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WHAT YOU WILL FIND HERE

LIST OF CONTENTS:

Subject Page

Eating in Taormina…………………………….2 Food shopping…………………………………...3 Drinking in Taormina…………………………3 Beaches in Taormina and around………..4 Sightseeing in Taormina……………………..5 Walks-Hiking around Taormina………….6 Outdoor excursions……………………………7 Etna Area…………………………………………..8 Other attractions………………………………..9

VERY IMPORTANT: Please, leave this guide here for future guests who will stay here after you leave. It will be useful to them as it is for you now. Thanks

1 EATING IN TAORMINA

Taormina offers a great variety of restaurants, cafes and bars. Here are my personal recommendations based on my knowledge and years of experience

RESTAURANTS My favourite chef, Marco has closed his own restaurant but now works in Bistrot du Monde, in via Naumachia, 25. You can check their page on Facebook, and Marco’s eggplant balls are extremely recommended! Don Camillo (via Arcageta-close to the supermarket) the Chef Cettina is one of the best and most creative cooks I know. In Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro (Piazza del Carmine) you can choose among many choices for pizza, sitting in a beautiful garden. Try one of the options with pistachio, a local delicatessen produced in a town named Bronte, on Etna’s skirts. Restaurants with sea view (more expensive): Taormina (in the stairs after Piazza IX Aprile), Granduca (between piazza IX Aprile and Duomo square).

TRADITIONAL “FAST FOOD” Da Cristina – Rosticceria-Pizza-Focacce (street by the Duomo square). is very famous in Italian cuisine for its rich street food tradition. So, once in Sicily you should taste at least one of its most popular foods, arancino, a deep fried rice ball filled with delicious mozzarella cheese and vegetables or other kinds of food. Here at Cristina’s you may also have a chance to watch the cooks preparing the food. Other typical street foods are: scacciata, cipollina, and the slices of pizza here are particularly appetizing here.

BREAKFAST A coffee with granita (a kind of ice cream without milk) and brioche is a must in Bambar, close to the church of Santa Caterina, in the street descending besides the street leading to the Greek Theater. Luraleo bar (close to Porta Catania, in front of the Post office) offers coffee, cappuccino, and among some good choices for breakfast, the almond croissant you find here is quite unique.

ICE CREAM In Gelatomania, on corso Umberto between Palazzo Corvaja and Porta , you find the best ice cream in Taormina.

PASTRY SHOP Pasticceria D’Amore (in front of arco dei Cappuccini) is a Paradise for desserts lovers: try a small dessert called lulù al limone. But here you can also find cakes, tiramisù and much more than you can imagine.

COFFEE AND DESSERTS In Etna Bar, on Corso Umberto, you can taste the delicious traditional Sicilian desert called “cannolo”, made with sweet ricotta cheese.

BAKERIES Managò, in via Giardinazzo 55, produces different kinds of bread and pasta fresca. Next to San Pancrazio’s church there is a bakery producing small pizzas, but they also make sandwiches on request. Another bakery is located up on via Leonardo Da Vinci, a little out of the historical centre.

2 FOOD SHOPPING

SUPERMARKET

Grocery shops are many but unnecessarily expensive in Taormina. The only supermarket in Taormina is in via Apollo Arcageta (close to Porta Catania) and is open all day (Monday to Saturday) from 8.00 am to 9:00 pm, and from 8:00 am to 12:30 am on Sundays. At just 5- minute walk from home, here you can find everything, and it is the cheapest option if you want to buy drinks or food that you want to cook by yourself. At the supermarket you also find a good range of local products, like pesto or cheese. However, if you like fresh fruit and vegetables, consider the municipal market, which is open every morning, except on Sunday.

MUNICIPAL MARKET

This is the traditional kind of Italian market, which you find in Taormina. It is just at a 10 minute walk from the apartments, close to Arco dei Cappuccini, it is open every day (except on Sundays) from 8.00 am till around 12:00 am. Here you find a lot of delicious fresh fruits and vegetables of local production. There is also a stand selling flowers, a cheese stand, and a couple of stands selling fish and meat.

