Castelmola is an interesting and picturesque settlement, where a certain rugged authenticity mixes with tourist-oriented craft shops. Signs lead you uphill to the thirteenth-century Castello, which is dramatically situated to command the hills and valleys. The little streets and alleys are worth exploring before you make your way back down to Taormina.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Castelmola and Bar Turrisi

Bar Turrisi http://www.barturrisi.com/ at Castelmola http://castelmola.blogspot.com/ At the end of the 19th century the famous German baron W. Von Gloden sent a message to all the world with his photographs of nude men and almond trees, as well as with his poetry, reflecting Sicily's absolute freedom. These ideals, always floating on the air of this warm and dry land, find a collocation and an exaltation well defined in Bar Turrisi. The Penis, together with the other ornamental items such as a Sicilian cart, puppets, old keys to mention a few, try to synthesize part of Sicilian culture.




Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Accommodation by typein Taormina and Castelmola

Accommodation type

Hotels
Bed and Breakfasts
Self Catering Apartments
Town House Suites
Serviced Apartments
Farm Houses

Area of Taormina

Capo Taormina - Mazzarò
Porta Catania
Porta Messina


Taormina really seems to be born as a touristic resort since past times, when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose it as their residential site thank to its favourable position, mild climate and magic atmosphere. Nowadays visitors can still find fine examples of Taormina’s golden times : the splendid Greek Thetre, the Roman "Naumachiae", the 13th century Cathedral of Saint Nicolò, the 14th century Palazzo Corvaja, the 16th century Palace of the Dukes of Saint.Stefano, the public gardens, the "Badia Vecchia" (Ancient Abbey) and many others.


The resort was first publicised by a trio of german artists : in 1787 J.W.Goethe discovered the beauties of Sicily and, in particular, of Taormina. He wrote the world known novel "Italian Journey", in which he describes the beauties of this land and its people and pronounced Taormina a "patch of paradise". The german painter Otto Geleng rose intereset in parisan art galleries exibiting his paintings about this magical landscapes. His contemporary, the young prussian photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden settled down in 1880 and made Taormina famous to all conservative european cultural clubs with his artistic portraits of nude sheperd boys with the volcano Etna on the backstage.


Since then many important celebrities visited Taormina, electing it as their "escapade place " from chaotic city life. Patrik Brydone D.H. Lawrence, Truman Capote, Alexander Dumas, Anatole France, Andrè Gide, Paul Klee, Guy de Maupassant, Luigi Pirandello, John Steinbeck, Gustav Klimt, Elio Vittorini, Oscar Wilde, Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms spent happy moments here. In more recent times movie, theatre and music celebrities such as Ingmar Bergmann, Francis Ford Coppola, Leonard Bergman, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Federico Fellini, Cary Grant, Tyrone Power, Gregory Peck, Marcello Mastroianni, Elisabeth Taylor, Woody Allen have spent pleasant and memorable holidays in the Mediterranean pearl.

Atahotel Capotaormina suburb: Mazzarò,

Atahotel Capotaormina
suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale 105

€ 242 per room per night Photo gallery

Located on the promontory cliffs bearing the same name, under the city of Taormina, the Atahotel Capotaormina is a unique building of its kind. Whereas normal hotels develop in height, Capotaormina hotel's floors follow the profile of the cliff sloping towards the sea.

Surrounded on three sides by the sea, the hotel enjoys wonderful panoramic views: on the right, the impressive profile of the Etna and of the Baia di Giardini Naxos, an unforgettable scenery during the sunset; on the left, the famous Isolabella, linked to the land by a slight strip of sand, the panorama of Capo Sant'Andrea and, in the clearest days, the lighted coast of Calabria; in front, the vastity of the sea spacing at 180° and the view of the garden on the cliff and of the swimming pool.

On the first floor there are wide terraces and from each one of the 200 guest rooms different panoramic views can be enjoyed. The hotel has 3 restaurants, 3 bars, shopping boutiques, hair dresser, tobacco store, gym with personal trainer, outdoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, private beach and vast congressional areas, altogether making it a beautiful holiday and congressional destination in Italy.
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Accommodation in Taormina and Castelmola


Recommended Accommodation

Grand Hotel Timeo Taormina, Via Teatro Greco 59
€ 381 per room per night Photo gallery
The Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina boasts an excellent in front of the Roman-Greek theatre. This first-class hotel, dating back to 1873, perfectly blends with the Framon hotel chain style. Surrounded by a beautiful park of 25000 sqm, the hotel -- more details
Hotel Villa Sirina Taormina, Via Crocifisso 30 - Contrada Sirina
€ 186 per room per night
Photo gallery Hotel Villa Sirina is hosted by an old country house, entirely restored, situated 700 metres from the Taormina beaches, in the midst of a green valley, rich in citrus plantations and oleander trees. The structure, fully air conditioned, is tastefully -- more details

