City Gate

Taormina is built on a bluff above the Ionian sea at the foot of Monte Tauro. It is Sicily’s most famous tourist resorts with luxuriant subtropical vegetation and was the preferred summer residence of aristocrats and bankers, from Wilhelm II to the Rothchilds. In it’s time the town has been Sicilian, Greek, and Roman but it’s medieval layout gives it today’s look.

Villa Comunale The public garden of Villa Comunale was bequeathed to the Taormina by an English aristocrat, Florence Trevelyan, who fell in love with the town. Situated on a cliff with a magnificent view of Etna and the coast, the garden is filled with lovely Mediterranean and tropical plants. A characteristic part of the garden is the arabesque-decorated tower, similar to a Chinese pagoda, that the owner used for her favourite hobby, bird-watching.

On the 4th July we could see the red glow of lava flows on Etna from the boat as we ate dinner, our Independence day fireworks! It’s a long way up the steep bluff to he town of Taormina so we took the bus and went to explore, the town is quite attractive but very touristy.

Villa Comunale Next day we met Jane and Billy in Taormina almost as planned, they couldn’t get a bus due to a strike and walked in the sweltering heat along the main road to the cable car where we eventually got together. First thing we did was have a drink at a small secluded café we found the day before, then suitably refreshed we went for lunch and had an excellent day. We didn't get back to the boat until after 19:00 and immediately re-anchored at the other end of the bay because the swell was getting up.

Tan & friends at Villa Comunale The following day we went shopping in Nexos then had to re-anchor back where we started because the wind had changed again. It continually rains ash here and everything gets filthy, perhaps not surprising that the people here are not as friendly as other areas we have visited. Unfortunately we didn't get to see Jane and Billy again.