I would like to introduce you to Sicily. A destination unknown to many of you is my guess. Even after 20 years in the travel business, this unbelievable destination took me totally by surprise. The crown jewel of the Sicilian coast line, Taormina, has so much to offer that it will be hard to cover in this short post. You will see by the photos, this gem of a destination displays majestic scenery, incredible wines, historic treasures, geologic fascinations, sunny playgrounds, cultural uniqueness and movie fame. That's a mouthful, but true in every sense. The beautiful village of Taormina is perched in the cliffs above the Meditteranean, safely out of the path of frequent lava flows from Mt. Etna.
It is Mt. Etna that dominates the landscape in Taormina. As one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, it is in a constant state of eruption. I'll never forget the balmy evenings on the terrace of the hotel, sampling the local grown white wines, captivated by the red and orange glow of the veins of lava seeping down the mountainside. It's a good thing for the hillside residents that this is not a volcano that builds-up pressure and explodes. They may not know where the next vent will open up, but Vesuvius it is not. The wineries I visited on the slopes of Etna take advantage of the rich soil and Mediterranean climate, to create some beautifuly crisp white varietals. When pared with the famous Sicilian cuisine, it really makes this a superior culinary desination. As you will see with the photos below, if your willing to get up early, a sunrise, can be just a dramatic as a sunset anyday...
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| Mt. Etna |
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| Steaming Mt. Etna |
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| Sicilian Winery |
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| Awsome Sunrise |
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