"Taormina-the Monte Carlo ..." a Taormina Travel Page by happyhourkid

I had previously heard of Taormina, an old and charming nineteenth century combination mountain/coastal town, as the "Sicilian Monte Carlo," only without, of course, the casinos or royal family. Frommer's even calls Taormina "the most beautiful Italian town." I would imagine anybody who has been to Monte Carlo will find Taormina faintly similar yet very different. It has long been one of Sicily's most famous resort towns, if not THE most famous. After doing some prior research before traveling here, I learned that it was in romantic Taormina, that D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterly's Lover (not that I have ever read it or any other book for that matter.)

Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own little secret-like offerings like great restaurants, caf?s and ice cream bars (gelaterias). Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast facing eastward or the mountains facing in any other direction. Other cafes, coffee shops, etc. are found in more public but equally pleasant squares.

Taormina is absolutely beautiful by day. But in the evenings is when it becomes very unique-whether you stroll the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast and mountains over a delicious Sicilian dinner or cocktails and wine. Then there's the rarer spectacle of seeing lava flowing from Mount Etna along the snow-covered slopes of what is credited my many as Europe's greatest natural wonder.

Old Taormina has fascinating archeological monuments and medieval homes like Palazzo Santo Stefano. Magnificent views of the sea and mountains from just about anywhere in Taormina complete the picture. The most famous has to be the view overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with Mount Etna and the sea in the background.

You can guarantee yourself that you will be thankful for having visited Taormina for all that it has to offer. You will find little bits and pieces of Sicily all in this small town up in the beautiful mountains on the Northeastern coast of the island. And when you appreciate it, you will join some famous company, like Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas-who are said to have been impressed with Taormina and vacation here since their appearances at the Taormina Film Festival, which is held every year.