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Taormina
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Wikipedia: Taormina is a town on the island of Sicily in Italy, and in ancient times was a Greek colony, dating from about 400 BC, which submitted to Roman authority in 212 BC during the Second Punic War. Taormina is in the Province of Messina, together with the beautiful Aeolian Islands and the ancient city of Milazzo. It can be reached via highways (autostradas) from Messina to the North and Catania to the South. Taormina has been a very popular destination with tourists since the 19th century. It has beautiful beaches (accessible via a Funicular) by the Ionian sea, which is remarkably warm and has a high salt content. Isola Bella is a stunning nature reserve that is just south of Taormina. Tours of the Capo Sant' Andrea grottos are also available. Taormina is built on an extremely hilly coast, and is approximately a forty-five minute drive away from Europe's largest active volcano, Mount Etna. The remains of the teatro greco, the "Greek theatre", are not actually Greek, as the theatre was rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd century BC on the site of the original theatre. With a diameter of 109 metres (after an expansion in the 2nd century), this theatre is the second largest of its kind in Sicily; it is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances and for concerts. In the late 19th century Taormina gained some prominence as the place where Wilhelm von Gloeden worked most of his life as a photographer of predominantly male nudes. During the early 20th century the town became a colony for expatriate artists, writers, and intellectuals. D. H. Lawrence stayed here at the Fontana Vecchia from 1920 to 1922, and wrote a number of his poems, novels, short stories, and essays, and a travel book, Sea and Sardinia. The Taormina Film Festival has been held for over fifty years, with international film stars viewing films on a screen erected in the Greek theatre.
Taormina Friends Club: As soon as you arrive in Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere spread all around which has enchanted visitors from all over the world for years and years. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below and on the southern side, the top of Mount Etna, the european highest active volcano, often capped with snow, offering to the visitors a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea. Taormina really seems to be born as a touristic resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose it as their residential site thank to its favourable position, mild climate and magic atmosphere. Nowadays visitors can still find fine examples of Taormina's golden times : the splendid Greek Thetre, the Roman "Naumachiae", the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, the 14th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint.Stefano, the public gardens, the "Badia Vecchia" (Ancient Abbey) and many others. BBC:
The town is situated on the slopes of Mount Tauro. Craig's hotel was
a rather grand affair, and its decor gave it the appearance of another
era. Just over the road from the hotel are the Trevelyan Gardens. The
town is in a fantastic location overlooking the sea, which makes for
a novel way of getting to the beach: by cable car. Once descended, the
beaches are only a short walk away. Many of the beaches are privately
owned by hotels so finding your patch might mean a bit of a squeeze
but that's all part of the Italian beach experience. This package is
half board so breakfast and evening meal are included but if you fancy
going further afield there's loads of restaurants in town. Here, you
can experience the taste of local Italian food: pasta, fresh fish, tomatoes,
basil.
Sicily Tourist Guide: Taormina is a popular and fashionable tourist resort with famously stunning views and a picturesque Graeco-Roman theatre, high above the sea and facing Etna. As an attractive and permanently-fashionable destination, Taormina is known as a delightful but expensive place to stay. Many of the town's hotels and restaurants are in the upper price-bracket. However, one of the town's principal attractions - the view - is free to enjoy, and visiting for a day trip or careful planning can make Taormina accessible to all. Accommodation is cheaper out of season, and the little town is less packed, too. March, April and May are good months to enjoy the sunshine (usually), the flowers and relatively-uncrowded streets and restaurants. On the negative side, out of season you may find hotel swimming pools emptied, building works underway around town, and little buzz in the nightlife. Taormina Tourist Guide: Taormina is so beautifully located that it would not need great sights to attract visitors. The fact that it does have them, makes it an absolute must. Perched on a rocky promonitory at the foot of the Mount Etna and looking out over the azure blue mediterranean the town has attracted visitors over the centuries. Main attraction are the remains of the Greek city that was located at about the same spot as the present day town. Best
of Sicily: We've taken to describing Taormina, a nineteenth century
haunt of the English aristocracy, as a Sicilian Monte Carlo, without
the casino or royal family. But anybody who has been to Monte Carlo,
or even Positano (on the Amalfitan coast south of Naples), will find
Taormina faintly similar yet very different. It has long been Sicily's
most famous resort town. It was here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled
D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterly's Lover, one of the
most passionate and erotic love stories of its era. Taormina has endlessly
winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets
--great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars. Some of these
intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others
are set on terraces overlooking the coast or in more public but equally
pleasant squares. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its
atmosphere is simply enchanting, whether you stroll the illuminated
streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.
Then there's the rarer spectacle of Mount Etna's nocturnal fires as
lava flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe's greatest natural
wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake. Within its
eternal stone walls, old Taormina has fascinating archeological monuments
and medieval homes like Palazzo Santo Stefano. Magnificent views of
the sea complete the picture. The most famous is the view overlooking
the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with Mount Etna
and the sea in the background.
Holiday Company Descriptions Riviera Travel: We stay in Taormina stay four nights at the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, a classic building, over a hundred years old, superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna on the other. In Giardino-Naxos our hotel is the brand new four-star Hotel Giardino dei Greci situated just a few minutes from the sea. Both hotels have swimming pools (open May to October, weather permitting), bar and restaurant where we take dinner. Travel
Sicilia: The day after we leave for an excursion by boat in the
river Ciane, an oasis of peace amongst papyrus plants and orchards.
