Taormina

Taormina lies in the mountains above the Straits of Messina mid-way between Catania and Messina, with glorious views of Mount Etna, especially from its Greek theatre, still used today for many festivities, including the prestigious Taormina Film Festival.

The theatre is is just one of the many Greek, Roman and Mediaeval monuments and ruins in the area, including temples, the remains of a gymnasium and a swimming baths with two naves and a barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Today, the town devotes itself to visitors all year round. It has become the most popular destination in Sicily, because of its mild climate, especially in winter, and successful combination of modern tourism amenities with an ancient past.

Old-established hotels from the very grand to the pleasantly simple, the variety of restaurants and efficient tourist facilities cater for every taste, and the main street with many quaint side lanes offers shopping delights for Sicilian curios, smart clothes and antiques.

A cable car takes you quickly down to Taormina Mare to relax between more vigorous expeditions to the many and varied surrounding attractions. This makes it as easy to base a holiday near the beach as in the town itself

Take a day, even two, to explore Europe's largest active volcano, Mount Etna. The more energetic can walk close to the main crater up heavily cultivated fertile slopes; those who prefer a more leisurely approach can use the roads encircling the mountain.

In the early evening, there can be few moments to match sitting with a glass of Sicilian wine as the sun sets over Taormina's spectacular panorama. And, if you are lucky, Etna may erupt and add a fireworks display to your experience.