WEDNESDAY MARKET

The weekly market in Taormina is located in the upper part of the town, on a large square with a few trees, known as “La Chiusa”. It is open only on Wednesday, from around 8:00 am to around 12:00 am. On rainy days however, it may not open at all. Here you find cheap clothes (mainly Chinese production), home accessories, and some stands selling local fresh fruit and vegetables, usually from the producers.

DRINKING IN TAORMINA PUBS There are three pubs in Taormina: On the road Rock bar, in Viale san Pancrazio, with an open air terrace. Time Out, also on viale San Pancrazio, and O’Seven, very close to the apartments and next to the Clock tower, where there is live music (a British pop tribute band) every week. Other choices with a more local taste are Risto-pub Tutti cca (via Fratelli Ingegnere), and Re di bastoni, on Corso Umberto. In Re di Bastoni there is also a piano, if you want to play 

WINE AND APPETIZERS For a wine tasting I recommend Osteria RossoDiVino, which also has a good restaurant menù. Close to Piazzetta Paladini, Casamatta is a small pub where locals hang out, which opened in 2016. It has a good selection of local wines, beers, salads and appetizers, and often offers high quality live music jam sessions. Also Luraleo makes good aperitivos.

COCKTAIL BARS Two of the most popular bars in Taormina are on Piazza IX Aprile: Mocambo and Wunderbar, they also have a piano bar live music. Piazzetta Paladini (Duomo zone) is a beautiful square with a tree, surrounded by gardens which is worth seeing even if you don’t want to drink anything: here the most popular bars are Deja-vù and Maffei’s. A colorful option is Daiquiri, on the stairs by the Duomo square.

DISCO-CLUBS Morgana and La Giara (access from Corso Umberto, Piazza IX Aprile zone) are the two discos in the historical center of Taormina.

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BEACHES IN TAORMINA AND AROUND

ISOLA BELLA – Marine natural reserve – great for snorkeling

Isola bella, named after the island in the middle of the bay, is the most popular beach in Taormina, because of its stunning beauty. It is possible to visit the museum on the island paying a ticket of 4 euro, and rent umbrellas and chairs in the beach clubs. There are a few bars where you find food and drinks, and my personal favorite is Pizzichella, close to the diving center, on the left side. Boat tours to the caves around are organized all day. The beach here is made of pebbles of different sizes, some of which may be slippery. At the right end of the beach, after the island, there are also a few trees, which provide some refreshing shadow.

It is possible to reach Isola bella walking (30 minute walk down hill from the apartment), by cable or by bus (Interbus company from the bus terminal). The cable is the fastest way, but the walk down is a beautiful stroll, especially recommended for the view of the bay from the top. Walk to the bus terminal and continue on the same road until you find a panoramic terrace. Below the terrace a staircase starts, leading to the coast road SS 114. When you arrive on the road, you will find a small lay-by with a fountain, cross the road and climb down the stairs to reach the beach.

MAZZARO’

Mazzarò is the second beach in Taormina, the cable car lower station is located here, and there is also a large car parking area. It is very close to Isola bella, and it can also be reached by bus or walking. In Mazzarò you find several bars, selling food and drinks, and beach clubs where you can rent chairs and umbrellas. Here, on the left side of the beach, there is a diving center, and you can also rent a small boat, a kayak, or a SUP. The beach is made of small pebbles, and it is easier walk into the water, compared to Isola Bella.

SPISONE AND

Spisone and Letojanni are two large sandy beaches, which can be reached by bus (Interbus). Spisone is the closest, located right after Mazzarò, while Letojanni is a little more North of Taormina, and is also a residential town. If you want to spend a day in a luxurious beach club you can try Lido Stockholm between Spisone and Letojanni.

FONDACO PARRINO

Fondaco Parrino is a long sandy beach, North of Taormina, where locals go when they want to have a relaxing day away from the crowd. It was famous as a naturist beach, and it can be reached by bus (Interbus). It is located a few kilometers before Sant’Alessio, so any bus to Forza d’Agrò or Sant’Alessio would take you there. Ask the driver to let you get off at Fondaco Parrino. There are no bars or beach clubs here. If you want to go further, the water is especially crystalline in (using Interbus connections).

VILLAGONIA

Villagonia is a beach made of pebbles located below Taormina, between Capo Taormina and Giardini train station. There is a beach club named Puerto Rico, and any bus (Interbus) to Giardini will take you there. This beach is also a good place for snorkeling, especially on the North side, where there are rocks just below the hill.

