TAORMINA
AUG 27 - SEP 3
GETTING AROUND
aIR TRAVEL - TAORMINA
Alitalia 1678 at 11:20AM (FLR - FCO) +
Alitalia 1745 at 1:20PM (FCO - CTA)
car rental
Pickup/Drop-off at Catania Airport
Confirmation & Receipt in Trey’s email inbox
STAY
BELMOND GRAND HOTEL TIMEO
Suggestions:
Choose a few good dinner reservations
Spend most of your time in Taormina relaxing by the pool / on the beach
Do 1 tour - Mount Etna hike + wine tasting
AUG 27-30
Room Type: Gallery Room Villa Flora
What to Expect: Old Italian glamour, grand spaces, luxe decor
Ahl Collective Benefits:
Upgrade, subject to avail.
American breakfast for 2 at restaurant or in-room
$100 food & beverage credit
Shuttle to Taormina Mare and to the Belmond Villa Sant'Andrea
Complimentary boat ride to be reserved upon arrival
Complimentary access to Fitness Center, Sauna and Steam Bath
EAT + DRINK
coffee + a bite: BAM BAR
For a snack, coffee, or afternoon pick-me-up, head to Bam Bar. The thing to get here is granita, preferably in a split brioche with whipped cream!
long lunch: RISTORANTE IL BARCAIOL*
Set in a boat-fringed cove at the northern end of Mazzarò beach, Trattoria Il Barcaiolo is the perfect spot for a long lunch.
sweets + treats: PASTICCERIA MINOTAURO or D’AMORE
Stop by Pasticceria Minotauro or D’Amore for traditional Sicilian treats. Buy some beautifully colored candied fruits to bring home, and be sure to try the cannoli & anything pistachio!
pizza: LA NAPOLETANA or LA BOTTE
For a casual lunch or dinner out, head to La Napoletana or La Botte in town. Both restaurants are known for combining Sicilian flavors & Neapolitan pizza.
bayside: L’OLIVIERO*
At Villa Sant’Andrea, enjoy a scenic seafood lunch or dinner overlooking the Bay of Mazzarò. Here you’ll find regional dishes made from the freshest seasonal local produce.
local favorite: TISCHI TOSCHI*
The family-run acclaimed trattoria is a great options for an authentic Sicilian meal. The limited menu changes regularly based on what's in season, and is filled with less-common regional specialities, like stewed rabbit and wild-fennel meatballs.
ocean views: TIMEO*
With one of the most magical backdrops, Timeo serves up Sicilian and Italian specialties for lunch and dinner. Sunset here is a must - the views of Mount Etna and Capo Taormina are hard to beat.
on the square: AL DUOMO*
Al Duomo is a longtime favorite for multiple reasons - the classic Sicilian menu, casual but refined setting, and unbeatable views of the Duomo. Start an evening in town here and follow up with cocktails nearby.
cocktails + dancing: MORGANA
Morgana is undoubtedly Taormina’s hot spot for cocktails and dancing. Enjoy cocktails in the more relaxed courtyard garden, or spend an evening dancing after dinner inside :)
SEE + DO
EXPLORE TAORMINA
Spend a relaxing morning or afternoon exploring town, shopping, eating, sightseeing - whatever you are up for! When shopping, it’s most fun to wander the streets and find hidden gems on your own. That being said, keep an eye out for Manago (ceramics) and Bottega del Buongustaio (Sicilian treats).
TEATRO ANTICO
A trip to Taormina isn’t complete without a visit to the city’s ancient Greek amphitheater. Pair this with a visit to town for a perfect half-day excursion.
VINTAGE CAR TOURS*
If you want a full view of Taormina without walking in the heat or spending too much time, the ape tour is the way to go. It may be a bit cheesy, but it’s always a good time! If you’d like to see smaller hilltop villages by car, the Fiat Godfather tour is also a blast.
WATER SPORTS
The Belmond Sant’Andrea is your go-to for basic water sports like snorkleing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. If you’d like a more serious excursion, the concierge can easily arrange for a day of fishing or diving (and an underwater tour of an old shipwreck).
MOUNT ETNA*
Spend a day exploring Mount Etna in any capacity you desire - whether you hike, drive, or eat your way around the volcano. (yes, Mt. Etna food & wine tours are available!). My suggestion: spend the morning doing light hiking, and follow it up with a wine tasting (+ lunch) at one of the wineries on the volcano’s lower slopes.
BOAT EXCURSIONS*
Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary 90min boat tour (leaving from Belmond Sant’Andrea’s beach). If you want more privacy, a sunset cruise, or a longer trip, the hotel can arrange private tours to nearby sights (Blue Grotto, Isola Bella, Naxos Bay, Fortune Cave) or the Aeolian islands.