• PLACES TO VISIT

CASTELMOLA:

Situated right on the crown of the Mountain, suspended between the sky and the sea, anchored firmly to the living rock: Castelmola. Tiny, mosaic paved roads, small balconies and windows bursting with seasonal flowers and the profile of the Peloritani with the Ziretto and Venere peaks, dominated by the smoking funnel of Etna, sweeping towards the wide and suggestive Gulf of Giardini Naxos in a magical play of light and colours. Once through the entrance arch and up the steps of the Mola castle that dominates the town, there is a splendid view between the sea and the mountains and a flight of steps cut in the rock amongst agaves, aloes, prickly-pear cactuses, scented bushes of capers and the extremely rare Centaurea. Piazza S. Antonio commanding a fine view from where you can enjoy splendid panoramas. And along the road, small shops and windows tumbling over each other, showing the local handcraft of lace and wood engravings. And the welcoming cafes and restaurants just begging you to stop a while. Thirty-five volumes full of signatures to prove its excellent hospitality.

TAORMINA:

When Johann Wolfgang Goethe reached Taormina in 1787 on his journey in Sicily he was enraptured by the enchanting scenery. "On the right on two cliffs stand the castles, below stretches the city" - he wrote in his diary - "and although the buildings belong to a recent epoch one imagines that there were buildings on the same site even in ancient times. Then one observes the long sweep of Etna; the beach stretching to the left as far as Catania or Syracuse; the huge smoking mountain of fire enclosing the entire scene without in any way being frightening; the softening effect of the atmosphere which makes the mountain appear gentler and more distant than it actually is ". On May 7 the same year, the great German traveller also admired the amphitheatre and as he rested on the upper steps acknowledged " that never had a theatre audience a similar sight before it". Words written over 200 years ago. Today hardly anything has changed. The hidden corners, the atmosphere, the colours of Taormina enchant the modern wayfarer as much as they did Goethe. Whatever the season, its irresistible fascination captures both those who seek a peaceful holiday in contact with nature and those who prefer action, excitement, meetings. Futhermore, the great international cultural events which take place there contribute towards making Taormina the best centre to know the rest of tourist Sicily.

ETNA:

Thanks to the favourable position of the hotel, it is easy to reach the volcano Etna in about one hour and enjoy the beautiful Natural Park in any season.