Taormina Favorites

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Favorite thing: Either end of Taormina's main shopping street are two gates - part of the old fortification system.called Porta Messina and Porta Catania.

Porta Messina, the entrance into town was restored at the beginning of the 19th century It was originally named Porta Ferdinanda when it was opened in 1808 by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. A tablet commemorating the occasion on the top of its arch. Porta Catania at the far end is the result of various changes and restorations, the last of which were in 1440 by the Aragonese. The Aragonese coat-of-arms sculpted in relief above the city coat-of-arms in the centre on the top part of the gate.

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Favorite thing: Its not a huge town you can walk from one end to the other of the main street - Corso Umberto I - in bout 10 minutes but take time to discover the intriguing steep alleyways off it and the little details everywhere. Of course the boutiques and top brand designer shops will also occupy your time.

Favorite thing: Taormina is probably Sicily's most touristic town but its such a pretty place to visit. it sits atop a hill of the Monte Tauro and overlooks two sweeping bays below and southerly is the splendid Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano. At night you could see the red glow of the lava.
It was certainly a memorable view for us.

Favorite thing: The other vantage point for Taormina is near the castello - which sits on another hilltop above Taormina. Just before the steps which climb up to the castello (currently closed) keep going along the lane to the church of Madonna della Rocca and you'll reach a viewpoint with IMHO the best view of Taormina - and a different angle to that of Castelmola. Steps lead down from here back in to Taormina with the typical station of the cross on the corners as the path zig zags down.

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Favorite thing: The best vantage point to see Taormina is from above - firstly from the hilltop town of Castelmola, perched on a rocky crag some 5 km above. The views are well worth it. Terraced vineyards and views all the way down the coastline are superb(pic 2) ...and of course you are that bit closer to Etna which dominates the scenery in the other direction. (pic 3)

Favorite thing: Hi everyone..
yep you can find daily bus services from the rail station (Giardini_Taormina) to Siracusa..to be sure you can check this web site about the travel trip agency that manage this trip http://www.interbus.it/interbushtm/homepage.asp
Take care byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Favorite thing: A lovely place to locate a theatre... ancient Greeks were so good at that! Sicily, as well as mainland Greek itself, is full of lovely spots where ancient theatres were built, see Segesta, Palazzolo Acreide justy as a couple of nearby examples!

Favorite thing: If you are able to climb the steep road from the train station by the sea to the village on top of the hill, you will be rewarded an unforgettable heavenly view with one side Mt. Etna above the coast line and the other side this fabulous island amid the dreamy golden sea.