Taormina, Sicily

[AdamR]

Afternoon,

The other half and I are looking at a week away in Sicily in April. We really like the look of Taormina for a relaxing week where we can chill out by a pool or head down to the beach but still have a nice selection of Restaurants to visit, yet nothing too hectic.

Does anyone have any experience in Taormina or elsewhere in Sicily?

Thanks!

[itannum990]

Not taormina, but went to Palermo last summer and loved it. Stunning city. But as its on the other side of the country to where you are thinking of, this post is not of much use to you!

[AdamR]

Not at all, any input is appreciated, thanks!

We considered Palermo but want somewhere fairly quiet, won't rule it out though!

[itannum990]

AdamR said:

Not at all, any input is appreciated, thanks!

We considered Palermo but want somewhere fairly quiet, won't rule it out though!

Yes well it wasn't especially quiet, pretty chaotic actually so maybe not the best choice for you!

[RicksAlfas]

We went to Taormina a few years back and loved it. Relaxing place but with lots to see and visit if you want a trip out.
Some friends went last year on our suggestion and really enjoyed it - thankfully!

[stuttgartmetal]

Not worth the money

[AdamR]

Thanks all.

Stuttgartmetal, if it's not worth the money, where would you say is on Sicily?

[AdamR]

RicksAlfas said:

We went to Taormina a few years back and loved it. Relaxing place but with lots to see and visit if you want a trip out.
Some friends went last year on our suggestion and really enjoyed it - thankfully!

Thanks Rick, can I ask where you stayed? And how did you find getting around the local area, i.e. buses etc?

[stuttgartmetal]

No where
Go to Sardinia.

[2.5pi]

We went and loved it, have to say we went overboard on hotel and stayed here;

http://www.belmond.com/grand-hotel-timeo-taormina

Great service and located at the top of the town with large gardens, we had a hire car which we left parked up all week as everything was walkable. Taormina is touristy but still cute to wander around, loads of great restaurants shops and bars, hotel had a sister beach hotel which is only open during the season.

We will be going back!

[RicksAlfas]

AdamR said:

Thanks Rick, can I ask where you stayed? And how did you find getting around the local area, i.e. buses etc?

We have stayed twice at the Grand Hotel Miramare which was about 10-15mins down the hill from the town which was about the right length for a stroll in the evening. (La passeggiata!). There was a great (but basic) Trattoria almost opposite it which was perfect for lunch.

Our friends stayed at Villa Angela which is owned by the chap from Simple Minds.

We were only there for a week so we didn't bother with a car. Just mooched around the local area and went on a couple of organised trips. One to Etna, one to Syracuse.

Late note: this was about 10 years ago when we went, but presumably it's much the same now!

Edited by RicksAlfas on Sunday 25th January 20:22

Edited by RicksAlfas on Sunday 25th January 20:23

[anonymous-user]

We went there for a week in 2013, nice enough but a week is a bit too long. If you stay up in the town the beaches are a trek and aren't that special from what we saw.

Some reasonable restaurants, very samey and nothing special.

The main street is a nice prom of an evening but not more than once or twice.

If you go, make sure you get a really good hotel with a nice pool.


Edited to add, the ancient theatre ruins are worth a visit, very interesting.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 25th January 21:33

[The Tea Boy]

Taormina, is nice but I much prefer a place called San Vito Lo Capo, just to the west of Palermo. It's where the scicilians go on holiday and some of the Italians. Great beach, nice restaurants and great scenery (that's a given anywhere in Sicily!)

We have been 3 times to the island now and I want to go back again! That's coming from someone who never goes somewhere twice.

Etna is worth a visit but I wasn't blown away by it. I much prefer Erice between Palermo and Trapani for a day trip.

Trapani is also worth a visit, becoming quite a nice place over the last few years.

Also Catania, is a nice location but busy and very touristy as its on the Italian side for ferries etc.

Hope some of this is useful for you.
Matt