Sicily - Southern Italy - page 368

Continue west through the 12th-century clock tower, Torre dell'Orologio , into the Borgo
Medievale, Taormina's oldest quarter. A few blocks further along is Piazza del Duomo MAP
GOOGLE MAP , home to an ornate baroque fountain depicting a two-legged centaur with the
bust of an angel, Taormina's town symbol. Here you'll find the 13th-century cathedral, a
survivor of the Renaissance-style remodelling undertaken elsewhere in town by the 15th-
century Spanish aristocracy. The Renaissance influence is better illustrated in various
palaces along the Corso, including Palazzo Duca di Santo Stefano with its Norman-Gothic win-
dows, Palazzo Corvaja (the tourist office) and Palazzo Ciampoli , now housing the Hotel El Jebel.

Villa Comunale
MAP GOOGLE MAP
(Parco Duchi di Cesarò; Via Bagnoli Croce; 9am-midnight summer, 9am-sunset winter) To escape the
crowds, wander down to these stunningly sited public gardens. Created by Englishwoman
Florence Trevelyan, they're a lush paradise of tropical plants and delicate flowers. There's
also a children's play area.

PARK

Castelmola
For eye-popping views of the coastline, head 5km up Via Leonardo da Vinci to this hilltop
village crowned by a ruined castle. The walk will take you around an hour along a well-
paved route. Alternatively, Interbus runs an hourly service (one way/return €1.80/2.80) up
the hill.

HILLTOP VILLAGE

Activities

Lido Mazzarò
Many visitors to Taormina come only for the beach scene. To reach Lido Mazzarò, direc-
tly beneath Taormina, take the cable car (Cable Car; one way/return €3/3.50; 9am-8.15pm Oct-Mar,
9am-1am Apr-Sep) . This beach is well serviced with bars and restaurants; private operators
charge a fee for umbrellas and deck chairs (discountable at some hotels).

BEACH

Isola Bella
Southwest of the beach is the minuscule Isola Bella, set in a stunning cove with fishing
boats. You can walk here in a few minutes but it's more fun to rent a small boat from
Mazzarò and paddle round Capo Sant'Andrea.

NATURE RESERVE