Walking in Taormina
Walking in Taormina.
Last week, I walked in Taormina, situated on “Monte Tauro” the southernmost spur of the chain of the “Monti Peloritani” and communicating the attraction of this medieval village and its unique natural setting is certainly not an easy task. The beauty of the town's geographical position, the magnificent landscape with its luxuriant vegetation: olive-trees, pines, palm trees, Mediterranean vegetation that covers all the heights above the town. The monuments and architecture of Taormina reflect the town's millenary history: from the Greek theatre and the Hellenistic Odeon to remains from the roman period, like the Naumachie, a monumental nymphaeum of the imperial period. The view can not disappoint yourself since the Italian coast is in front of you and near there is the volcano Etna with is 3350m above the sea level, is possible when there is a lava flow on the southern side to see this magnificent earth- manifestations.
It's possible to go to visit the castle of Castel-Mola a little village built to defend Taormina by the invasions, there is the possibility to choose the path to go up between the Taormina's gardens with its lemon-trees, almond-trees and the Prickly Pear or to the religious complex called the “Sanctuary of Madonna della Rocca” stands on a limestone spur on the south-eastern slopes of Monte Tauro, the Sanctuary is marked by a white cross clearly visible even from Taormina. And after the visit of Castel-Mola I visited a particular and tipical pub called ” Bar Torrisi” were is possible to drink a fresh glass of almond wine, a typical Sicilian wine.
And after visited Taormina and Castel-Mola you can continue the path to go down from Taormina to “Isola Bella” a little island were you find a big English villa build by an English lady loving by local people. You can stay on the beach and swim in a crystal-clear sea. It's easy to find some roadbooks that describe all paths in Taormina or to have a tour guided with the Mandala organic tours a Sicilian agency specialized in trek tours. A fantastic day resemble to a painting signed by a romantic landscape painter.
David Lo Schiavo (Tour leader Mandala Organic Tours)