Hotel Villa Sant'Andrea suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale 137
€ 235 per room per night
Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò The hotel Villa Sant'Andrea is ideally located on the bay of Mazzarò, in the immediate proximtiy of Taormina. It was built in 1830 by an aristocratic British family, and was transformed into a hotel in 1950. Since then it has been recognized as one of -- more details

Hotel Villa Taormina Taormina, Via Tommaso Fazzello 39
€ 240 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Catania The hotel Villa Taormina belonged to an ancient and aristocratic family from the place, and it is situated in the heart of the historical centre of Taormina. The ancient residence has been transformed into a small hotel de charme with all the comforts of -- more details

Hotel Villa Paradiso Taormina, Via Roma 2
€ 205 per room per night
Photo gallery Porta Messina Situated a few metres from the historical centre of Taormina, and a stone's throw from the main street (Corso Umberto) and the Congress Building; the hotel overlooks: The Bay of Naxos, Etna volcano, the public gardens and tennis courts.From 1st June to -- more details

Hotel Villa Carlotta Taormina, Via Luigi Pirandello 81
€ 210 per room per night
Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò Hotel Villa Carlotta enjoys an unbeatable panoramic position overlooking the sea, just 10 minutes on foot from Taormina's picturesque historic centre, with its many restaurants, bars, cinemas, theatres, quaint shops and boutiques. Nestled within a lovely -- more details

Grande Albergo Monte Tauro Taormina, Via Madonna delle Grazie 3
€ 250 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina The Grande Albergo Monte Tauro is located in a outstanding panoramic position in Taormina in a sophisticate and modern building with enchanting views over the Gulf of Naxos and the Etna Mount. The hotel exclusive design, the choice of materials, the -- more details

Hotel Il Piccolo Giardino Taormina, Salita Lucio Denti 4

€ 135 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina Fully renovated in 2007/2008, Il Piccolo Giardino is a modern, value for money central Taormina hotel located within 100 metres of the Palazzo dei Congressi Conference centre and only 150 metres from the Greek-Roman Theatre, making it ideal for your -- more details

Hotel Bel Soggiorno Taormina, Via Luigi Pirandello 60

€ 130 per room per night

Photo gallery The Bel Soggiorno hotel is located in a green and elegant area of Taormina, only a few steps from the town centre, surrounded by an oasis of absolute peace and tranquillity. Situated on via Luigi Pirandello one of the most beautiful panoramic roads of the. -- more details

Hotel Del Corso Taormina, Corso Umberto 238

€ 135 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Catania The hotel del Corso is situated right in the historical centre of Taormina on the famous street Corso Umberto, close to all major attractions of the town. The structure is a beautiful building, elegantly furnished and offers all the modern comforts and a.. -- more details

Hotel Bay Palace Taormina, Strada Statale 114, 248 - Località Spisone

€ 110 per room per night

Photo gallery Situated on the east coast of Sicily, in the popular italian tourist resort of Mazzaro Beach - Taormina, the Bay Palace Hotel offers comfortable beach accommodations only a few minutes from the charming Isola Bella, also known as the Pearl of the Ionian -- more details



Hotel Isola Bella suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale 196 - Località Isola Bella

€ 142 per room per night

Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò The Hotel is built in a pictoresque position facing the bay after which it is named, not far from beach and cable-way station leading to the city center of Taormina.All the rooms are equipped with toilette, with shower or bath tub, hairdryer,... -- more details


Jonic Hotel Mazzarò suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale 224

€ 90 per room per night

Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò The Jonic Hotel Mazzarò is a small and romantic property in Art Nouveau style, situated in one of the most exclusive and comfortable s in the centre of the Mazzarò Bay in Taormina, Sicily, an antique fishing harbor, only 30 meters from the -- more details

Hotel Villa Ducale Taormina, Via Leonardo da Vinci 60

€ 199 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Catania The hotel Villa Ducale in Taormina is an aristoctratic Sicilian Villa of the 19th century, surrounded by a bloomed garden with jasmines and orange blossoms, situated in Taormina panoramic area, only 15 minutes walk to the historic centre (a free shuttle... -- more details


Hotel Villa Kristina Taormina, Via Leonardo da Vinci 23/E

€ 96 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Catania The hotel Villa Kristina is located in the beautiful Taormina, only 2 minutes from Corso Umberto the main pedestrian street, and from the commercial center of the town. The hotel offers a large swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant and parking facilities.... -- more details

Hotel Svizzera Taormina, Via Luigi Pirandello 26

€ 105 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina Hotel Svizzera enjoys an excellent in Taormina, within easy reach of the historical centre. Situated directly on via Pirandello, one of the most beautiful panoramic roads of this fascinating Sicily holiday destination, guests can admire lovely -- more details


