Taormina, in the province of Messina, was first settled by an ancient Sicilian tribe and later taken over by Greek tyrant Dionysius I, the Elder of Syracuse, around 293 B.C. Soon thereafter the Mediterranean world began to take notice of Taormina’s natural perfection when different nations’ trade boats would come to its port. In the Middle Ages, it passed through the hands of both the Saracens and the Normans. In much later centuries, Taormina was what one might call conquered anew, first by wealthy German and English tourists, and later by rich American celebrities like Truman Capote and Joan Crawford. Once you embark on a promenade along one of the oceanfront cliffs or through its Byzantine, medieval, and Baroque churches, you will begin to understand why Taormina is considered among the most charming resorts in Italy; once to have a few glasses of wine enjoying a sunset a the Lido Mazzarò beach, your eyes will be fully opened!

As it is with most places of natural beauty and luxury, fine dining is among Taromina’s most prolific pastimes. The medieval streets offer a wide selection of ways to taste Sicily, either at one of its restaurants, less formal trattorias or pizzerias, pastry-shops, gelato shops, bars, or cafés. Try starting your day at an outdoor café, watching the waves lap the coast from above while you sip on Taormina’s famous granita al caffè con panno (iced espresso with whipped cream). As you might expect, seafood plays a rather significant role in the local cuisine. Indeed, even Ovid, who we assume had a cultivated palate for such things, was known to praise the delicate swell flavor of fruit of Taormina’s seas.