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SIGHTSEEING IN TAORMINA

The best way to visit Taormina is by getting lost in the side streets, discovering picturesque staircases and hidden spots of stunning beauty. The Greek layout of the town has a central main street, Corso Umberto, with two main gates, the old access to the town, the stone arches of Porta Messina (North end) and Porta Catania (South end).

THE GREEK THEATER

The ticket to the Greek Theater costs 10 euro, but during the summer you may have the chance to join one of the concerts offered by the various show program (from pop music to opera), and see the theater by night. Each year in June movies of the Cinema festival are showed here.

PALAZZO CORVAJA and SANTA CATERINA’s CHURCH

Palazzo Corvaja is a medieval building, originally built by the Arabs. It hosted the Sicilian Parliament in 1411, and was the summer residence of the Spanish queen Bianca di Navarra.

PIAZZA IX APRILE and SAN GIUSEPPE’s CHURCH

Piazza IX Aprile is a large panoramic spot, with interesting architecture around: a few churches and the clock tower with the Virgin Mary wall mosaic.

THE PUBLIC GARDENS (Parco Duchi di Cesarò)

Designed by the Scottish Florence Trevelyan, who moved to Taormina in 1884, this is one of the most original historical places in Taormina, and voted as one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. The perfect place to cool down in summer, to read a book, or to walk under the trees. Go to explore its views, nature, and its original buildings, called beehives.

THE DUOMO CATHEDRAL and THE FOUNTAIN

The Cathedral was built around 1400. On top of the fountain in front of the cathedral you can see Taormina’s symbol, a centaur.

OTHER PLACES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

 The church of San Pancrazio, Saint Patron of Taormina, built on top of a Roman temple, where you can see the different building layers on the exterior wall. Located out of the town walls, along Viale San Pancrazio.  The Greek-Roman Odeon, behind Palazzo Corvaja.  The Greek monument Naumachie, which was a large water storage place or a pool for shows like sea battles.  Piazza del Carmine and the church, which usually hosts temporary exhibitions.  Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano (close to Porta Catania) with its awesome garden.  Sant’Antonio’s church (Porta Catania) and the amazing, huge Nativity scene inside it, a traditional craft from Naples.  The church of San Francesco di Paola, which today hosts a museum of folk art and traditions, in via Apollo Arcageta (Porta Catania zone).  The museum and the large garden with hundreds of plants and trees, hosted in Casa Cuseni on via Leonardo Da Vinci.

5 WALKS-HIKING AROUND TAORMINA

CASTELMOLA AND MADONNA DELLA ROCCA is connected to Taormina through a panoramic path, which offers a gorgeous view of the North slope of Mont Etna. This path, called “Sentiero dei Saraceni” (Path of the Saracens), is mainly made of stone steps and it takes around 40 minutes to climb up to Castelmola. In the map below you find the route to the beginning of this path. After reaching the upper part of the town named Chiusa (there are stairs leading to that area), go on and follow the main street up in direction of Castelmola. Along Circonvallazione street, before the end of Taormina town you will see a small park area with some trees after which the street is making a kind of U turn. There you will see a small street going up, with a broken white sign (symbol of the walking man) indicating Castelmola, leading to a big residence of pink houses. Before the pink houses you will see the beginning of a stone staircase on the right. It is very easy to follow and it only leads to Castelmola, so you cannot get lost. Along this medieval pathway leading to Castelmola, you will pass under a stone gate from the IX century, you can stop to take beautiful pictures at the small church of San Biagio, and you will also have a chance to contemplate the natural landscape modelled through centuries in terraces for agricultural purposes. To go back to Taormina you can follow the small street on the other side of the hill, starting just from the square under the castle (near Bar San Giorgio), close to the parking area. You will easily find your way using the cross on top of Monte Tauro/Castel Taormina as a reference for your direction. If you go back to Taormina through this street you can also visit the beautiful chapel "Madonna della Rocca", completely carved into the rock. The structure behind the chapel was a monastery for Benedictine monks, and along the staircase leading to Taormina you will see metal sculptures signaling the Stations of the Cross.