Hotel Villa Fiorita Taormina, Via Luigi Pirandello 39

€ 125 per room per night

Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò Located a few steps from the historic centre, Villa Fiorita is an elegant 3 star hotel in Taormina, one of the most popular destinations in the island of Sicily, Italy. Surrounded by an oasis of Mediterranean vegetation, it offers the ideal accommodation -- more details


Hotel Soleado Taormina, Via Dietro Cappuccini 41/A

€ 89 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina The hotel Soleado enjoys a central position in Taormina, just minutes away from the historic centre in a panoramic area with wonderful views over the bay of Letojanni and Calabria's coastline. The Soleado hotel ample outdoor swimming pool features beach -- more details


Hotel Condor Taormina, Via Dietro Cappuccini 25

€ 90 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina The Condor hotel is situated in a quiet and panoramic position in Taormina, a splendid town featuring a mild climate, rich in vegetation and culturally and historically valuable with its Baia di Mazzarò, Capo Sant'Andrea and Isola Bella. The hospitality.. -- more details


Hotel Villa Caterina suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale 155

€ 102 per room per night

Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò Villa Caterina is the ideal accommodation for guests seeking privacy, tranquillity and peacefulness. The villa stands in the fabulous inlet of the bay of Mazzaro, with its picturesque beach and clear sea only a few metres away, easily reachable by means... -- more details

Hotel Victoria Taormina, Corso Umberto I 81

€ 90 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina Hotel Victoria is situated right in the historical center of Taormina, right on the famous pedestrian street Corso Umberto, and minutes away from the old town-gate Porta Messina. This family-run hotel is housed in a building dating back to 1885, that has -- more details

Hotel Taodomus Taormina, Corso Umberto I 224

€ 150 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Catania The Taodomus Hotel – the ideal central residence for those seeking relax in a refined, cosy and welcoming ambience. Unique for is : 50 metres away from Porta Catania, just before the picturesque Piazza del Duomo, famous for its baroque -- more details


Hotel Elios Taormina, Via Bagnoli Croce 98

€ 80 per room per night

Photo gallery Porta Messina The Elios hotel, situated in Taormina, very close to the Greek Theatre and the Giardini di Villa Comunale gardens, a few steps from the town centre, offers cosy and cheap accommodation. Elios hotel is the ideal destination for tourist stays thanks to the -- more details




Hotel Lido Méditerranée suburb: Mazzarò, Taormina, Via Nazionale - Località Spisone

€ 140 per room per night

Photo gallery Capo Taormina - Mazzarò Situated right on the beach, on one of Taormina's picturesque bays, 900 metres from the cable car leading you to the city centre, the hotel Lido Méditerranée ensures you a memorable stay on Sicilian coast.This 4 stars hotel features many amenities -- more details

Castelmola a jewel

Perched above Taormina lies one of Sicily’s most beautiful villages, Castelmola a jewel positioned atop a mountain and dominating the landscape below. Offfering one of Europe’s most spectacular views over the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, the bay of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna which can often be seen erupting and providing an incomparable backdrop for this unique and charmed village.

Located in the Province of Messina about 170kms from Palermo and 40kms from Messina. On a clear day one can see the vibrant city of Catania and the ancient city of Siracusa on the Ionian Coast. Dating from the Bronze age, the Greeks colonised the village developing the links to Taormina, the fortress and the Madonna della Rocca.

The main Piazza leads into narrow winding streets filled with hidden treasures, including the famous Bar Turrisi made famous by its traditional foods and Almond Wine and for its fabulous views over the Bay of Giardini and Taormina. The village is protected by Saint George and feasted on the 23rd of April annully.

Castelmola borders the following municipalities: Gaggi, Letojanni, Mongiuffi Melia, Taormina.

Film of Castelmola and Taormina

Castelmola is an interesting and picturesque settlement, where a certain rugged authenticity mixes with tourist-oriented craft shops. Signs lead you uphill to the thirteenth-century Castello, which is dramatically situated to command the hills and valleys. The little streets and alleys are worth exploring before you make your way back down to Taormina. The little town has a suprisingly imposing Duomo, and several smaller churches, including the Chiesa di San Giorgio (1450) which contains a charming little statue of St. George on his charger.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in Castelmola, but a nice alternative is to pick up a picnic lunch from the friendly Mini Market general store along Via A. de Gasperi (which leads from Piazza San Antonio). You can have the rolls filled with delicious local cheeses, or whatever you fancy, and sit down for a pleasant outdoors meal on the next stretch of the walk.

Comuni of the Province of Messina

Comuni of the Province of Messina

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