PIT: Giardini Naxos & Taormina

Well, Sicily, it had been exactly 3 years (not much has changed), but I found my way back to you. I had missed your crystal clear water and delectable cuisine, not to mention your endless interweaving history, and this time I got to see much more of what your lovely land has to offer.

From Rome my parents and I flew down to Catania, where we promptly rented a car (if anyone has heard the story of the last time we attempted an auto rental in Italy, you can imagine our apprehension) and drove miraculously problem-free to our water-front hotel in Giardini Naxos, just below Taormina, on the eastern coast of the island. The name Giardini Naxos comes from giardini, meaning "orange groves" in Sicilian and Naxos, the name of the first Greek colony to settle on the island.

We arrived on Mother's Day and were promptly greeted with a special 5-course lunch including fava bean soup, pistachio ravioli and a grilled fish platter. After that there was nothing to do but sleep the afternoon away and enjoy a nutella crepe for dinner along the water!

Our colorful hotel

The next day we took the bus up the hill to charming Taormina. We ate at a restaurant with incredible views and beautiful flowers:

Then we headed straight for the ancient Greek Theatre, perhaps Taormina's greatest claim to fame. It dates back to the seventh century BC (yes, take a moment to wrap your mind around that one-I still can't) and is so well-maintained that you can actually imagine performances taking place there millennia ago. The view was spectacular despite the overcast sky, but usually one would be able to see both the tranquil sea and the imposing volcano of Mt. Etna beyond the stage.



Those ever-darkening clouds finally got up the courage to execute their purpose and suddenly everyone at the theatre was caught in a huge downpour. Fortunately, there were perfectly placed nooks for us to take advantage of and before we knew it, we were providing the theatre with more authenticity by filling its alcoves with animate statues!

My favorite shot

Huddled from the rain

Same, but this time dad has his special "really old rock" souvenir

And there's the sea in the background!

We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around town, visiting various shops, cafes, churches and vistas...

...before we were caught in a most aggressive downpour (in our summer-wear) and were forced to take a cab through deserted and flooded streets back to the hotel. I was reassured that this almost never happens there, but since it was our only day in town, I didn't find that terribly reassuring.

Regardless, we awoke to the most breath-taking views. The rain never fails to leave everything looking fresh and dramatic.


That morning, after a quick stop at Sigonella, the navy base near Catania, we were on our way to Syracuse...