February 7: Taormina

We started the day with a moderately difficult hike to the castle at Parco della Rocca di Cefalu’, which is a spectacular cliff 268 meters high overlooking the city. The views all along the trek were amazing of Cefalu’, its beach, and the Cathedral of Cefalu’.  

From here, we drove approximately 3 hours to the town of Taormina.  It was mostly highway driving as we sped along the coastline.  We must have passed through at least 50 tunnels along the way. Once we arrived, we checked into the Parking Lagani Campsite.  We had a very disappointing lunch at a local restaurant and then took the bus to see Isola Bella (Beautiful Island) and Teatro Antico di Taormina.  

Although Isola Bella was closed by the time we arrived, the views from above were outstanding.  Next, we went down the 420 steps to the beach by Isola Bella to get a close up look at its beauty.  Then, it was back up the stairs to the Taormina’s Old Town Center where we bought some arancini, and cannolis.  

Finally, after getting off the bus near our campsite, we stopped into a fantastic butcher shop where we bought two T-bone steaks and a cow tail.  You heard that correctly – Ashley purchased a cowtail to make soup in the morning.