Taormina

The Luxury Residence Taormina is situated at only few steps from the historical centre of the splendid "Pearl of the Ionian"... 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.