We leave Agrigento and take the drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made: a 4th century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which explains its size and richness of decoration. Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite. We have a guided tour of the villa before continuing our drive to Taormina.
Taormina is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where we have a choice of three hotels in three different locations, staying for four nights with breakfast and dinner
Neighbouring Taormina is Giardini Naxos, a charming typically Sicilian town with a seashore lined by seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach and the beautiful family run fourstar Hotel Sant’Alphio Garden, situated just a few minutes’ walk from the sea itself. This hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna.
In Taormina itself, you can choose the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! It is superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna on the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens and yet centrally located in the old town.
Finally, just eight kilometres north of Taormina, built in Sicilian style and set into the coastal cliff itself, overlooking the stunning Bay of Taormina, is the luxurious, four-star Hotel Baia Taormina. It is a member of ‘Charming Hotels – Independent Luxury Hotels of the World’ one of the world’s most stylish hotel chains. This superb hotel with its stone-faced walls, terracotta tiles and wide arches has a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor pools are open summer months, weather permitting.

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4* Hotel Sant' Alphio Garden - Giardini Naxos
Chosen for its ideal seafront location.
- Swimming pool and solarium
- Private beach
- Restaurant and bar

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and images
4* Hotel Excelsior Palace - Taormina
Chosen for its central location in Taormina.
- Classic building, built in 1904
- Restaurant and bar
- Swimming pool and outdoor bar

View hotel details
and images
4* Hotel Baia Taormina
Chosen for its welcoming atmosphere and picturesque location.
- Built into a coastal hillside
- Sea view rooms
- Swimming pool