Hugging the eastern coast of Sicily is Taormina. A smallish, but charming hillside town and one of Sicily’s uncut diamonds.
With the gorgeous Mt Etna in its backyard and sweeping views of the Ionian Sea, Taormina is blessed with natural beauty as well as an ancient Grecian splendour.
The Greek influence of the Magna Graecia (Great Greece) cut into South Italy and Sicily around the eighth century BC. The Greek colonists made their mark on a number of cities on coasts around the Bay of Naples, the Gulf of Taranto and further South all around Sicily. Back then, Taormina was a magnificent port of call with the boundless Greek prosperity lending itself to this beautiful little haunt. In present times, the ancient Greco-Roman ruins, picturesque seaside coves, craggy hills and sandy beaches have all lent themselves to this Sicilian beauty. The awe-inspiring Greek theatre of Taormina, stands testimony to the arts and culture of ancient times, built to house dramatic performances.
The best time to visit Taormina is early spring and fall, barring the busy months of July and August which can also be blistering hot.
The beaches are pristine and one can never get enough of them. Spending hours along the sandy shores with a granita in hand or simply gazing into the sunset on delicious Sicilian evenings can seem like a fetching dream. Located along the coast is Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) which is one of the must visits when in Taormina. A stunning little island easily accessible by ferry.
And, only when one has had enough of these azure waters, the stretch of Corso Umberto can seem like a fine inland reprieve. Stretching across the breadth of the city centre, this is Taormina’s vibrant, arterial street leading from the Porta Messina across the city to the Porta Catania. Lining Corso Umberto are curious little cafes, shops and restaurants…all adding to the appeal of the place.
Mount Etna is an adventurous day trip from Taormina and worth witnessing one of nature’s unbelievable creations. This majestic, active volcano is Europe’s tallest and open to visitors. Strada del Vino dell’Etna or The Etna Wine Route promotes a journey of discovery of the area on board a train skirting Etna’s slopes and discovering some of the most beautiful wineries of the region. The Etna Wine Train takes guests through Parco dell’Etna (Etna National Park) and along the Parco dell’Alcantara (Fluvial Park), before arriving at the station in the medieval village of Randazzo. Here the tour continues on board the Wine bus, held together by a tour guide to reach some of the most beautiful wineries in the territory. The itinerary includes a visit to two wineries with wines guided tastings. https://www.stradadelvinodelletna.it/
Etna Rosso is the famous red wine made from two indigenous grapes that thrive on the volcanic soil here. Nerello Mascalese is the heart and soul of Etna Rosso with up to a 20 percent of Nerello Cappuccio. Etna Bianco is a white wine comprising Carricante and Catarratto, two native white grapes from the region. These wines are redolent with notes of flowers and exotic fruit criss-crossing with volcanic mineral hints….and a faint undertone of sea-salt.
While in Etna, one must witness the ancient art of making granita with salt and ice. This unusual craft dates back centuries and is accompanied by a spirited session of storytelling. Guests can choose 3 flavours from a range like lemon, strawberry, mulberry, peach, almond, pistachio, chocolate, coffee and enjoy it like the Sicilians do….between the folds of a soft brioche. This granita making experience is a special showcase of Isolani per Caso (Islanders by chance), an experiential travel company run by three fun loving and passionate friends – Daniela, Patrizia and Roberta. https://www.isolanepercaso.it/en/granita-tasting-in-a-cave-etna-sicily/
These three feisty girlfriends have been taking guests on unique experiences ranging from Food Tours in Catania and Palermo, Bike Tours, Tastings of Sicily’s famous Marsala wine to Cooking authentic Sicilian dishes, sometimes in a winery.
In recent years, Taormina has gradually evolved into an enthralling seaside destination, the luxe quotient of which will go up a few notches with the new San Domenico Palace which will re-open shortly as a Four Seasons hotel. From its hilltop perch, the Hotel boasts stunning views. Comprising an ancient Dominican monastery from the 15th century, San Domenico Palace welcomed notable guests in the past including Oscar Wilde, Elizabeth Taylor, and DH Lawrence, among many others. https://press.fourseasons.com/news-releases/2020/new-four-seasons-in-taormina
https://press.fourseasons.com/news-releases/2020/new-four-seasons-in-taormina
Taormina has all the makings of a playground for the jetsetters.
Blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and ancient Greek heritage, this radiant pearl of the Ionian Sea is certain to be discovered by more travellers on the quest.
Let’s hope that it still is able to retain its quiet resplendence.
(This article is part of the Bella Italia mini-series that aims to uncover the beauty of Italy, enticing us to dream of travel again.)
Image Courtesy – www.isolanipercaso.com
Author: Gargi Guha, Director, PR, Four Seasons, Bengaluru
