Blogs from Taormina, Sicily, Italy, Europe - page 2

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Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina July 27th 2016

De eerste echte dag op Sicilië; vandaag gaan we Taormina bezoeken. Ons hotelgebouw is dan wel groot, het hotel zelf beslaat slechts enkele kamers op de 3e verdieping. In een gezellig kleine ontbijtruimte is voldoende lekkers en brengt een vriendelijke italiaanse dame ons cappuccino. Dan koffers pakken en de auto weer opzoeken, die een paar straten verder staat geparkeerd. We zijn er na een avond al achter dat parkeren hier niet echt een fluitje van een cent is. Maar gelukkig staat onze super-de-luxe Mercedes nog dezelfde plek en laden we de koffers in. Achter ons al direct een gedrang van driftig toeterende italianen die elkaar op die manier duidelijk willen maken dat zij op ons plaatsje gaan staan. Het is meteen al een temperamentvolle ochtend. Met behulp van onze Tom-Tom zetten we koers naar het noorden ... read more
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Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina July 18th 2016

Recently, I went on the TUI Discovery to cruise the Mediterranean sea. I can honestly say, I have never experienced something so unbelievable. The ports were breath taking, and the excursions took me to unforgettable sites. We pulled into a port in Messini. It was very industrialised and run down. Once we got on the coach, we witnessed true Italian beauty. I could see vast lands of growing colourful fruits, and in the distance was the tip of Italy (the heel of the boot). After a short journey up the dangerous roads winding up the hill sides, we pulled into the car park. The view from the roof top was flawless. There seemed to be an endless pebbly coast met by crashing blue waves. Then we approached, the main street into Taormina. The entrance was a ... read more
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Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina October 3rd 2015

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina September 9th 2015

Looks like another excursion in the heat. We docked in Catania and our excursion today is to Taormina on the northeastern coast which is another walled city, this one being started before the Greeks conquered this land. Quaint little alleys and streets with shops, restaurants and apartments jammed into every possible corner. Our guide gave us the overview not only of the city but of the island as well and it’s many different rulers. Sicily was always considered as a province onto itself ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Angevins (?), Spanish and Italians. During these different governments they all came to Sicily for their holidays adding all of their art and influences. Also due to all these rulers Sicily has a distinct language very different from Italian - according to our guide it is ... read more
Greek ruins in Catania
Roadside fruit stand
Italian style parking

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina November 6th 2014

On any given night you can see stiletto heels strut down cobblestoned streets and jewels glisten against sun drenched bodies, not to mention the latest Dolce & Gabbana wear parading round the small piazza’s of this old Sicilian town. One might easily forget that there’s ancient civilization in Taormina from Arabic and Greek culture, not to mention a seething Mt. Etna. It took me about 11 days to finally start seeing some of these historical landmarks. I kept returning to the flashy Corso Umberto where the people watching is as stupendous as the panoramic views. Taormina, developed around Mount Tauro and maintaining the characteristics of both Roman and medieval worlds, has always been the most popular vacation stop for Sicilians. But the rest of the world is beginning to catch on this fiery resort leaving behind ... read more
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Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina September 21st 2014

Geo: 37.8531, 15.2878We had decided we would have a relaxing day at the resort today. Turned out I didn't feel so well so after breakfast we returned to the room to read, write emails, etc. While I had a nap G did some study. We moved to the pool for lunch and some relaxing mid afternoon. By late afternoon I was feeling better so we still managed to have dinner at the terrace restaurant and knock off another bottle of Rose!!... read more

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina September 20th 2014

Geo: 37.8531, 15.2878After a crappy night in Catania we were busting to get away to our next stop. We had booked a deluxe room at a resort and spa in Taormina for four nights. This was to be our luxury time and we could laze about for a few days. Did I mention yesterday that I bought THE BEST PAIR OF BOOTS EVER in France?Our helpful taxi driver from the night before picked is up mid morning for a 40 minute drive to the resort. The Taormina Riviera is much like the Amalfi coast, although the countryside is very dry. It is hot in Sicily. We arrive at the resort and are allowed to check in to our Junior Suite on arrival! We have been upgraded to a much bigger room and I lost G for ... read more
Our terrace
View from our room
Lovely

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina June 6th 2013

On a world cruise we always end up in Europe in springtime. This is a great time of year to be bopping around the Continent. After spending weeks in the sandy brown hue of the Middle East, Italy looks like an Impressionist's painting. The vibrant colors of the Mediterranean are at their best in Sicily. We anchored in the shadow of Mt Etna and made our way up to Taormina, a small village clinging to the cliffside. If someone wanted to design a quaint Italian beauty, this could be the prototype. Our first stop was the post office. I had to mail a birthday present to my sister Judy. Apparently, Italy does not have large denomination stamps so the postmaster gave me 20 stamps each with a picture of the new Pope. Francis was just elected ... read more
STREET ART IN TAORMINA
QUIET LITTLE STREETS
TAORMINA FROM THE SEA

Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina August 20th 2012

Taormina is a charming hillside town on the east coast of Sicily, Italy and is one of the island's main tourist resorts. Whilst Taormina can be hot and busy during July and August, crowded with Italian tourists, it is far more pleasant and (slightly) less busy during the rest of the year. Many package tourists stay at the nearby beach resorts of Giardini Naxos (below Taormina on the coastline, some 3 km away to the south) and Letojanni about 5 km to the north.. Do see : - Teatro Greco - impressive open-air (mainly Roman(!)) theatre, with great views up and down the coast and across to Mount Etna. Entrance fee €8.00. - The Torre dell'Orogio clock tower.... read more
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Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina July 18th 2012

Geo: 37.8531, 15.2878Yet another boat ride today - but for the first time in three days, there was no puking, hooray!!! We caught a more direct hyrofoil back to Messina, so it was only a short 90-minute ride back to mainland Sicily, and either the seas were less rough today, or maybe because we were sitting lower in the hydrofoil, but nobody on board felt seasick. Hooray again!!!Off to Taormina, perhaps the most touristed spot in Sicily, famous for both its beauty and location, perched high atop a cliff, towering above the glittering Ionian Coast below. It's very popular with the rich and as such, has a cosmopolitan feel to it, its pedestrian zone lined with high-end designer shops, and the town frequented by the stars during Taormina's summer festivals, that showcase the arts, film, and ... read more
Lido Mazzaro
Beautiful Terrace of Tiramisu
Matching Mullets ...




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