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.