Once we reach the mouth of the river we have a wonderful view of the
old town and the image of the Greek sailors waiving to the statue of
Athena on the façade of the temple (now Siracusa's cathedral)
will come alive in our minds. In the afternoon we leave Siracusa and
drive to Taormina. In Taormina it's relax time, walking along the delightful
streets, shopping, sitting at a bar with an enchanting view. The Greek/Roman
theatre opens on one of the grandest landscapes of Sicily, with the
sea below and the Etna in the background. Historic and Cultural Tour of Sicily: Today you'll travel up the slopes toward the summit of Mount Etna, Italy's highest mountain and Europe's largest active volcano. Then to a nearby winery and its vineyards for a wine tasting and light rustic lunch. Afterward, we'll arrive at Taormina for dinner and overnight. Splendors of Sicily: This morning depart Taormina, journeying across the island. En route pass Enna, a town located in the geographical center of Sicily, boasting panoramic vistas. On to Agrigento, built on a hillside facing the sea and renowned for its magnificent Valley of the Temples. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the Valley including the Temples of Zeus, Concord, Hercules, and Castor and Pollux, plus the Tomb of Theron and the Porta Aurea.
Holiday Accommodation The D'orange D'alcantara Hotel: The hotel is located in Francavilla di Sicilia, in the heart of the green Alcantara Valley, about 3 kilometres away from the Alcantara River. The property is 15 kilometres from the Giardini Naxos beach and 20 kilometres from the Taormina and Mount Etna. The hotel offers 50 comfortable guestrooms that are well furnished and equipped with contemporary amenities. The in-house restaurant serves typical Sicilian dishes and a select wine list. The hotel provides a well-equipped conference room, which is an ideal venue to host meetings and conferences. Furthermore the hotel facilities include a piano bar, TV room, reading room, an American bar and pizzeria. Hotel Excelsior: This hotel stands on a superb promontory of Taormina. It is bordered by the remains of a Greco-Roman walls, originally built by Andromacus in the year 374 b.C., so the hotel is still immersed into an atmosphere full of historic reminiscences ehanced by the ruins of an ancient tower and merlons of the walls. The opulence of its Sicilian garden covering the extremity of the promontory overlooking the bay of Naxos constitutes a perfect setting for this architectonic jewel who faces mount Aetna. The view that guests may enjoy from the balconies of each room takes them ideally back to ancient times and makes them revive the sensation felt by travellers of the past who came to Taormina to enjoy the magic of a nature and a climate that make a paradise of this land. The hotel itself boats 100 Years of history but has always offered up to date facilities being always the chosen residence of V.I.P.S people of all the world as well as the center of a series of very important international events. To-day, as always, the house offer a warm welcome also due to a tradition typical of Taormina. The Baia Delle Sirene Hotel: The hotel is situated in the centre of the Spisone Bay (Taormina sea) and has a seashore of 70 meters long. The hotel offers 15 guest rooms, most of them overlook the sea. On the terrace of the Hotel there is a restaurant, where you can enjoy the splendor of a charming sea sight and appreciate the Sicilian typical cuisine with the optimal wines. Baia Delle Sirene is a place suspended between the water and the sky, filled with light and fragrances. It's an oasis of peace and quiet full of wonder and fascination. It opens up to the magnificent scenario of the city of Taormina, one of Italy's most beautiful coastlines.
Vello D'Oro Hotel: Situated in the heart of Taormina, the Vello D'Oro Hotel is close to the historical centre and Palazzo dei Congressi. The hotel is also near to the pedestrian area and the famous Piazzetta Sant'Agostino, which consists of numerous shops, cafes as well as restaurant. The hotel boasts 53 comfortable guestrooms that are well-equipped with an array of modern amenities. Some of the rooms feature a panoramic balcony, which either have a front view or a side view. You can dine at the on-site restaurant that serves a delicious buffet breakfast as well as traditional Italian cuisine and later have a refreshing drink in the bar. The hotel provides conferences facilities for those guests travelling on business issues. At leisure, you can either browse the net or explore the city's attractions. Hotel La Plage: The hotel rises on the seashore of Isolabella and is endowed with enormous charm for its romantic atmosphere. The hotel is nestled underneath an overhanging rock and looks only outwards to a private cove. An ambience of personalized hospitality and efficient service promises guests with a pleasant and serene stay. The hotel boasts comfortable accommodation units that are elegantly furnished and decorated in classic style. All the units hold a variety of modern facilities to satisfy every need of its guests. With a sight on the Isola Bella, the Restaurant Re Artu offers regional and international kitchen. The grill and pizzeria, adjacent to the beach on a panoramic terrace offers menu with sea specialities. Villa Diodoro Hotel: Being a charming, refined and an exclusive property, the Villa Diodoro Hotel is a home for people who want to enjoy the pleasures of life. Situated few steps away from the town's historical centre, Villa Diodoro Hotel Taormina enjoys breathtaking views of the coastline. Offering you a cosy ambience, the guestrooms are elegantly decorated in a traditional and pleasant style. All the guestrooms offer magnificent views of the sea and the old town. At the onsite restaurant, guests can relish typical Sicilian cuisine, Italian and international gastronomic proposals as well as a la carte cuisine. Coloured salads, sandwiches and fresh orange juices are served at the snack bar. Guests can also taste an excellent choice of wines at the cosy bar. Lido Caparena Hotel: Situated in Taormina Mare, the Lido Caparena Hotel is only a 10 minutes drive from the historical centre of the town. This property is just 4 kilometres from the city centre, 5 kilometres from the Taormina Train Station, while the airport is 45 kilometres away. This hotel offers luxurious guestrooms that are elegantly furnished in a warm Mediterranean style and facilitated with an array of modern amenities. Guests can dine at the onsite restaurant that serves international, regional as well as local cuisine. The cosy bar is an ideal place to unwind with a glass of fine drink. Lido Caparena Hotel in Taormina offers well-equipped meeting and banqueting rooms for organising various events. During leisure, guests can have a refreshing dip in the swimming pool or avail the services of the wellness club, which consists of a gymnasium, steam bath as well as a massage.
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