A tale of two halves in Taormina Sicily

Spectacularly perched on the side of a mountain, Taormina town, on the east coast of Sicily, is the perfect retreat for those looking for a slice of the Sicilian dolce vita.

A truly cinematic backdrop with winding medieval streets leading to breath-taking views of Mount Etna above and the sparkling Ionian Sea at its foot.

So where to stay? Well, where else than with Belmond. They have two stunning properties to split your stay, with some days in the heart of Taormina town before retreating to the beach to relax and unwind whilst watching the show-stopping scenes of the dramatic coastline from sunrise to sunset.

Starting with a few nights at Grand Hotel Timeo, positioned right next to the famous ancient Greek Amphitheatre, this captivating property serves up panoramic sea views across enchanting, manicured gardens. The style of the property really captures the charm of the destination, evoking an elegance of days gone by, with décor that showcases the rich Italian baroque style.

The hotel is just a moments stroll from the central piazza that leads off to the many idyllic winding streets, filled with boutique artisan shops and side street bars. Here you can enjoy a traditional Sicilian breakfast of brioche and granite, followed by an afternoon cappuccino and cannoli and then then finish of your day with a Negroni or two. Then when the bustle of the town gets too much you can retreat to the beautiful hotel terrace restaurant with superb regional cuisine or enjoy the art of Aperitivo in the bar with cocktails created to celebrate the authentic flavours of the region.

After your days enjoying all that Taormina centre has to offer, it’s just a short transfer or cable car ride down to the foot of the town, where you will find Villa Sant’Andrea, Belmond’s chic beachfront Sicilian property. This hotel encompasses a laid back and airy elegance with light and lofty suites with incredible sea views. Here you can relax and unwind listening to the waves lap up on the private beach while you enjoy a Sicilian mojito alongside grilled fish and delicate homemade pasta dishes.

Breakfast served in your rooms is a must during your stay, an occasion in itself, with a traditional Sicilian breakfast displayed on a crisp white tablecloth on your own balcony for you to enjoy at leisure while you sit and watch the ever changing light as the sun rises and the early morning swimmers enjoy the crystal clear water below.

What can you discover during your days in Taormina?

Well, you can explore the iconic Greek theatre, take a boat trip to a secluded bay and visit a local clam farm or relive scenes from The Godfather in true Italian style by vespa, winding along the coastline to the hilltop town of Savoca where you can enjoy a coffee in the films must iconic location, Bar Vitelli. Then as the star attraction, discovering Etna is an experience not to be missed. Whether you opt to travel by jeep, helicopter or foot, the dizzy heights of Etna offer the most staggering scenes of the snow-capped mountains and lava rivers that lay in the wake of this still active and powerful volcano. Then after all that adrenaline a drink will surely be in order in the many vineyards in this region, where you can immerse yourself in all things wine related and sample the rare vintages of Mount Etna.

Whether as a short break combined with mainland Italy or a longer stay to discover all that Sicily has to offer, we cannot recommend this beauty spot enough and dare you to dive into a world of Sicilian adventures. We can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.