MONTE VENERE For hiking lovers, a challenging walk to Monte Venere will offer a stunning landscape of hills extending westward in direction of , which is especially charming at sunset. Monte Venere is the highest hill of the area, and you can see it right behind the hill of Catelmola. It is better to do this hike when the weather is cooler, therefore in Autumn, Winter or Spring, since summer during the day is incredibly hot. The walk from Taormina may take a couple of hours or more, if you walk at a slow, pace or if you stop many times, so make sure you have enough water. The path equipped with wooden rails was designed by the Scottish Lady Florence Trevelyan: you will hear or read a lot about her in Taormina. The walk starts from the cemetery of Castelmola, climbing up a very steep street. Along the way you will always see Monte Venere’s hill, so you will easily find your way. Also consider that there are more than one way leading to the top of Monte Venere, but since you always see the top of the hill going up, and the cross of Casteltaormina going down, you won’t get lost.

6 OUT DOOR EXCURSIONS

If you are interested in a special destination, you would like to have specific advises to organize your trip, or if you would like to have a guided tour to the fascinating attractions around Taormina, you can refer to the Tour Operator Deep in Sicily, via Iallia Bassia, 21 (+393458923933, Email: [email protected] - www.deepinsicily.com). The friendly and experienced staff there will be happy to give you suggestions or to organize a tour customized on your needs.

CASTELMOLA

Castelmola is easily accessible walking (40 minutes), by bus (Interbus), or by car (there is a parking area at the entrance of the town). In Castelmola you will enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes of the area, extending from to the Southest part of , Calabria. In town you can explore the narrow streets, where in Christmas time live Nativity scenes are performed, you can visit the ruins of the castle, where hunting with falcon was practiced in the past, you should visit the Cathedral, and in the typical Bar Turrisi, with a panoramic terrace and a wonderful view, you should taste the traditional almond wine, a sweet white wine with almond flavour.

SAVOCA

Savoca is in my opinion, the most beautiful towns of the area: its old stone houses are arranged in a particular way extending along the hill, which makes this town look differently from the historical centre of a typical Sicilian village arranged around the main square. A few scenes of the movie “The Godfather” were shot here: the most famous is the bar scene, and in fact you will find Bar Vitelli just at the entrance of the town. However, Savoca offers a pleasant panoramic walk along the settlement on the hill, where you can visit several monuments such as churches and the Capuchin monks’ monastery (open to visits in the morning). Guided tours (“Godfather tour”) start from the Bus Terminal in Taormina, but at the wooden box office in the Bus Terminal you can get information on how to reach it by bus.

FORZA D’AGRO’

Similar to Savoca, but simpler in its outlook, it can easily be reached by bus (Interbus). It offers a nice walk in the historical center and amazing views, and you can have a delicious lunch or dinner at Trattoria Anni 60. Some scenes of the “The Godfather” movie were shot here as well. This historical town offers many glimpses of the local architecture.

ALCANTARA CANYON

Alcantara is the Arabic name of an incredibly cold river generated by the melting of ice and snow on Etna. It flows along a lava canyon excavated by the water in hundreds of thousands years. In the canyon you can observe the unique lava formations, and the natural park all around (www.parcoalcantara.it). If you have more time and like exploring, you can look for the “gurne”, a set of pools created by the river, easily accessible in the middle of a green area. By car (too far to be reached walking) you may also look for the Byzantine cubba (a kind of chapel from the Eastern church tradition) located along the river, on a level higher than the gorges. The closest towns to the Alcantara Park are Francavilla and Castiglione di Sicilia, and the natural reserve can be reached by bus (Interbus) or with organized guided tours. During winter make sure that the park is open before you go.

