Taormina, Sicily

Wed, Jun 5 Sicily (Messina), Italy 12:00 PM 08:00 PM

Taormina overlooks the Bay of Naxos from its rocky promontory about 230m above sea level. It is about 1h away from the port of Messina by bus and was the target of our excursion today.

We docked at Messina abt noon after travelling through the Strait of Messina between Sicily & Italy. Earlier in the day there was a cool breeze but just like yesterday in Kotor, it warmed up nicely and was quite hot around noon in the sun. As we entered the bay, there are two very high towers (like TV towers) straddling the strait. Today they are historic and listed but the cables now go under the Strait. We travelled through the Strait in 2012.

The excursion left at 1400 for about 2.5h of sightseeing on foot in this quaint town in the hills. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Mediterranean, it seamlessly balances the beauty of yesteryear with an affluent resort ambiance. Mt Etna was in the distance but the peak was covered in cloud. Again, great picture opportunities.