Taormina

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We reluctantly left Siracusa and drove north to Taormina. The 45 minute drive skirted Catania through bumper-to-bumper traffic. We thought the worse was over once we exited the highway and began to drive the steep approach to Taormina. After making three failed attempts to penetrate the hilltop (more
like cliff top) defenses of Taormina we parked the car and set out by foot to find Grand Hotel Timeo . The problem was that the main porta had been closed off to traffic making it very difficult to navigate to the front entrance of the hotel which was located near the base of the Roman-Greek amphitheatre
(with or without the TomTom). At one point we took a wrong turn into a steep descending winding street so narrow that we had to fold back both side view mirrors.....Unfortunately we still got stuck and ended up backing back up the street (uphill). After backing up a hundred yards it became clear that this
was not going to work so we attempted to turnaround in a "wide spot". We eventually freed ourselves after nearly wiping out a garage door and moving several parked scooters. So in all, I estimate it took about an hour and a half to reach the hotel once we arrived in Taormina!

Taormina is all about breathtaking views and (ugh) tourism (at least in July). Our hotel was built up the side of the mountain and the terrace and gardens overlooked one of most dramatic views of the sea I have ever seen.....that is before the cruise ship arrived. One morning while sipping a cappucino and gazing at a three masted schooner moored in the bay below, a massive cruise ship (about the size of an aircraft carrier) sailed into the bay marking the invasion of Taormina. Later on while walking down the main street we noticed that most of the men were wearing boat shoes, golf shorts and polo shirts and spoke fluent English. Taormina had been overrun by a cruise ship, that according to one observer, carried a large contingency of State Farm Insurance agents.

Although Taormina is a special place of remarkable natural beauty.....its best visited during the off season.

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Photos

Taormina
View of Golfo di Naxos from the hotel terrace.

Hotel Gardens
The gardens of the hotel provided a peaceful retreat.

Garden View
A view from the pool area.

Teatro Greco-Romano
A view from the theatre.

Castle Saraceno
View from the garden.

Mt Etna
A view of Etna from the theatre.

Mt Etna
A view of Etna and Golfo di Naxos from the theatre.

Corso Umberto
Before the cruise ship....

Bam Bar Granita
Strawberry and peach (with cream) granita was outstanding.