7 ETNA AREA

MOUNT ETNA

Etna is the highest volcano in Europe and if you are lucky you may see an eruption, which is an amazing natural show especially at night. For the bravest an excursion at the top might be really a unique experience. I recommend one of the guided tours organized by Etna People, but if you have a car and you would like to explore by yourself, here are my recommendations: on the North side, which is closer to Taormina, you can reach Rifugio Brunek-Ragabo, Rifugio Citelli (mountain hotels with bar and restaurant), and Piano Provenzana, through the highway, exiting in Fiumefreddo and then heading up, first from Piedimonte, and after through Linguaglossa. Around Rifugio Ragabo and Brunek there is a huge pine tree forest, very easy to access. In Piano Provenzana the ski facilities are working during the winter season, while in Spring and Summer it is possible to join jeep tours almost to the top of the Volcano. You can get information on walks around here at one of the Rifugio’s, especially in Rifugio Citelli. You can start beautiful hikes from any of the places mentioned, however, be aware that it may be quite cold up there, and be always very careful in case of fog, because it is very easy to get lost once visibility is off. In the South side of the Volcano, close to Nicolosi town, there is a cable car service from Rifugio Sapienza, which also has ski facilities working in winter. Here you can have a ride by cable car up to 2500 meters (www.funiviaetna.com), or at the level of Rifugio Sapienza you can easily reach and visit the Crateri Silvestri.

PLACES TO VISIT AROUND ETNA

One of the most interesting towns around Etna is Randazzo, with its fascinating medieval center: here you can also have a delicious wine tasting session at Pippo’s (www.buongustaiodelletna.com). Castiglione di Sicilia is popular for its food (especially hazelnuts) and wine production: here you will find a picturesque historical center and many restaurants and trattoria to taste the local products and cooking. Close to Bronte (the pistachio town), besides the town you can visit Nelson’s Castle, with its gorgeous garden enriched by colourful flowers in Spring. You can also have a ride around Verzella area, where in the countryside around the towns of Passopisciaro, Solicchiata and Rovittello, you can find a lot of vineyards and look for a good wine house (Cantine) to taste the local production.

PLACES TO VISIT AROUND CATANIA

From Catania, by the AMT urban bus 534 from Borsellino/Alcalà square, in the historical center, you can reach Aci Castello and Aci Trezza. In Aci Castello you can visit the town and the medieval castle-museum on top of a rock on the sea. From here you can enjoy the unique landscape of Etna’s skirts. Very close to Aci Castello, in Aci Trezza you find the mythical coast of the Cyclops, where you can swim around the Faraglioni-Cyclops islands, lava basalt columns coming up from the sea, and Lachea Island, in the marine natural reserve. In Aci Trezza have a granita in Eden bar. From Aci Trezza also dolphin sighting excursions are organized (www.ketos.info and www.marecamp.blogspot.it). Capomulini is a popular destination for seafood, because of its many restaurants on the seaside. If you want to find a more secluded small town, look for Santa Maria La Scala, below Acireale.

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OTHER ATTRACTIONS

GIARDINI

In you find the archaeological site of Naxos, one of the earliest Greek colonies founded in Sicily by the Greek people, named after the Greek island from which they moved. In San Giovanni neighbourhood you can have a meal or a glass of wine at “A Putia”.

SAILING TOUR

Daily (full or half day) sailing tours are organized by Sicily Sailing Experience, starting from the port of Riposto (Porto dell’Etna).

THE SICILIAN BAROQUE TOWNS

Following the earthquake in 1693 a large area of Eastern Sicily was completely rebuilt in a special architectural style, known as the “Sicilian Baroque”, and its most relevant buildings and sites are protected as UNESCO World Heritage. Among the towns where you can find this astonishing architecture are the historical centers of Catania, Acireale, and Siracusa, while the whole centers of towns such as Ragusa Ibla, Noto, Modica, and Scicli are completely built with this impressive style.

NATURAL SITES

Pantalica (also UNESCO World Heritage site) is a place with a very special energy. It is a canyon excavated by two rivers (Anapo and Calcinara) in high rocks where a Neolithic necropolis is found. There are caves here, and a large green area around the fresh waters of the river. The closest town is Sortino, but unless you reach this place with an organized tour, unfortunately the only way to reach is by car.

Although it is a natural site, are considered the “Sicilian Stonehenge”. This is another place with high energy, where you can contemplate the peace and beauty of nature. These megaliths have particular shapes, and it is especially fascinating to observe them at sunset. The closest town, , is also an interesting destination because of its characteristic historical center.

AEOLIAN ISLANDS

This volcanic archipelago of outstanding beauty located in front of the North coast of Sicily, can be easily reached by ferries, and fast ferries from , and during Summer, also from Messina. Be ready to leave your car and enjoy wild nature, picturesque architecture, amazing crystalline waters, and delicious food of this curious place. Each of the islands offers something special and unique.

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