Taormina - Biblical image of a paradise wrapped up in luxuriant subtropical vegetation

On a cliff above the Ionian sea, at the foot of Monte Tauro, Taormina is the most famous Sicilian resort, also named Sicilian Monte Carlo. A Monte Carlo without casinos or royal families but truly romantic, where the 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, like many Sicilian villages, has loads of winding medieval streets and thin passages, full of secrets and great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars.
If you are a good explorer you can find hidden gardens, one of them is located on a cliff. Having a stunning view was donated to the town by rich Englishwoman, an aristocrat who had fallen in love with Taormina.
Actually is not hard to fall for Taormina, the town is a real beauty by day and in the evening is absolutely breathe taking. From Taormina, especially from the Greek Theatre you can see the rare image of Europe’s greatest natural wonder, Mount Etna’s. And the incredible views of the sea complete this biblical image of a paradise wrapped up in luxuriant subtropical vegetation.

The town medieval layout is impressive and there are lots of places embedded with history to see. The Greek Theatre is the second largest ancient theater in Sicily after the one in Syracuse. It was originally built in the Hellenistic age and was almost entirely rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd century AD. At the entrance gate of the village is a clock-tower which is called by the historians “the 15th century area”. It is also supposed that the first tower was built on the ruins of an older defense wall which would have dated back to the origins of the city, in other words the 4th century B.C.

In the middle of the town, in Piazza de Duomo is a Barocco style fountain with mythological ponies overlooks the basins and fountain water flows out of their mouths. Three mythological characters resembling Tritons stands in the middle of the basin with their arms crossed over their heads so as to support another basin decorated in low-relief; a round base inside this basin holds a basket of fruit on the top of which stands Taormina's coat-of-arms. Even though the city's coat-of-arms normally pictures a male centaur here was turned into a female centaur. Further more you can see the Cathedral with its austere façade crowned by crenellation was built in the 13th century.
Not to miss Castelmolla. You can reach this village perched on a rock through a winding road of 5 km. From Castelomola you can experiment one of the famous panoramic views in the world, especially fine at sunset. Up there you will also find the ruins of a medieval castle which in antiquity may have been the site of the ancient acropolis of Tauromenion.
And if is too hot or you are too tired to go sight seeing, go along the street which are lined with shops, pasticcerie and cafes and also try the famous Wunderbar where you can find the cocktails that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton where so fond of.

photo Catalin Margescu