View of Isola Bella from above (Anna Delange)
Sicily may not have the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre, but we are an island with some beautiful coastal towns. Possibly one of the most famous towns on the island is Taormina, located just over an hour north of NAS Sigonella.
Although not in the actual town, Isola Bella is one of the most iconic things to see while in Taormina. Depending on the tide, you may be able to find yourself walking across the thin strip of sand to visit the actual island. The island was once privately owned by a woman who loved plants and gardens which is why there is beautiful florals on this small island.
To reach the area of Isola Bella, you can make it easy on yourself and take the cable car from Taormina to Mazzaro Bay, or technically you can find the stairs and take the scenic route. I highly recommend taking the cable car if it is a summer day, unless you are prepared to go on a miniature hike. Taking the stairs up to the town is now ingrained in my memory and is a story my friends and I laugh about.
Exterior of Church of San Giuseppe on a sunny day (Anna Delange)
While in the actual town, there is a couple of sights to see: You can check out the ancient theater of Taormina which is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman theaters in Italy, and it is still used to this day! In the summers, check out the Taormina Film Festival, where they also host operas and theatrical performances. Corso Umberto is one of the main streets of this hilltop town and will lead you to the main square, Piazza IX Aprile.
In the square, there is a beautiful church that has a double staircase but aside from the church and bars that border the square for an aperitivo; this is where you can find some of the most magnificent and famous photo spots in Taormina. You can get a beautiful view of the sea, the ancient theatre and even Mount Etna smoking in the background. Also, from this view point you can also spot the San Domenico Palace Hotel, which was the set for season two of the television show “White Lotus,” and has made the town even more of a destination. If you want to continue to lazily stroll, enjoy the peaceful Villa Comunale, the public gardens of Taormina.
For the foodies, I must suggest that no matter what the weather is while visiting, as long as they are open, you must try one of the most famous places in this town: Bam Bar. Grab a granita with brioche and enjoy this great fresh treat! However, if you are a big fan of pistachio, you must try some granita from Nove Pistachio. Or visit Osteria da Rita, a famous restaurant serving up Sicilian food on some beautiful plates that I can only presume adds to the aesthetic of this eatery.
Driving to Taormina from Sigonella is quite easy as it’s mostly spent on the A18. Just remember that there is a toll waiting for you! Taormina deserves the love and attention it gets from the tourists so don’t think about skipping it because tourism has discovered the town.
Granita on a decorative plate at Bam Bar (Anna Delange)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
