Taormina in Italy
Taormina has long been
Sicily's most famous resort. Set high above the Ionian Sea, it was for
centuries a major crossroads of the ancient world. It is a gem of
interlocked Greek, Roman and medieval styles - influenced by Phoenician,
Carthaginian, Arab and Bourbon tastes, as each ruled the city in turn. Taormina's consequent reputation for lavish adornment in art and
architecture is matched by the wealth and luxury enjoyed by its
inhabitants. The maze of streets, alleyways and
staircases harbors hidden squares, terraces looking out to sea, and a
profound sense of balmy enchantment.
Taormina's splendor and sensuality has inspired visitors for more than
2,000 years. Ovid loved the local fish, while Pliny the Elder praised the
wine. Elizabeth Taylor first partied with Richard Burton here; Goethe and
Pirandello came to admire the staggering Roman theatre (known as the
teatro greco) that dominates the city; and DH Lawrence wrote several
works while staying here. The town is still a playground for the rich,
famous and beautiful and the sophisticated buzz reaches its height during
the film festival, one of several to take advantage of Taormina's special
blend of beauty and history.
The blend extends far beyond the city walls. As well as nearby beaches,
the water itself is one of the best diving sites in the Mediterranean.
You can even swim among the stones and broken columns of Greek temples.
Above the water, ruins of long-gone cultures still hug the corners of the
fields. And the backdrop to all this is Mt Etna, often smoking, and
occasionally bursting into nocturnal fire along snow-covered slopes,
leaving a trail of steam and light in its wake.
