Last weekend, our friends Justin and Maddie took us to Taormina, which is located about an hour away from where we live, on the north-eastern side of the island.

Taormina is the cutest little hilltop town that has incredible views of Mount Etna and becomes a huge attraction in the summers. After visiting, I can see why!

After arriving and parking, we walked through the town toward the Teatro Antico di Taormina, which is another ancient Greco-­Roman theater. While walking through, we stopped at many shops and churches along the way and enjoyed the general splendor of the town, weather, and atmosphere.

The wall that surrounds the old city, and a mosaic contained within it.

 

Duomo di Taormina

 

The old town.

 

The village itself is perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. When walking though the old town, we noticed that there were many, many stairs and tiny little alleyways.

 

One thing I love about Italy – all the dogs! Unlike in the US, dogs are welcome almost everywhere. My favorite place I’d seen them might be in the Apple store at the mall. We saw this cute little one all dressed up with its owners in the old town. I’d take more photos of the dogs here, but I’m waiting until I know enough Italian to ask permission first!

 

Along the way to the Teatro Antico di Taormina, we stopped at Bam Bar for a granita.  A granita is a dessert that is somewhere between sorbet and Italian ice. It has may traditional flavors including strawberry, almond, mandarin, and lemon. I had mandarin and Jordan had strawberry. They were incredibly delicious.

 

Eventually, we made it to the Teatro Antico di Taormina! They offer discounts based on age and citizenship for entry into a many historical sites here, and there was quite a debate at the ticket counter about Jordan’s age… it must be the mustache!!

The Teatro Antico di Taormina is the second largest ancient theatre in Sicily. The fact that it is a brick structure dates it to Roman times, but the plan and arrangement of the structure are Greek. Thus, it is assumed that the current theatre was rebuilt on an older theatre of the Greek period. It overlooks the ocean, which is quite a site to behold!

 

On the way back to the car, we checked out some art and stopped by La Pignolata Guinness Cannoli for the best cannoli I’ve ever had!! And, Maddie picked us some fresh clementines straight from the tree.

 

Once in the car, Justin drove us down the hilltop a bit to an amazing overlook.

 

After the overlook, Justin drove us up the hillside to Bar Turrisi. The walk to the bar was beautiful.

 

Walking in, it looked just like any other restaurant, except for all of the discreet decorations of… well, penises. From the floor tiles to the menu, there were penises everywhere!

 

We selected a table on the top floor and watched the sunset with a traditional appetizer and drinks (I had a “kamasutra”).

After our drinks and snacks, we then went to Catania for dinner before retiring for the night.  We were exhausted, but the trip was SO MUCH FUN!

Look out for our next post to hear more about our first solo day trip.  We chose to check out some place new.. and I can’t wait to blog about it!!