay on the Ionian Sea; it was a private property owned by Florence Trevelyan until 1990, when it was bought by the Region of Sicily, being turned into a nature reserve, administrated by the Italian branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature. There is a narrow path that often connects the island to the mainland beach. The island has a small and rather rocky beach which is a popular destination for sunbathers.

Above Taormina - yes ABOVE - is the small town of Castelmola. From here, you can see the Ionian coast, Mt Etna, the Bay of Giardini-Naxos, the Cape of S.Alessio, the strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast. This small village above Taormina is a real genuine natural terrace built around the ruins of a Norman castle that, over time has assumed a concave and smooth shape, similar to that of a millstone (grindstone). From it's narrow, marble-lined streets, It offers spectacular views in every direction. You can even find a soccer field literally on the side of the mountain. Gaze off in the distance and you will easily see the switchbacks that are the road up the mountains from Taolrmina.
Read More
  • Moon shining over the Ionian Sea, as shot from our Hotel Excelsior

    Moon shining over the Ionian Sea, as shot from our Hotel Excelsior

  • Moon slips behind the clouds, shining over the Ionian Sea

    Moon slips behind the clouds, shining over the Ionian Sea

  • Mt. Etna, from our hotel window

    Mt. Etna, from our hotel window

  • View from the balcony in our hotel room

    View from the balcony in our hotel room

  • Taormina. looking up towards Castelmola

    Taormina. looking up towards Castelmola

  • DSC_8148

    DSC_8148

  • DSC_8150

    DSC_8150

  • From teh balcony of our room, Nancy is in the next room and all in sight of Mt. Etna

    From teh balcony of our room, Nancy is in the next room and all in sight of Mt. Etna

  • IMG_1476-Edit

    IMG_1476-Edit

  • Naxos below, from our hotel

    Naxos below, from our hotel

  • Looking up towards Castelmola

    Looking up towards Castelmola

  • DSC_8156

    DSC_8156

  • Terraced hillsides

    Terraced hillsides

  • Snow capped Mt. Etna

    Snow capped Mt. Etna

  • There's skiing up in them thar hills!

    There's skiing up in them thar hills!

  • Jewish star on the side of a building on the plaza in Taromina

    Jewish star on the side of a building on the plaza in Taromina

  • Corso Umberto - the main "walking thoroughfare" in Taormina

    Corso Umberto - the main "walking thoroughfare" in Taormina

  • DSC_8166

    DSC_8166

  • DSC_8169

    DSC_8169

  • DSC_8173

    DSC_8173

  • DSC_8176

    DSC_8176

  • DSC_8184

    DSC_8184

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